Kida Praises Super Eagles Resilience Despite Semi-Final Defeat

By Arinzechi Chukwunonso

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been praised for their performance at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, despite losing to host nation Morocco in the semi-final.

The commendation came from Engineer Musa Kida, Chairman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and President of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, who wrote to the players acknowledging their resilience and determination throughout the tournament.

He said the team’s campaign helped restore confidence in Nigerian football, noting their ability to compete strongly against Africa’s highest-ranked side.

Nigeria went into the tournament under pressure after failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

However, the Super Eagles emerged as one of the most effective teams at the competition, winning all their group and knockout matches in regulation time before the semi-final.

The team also recorded the highest number of goals at the tournament, with Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams and Alex Iwobi among the standout performers.

Defensively, Stanley Nwabali, Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi were credited with maintaining a solid back line.

Mr Kida also used the occasion to highlight the role of structured investment in sports development.

He said the NNPCL, working with national sports institutions and the Nigeria Football Federation, plans to support initiatives aimed at long-term growth across different sports.

He described investment in sports as a matter of national development, citing the progress of Nigeria’s basketball teams as an example of what sustained planning can achieve.

Ahead of Nigeria’s third-place play-off against Egypt, Mr Kida urged supporters to continue backing the team as they seek to finish the tournament on a positive note.

The Super Eagles are hoping to secure the bronze medal, which would conclude a campaign that has drawn praise despite falling short of the final.