By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca.

Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has joined the growing chorus of congratulations for the Super Eagles after the national team secured a podium finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The ministry praised the team for winning third place at the continental showpiece, which concludes on Sunday, describing the achievement as a proud moment for the country. The commendation was shared on the ministry’s verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, accompanied by specially designed graphics celebrating the Super Eagles’ bronze-medal success.

Morocco’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Moha Ou Ali Tagma, also extended warm congratulations to Nigeria, highlighting the strong sporting and diplomatic ties between both countries and commending the Super Eagles for their resilience and character throughout the tournament.

The message from the Foreign Ministry underlined the unifying power of sport and Nigeria’s growing presence on the African football stage, noting that the Super Eagles’ performance reflected national pride, determination and excellence.

Nigeria clinched third place on Saturday night in Casablanca, defeating Egypt on penalties after a goalless draw to overcome recent shootout heartbreaks and end their AFCON campaign on a high.

As the tournament reaches its climax in Rabat on Sunday, Nigeria’s podium finish stands as a significant achievement, reinforcing the Super Eagles’ status as one of Africa’s football powerhouses and a worthy ambassador for the nation across the continent.

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By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca

Nigeria finally laid to rest their penalty shoot-out nightmare in Morocco on Saturday night as the Super Eagles defeated Egypt 4–2 on penalties to claim the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Last November, the Super Eagles crashed out World Cup qualification after a penalty shoot-out loss to DR Congo.

Just days after their semi-final heartbreak against hosts Morocco, the Super Eagles showed steel and composure at Casablanca’s Stade Mohamed V, holding the Pharaohs to a goalless draw before keeping their nerve from the spot to finish the tournament on the podium.

It is the ninth time that Nigeria will be finishing third in AFCON, just as it is the 17^th time in 21 appearances that the Super Eagles have had a podium finish.

Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was again at the heart of Nigeria’s success, as Africa’s most decorated nation overcame their shoot-out scars and turned disappointment into triumph.

Egypt’s stars faltered under pressure, with Liverpool winger Mohamed Salah and Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush both missing their penalties, while Rami Rabia and Mahmoud Saber converted for the North Africans. Nigeria, by contrast, were flawless when it mattered most, sealing a 4–2 shootout victory to secure third place.

The match itself was a tense and tactical affair, with both sides struggling to break each other down.

Egypt threatened early through Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan, whose low cross in the second minute was blocked by Nwabali, before Salah missed a golden chance midway through the first half after a fine assist from Mohamed Hany.

Nigeria thought they had taken the lead in the 36th minute when Akor Adams found the net, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review for a foul by Paul Onuachu.

After the break, Super Eagles coach Eric Chelle injected pace and purpose by introducing Ademola Lookman, who immediately lifted Nigeria’s attack.

The Atalanta forward had a goal disallowed for offside and twice forced superb saves from Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, who kept the Pharaohs alive with a string of outstanding interventions.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan had reshuffled his side, with Mostafa Mohamed leading the line and Shobeir deputising for the injured Mohamed El-Shenawy, while Omar Marmoush was introduced in the second half to add spark. But despite late pressure from both teams, neither could find a breakthrough.

The match went straight to penalties – and this time, Nigeria refused to be denied.

From the trauma of losing shootouts in Morocco, including the World Cup playoff and the AFCON semi-final, the Super Eagles emerged reborn, showing maturity, belief and resilience to finish their campaign with a morale-boosting victory.

For Nigeria, the bronze medal is more than just a place on the podium. It is a statement of character, a symbolic victory over their recent penalty demons, and a fitting reward for a team that fought their way back from heartbreak to end the Africa Cup of Nations with pride.

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By Kunle Solaja, Marrakesh

Covering the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has been a study in contrasts; stadiums and silence, deadlines and detours. In Marrakech, football loosened its grip just enough to allow history, art and motion to take centre stage. Good enough, Thursday and Friday were match-free days.

The initial assembly of 24 teams has narrowed to four, and just two hosts, Morocco and former champions, Senegal, are in contention for the title battle on Sunday. Getting the ticket for the potentially epic final match has been difficult.

As a sports reporter, my natural workstation should have been the press tribunes. However, special courtesies were extended that allowed me to experience matches from the hospitality tribunes; an exceptional privilege that added a different dimension to my Africa Cup of Nations coverage.

 For this, I owe profound gratitude to my hosts, the Moroccan National Association of Media and Publishers (ANME), and to the highly efficient Houda El Kinani of Moumen Travel Agency.

Houda El Kinani was the quiet engine behind seamless operations, overseeing ticketing and coordinating the full spectrum of logistics—accommodation and transportation—for numerous Africa Cup of Nations fans.

Houda El Kinani, the Director at Moumen Travel

Operating with remarkable precision, she shuttled tirelessly from her base in Casablanca to Tangier, Rabat and beyond, ensuring that movements were timely, plans intact and expectations exceeded.

Her professionalism and attention to detail reflected the hallmark efficiency of Moumen Travel Agency, whose capacity to deliver stress-free, end-to-end travel solutions positions it as a dependable partner for sports events, media assignments and premium travel experiences across Morocco.

Back to the Red City of Marrakesh, one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and the fourth largest in the kingdom, the day began at the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, a striking modern structure that feels both rooted and forward-looking.

Inside, the journey of the legendary designer unfolds through sketches, garments, photographs and immersive displays. For a sports reporter, the parallels were immediate: discipline behind beauty, repetition behind brilliance, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Yves Saint Laurent’s bond with Marrakech; its colours, textures and light, reads like a long-term home advantage.

A short walk away lies the Jardin Majorelle, where the famed Majorelle Blue asserts itself with quiet confidence. The garden is a choreography of cacti, palms and water features; precise, calming, and irresistibly photogenic.

The hum of the city fades here, replaced by the sounds of birdsong and the gentle splash of fountains. It’s the kind of pause athletes cherish mid-tournament; the kind journalists rarely get, unless the road is generous.

In one of the exhibition halls, there seems to be employment of immersive elements with the use of thematic lighting that sets a nighttime mood and with a starry sky. I was first disoriented, feeling as if I had stayed too long at the museum. Then a check on my time piece indicated just a little before noon. It was amazing. Unfortunately, cameras were not allowed to capture the environment.

From contemplation to cuisine, our group of journalists regrouped for lunch at Trattoria Restaurant. The meal was convivial, the conversation free-flowing—fixtures gave way to flavour, tactics to travel tales. It was the perfect reset before the day’s most memorable movement.

Then came the convoy.

Six horse-pulled carts lined up, polished and patient, their drivers smiling like co-conspirators. For me, it was a first riding a cart through Marrakech and the experience unfolded like a slow-motion highlight reel.

Riding the cart for the first time is an amazing experience in Marrakech.

Hooves clipped rhythmically against the road, the city revealed itself in layers, and time seemed to downshift. We rolled toward the Medina of Marrakech, passing faces, colours and corners that felt lifted from another century.

The cart ride was splendid—unhurried, intimate, unforgettable. It offered a vantage point no vehicle could replicate, a gentle glide into the medina’s living museum of alleys and echoes. In that moment, the city wasn’t something to be covered; it was something to be carried.

As AFCON narratives continue to write themselves in goals and graphs, this detour will live elsewhere, in the quiet archive of experiences worth keeping. From Majorelle Blue to the cadence of hooves, this was Marrakech reminding a sports reporter that the best journeys aren’t always on the match schedule.

Some memories are for headlines. Others are for eternal storage.

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