₦airaland Forum

NasirIbnLaAhad:
All things being considered, we shouldn't be celebrating a bronze medal. I was miffed about that as well. We came to win it all, not settle for third and pat ourselves in the back for getting a 9th bronze. We have enough of those already, winning another one should be an insult. Especially knowing we don't have a World Cup to participate in. That being said, yes, Oliseh did make a whole lot of bizarre assertions in his inglorious tirade, particularly with regards to why the team lost. Nigeria lost because of two reasons: 1) poor officiating that killed our momentum, 2) Chelle not having a solid plan B. Even if he did have a plan B, it was clear the players had not soaked it fully enough because the execution was practically non-existent. That's all. Any other reason is largely in Oliseh's imaginations.

I do not think we are celebrating bronze. We lost out at the finals last time. So third place is a down grade. What made Nigerians happy is the quality of football, the promise we see and the hope that the future will see us do great things.

And in any case in this life, one has to be grateful and thankful and even celebratory of every victory no matter how small or inconsequential.

A journalist told Akor, it's just bronze. Akor said no. It's not just bronze. Many came and went home with nothing.

I celebrate that bronze. There was something immensely satisfying about it. I can't really explain it.

NasirIbnLaAhad:
You severely underrate sporting politics. Morocco wouldn't have this leverage in the first place if other nations had comparable infrastructure. That's the gospel truth. Why does CAF have so few viable alternatives that they repeatedly turn to the same country? The officiating issues and Morocco's dominance as a host are 100% connected, and we've seen the evidence. When one country controls the backup venue repeatedly, it creates an unhealthy power dynamic. Now you're stuck trying to bend over backwards so as not to upset your benefactors. It's no surprise that this tournament ended up as easily the most controversial AFCON in history.

CAF needs multiple nations with world-class facilities so that there's always genuine competition for hosting rights. That competition naturally brings accountability. This is where countries like your beloved Nigeria continue to fail over and over again. Until African football federations invest seriously in infrastructure, we'll keep seeing the same cycle. The solution is to eliminate the conditions that concentrate power in one place. Morocco knows the advantages they have, and whether they exploit those advantages deliberately or not becomes almost irrelevant because the system allows it anyway. The only solution is eliminating their monopoly through genuine competition.

One clear advantage Morocco has is its strong football infrastructure. Over the years, Morocco has bailed CAF out on several occasions when other countries were unable to meet hosting requirements. That commitment deserves recognition.and i think they have enjoyed it enough .
However, it appears that this advantage is now being leveraged improperly, creating room for poor sportsmanship and unfair conduct. Infrastructure should be a service to African football, not a tool for dominance or intimidation.
What Africa truly needs is more quality football facilities across the continent. Countries like Nigeria and others should be capable of hosting AFCON without stress, given our football history and population. Unfortunately, poor planning, governance challenges, and declining infrastructure have made this dificult.
The situation of the countries and the broader football ecosystem is not in a healthy state, and until infrastructure development becomes a continental priority, these challenges will persist. if i am correct , Morocco is likely to host another AFCON in 2yrs or 3 years time

NasirIbnLaAhad:
Okay, let's leave Oliseh aside for now. I'm speaking for myself alone here, and not Oliseh. Now I'm not diminishing the bronze itself. What I had an issue with was the manner of celebration. The way the bench ran out like they won the final felt a bit cringe to me. I get it. You finished in the top 3. Any team should be proud of that. But when you're minutes removed from a semifinal loss, with a World Cup spot denied and legitimate grievances about officiating still raw, jubilant celebrations naturally feel premature and tone-deaf. Not to mention the fact that you did one better in the last tournament by winning silver. Everyone has low expectations pre-tournament which the team exceeded with quality football. But I'm not sure how that warrants effusive celebration as opposed to quiet satisfaction. Having an elite mentality demands we feel the sting of falling short in the first place, especially when the prize was genuinely within reach.

