Football has always been more than a game in Africa. It is a pride, identity and a powerful symbol of national unity, not to Nigeria alone but all countries in the world.
On Saturday, 10th January 2026, at Marrakesh Morocco, the Super Eagles of Nigeria once again reminded the continent of Africa of this truth, by defeating the Algerian national team, in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
This victory was not just about qualification for the semifinals at the AFCON. But it was a clear response to the weeklong of unnecessary provocation, mockery and disrespect, directed at the Super Eagles and Nigerian in extension, by some Algerian fans and more regrettably, a member of the Algerian national football team who appeared in a viral video in mockery of Nigeria.
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It is agreed that healthy rivalry is part of football. However, it becomes unacceptable when it descends into mockery of a nation’s security challenges.
The widely circulated social media video, in which an Algerian national football team player was seen in company of his teammates mockingly threatened to “send the Super Eagles back to Sambisa Forest” was not banter, it was an insensitive, disrespectful and deeply offensive footage.
Security challenges that affect lives in any country, are not a football joke, that can be taken for granted.
Nigeria, like Algeria and many other Nations across the world, continues to confront security issues with vigor and determination. There is no country immune to such challenges and no football player, no matter how talented, has the moral standing to trivialize them for cheap applause.
Rather than respond with words for this mockery, the Super Eagles chose the most powerful response available, which is absolute performance on the pitch.
They played the game against Algeria with composure, discipline, and hunger, defeating them by 2 goals to nothing to reach the semifinals.
At the final whistle, the scoreboard delivered a message, clearer than any mockery statement, revealing that Nigeria, is no match to Algeria’s staunt and certainly not inferior in football quality.
As Algeria exits the tournament and Nigeria prepares to face the host nation Morocco in the semifinals, the lesson is simple.
Football greatness is measured by humility, not by insults.
However, Nigerians shall celebrate this victory not with hatred, but with pride.
The Super Eagles, have really shown the world that class, focus and unity in football, always outshine unorganised noise and provocation.
To the Algerian player who chose mockery over sportsmanship, Football remembers performances, not taunts. Nigeria spoke on the pitch, where it mattered most in football.
Nigerians everywhere, Should stand tall hold their country in high esteem and Support the Super Eagles, as they continues to shine not with bitterness, but with belief.
Dan Masanin Dokajin Kano, Nigeria
yushausaleh88@gmail.com