A Nigerian man has stirred the online sports community with his reaction to an unusual prediction for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 quarterfinal clash. The forecast, which has gone viral, did not come from a famed pundit or analyst, but from a cat in Morocco.
The Feline Forecast That Divided Opinions
The controversy began on January 9, 2026, when a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) showcased a Moroccan cat's prediction for the high-stakes match. The feline was presented with options representing Algeria and Nigeria, and it chose Algeria, indicating a win for the Desert Foxes in the quarterfinal stage of the ongoing tournament.
The post, shared by a sports channel, was captioned with a mix of humour and genuine concern: "Moroccan cat predicts an Algerian win against Nigeria in the quarterfinal of AFCON 2025. Should we call Apostle Selman or Dunsin? This is serious o!" The mention of popular Nigerian spiritual leaders, Apostle Joshua Selman and gospel singer Dunsin Oyekan, highlighted the superstitious weight some fans attached to the prediction, treating it as a spiritual battle needing counter-prayers.
Nigerians Weigh In on the Prediction
The post triggered a flood of reactions from Nigerian football lovers, revealing a spectrum of confidence, anxiety, and humour. User @musbaudeen01 was quick to point out a flaw in the cat's credibility, noting that it had previously predicted a draw in the match between Nigeria and Tanzania, which did not materialize.
Other reactions captured the mood of the nation ahead of the crucial fixture:
- @Abba's baby expressed unwavering faith: "Pls someone should like my comment I want to come back here to testify say we get God. God have brought us this far na we dey go with the CUP."
- @ZARA predicted a confident 3-1 victory for Nigeria.
- @_????ß<<3 recalled past heartbreak: "Omo the match go tough oo cus I can remember that year in secondary sch when they both had match and still won omo we all cried shege."
- @Ifenkili 1 cautioned against overconfidence, while @bree_davendor05 simply said, "I de fear this algeria oo Jesus help our boys."
The debate also saw a user, @Ramzi, offering a tactical analysis, warning Nigerian fans that their team had yet to face a top-tier opponent like Algeria in the tournament, comparing the situation to a dominant domestic league team facing continental giants.
Beyond the Cat: A Nation on Edge
This feline incident is not an isolated case of pre-match speculation gripping Nigerian fans. The report notes that it follows other viral predictions, including a man sharing a dream result and another posting an AI-generated forecast for the same Nigeria vs Algeria match. This underscores the intense anticipation and the blend of hope, fear, and superstition that surrounds the Super Eagles' journey in AFCON 2025.
As the quarterfinal match draws near, the Moroccan cat's prediction has become more than a quirky internet moment; it has served as a catalyst for fans to voice their hopes, fears, and unwavering support for the national team, proving that in football, passion manifests in the most unexpected ways.