By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has produced a rare statistical milestone, with all eight quarter-finalists drawn exclusively from the continent’s top-ranked teams, underlining the dominance of Africa’s traditional football powers at the tournament.

For the first time in more than 30 years, every team that has reached the last eight of the AFCON is ranked inside the top 10 of the FIFA rankings. The development highlights a competition largely free of major upsets, as pre-tournament favourites have justified their status on the pitch.

Leading the quarter-final cast are hosts Morocco, ranked number one in Africa, followed by defending champions Senegal in second place. Algeria (third) and Egypt (fourth) have also progressed, continuing their strong continental pedigree.

Completing the quarter-final lineup are Nigeria, ranked fifth, reigning champions Côte d’Ivoire in seventh place, Mali, ranked eighth, and Cameroon, tenth in the standings.

The absence of shock eliminations marks a clear departure from the tournament’s long-standing reputation for unpredictability, where lower-ranked teams often disrupt the established order. Instead, Africa Cup of Nations 2025 has been characterised by consistency, structure and tactical discipline, with heavyweight nations efficiently navigating the group and knockout stages.

Analysts say the trend reflects the narrowing gap in preparation between Africa’s elite teams and the rest of the field, as well as the growing emphasis on squad depth, game management and tournament experience.

With only top-tier teams remaining, the quarter-final stage is expected to deliver high-intensity encounters, as Africa’s best-ranked sides battle for a place in the semi-finals and the chance to lift the continent’s most coveted football prize.

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As excitement builds ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final showdown with Algeria, Goldberg Lager Beer is once again putting fans at the centre of the football experience with the return of its vibrant Festival of Drums and Lights, powered by the Our Beat, Our Gold campaign.

The Super Eagles will take on the Desert Foxes on Saturday, 10 January, and Goldberg is set to host a major fan activation at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development (PAKO Field), Awe Close, Dopemu, Lagos. The venue will open from 3:00 p.m., ahead of the 5:00 p.m. kick-off, giving supporters ample time to immerse themselves in the pre-match atmosphere.

While the Super Eagles prepare for what promises to be a demanding quarter-final against the Algeria, Goldberg’s focus remains on creating a space where Nigerians can gather, connect and express their shared passion for football.

Following the electric response from fans during Nigeria’s emphatic victory over Mozambique, the brand is bringing back the Festival of Drums and Lights — a celebration that fuses football, music, culture and community spirit. The experience is designed to mirror the rhythm, colour and emotion that define Super Eagles match days.

“Our Beat, Our Gold is about how Nigerians live football,” said Kunle Aroyehun, Senior Brand Manager, Goldberg. “It’s in the sounds, the drums, the lights, the conversations and the belief we share. With the Festival of Drums and Lights, we’re creating the right environment for fans to feel that connection as the Super Eagles push for a fourth AFCON title.”

The Dopemu venue will come alive with colour, rhythm and live performances, offering fans more than just a place to watch the match. Music stars Mavo, Zlatan Ibile and Segun Johnson will perform live, adding energy to the build-up and sustaining the celebratory mood throughout the evening.

“Get ready to feel the heat,” Aroyehun added. “This isn’t just about ninety or 120 minutes of football. It’s about celebrating the journey, the culture and the fans who stand behind the team every step of the way.”

Goldberg’s Festival of Drums and Lights forms part of a broader strategy to deepen fan engagement throughout Africa Cup of Nations. As the Official Beer and Sponsor of the Super Eagles, the brand has activated viewing centres and match-day experiences across Lagos and beyond, providing safe, welcoming spaces for supporters to watch games together with ice-cold Goldberg Lager Beer.

Backed by Nigerian Breweries Plc since 2018, Goldberg has established a strong footprint in Nigerian football, playing a significant role in expanding Super Eagles followership nationwide.

As Nigeria brace for a stern test against one of Africa’s traditional powerhouses, the Super Eagles will rely on discipline, belief and collective strength in their quest for a semi-final place. For Goldberg, however, the message remains constant: the fans are the heartbeat of the game.

“Football has a special power to unite us,” Aroyehun said. “As the Super Eagles step onto the pitch, we want Nigerians to feel proud, connected and fully part of the moment. That is what Our Beat, Our Gold stands for.”

This Saturday in Dopemu, Goldberg will bring drums, lights and fans together — transforming match day into a full-blown celebration of football, culture and Nigerian spirit.

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By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca

The Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Sports, Philip Shaibu, has expressed satisfaction that tensions which briefly disrupted the Super Eagles’ camp after their emphatic 4–0 victory over Mozambique have now eased.

Speaking with Sports Village Square in Casablanca, Shaibu acknowledged that striker Victor Osimhen had a legitimate grievance but felt the forward’s reaction during the match was excessive.

The former footballer and immediate past Deputy Governor of Edo State said he could relate to Osimhen’s frustration, recalling similar experiences from his playing days when teammates failed to deliver passes despite clear scoring opportunities.

“I would have also been upset in such a situation, but Osimhen overreacted,” said Shaibu, a former Bendel Insurance player.

He explained that the flashpoint against Mozambique was the culmination of tensions that had been simmering within the Super Eagles camp for some time.

According to Shaibu, the immediate incident did not primarily involve Ademola Lookman, but rather defender Bruno Onyemaechi, who failed to release the ball to Osimhen despite the striker being in a favourable position, with Nigeria already three goals ahead.

“Osimhen moved towards Bruno in anger before Lookman stepped in to calm him down,” Shaibu said. “Osimhen then told Lookman that he too had been denying him goal-scoring passes.”

Shaibu added that similar frustrations had surfaced earlier, referencing the World Cup qualifying match against Zimbabwe in Uyo and the game against DR Congo, where Osimhen signalled the bench to substitute him.

He confirmed that team talks had since been held within the camp and stressed that all outstanding issues have now been resolved, restoring harmony as the Super Eagles continue their Africa Cup of Nations campaign.

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