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.
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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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