A light-hearted moment featuring Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze has captured the hearts of Nigerian football fans, offering a glimpse into the team's camaraderie away from the pitch.
Chukwueze's Hunger-Driven Protest Goes Viral
The incident occurred on January 7, 2026, shortly after Nigeria's emphatic 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the Round of 16 at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). While teammates Ademola Lookman and coach Eric Chelle were conducting post-match interviews, Samuel Chukwueze was filmed inside the team's luxury bus expressing his playful frustration.
In a clip that quickly spread across social media, Chukwueze, speaking in a mix of English and Pidgin, humorously grumbled about the lengthy interview process delaying his return to the hotel for a meal. "All of us go come down and do this interview. Because if I come down now, we go do interview till 1 o'clock. We'll never leave here," he said, highlighting his desire to avoid the formalities.
His complaint took a hilariously relatable turn as he focused on his waiting food: "So me wey leave that place come inside, I no sabi say food dey house... God forbid, food don cold abeg." The AC Milan star continued his banter, joking about how he couldn't wait to devour the food and even quipping about winning a Man of the Match award one day, suggesting the celebrations would keep them at the stadium even longer.
Team Unity Shines After On-Field Tensions
This humorous episode provided fans with a rare look at the Super Eagles' lighter side, especially coming after reported minor tensions on the pitch involving Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman. The video underscored the strong bond and unity within the squad, showing players able to share jokes and relax together despite the high-pressure environment of a major tournament.
The clip effectively shifted the narrative from any perceived conflict to one of team spirit and relatable human moments, endearing the players further to their supporters.
Nigerian Fans React with Laughter and Love
The reaction on social media was overwhelmingly positive, with fans praising Chukwueze's personality. User @favouronyeoziri commented, "Chukwueze & Iheanacho are the funniest set of Super Eagles players. Very unserious duo." Others, like @mercy_busolami_, simply stated, "I just love this guy."
Many found his worry about his food getting cold extremely relatable. @thesandypreneur wrote, "This is me if guy keep me waiting for one second extra! This guy is hilarious." The sentiment of appreciating such a character in the team was echoed by @westernwears_t: "Every team needs someone like him."
The moment was seen as a perfect example of team chemistry, with @livelystonesng noting, "Wow....love this...this is how brotherhood should feel like...Community and vibes and laughter."
Contrast with Earlier Prophecy Drama
This positive viral moment stands in contrast to other news surrounding the team. Legit.ng had earlier reported that Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele, a cleric, faced criticism for a prophecy that suggested Ademola Lookman would disappoint at AFCON 2025. Lookman's decisive performances for the Super Eagles, including in the match against Mozambique, have so far proven the prediction wrong, according to the report.
The video of Chukwueze, therefore, not only provided comedy but also served as a testament to the team's focused and united front as they progressed in the tournament, with players like Lookman performing key roles on the field while camaraderie flourished off it.