When Oliseh made that observation, I was reminded of William Troost-Ekong's hilarious and ridiculous celebration after scoring a PENALTY against LESOTHO in that World Cup qualifying match in October last year. Take note of the words I emboldened. There was no need to go off celebrating when the match wasn't even over. I think it was Osimhen who just ran into the net and picked up the ball to resume play quickly.

My fear is that we're becoming too satisfied with anything less than the best. We need to maintain high standards and hunger. You can appreciate progress while still being appropriately disappointed about missed opportunities. Both can coexist. The way they celebrated suggested contentment with bronze when gold was attainable, and irrespective of how you felt about Oliseh's critique there, I don't find anything there to fault completely. For me, Lookman had the right mentality. He scored the winning penalty against Egypt but he didn't start jumping all over the pitch over it. He was walking back until Awaziem came and lifted him up.

In the same vein celebrating bronze can co-exist with the hunger to go for more. The same argument you make for being stoic about the victory can be made for taking the medal with a flourish.

And you can never judge the team off celebrating or being stodgy about the bronze medal.

In the next match, we will judge the team based on how they play not on how they celebrated or not celebrate the bronze medal.

On Sunday Oliseh, the lesser you pay attention to him, the better for una.

That guy is a major disruptor and hates on the main men in any generation. He loves to tear down a team's true leaders. He did it with Mikel. Did it with Enyeama. Did it in Holland at Fortuna Sittard. Attempting it with Osimhen today. Talking nonsense about Lookman's state of mind. Same Lookman that was cooking with Osimhen vs Algeria?

Oliseh came in and made Moses Simon his most important lad while putting Mikel aside. He was feeding us average lads like Sylvester Igboun. Forcing him down our throats.

See make una no vex me by giving Oliseh unnecessary attention. He is a team disruptor and hates it when others get their rightful shine as the main men in our national team.

Oliseh is a cancer. What do u do to cancers? One of the ways to fight cancers is to starve their cells of blood supply and nutrients.

This is how to handle a disgusting narcissist like Sunday Oliseh. STARVE HIM OF YOUR ATTENTION FOR GOODNESS SAKE.

Mujtahida:
I do not think we are celebrating bronze. We lost out at the finals last time. So third place is a down grade. What made Nigerians happy is the quality of football, the promise we see and the hope that the future will see us do great things.

And in any case in this life, one has to be grateful and thankful and even celebratory of every victory no matter how small or inconsequential.

A journalist told Akor, it's just bronze. Akor said no. It's not just bronze. Many came and went home with nothing.

I celebrate that bronze. There was something immensely satisfying about it. I can't really explain it.

What made the boys jubilate was simple: they defeated Egypt. That win meant a lot psychologically and emotionally. It wasn’t really about the bronze medal itself.
And honestly, there’s nothing wrong with celebrating. A team that wins bronze today can build the mentality to win gold tomorrow. Progress doesn’t happen overnight.
I don’t understand why Sunday Oliseh seems so upset about it. He has rarely been known as a satisfied or encouraging figure around the national team. It’s also important to remember that his tenure damaged team chemistry, especially during his well-documented disputes with Mikel Obi and Vincent Enyeama.
Oliseh’s actions contributed significantly to instability in the Super Eagles setup. Before criticizing others, there should be accountability for past decisions that harmed the team. E COME BE LIKE SAY ME SELF DON JOIN AM DEY RAKE.

semid4lyfe:
I've been away for a while. Just catching up on the story of Sunday Oliseh blaming Osimhen outburst at Lookman for his poor performance against Morocco.

All I'll say is Oliseh is evil and a terrible person. My God.

😂😂😂 You no even mince words

NasirIbnLaAhad:
You severely underrate sporting politics. Morocco wouldn't have this leverage in the first place if other nations had comparable infrastructure. That's the gospel truth. Why does CAF have so few viable alternatives that they repeatedly turn to the same country? The officiating issues and Morocco's dominance as a host are 100% connected, and we've seen the evidence. When one country controls the backup venue repeatedly, it creates an unhealthy power dynamic. Now you're stuck trying to bend over backwards so as not to upset your benefactors. It's no surprise that this tournament ended up as easily the most controversial AFCON in history.

