AFCON
Drums Still Beat as Goldberg’s Festival of Light Unites Fans Despite Super Eagles’ AFCON Exit
The drums sounded louder, and the lights shone brighter on Wednesday night, even as Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations dream came to a painful end.
At the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development (PAKO Field), Dopemu, Lagos, Nigerian Breweries Plc once again brought fans together through Goldberg’s Festival of Drums and Light, reinforcing the message that support for the Nigeria Super Eagles goes beyond results.
Following the success of the first edition staged during Nigeria’s quarter-final victory over Algeria, the festival returned bigger and bolder for the much-anticipated semi-final clash against hosts Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations. The buzz generated over the weekend signalled that Wednesday’s viewing would attract an even larger crowd, and preparations were scaled up accordingly.
Fans arrived early, instant prizes were increased, and ice-cold Goldberg Lager Beer — including Goldberg Black — flowed freely as supporters settled in for a dramatic football night.
Even before Nigeria took centre stage, the atmosphere was already building. Supporters trooped in from the first semi-final between Senegal and Egypt, with DJ Y.K setting the tone as the Teranga Lions edged past the Pharaohs by a lone goal. Once that match ended, attention quickly shifted to the main event: Nigeria versus Morocco.
Anxiety in the air as fans went through the pulsating 120 minutes of the Nigeria and Morocco match at the viewing arena provided by Goldberg Lager Beer.
The Festival of Drums and Light again delivered a vibrant blend of football, music and culture. The venue glowed in Goldberg’s signature gold as drums, chants, and familiar supporters’ songs echoed through the arena, reinforcing the brand’s Our Beat, Our Gold campaign — a celebration of how Nigerians experience football together.
Crowd pleaser, Teni, entertaining the fans during the semifinal match between Nigeria and Morocco in Lagos at the Goldberg viewing experience centre
On the pitch, the Super Eagles matched the energy with a spirited and disciplined performance. After 120 minutes of tense football, the semi-final was decided by penalties. Nigeria fell 2–4 in the shootout, with Morocco converting through Hamza Igamane, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Achraf Hakimi and Youssef El-Nesyri. Paul Onuachu and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru scored Nigeria’s spot-kicks, while Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi saw their efforts saved by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
The heartbreak was real, but so was the unity.
As the decisive penalty was saved, Hypeman Advantage quickly stepped in, keeping the crowd engaged and spirits high. His intervention ensured the Goldberg experience remained intact, even in defeat. Popular singer Teni later took the stage, performing after the emotionally draining extra time and penalty drama, helping to lift the mood and turn disappointment into shared reflection.
Speaking after the event, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Laolu Babalola, said the night captured the true spirit of Nigerian football fans.
“This is exactly what Our Beat, Our Gold stands for,” Babalola said. “Football gives us joy and sometimes heartbreak, but what never changes is how fans show up. Even after a tough result, Nigerians stayed together, supported the team and shared the moment. Goldberg is proud to stand with them.”
Senior Brand Manager, Goldberg, Kunle Aroyehun, said the semi-final experience highlighted football’s deeper role in Nigerian life.
“What we witnessed here goes beyond the scoreboard,” Aroyehun noted. “Goldberg’s Festival of Drums and Light is about community, culture and connection. Even in disappointment, fans found comfort in togetherness, and that is powerful.”
For many supporters, the festival itself became a source of consolation.
“We were hurt, no doubt,” said fan Musa Abdullahi, holding a bottle of Goldberg. “But sitting here together, watching the game, drinking Goldberg and listening to music made it easier to accept. The boys tried, and we are still proud.”
The Festival of Drums and Light forms part of Goldberg’s wider Our Beat, Our Gold campaign, which has followed the Super Eagles throughout AFCON 2025 with viewing centres, cultural activations and fan experiences across Lagos and beyond. As one of the longest-standing sponsors of Nigerian football, the brand has continued to place fans at the heart of the journey.
Though the Super Eagles fell just short of the AFCON final, Goldberg reaffirmed its commitment to both team and supporters.
“Win or lose, we stand together,” Aroyehun said. “That rhythm, that belief, that community — it is gold.”
On a night of missed chances and shattered dreams, Goldberg’s drums still beat, its lights still shone, and Nigerian football fans were reminded that their passion endures, even in heartbreak.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The Confederation of African Football said it has had a 90% increase in commercial revenue for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, calling it “the most successful commercial story in the history of African football”, but without providing any figures.
CAF stated on Friday that this was due to the increase in commercial partners, media rights distribution, and expansion into new markets, most notably in Asia.
“The growth has been matched by a steady expansion of the sponsor portfolio, with the number of commercial partners increasing from nine during the 2021 tournament to 17 at the finals in Ivory Coast in 2023,” a statement from African football’s controlling body said.
“For the 2025 edition in Morocco, CAF has continued to attract more partners and now has 23 sponsors.
