The premier African football tournament, held in Rabat, Morocco, wrapped up on January 18, 2026, with Senegal's Teranga Lions claiming the championship title after a gripping final against the host nation's group, the Atlas Lions.
Nigeria's Super Eagles clinched the third-place spot by overcoming Egypt just before the final.
During the event, 52 matches took place, resulting in a commendable total of 121 goals, which averages out to about 2.33 goals per match. The tournament attracted a staggering 1,340,022 attendees, averaging 25,770 fans per game.
This edition of the tournament vividly showcased Africa's intense passion for football, as teams, officials, and fans donned various cultural outfits and participated in spirited displays across multiple venues.
The organization of the event by Morocco deserves high praise, demonstrating the country’s capability to host major tournaments, further validated by its joint selection with Spain and Portugal to host the 2030 World Cup by FIFA.
However, not all aspects of the event lived up to expectations. The officiating throughout the tournament fell short, raising concerns about the integrity of African football referees. The evident biases displayed in many matches undermined the essential principles of fairness crucial to such tournaments.
Match officials were accused of favoring teams, particularly in games involving the host nation, with the poor quality of officiating culminating during the final match when Senegal walked off the field due to a questionable penalty decision made by the center referee. This incident tarnished the reputation of both the tournament and African football as a whole.
In light of this unsatisfactory officiating, it is commendable that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) imposed significant fines on the Senegalese and Moroccan football associations and some players for their behavior that discredited the sport. It is crucial that CAF takes further steps to investigate and discipline referees implicated in such misconduct, reinforcing its commitment to professionalism.
Attendance figures also raised eyebrows. With the tournament being the pinnacle of African football featuring top players like Mohammed Salah, Sadio Mane, Victor Osimhen, and Riyad Mahrez, the sight of empty seats in stadiums was disheartening. It indicated that Moroccan authorities and CAF might have fallen short in promoting the tournament adequately, a challenge they must address leading up to the 2030 World Cup.
Regarding Nigeria's journey in the tournament, although the Super Eagles ultimately settled for third place, they displayed great promise. The team's performance up to the semi-finals was impressive, and Coach Eric Chelle’s strategies helped solidify the group. His choices and ability to cultivate discipline within the squad received commendations from fans. If he can sustain this positive momentum, there is hope that the Super Eagles will achieve even greater success in future competitions.
As a takeaway for the Nigeria Football Federation (NFA), it is crucial to learn from this tournament experience to enhance the team's prospects moving forward. The recurring issue of unpaid allowances, which surfaced during the event, cannot be repeated. It reflected poorly on Nigeria's image when players faced unrest due to delayed payments. Timely remuneration is essential not only as a matter of respect but also for fostering a professional environment.
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