Winning AFCON is not easy - Former Super Eagles star praises Eric Chelle’s team

Former Nigeria international Sam Elijah has praised the Super Eagles for their quality, and determination at the recently concluded 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, despite narrowly missing out on the continental title.

Nigeria ended the tournament in third place after edging Egypt’s Pharaohs in a dramatic penalty shootout in the bronze medal match, adding another podium finish to their AFCON history as three-time champions.

Speaking in an interview with Footy Africa, Elijah stressed that the Super Eagles gave a strong account of themselves throughout the competition and fully earned their bronze medals.

He said, “Several countries participated in the AFCON, and they all wanted to win. It wasn’t just Senegal, Nigeria, and Morocco competing; there can only be one winner.”

Elijah pointed to Nigeria’s own AFCON record to underscore how difficult it is to win the trophy.

“They fought all the way and deserved to go home with something. We have been participating in the AFCON for years, but how many times has Nigeria won? Just three, and that says a lot,” he added.

Elijah also highlighted the off-field issues that surrounded the Super Eagles before the tournament, noting that these challenges could have negatively affected the players’ morale.

He said, “Finishing in the top three is not bad, especially when you consider the challenges before the tournament. The boys owed several bonuses, and the NFF also had its problems, which were enough to discourage them.”