₦airaland Forum

Sarsaparilla524:
My 10 Takeaways From AFCON 2025

1. This was Nigeria's best tournament in recent years. I don't even care that we didn't win it. The way we played, the intensity, the belief, everything about this team felt different. We actually looked like a team that knew what they were doing. Eric Chelle deserves all his flowers for that. I hope we keep him for some years more, and I pray he stays.

2. I really wanted Osimhen to win the Golden Boot as consolation for his "we die here energy in this tournament. But when I saw he wasn't included in the third-place match, my heart sank. I know it was probably because of his injury, but man, that golden boot would have been sweet.😋

3. The Morocco vs Senegal final was poetic most beautifully and tragically. The Senegalese team, who conceded a penalty and were visibly angry and heartbroken about it, so much so that they walked off the pitch, ended up saving the penalty, scoring a fantastic goal and winning the match. And then there's Diaz, who had been absolutely exceptional the entire tournament, carrying Morocco on his back, only to miss the most important penalty of his life in the final minute of the final. Football is a wicked sport.

4. About that disallowed goal for Morocco. Look, I agree the push on Hakimi was soft. Very soft. In fact, if we're being honest, it probably shouldn't have been enough to cancel the goal. But there was a push. The referee saw it, blew his whistle before the goal was even scored, so there was no way that goal was ever going to stand. VAR checked it, didn't see it as a clear and obvious error, so they didn't call the referee over. That's how it works. I understand the frustration, but the process was followed.

5. The penalty Morocco got for the pull on Diaz was the right call. I know Senegal fans and a lot of Senegal supporters from around the world are still vexed about it, but that was a clear foul inside the box. VAR saw it as a clear and obvious error, called the referee over, and he awarded the penalty. Even though I understand the emotional turmoil that followed, I didn't see anything wrong with the decision itself. Rules are rules.

6. Diaz should thank his stars he's not from Nigeria. Can you imagine a Nigerian player attempting a panenka in the final minute of an AFCON final? Against a goalkeeper known for saving panenkas because he doesn't dive anyhow? He for regret ever agreeing to play in this tournament at all. And the panenka was even weak sef. Like, bro, this was the time to kick that ball like your entire country was squeezing your balls. Not time for fancy football.
Imagine being that talented, carrying your team all tournament, only to fumble at the final hurdle with an arrogant penalty. It's heartbreaking.

7. Sadio Mane has officially earned his place among Africa's all-time greats. The man has done it all. Premier League winner. Champions League winner. AFCON winner twice. And the leadership he showed in that final when he started calling his teammates back to the pitch after they'd walked off in protest, and they all listened immediately, that's influence. That's respect. I love him so much, and I'm happy he won Best Player of the tournament.

8. I genuinely enjoyed this AFCON. I watched almost all the matches and didn't regret a single one. The quality of play was high, the drama was over the roof, and for once, it felt like African football was being taken seriously by everyone involved. The organisation was great. Officiating could use a little polishing though. But ultimately, this tournament delivered.

9. Egypt's journey to the semi-finals was impressive. They didn't play any fantastic football throughout the tournament, but they always found a way to win, and it got them far enough.

10. Finally, this AFCON reminded me why I love football. The highs, the lows, the heartbreak, the joy, the chaos. It's all part of the experience. And African football, with all its madness and challenges, is some of the most entertaining football in the world. Long may it continue.

#OzoneWrites
#AFCON2025

Mujtahida:
All the years that Senegal did not win, their one language did not help them, their indigenous coach stayed over five years before he won their first title. They have won now, suddenly Bambara abi na bambialla is the reason they won.

ChrisKels listed some monikers one should not respond to. I think I'd take his advise.

TheSuperNerd:
Several folks wont agree but I am telling you confidently that the only team at this Afcon that could beat Senegal fairly is Nigeria's Super Eagles.

I congratulate them on learning from our experience against the dirty moroccans and CAF's scripting.

They tried that same shit with Senegal.

They fought back. Just look at Hakimi, a disgrace! pic.twitter.com/FVYKLMzQER

— God's own (@t0sinadeda) January 19, 2026

Hoy Yehvan Diouf, arquero suplente de Senegal, fue el MVP absoluto, en la Final de la Copa.

Así dejó la vida POR LA TOALLA de Mendy, que los alcanzapelotas marroquíes querían ROBAR para que no pudiera secar los guantes…

INCREÍBLE, JAJAJA. 😅🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/uhgJGAGrur

— Ataque Futbolero (@AtaqueFutbolero) January 19, 2026

This is pure MADNESS, An unbelievable scene as the Moroccan player Ismael Saibari tries to steal the Senegalese goalkeeper Mendy's towel, fortunately, there was a Senegalese player there to keep hold of it!

