It wasn’t supposed to be like this. For at least two decades, Nigeria has been a team that has struggled with the weight of its own history and expectations, suffocated and exalted, and always seemed to be less than the sum of its parts. The effort was evident both when they won the tournament in 2013 and when they reached the finals in 2024. Nothing was easy for them. They are not the kind of team that can easily tie for the last 16.
However, on the night of Fez’s foul, with rain seeping throughout the stadium, Nigeria, inspired by Ademola Lookman, produced a performance that highlighted their attacking quality, effectively winning the match with two goals before the half-hour mark. Lookman took the lead 20 minutes later with his third goal of the tournament. It was a classic goal into the top corner from a deft cutback from Eiko Adams. Five minutes later, Victor Osimhen converted Lookman’s cross to make it 2-0. The same combination added a third goal two minutes into the second half, ending Mozambique’s last glimmer of hope forever. Adams then scored his fourth goal off an assist from Lookman.
For Nigeria, some things always remain the same. The bonus controversy that caused players to refuse training two days before the World Cup qualifying play-off against the Democratic Republic of the Congo appears to have fizzled out, but just before the tournament coach Eric Schell revealed he had not been paid for three months. There were also the familiar quarrels about access to the media and the constant grumbling and sense of disharmony in the background.
But on the pitch, it was a refreshingly unusual story. This was a free-flowing Nigeria. They won all three group games with eight goals, but were very vulnerable at the back and were unable to keep clean sheets. The victory against Tunisia was perhaps the best example of this. Nigeria raced to a 3-0 lead, but conceded twice in the final 16 minutes and were left hanging. But this was a much more accomplished performance.
Indeed, it was only against Mozambique, who had advanced to the final tournament for the first time in their history and were on the back foot. However, it was much more impressive than Egypt’s performance earlier in the day. Pharaoh needed extra time to see off Benin.
In the end, the team won 3-1, with Mohamed Salah scoring the third goal late in extra time, becoming the first player to score three goals in a single Nations Cup. But this is still an aspect that is potentially better than reality. Many of the champions have improved as the tournament has progressed, but there are many areas for Egypt to improve if they are to win their eighth Nations Cup title.
Questions remain as to whether Nigeria has enough defensive discipline against higher-ranked teams. However, they do have offensive power. Lookman had a great tournament as No. 10 behind Osimhen and Akor, with all his speed and keen propulsion, a good finisher, a good crosser and a player who can score from long range. Osimhen remains a top-class centre-forward, with exemplary movement and hold-up play. The way he guided a deft jab through an awkward bounce to score the first goal showed his intelligence as a finisher. Perhaps Western Europe’s major clubs were unable to sign the big man in the summer solely due to his injury record. He will remain at Galatasaray.
Alex Iwobi is a polarizing player in Nigeria. One reason for this is that he is asked to play in almost every midfield role for the national team, creating confusing expectations. Here, on the left side of the midfield three, his composure, positional play and distribution are outstanding, linking particularly well with the lookers who tend to drift to the left. However, with Brentford’s Frank Onyeka on the right of the midfield three, Wilfred Ndidi will be left with a significant defensive burden.
This is a very aggressive way of playing, very different from Shell’s Mali team, and very different from Nigeria, which qualified for the World Cup. This Nigeria is almost indistinguishable from the dull team that lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the World Cup qualifying play-offs. It’s a worrying change. Nigeria’s relative underperformance in the Nations Cup, having won just three titles for Africa’s most populous nation and one with the deepest football tradition, is thought to stifle its players and give them the heaviest kits on the continent. Yet here they are playing with glee.
Will they be able to get their long-desired fourth title and join their great rivals Ghana? Questions remain about the defense. But they have firepower, and it’s a simple joy to watch them try after so long.
