By Jones Bamidele
It was a deadlock at the full time plus extra 30 minutes.
As it happened during Nigeria’s encounter with DR Congo in the 2026 World Cup qualifier, Nigeria lost again on penalties.
But the Super Eagles showed strength.
They were not push-overs but talented lads.
Winning the AFCON 2925 would have been a consolation for missing the World Cup. But Nigeria was not that lucky.
Even the witch doctor’s prayer was not answered.
The host Morocco was solid. They are higher than Nigeria in the FIFA ranking.
Their government had declared the match day work free to support the Atlas. So, the Moroccans came in their thousands and painted the stadium red with the team’s colour.
That massive support from Moroccans for their team was moral boosting.
Booing the Super Eagles upon their entrance to the pitch is psychological to the visitors, but the Eagles managed to put up a superlative performance, which didn’t earn Nigeria a win.
The Ghanian centre referee was like the 12th player on the Morocco side.
Was he so bittered that the Black Stars were eliminated that he felt his Nigerian neighbours should also drown? Nigeria-Ghana rivalry over who owns ‘Jollof rice’!
Pundts noticed Nigeria’s Super Eagles changed their attacking formula against the Atlas of Morocco.
Coach Chelle had earned many accolades before the last game but his tactics failed when it mattered most.
That semifinal match was the only game in the tournament when the Super Eagle didn’t score within the regulation time.
It was a great game, as if it was the ‘final-final.’
It would have been a final of two West African teams – Nigeria and Senegal.
Now, we must not be like Ghana, we must support our neighbours, Senegal, to lift the trophy.