Popular Nigerian comedian and actor, Bovi Ugboma, has launched a scathing critique against the Super Eagles, attributing their recent Africa Cup of Nations exit to distractions from social media. His comments follow Nigeria's painful elimination from the AFCON 2025 tournament after a penalty shootout defeat.
A Heartbreaking Defeat and a Viral Critique
The Super Eagles' journey in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations came to a crashing halt on Wednesday night, January 14th, 2026. The team lost 4-2 on penalties to the host nation, Morocco, in a tense semi-final clash at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The following day, Bovi took to Instagram to voice his frustrations, pinpointing a recurring issue he believes plagues the national team.
In a detailed post, the entertainer argued that the constant stream of online praise, comments, and attention severely affects the players' mindset during crucial tournaments. "Social media will be messing you guys up real bad, not just from this tournament but previous tournaments," Bovi stated. He cautioned the players against getting carried away by the fleeting admiration of fans, emphasising that "They don't like you. They like what you do."
The Call for Discipline and National Unity
Bovi advised the Eagles to emulate top footballing nations by completely avoiding social media while on national duty. He cited the example of the Argentine national team, noting their disciplined approach. "When Argentina had to play us, no member of the Argentine team was on social media. We were on social media posting all kinds of things. Stop going on social media during tournaments," he urged.
Beyond the digital distractions, the comedian stressed the profound emotional significance of representing Nigeria. He declared football as the ultimate unifier in a nation often divided by religion and politics. "If there's anything that unites Nigeria as a nation, it's football. Mark my words, it's football," Bovi said. He elaborated that while religion prevents conflict and politics fosters division, "football is the only thing that brings Muslims and Christians, North, South-East, and West together."
Addressing Missed Chances and Personal Responsibility
The comedian directly addressed winger Samuel Chukwueze and others who squandered key opportunities during the match, using vivid imagery to underscore the need for clinical finishing. "You have to treat it like you are an assassin. I've never seen in my life where an assassin has an opportunity to kill somebody and chooses to go like this or like this while chewing gum," he remarked. While expressing personal forgiveness, Bovi reminded Chukwueze that "the weight of the nation lies in your hand."
He further warned the players against prioritising personal glory over team victory, stating that such an approach often leads to failure. "If you go for glory before victory, more often than not, you will mess up. More often than not, you become the victim," he cautioned, adding that Nigeria had let a significant advantage slip away.
A Final Plea for Ultimate Commitment
Bovi concluded with a powerful message directed at both current and aspiring Super Eagles players, urging them to look beyond administrative challenges. He called for a deep sense of duty to the nation, regardless of any issues with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
"Dear Super Eagles and intending Super Eagles players, have this at the back of your mind when you are playing for Nigeria: regardless of how the NFF treats you, if you choose to say I will play for Nigeria, understand that you have the potential, the power to unite Nigeria," Bovi stated. His final warning was stark: "So if you're not ready to die, don't play."
This critique adds to the growing discourse around the Super Eagles' performance and mentality. Nigeria's last AFCON triumph was in 2013, and the team has consistently fallen short at critical stages in subsequent tournaments, often facing criticism over focus and commitment.
