Super Eagles striker Kelechi Iheanacho has delivered a poignant public message of support for the Nigerian national team, just days after being controversially left out of the final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
An Emotional Pidgin Message on Social Media
Despite the personal disappointment of his omission by head coach Eric Chelle, Iheanacho took to the comments section of a post by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The post featured a video of his teammate, Ademola Lookman, holding the Nigerian flag and chanting "Naija, let's go" in preparation for the tournament.
In a move that resonated deeply with fans, the 29-year-old striker wrote in Nigerian Pidgin: "Country wey dey sweet, e dey pain. We sink together, we win together." This heartfelt comment, emphasizing collective struggle and triumph, quickly gained traction among supporters and highlighted the player's commitment to national unity.
The Context of Iheanacho's Omission
Iheanacho's exclusion from the 28-man squad for AFCON 2025 comes as a significant blow, given his history with the team. He has been a fixture in the Super Eagles setup for years, representing Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, as well as the AFCON tournaments in 2019, 2021, and 2023.
His most iconic moment came in the semi-final of AFCON 2023, where his winning penalty against South Africa sent Nigeria to the final, which they ultimately lost to Ivory Coast. His recent return from an injury spell, coupled with his decent form at Celtic where he has scored three goals in 10 appearances since joining in September, makes his absence a major talking point.
Super Eagles' Path in Morocco
The Nigerian squad, now without Iheanacho, will begin their campaign for a fourth continental title in Morocco. The tournament kicks off on Sunday, December 21.
Drawn in Group C, Eric Chelle's men will first face Tanzania on Tuesday, December 23. Their second group match is against Tunisia on Saturday, December 27, before concluding the group stage against Uganda on Tuesday, December 30.
With the attacking burden now falling more heavily on stars like Victor Osimhen, who has already sent a strong message to Nigeria's opponents, the team will hope to channel the spirit of unity echoed in Iheanacho's emotional message as they pursue glory in North Africa.
