The mystery surrounding the Nigeria Super Eagles' failure to receive their bronze medals after finishing third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has finally been clarified by the nation's football chief.
NFF President Provides Official Explanation
In a revelation made public on Monday, January 19, 2026, renowned journalist Osasu Obayiuwana shared details from a conversation with Nigeria Football Federation President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau. The discussion centered on the noticeable absence of a medal ceremony for the Nigerian squad following their 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Egypt in the third-place match on Saturday, January 17.
According to the NFF President, the players were simply unable to wait for the official presentation. "The players could not wait to receive their medals on Sunday," Gusau stated, as relayed by Obayiuwana on the social media platform X. The primary reason was intense pressure from their European and domestic clubs, who demanded their immediate return after the Saturday match to resume club duties.
Medals Secure, Ceremony Timing Blamed
President Gusau was quick to assure that the medals are not lost. "I have the medals in my possession," he confirmed. He further clarified that this situation was not unique to Nigeria, noting that the Egyptian team faced identical circumstances.
The football administrator pointed to the scheduling of the medal ceremony as the core issue. He explained that had the presentation taken place immediately after the third-place match on Saturday, the players would have received their accolades. Instead, the ceremony was slated for the tournament's final day on Sunday, by which time the Super Eagles had already departed Morocco to comply with club demands.
Public Reaction and Broader Tournament Issues
The journalist's post sparked significant reactions from Nigerian football fans and commentators online. Many expressed understanding, acknowledging the professional obligations of the players. User @henrynwn commented, "Yes, they had to return to their clubs immediately that's the professional way to go. A 3rd place medal, keep it till when they reconvene or send it to them."
However, the incident also fueled broader criticism of the tournament's organization. Several users questioned the logic of separating the third-place match and the final by a day and, in some cases, by location. Suggestions were made to revert to the older format where both matches are held on the same day in the same city to prevent such logistical conflicts. User @Awele60930222 proposed, "Someone proposed that 3rd place match and the finals be played in same location to save bronze medal winners the stress of traveling... Worth considering."
Other reactions were more scathing, with some labeling the 2025 AFCON as poorly organized and criticizing the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the oversight.
Despite the medal ceremony hiccup, the Super Eagles' campaign under coach Eric Chelle is viewed as a progressive step. The team displayed an improved style of play, and the NFF has indicated support for building on this bronze medal finish as they look ahead to the AFCON 2027 tournament.
