By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca

The Super Eagles will head into Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against hosts Morocco without their captain, Wilfred Ndidi, after the midfielder was suspended from the clash.

Ndidi picked up a booking in Nigeria’s emphatic 2–0 quarter-final victory over Algeria, a caution that ruled him out of the last-four encounter. He had also been cautioned in the Round of 16 match against Mozambique.

The two cautions has triggered an automatic one-match ban. His absence represents a significant blow to the Super Eagles, given his role as the team’s on-field leader and defensive shield in midfield.

The Beşiktaş man has been central to Nigeria’s balance at the tournament, breaking up opposition play and setting the tempo as the Super Eagles powered into the semi-finals with one of the competition’s most convincing performances.

His suspension will force the technical crew into a reshuffle as Nigeria seeks a place in Sunday’s final.

Nigeria, however, have another disciplinary concern ahead of the Morocco showdown. First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who was also cautioned in the quarter-final against Algeria for time-wasting, walks a tightrope.

He had been cautioned for the same time wasting in the group stage match against Tunisia. What has saved him from suspension in the semi-finals is the fact that cautions in the group stages are not carried over to the knockout stage.

Another yellow card in Wednesday’s semi-final would rule him out of either the final or the third-place playoff, depending on Nigeria’s result.

Nwabali has been one of the revelations of the tournament, providing assurance at the back as Nigeria tightened defensively in the knockout stages. Any suspension would further complicate selection decisions at a crucial stage of the competition.

Despite the setbacks, confidence remains high in the Nigerian camp after the commanding display against Algeria, with goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams underlining the team’s attacking depth.

 The semi-final against the Atlas Lions now presents the Super Eagles with their sternest test yet—one that will demand discipline as much as tactical sharpness.

Kick-off for the Nigeria–Morocco semi-final is scheduled for Wednesday, with a place in the AFCON 2025 final at stake.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

The usually quiet roads leading to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development ground at Awe Close, Dopemu, Lagos, came alive early on Saturday as fans streamed in for Goldberg’s Festival of Drums and Light, staged alongside the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash against Algeria.

Long before kick-off, traffic thickened and music filled the air, signalling that this was more than a routine match viewing. From the entrance, it was clear the atmosphere was firmly in Goldberg’s hands, with fans arriving in numbers for a match-day experience built around football, music and shared moments.

Inside the PAKO Field, the venue wore a carnival look, bathed in Goldberg’s signature gold colours.

Branded activity zones dotted the grounds, including a photo booth, dressing room experience and the popular Shoot for Gold stand, where fans tested their shooting accuracy and picked up branded items.

The evening opened on a note of national pride as Yinka Davies, backed by the Ayo Bankole Orchestra, delivered a stirring rendition of Nigeria, We Hail Thee. Supporters’ songs and familiar tunes followed, reinforcing the emotional bond between football and culture.

As anticipation grew, the tempo rose sharply. One hundred drummers led by Kaakaki rolled out deep, rhythmic beats, joined by the energetic Dance Na the Main Thing group.

Ball jugglers and freestyle performers kept the crowd engaged, while host Tolu Daniels guided proceedings and whipped up chants of “Up Super Eagles… Go for Gold,” which quickly echoed across the venue.

Fan engagement remained central to the experience. Predict-and-Win games delivered prizes and laughter, DJ Flame sustained the early mood, and a short screening of Nigeria’s famous 3–0 AFCON 1994 victory over Gabon stirred memories of past glory.

When the match kicked off, the Super Eagles responded with intent, backed by steady encouragement from the crowd. With the score still level at half-time, Hypeman Advantage and DJ Flame ensured belief remained high.

That belief paid off after the break. Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock to spark wild celebrations across the PAKO Field, before Akor Adams sealed a 2–0 victory over Algeria, confirming Nigeria’s place in the AFCON semi-finals.

At the final whistle, the Festival of Drums and Light shifted fully into celebration mode. Zlatan Ibile thrilled fans with Overthinking, fire dancers lit up the night, and DJ KhoDeD kept the energy flowing.

Mavo’s grand entrance lifted the tempo further before Segun Johnson closed the live performances. DJs then took over as fans danced late into the night, many with ice-cold Goldberg Lager Beer in hand.

Speaking on the experience, Laolu Babalola, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager Brands at Nigerian Breweries Plc, said the night captured the essence of the brand’s Our Beat, Our Gold campaign.

“This is how Nigerians experience football,” Babalola said. “It’s not just about the match. It’s about the rhythm, the togetherness and the belief. Our Beat, Our Gold is about creating spaces where fans can feel that connection, especially at moments like this.”

Also commenting, Kunle Aroyehun, Senior Brand Manager for Goldberg Lager Beer, described the festival as a celebration of shared identity.

“Football has a special place in Nigeria,” he said. “What we saw here shows how culture and football come together to unite people, and how Goldberg continues to support those moments.”

The Festival of Drums and Light forms part of Goldberg’s wider Our Beat, Our Gold campaign, which has followed the Super Eagles through AFCON 2025 with viewing centres and fan activations across Lagos and beyond.

As one of the longest-standing sponsors of Nigerian football, the brand says it remains committed to placing fans at the heart of the Super Eagles’ journey.

With Nigeria now through to the semi-finals and still chasing a fourth AFCON title, Goldberg has pledged to keep standing with the team and the fans, celebrating every step of the way.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

By Kunle Solaja, Marrakech

Victor Osimhen played down his personal heroics after inspiring the Nigeria national football team to a 2–0 victory over the Algeria national football team in their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 semi-final clash, insisting the Super Eagles’ success was built on collective effort rather than individual brilliance.

Osimhen, who was named Man of the Match after scoring one goal and providing an assist, credited Nigeria’s teamwork and discipline for seeing off a talented Algerian side and securing a place in the final.

“I scored a goal and provided an assist, but we shouldn’t focus on my personal performance; we should focus on the team effort of the national team,” Osimhen said after the match. “We won against a good Algerian team that has talented players.”

The striker explained that his all-round display was shaped by lessons learned from previous AFCON campaigns, stressing that influence and contribution were just as important as goals.

“For me, I was involved in the game, reflecting on my experience in the previous Africa Cup of Nations,” he noted. “It’s not just about scoring decisive goals, but about how we influence the game and contribute to the victory—that’s what matters most in the national team.”

Osimhen also highlighted his ongoing commitment to personal development as Nigeria chase continental glory.

“I always strive to improve myself, both mentally and physically,” he added.

Nigeria’s composed semi-final performance underlined their growing confidence and cohesion at the tournament, with Osimhen’s leadership up front symbolising a side increasingly focused on collective ambition rather than individual acclaim as they prepare for the AFCON final

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H