They tried everything and they failed but Senegal came prepared!!! pic.twitter.com/hpRjGMYR1i

— SportsDokitor (Odogwu👆) (@sportsdokitor) January 19, 2026

ChrisKels:
There is a report that they have entered their streets attacking and destroying Senegalese businesses

lbrichman2:
I hope CAf & FIFA sees these videos. I doubt if they will try it against Algeria or Libya.
Africa my foot!






I love as Mendy dey indulge the guy holding the towel
Lol
Mendy cleaned his face like 100 times ( na joke)
Like I said, any serious team would have learned something from watching our game against Morocco
Imagine stationing a player by the post just to hold towel
Lol

Hakimi is a big disgrace!!!!!

They tried that same shit with Senegal.

They fought back. Just look at Hakimi, a disgrace! pic.twitter.com/FVYKLMzQER

— God's own (@t0sinadeda) January 19, 2026

Hoy Yehvan Diouf, arquero suplente de Senegal, fue el MVP absoluto, en la Final de la Copa.

Así dejó la vida POR LA TOALLA de Mendy, que los alcanzapelotas marroquíes querían ROBAR para que no pudiera secar los guantes…

INCREÍBLE, JAJAJA. 😅🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/uhgJGAGrur

— Ataque Futbolero (@AtaqueFutbolero) January 19, 2026

This is pure MADNESS, An unbelievable scene as the Moroccan player Ismael Saibari tries to steal the Senegalese goalkeeper Mendy's towel, fortunately, there was a Senegalese player there to keep hold of it!

They tried everything and they failed but Senegal came prepared!!! pic.twitter.com/hpRjGMYR1i

— SportsDokitor (Odogwu👆) (@sportsdokitor) January 19, 2026

mostob:
Are you Ozone? If you're not, please put #copied.

Sarsaparilla524:
🚨 👤 NFF President Ibrahim Gusau 🎤: "As the head of a hard-working technical crew, Mr. Chelle has done exceedingly well within the one year he has been with us. He has shown enormous capacity and we will continue to work with him."

Sarsaparilla524:
🚨 👤 NFF President Ibrahim Gusau 🎤: "As the head of a hard-working technical crew, Mr. Chelle has done exceedingly well within the one year he has been with us. He has shown enormous capacity and we will continue to work with him."

Joezinho:
Bro, drop the conspiracy theory. You think football is a scripted tv show or something? lol. Dude fought for the pk. He was literally howling at the referee to go check VAR. He refused to let the ref allow play go on ..
North Africans when not dey use eye see ojoro go come agree to miss pk in front of thousands of supporters? lol.

semid4lyfe:
The stadium stewards tried to steal Mendy towels like they did to Nwabali but a Senegalese player stopped them from doing so and the Moroccans pursued him.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSa8j9VRp/

These Moroccans are terrible people.

minfelix:
in as much as i dont wanna believe that penalty was missed on purpose let’s look at how the senegalese defense reacted
… Normally this type of penalty miss suppose cause wild celebration amongst the Senegalese players, more like seeing Mane and others going to hug mendy and giving this vibe of “YESSSSSS” God p^nish them, e no go b€ta for dem!” kinda celebration …that was the last kick miss of regulation time oo…

anyways sha…i still no go believe say na deliberate miss

minfelix:
Afcon team of the tournament

zicky:
Another video it was Hakimi that tried same thing but the Senegalese players took it from him.
What's their obsession with towel

BankyGee:
Cheating may endure for a night but Senegal comes in the morning...

- AFCON Chapter 20 vs 25 😆😂🤣

opes:
I listened to Amaju interview this morning where he said he and Alhaji Gasua discussed with Arsene wenger on the possibility of getting Chelle attached for an internship.

zicky:
Another video it was Hakimi that tried same thing but the Senegalese players took it from him.
What's their obsession with towel

ChrisKels:
If these were Senegalese and they were born in France, at least 90% of them would already have opted to represent Senegal.

We are not just attractive at all. Imagine an average striker like Ilenikhena that was born in Lagos is not even interested in joining us even though his path to the French senior national team isn't clear.

But that said, Senegal produces qualities at home and at the same time attracts qualities from abroad.

opes:
I listened to Amaju interview this morning where he said he and Alhaji Gasua discussed with Arsene wenger on the possibility of getting Chelle attached for an internship.

SymphonyRad:
And it finally settles it that Sadio Mane has had a better career than Salah, arguably the better player all things considered.