The Super Eagles’ defeat to Morocco at the ongoing AFCON 2025 has continued to generate reactions, with former Nigerian international Waidi Akanni offering a detailed assessment of what went wrong for the team.
Akanni attributed the loss to a combination of tactical lapses, missed chances, and poor game management, particularly in key moments of the encounter. According to him, Nigeria started the match with confidence and intensity but failed to sustain that level as the game progressed.
He noted that the Super Eagles created several promising opportunities, especially in the first half, but were wasteful in front of goal. Akanni stressed that at a tournament of AFCON’s standard, failing to convert clear chances often proves costly, as opponents are quick to punish mistakes.
The former midfielder also pointed to defensive lapses, stating that Nigeria struggled to maintain shape when under pressure. He explained that Morocco exploited spaces left in midfield and wide areas, allowing them to dictate the tempo during critical phases of the match. Akanni added that poor communication among defenders contributed to the goals conceded.
Another major factor highlighted was tactical discipline. Akanni observed that the Super Eagles deviated from their game plan after conceding, becoming too stretched and predictable. This, he said, made it easier for Morocco to control possession and manage the game effectively.
Akanni further mentioned the lack of composure and experience in decisive moments, particularly when Nigeria needed to slow the game down or regain control. He emphasized that tournament football demands patience, structure, and mental strength, qualities he felt were missing at crucial points.
Despite the defeat, Akanni urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the team. He maintained that the Super Eagles have the quality to bounce back, provided lessons are learned quickly. He called on the coaching crew to address tactical shortcomings and for players to be more clinical and disciplined in subsequent matches.
The loss to Morocco, while disappointing, has been described as a learning moment for the Super Eagles as they continue their AFCON 2025 campaign with hopes of regrouping and making a strong comeback.