CAF needs multiple nations with world-class facilities so that there's always genuine competition for hosting rights. That competition naturally brings accountability. This is where countries like your beloved Nigeria continue to fail over and over again. Until African football federations invest seriously in infrastructure, we'll keep seeing the same cycle. The solution is to eliminate the conditions that concentrate power in one place. Morocco knows the advantages they have, and whether they exploit those advantages deliberately or not becomes almost irrelevant because the system allows it anyway. The only solution is eliminating their monopoly through genuine competition.

CAF should just pick Morocco and Egypt in North Africa

CIV in West Africa


SA in Southern Africa

Cameroon in Central Africa.

Let these countries rotate hosting Afcon.

The current CAF leadership appears to lack a clear understanding of how African football ecosystems function. The proposed rotational regional league cup risks disrupting existing competitions, overloading players, and weakening domestic leagues.
Rather than strengthening African football, this approach could fragment the system, strain already limited infrastructure, and create scheduling chaos. What CAF needs right now is stability, investment in facilities, and stronger domestic leagues—not experimental tournaments that ignore structural realities across regions.


what do you guys think of the proposed upcoming regional league ?

Mujtahida:
CAF should just pick Morocco and Egypt in North Africa

CIV in West Africa


SA in Southern Africa

Cameroon in Central Africa.

Let these countries rotate hosting Afcon.

Even Senegal and Ghana in west Africa can team up as co hosts. Nigeria is out for now until we solve our security issues. Angola is another good option with their oil money they can host or team up with another country like Gabon to host. Options Dey rather allowing the North Africans to hold everyone hostage. Ethiopia is another huge country that can host too.

TheSuperNerd:
On Sunday Oliseh, the lesser you pay attention to him, the better for una.

That guy is a major disruptor and hates on the main men in any generation. He loves to tear down a team's true leaders. He did it with Mikel. Did it with Enyeama. Did it in Holland at Fortuna Sittard. Attempting it with Osimhen today. Talking nonsense about Lookman's state of mind. Same Lookman that was cooking with Osimhen vs Algeria?

Oliseh came in and made Moses Simon his most important lad while putting Mikel aside. He was feeding us average lads like Sylvester Igboun. Forcing him down our throats.

See make una no vex me by giving Oliseh unnecessary attention. He is a team disruptor and hates it when others get their rightful shine as the main men in our national team.

Oliseh is a cancer. What do u do to cancers? One of the ways to fight cancers is to starve their cells of blood supply and nutrients.

This is how to handle a disgusting narcissist like Sunday Oliseh. STARVE HIM OF YOUR ATTENTION FOR GOODNESS SAKE.

All he wants is for future generations of Nigerian players to see him as Lord. You’ve said it all he’s a cancer we should never allow near our national team. Despite having access visit Chelle in Morocco see what oliseh came up with? aaah people wicked o!

Mujtahida:
CAF should just pick Morocco and Egypt in North Africa

CIV in West Africa


SA in Southern Africa

Cameroon in Central Africa.

Let these countries rotate hosting Afcon.

CAF that overlooked a Nigeria-Benin bid.

It's not really about the AFCON, it's about other sporting activities. Futsal? Beach soccer? Those ones don't generate money or attention hence countries dodge them.

CAF needs to encourage regional federations to revive regional tournaments. That's one way for infrastructures to be alive and kicking

What a chance for Yilmaz

minfelix:
Senegal players wouldn’t have left the pitch if their coach had not gingered them….Now same way Super eagles players would have also obeyed Chelle if he waved at them in anger for them to come out of the pitch

Western média out of jealousy
ESPN etc are saying AFCON is a sham because of all the drama that happens
They know AFCON is taking away eye balls from their leagues
These Westerners can be very jealous to the point it’s becoming evil
Now they’ve forced CAF président to make it 4 years. Which could automatically keel AFCON
Nations league will largely benefit teams like Eswatini, Botswana etc bottom ranked teams

BankyGee:
Interchange the positions of Iwobi and Ndidi

I even think Aina and Benjamin have work to do if they're going to break into the starting 11

Goke7:
😂 be like say na fund raising CAF Dey do after Afcon o to return Morocco money o!

