Ivorian football icon Yaya Toure has singled out Nigeria's Super Eagles for the highest praise, declaring them the standout and most impressive team of the entire 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco.
Toure's Verdict on the Super Eagles' Performance
The former Barcelona and Manchester City midfielder, a four-time African Footballer of the Year and AFCON winner himself, was captivated by Nigeria's style of play under coach Eric Chelle. The tournament ran from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, with Nigeria securing the bronze medal after a semi-final penalty shootout loss to Morocco and a third-place playoff victory over Egypt.
In an interview with BR Football, Toure expressed his admiration. "I was impressed with Nigeria, Nigeria played good football," he stated. "When you see the stats, they've been scoring more than usual goals. It feels like full attack, playing very good football." He emphasized that the combination of attractive football and goal output made Nigeria the most impressive side for him.
A Deep Dive into Nigeria's AFCON 2025 Campaign
The Super Eagles' journey to third place was marked by strong offensive displays. According to statistics from SuperSport, Nigeria scored 14 goals at the tournament, the highest of any nation, while conceding only four. They played the maximum seven matches, winning five and drawing two within regulation time.
Their campaign unfolded as follows:
- Group Stage: Opened with a 2-1 win over Tanzania, followed by a 3-2 victory against Tunisia, and sealed progression with a 3-1 win over Uganda using a rotated squad.
- Round of 16: Defeated debutants Mozambique convincingly.
- Quarter-final: Passed a major test by beating Algeria 2-0.
- Semi-final: Drew 0-0 with Morocco but lost on penalties.
- Third-Place Playoff: Beat Egypt on penalties after another 0-0 draw.
Toure also acknowledged other strong performers, including Algeria, whom Nigeria eliminated, and pragmatic Morocco. He praised DR Congo and noted his native Cote d'Ivoire fielded a young, gaining-experience side.
Reactions and the Future Under Eric Chelle
The Nigerian public, though disappointed to miss the final, largely expressed satisfaction with the team's performances and Chelle's tactical approach. This sentiment has had direct consequences for the coach's future.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that Eric Chelle will remain as head coach. The decision, affirmed by the NFF President, is rooted in the team's impressive style of play and the overwhelming support from fans across the nation. This endorsement from both a legend like Toure and the footballing authorities solidifies a positive path forward for the Super Eagles after their AFCON 2025 bronze medal achievement.
