Revealed: The hidden role Nigeria played in Senegal’s AFCON triumph

Claude Le Roy, the coach who won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1988, has explained how Nigeria played a role in Senegal’s victory over Morocco in the final of the 2025 AFCON.

Le Roy said Morocco were the best team overall in the tournament, but Senegal were better in the final because Morocco were already tired.

According to him, Morocco became exhausted after their tough semifinal match against Nigeria, which lasted more than two hours and ended in a penalty shootout.

The Super Eagles held Morocco to a draw before the game went to penalties. Nigeria eventually lost 4–2 after Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi missed their spot kicks.

Le Roy explained that the long and intense match against Nigeria affected Morocco’s performance in the final against Senegal.

He said the Atlas Lions looked slower and less sharp than they had been earlier in the tournament.

Despite Nigeria’s exit at the semifinal stage, Le Roy praised the Super Eagles, saying they were probably the most impressive team as they reached the semifinals.

Nigeria won all five of their matches in the competition and scored 14 goals, the highest by any team.

Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen were directly involved in 13 of those goals.

The Super Eagles also defended strongly against Morocco, making it difficult for them to create chances, although Nigeria did not produce many attacking opportunities themselves.

Osimhen and Lookman were closely marked and kept quiet by the Moroccan defence.

Speaking on Canal+, Le Roy said, “The best team overall at this AFCON was Morocco, but the best team in the final was Senegal.

Morocco worked very hard in the semifinal against a strong Nigerian team, especially during the penalty shootout, and that affected them. In the end, Senegal played better in the final.”

Morocco impressed throughout the tournament with their quality and organisation.

Nigeria later defeated Egypt 4–2 on penalties to finish third. Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali was the hero, saving penalties from Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.