Ibrahim Gusau, the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has clarified why the Super Eagles players were absent from the medal presentation ceremony at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final on Sunday.
The super Eagles of Nigeria were able to secure a third place position on Saturday after edging past the Pharaohs of Egypt 4–2 on penalties in the playoff match. However, it is said that the players were not on hand to receive their bronze medals following Sunday’s final between Morocco and Senegal.
The Nigerian Football Federation president Gusau explained that super Eagles were forced to depart immediately after the playoff due to mounting pressure from their respective clubs, who demanded their prompt return.
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The Nigerian football administrator, who was quoted in a post on his social media handle (X) on Monday by journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, noted that the situation was not exclusive to Nigeria, adding that Egypt faced similar challenges.
“Their clubs were already after them to come back after Saturday’s game, that’s why the players could not wait to receive their medals on Sunday,” Gusau said.
The NFF added that “he has the medals in his possession. And this is the case for Egypt too, not just Nigeria. Had the medal ceremony taken place on the day of the match, Super Eagle players would have had the medals.”
A win for Nigeria against the Pharaohs marked Super Eagles ninth third-place finish at the biennial AFCON tournament, extending their record as the most successful nation in the competition’s third-place playoff history.