“This expansion reflects both the attraction of new global brands and the retention of existing partners, for whom the Afcon has been an excellent return on investment,” the statement added.
In its financial statements released at its congress last year, CAF said it had an income of $96 million in net contract revenues for the last Cup of Nations.
CAF, in its annual report last year, said the tournament in Morocco was forecast to contribute $114 million in net profit.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Egypt might be disappointed with failure to reach the Africa Cup of Nations final but coach Hossam Hassan said on Friday it had been a good experience ahead of the World Cup later this year.
Egypt lost in Wednesday’s semi-final to Senegal in Tangier but on Saturday will play Nigeria for the bronze medal at the tournament in Morocco.
“It has been very good preparation for us, we’ve tried several systems of play throughout the tournament and played against different types of opponents,” Hassan said.
“We came close to the final but that’s football,” he said of the 1-0 loss to Senegal.
“Overall, I’m satisfied with all that happened and what we achieved. We have a good team. We were away from home and did not have a lot of supporters.”
The match against Nigeria would be another opportunity to prepare for the World Cup, he added.
Egypt play in Group G with Belgium first up in Seattle on June 15, New Zealand in Vancouver on June 21 and Iran on June 26 back in Seattle.
Hassan said Egypt might have fallen short because of a lack of players at top clubs in Europe, in contrast to the two finalists Morocco and Senegal whose squads are filled with players at top European teams
“Players based in Europe gain better tactical acumen and become physically much stronger, and we need that added value to make us better,” he said.
Egypt’s 28-man squad had only three players based in Europe – captain Mohamed Salah from Liverpool, Omar Marmoush from Manchester City and Mostafa Mohamed from Nantes in Ligue 1.
“I think tomorrow’s game gives us a chance to continue preparations, but we always want to win. Egypt always plays to win, we are a team who have won seven Cup of Nations in the past,” Hassan said.
“We will evaluate after the competition where we need to improve. We will study the positive points in order to be much better in both defence and attack,” he added.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja, Marrakesh, enroute to Casablanca
Nigeria will be aiming to further cement their status as Africa’s most consistent finishers when they face Egypt on Saturday in the third-place play-off of the Africa Cup of Nations in Casablanca.
The Super Eagles are targeting a record-extending ninth AFCON bronze medal, having officially finished third on eight previous occasions — more than any other nation in the competition’s history. Victory would also mark Nigeria’s 17th top-three finish at the Africa Cup of Nations, another continental benchmark.
There is a deep historical thread linking Nigeria and Egypt in AFCON bronze-medal contests. Nigeria’s first-ever third-place finish came against Egypt exactly 50 years ago at the 1976 finals in Ethiopia, while the Pharaohs themselves have claimed six bronze medals and could move closer to Nigeria’s record with a win on Saturday.
Saturday’s encounter will also add another chapter to a rivalry that dates back to Nigeria’s maiden AFCON appearance in 1963, when the two teams met in Lagos. Since then, both sides have often crossed paths at crucial moments in the tournament.
Nigeria arrive in Casablanca after a dramatic semi-final exit to hosts Morocco, losing on penalties after a goalless draw. Prior to that setback, the Super Eagles had scored in 12 successive AFCON matches and had found the net in all five of their games at the current finals. Despite failing to score in the semi-final, Nigeria still boast 14 goals at the tournament — their highest tally at any AFCON edition.
The Super Eagles also carry a perfect record in third-place matches, having won all seven they have contested without ever requiring a penalty shoot-out. Six of those victories were secured by a single-goal margin, underlining Nigeria’s ability to manage high-pressure fixtures of this nature.
Egypt, meanwhile, are appearing in a third-place play-off for the sixth time after a narrow 1–0 semi-final defeat to Senegal. They have won three and lost two of their previous bronze-medal matches, although this will be their first appearance in a third-place match in the 21st century.
Beyond medals and records, Saturday’s match offers both teams the chance to end their AFCON 2025 campaigns on a positive note, with pride, history and continental bragging rights at stake.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- AFCON1 week ago
Super Eagles Swim in Another Ocean of Crisis
- AFCON7 days ago
A Night at Cristiano Ronaldo’s Hotel in Marrakech
- AFCON2 days ago
From AFCON Touchlines to Timeless Journeys: A Sports Reporter’s Pilgrimage to Ibn Battouta’s Museum in Tangier
- AFCON1 week ago
Flashback: When CAF Fined Nigeria and Algeria Over Match-Fixing in AFCON
- AFCON6 days ago
Nigeria Too Strong for Algeria in Dominant Quarter-Final Display
- AFCON2 days ago
BREAKING! CAF bans Eto’o over AFCON conduct
- AFCON1 week ago
Osimhen Overreacted, But Had Genuine Grievance, says Comrade Shaibu
- AFCON7 days ago
Heavyweights on a Collision Course as Algeria and Nigeria Battle for a Semi-final Ticket