Them never see anything
Just wait for more scandals to be leaked in the coming days

The rehabilitation of the MKO national stadium, in Abuja, will gulp N24 billion in the 2026 budget

CapitalCee:
🇩🇿 Algeria punishments for Nigeria match:

—Zidane, 2 match ban
—Belghali, 2 match ban
—€5k fine, improper conduct
—€25k fine, bad behaviour
—€5k fine, use of flares
—€5k fine, objects thrown by fans
—€10k fine, breached safety measures
—€50k fine for offensive gestures.


Hmmmn with this sanction. I wonder what they are going to do to Senegal. Their own sanction go long oo

Make them sha pay Senegal their $10m first

Goke7:
1st VP? aaaah ok it’s clearer now 😂 Algeria go vomit that money by fire by force

Yeah
Lekjaa will likely contest for CAF presidency

PDPGuy:
The rehabilitation of the MKO national stadium, in Abuja, will gulp N24 billion in the 2026 budget

The same stadium which was rehabilitated by Dqngote some years back

PDPGuy:
The rehabilitation of the MKO national stadium, in Abuja, will gulp N24 billion in the 2026 budget

How much will building a new stadium now cost?

lbrichman2:
Yeah
Lekjaa will likely contest for CAF presidency

aaaah we go hear am if he win. 😂

lbrichman2:
Make them sha pay Senegal their $10m first

If am the Senegal FA chairman na to tell CAF make dem deduct all the fines and kuku keep the change 😂

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwB-iPkMq8A?t=249

Rightly said by Thierry Henry, the problem of the AFCON is that the referees are not up to the standard of the tournament, in short, the referees gave AFCON bad name

Chelsea frontrunners to sign Sheffield Wednesday left-back Yisa Alao.

Fee likely to surpass £1m including add-ons.

Manchester United are also in talks for the 17-year-old, but a move to Chelsea is at the final stages.🦉

lbrichman2:
How much will building a new stadium now cost?

A new 60,000 capacity stadium (with running tracks and VAR facilities) will cost no less than N90 billion…

CapitalCee:
🇩🇿 Algeria punishments for Nigeria match:

—Zidane, 2 match ban
—Belghali, 2 match ban
—€5k fine, improper conduct
—€25k fine, bad behaviour
—€5k fine, use of flares
—€5k fine, objects thrown by fans
—€10k fine, breached safety measures
—€50k fine for offensive gestures.


Hmmmn with this sanction. I wonder what they are going to do to Senegal. Their own sanction go long oo

They’ve already fined the Senegalese FA $300,000
But CAF fit add more on top 🤣

comodo:
The same stadium which was rehabilitated by Dqngote some years back

True, and Dangote spent close to 1 billion; although the scope of work, at the time, was limited to improvements of the pitch.

Scandinavian Osimhen no fit attempt this thing... Sara go waste this beautiful Osimhen effort for last minute.

Gabriel Sara why? 😔💔#GSvsATL#GSvATL #Galatasaray pic.twitter.com/JrENrhQy7q

— Banky G 🎤⚽ (@BankyGee_) January 21, 2026

Goke7:
aaaah we go hear am if we win. 😂

My brother!
If him win, make every body just forget all African competitions till him tenure finish
Lol

Goke7:
If am the Senegal FA chairman na to tell CAF make dem deduct all the fines and kuku keep the change 😂

😎😎

PDPGuy:
A new 60,000 capacity stadium (with running tracks and VAR facilities) will cost no less than N90 billion…

We can run it na

BankyGee:
Scandinavian Osimhen no fit attempt this thing... Sara go waste this beautiful Osimhen effort for last minute.

Gabriel Sara why? 😔💔#GSvsATL#GSvATL #Galatasaray pic.twitter.com/JrENrhQy7q

— Banky G 🎤⚽ (@BankyGee_) January 21, 2026

Chai!
Sara don sell match o
🙆🙆