AFCON 2025: Speed Darlington Celebrates Super Eagles’ Exit, Says APC ‘Won’t Claim Credit’

Controversial Nigerian entertainer Speed Darlington has sparked debate online after expressing apparent satisfaction over the Super Eagles’ failure to win the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Nigeria’s hopes of lifting a fourth AFCON title ended on Wednesday after a dramatic semi-final defeat to hosts Morocco. The match finished goalless after regular time and extra time, before Morocco triumphed 4–2 in a penalty shootout.

Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyeamachi both missed from the spot, sealing Nigeria’s exit and denying the Super Eagles a place in the final.

Reacting to the result on social media platform X, Speed Darlington linked the team’s defeat to domestic politics, suggesting that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would be unable to take credit for the tournament.

“Thank God APC can’t add AFCON to their list of achievements to hide their years of failure. AFCON bye bye,” he wrote.

His remarks have drawn mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians criticising the politicisation of football, while others echoed his sentiments amid wider frustrations over governance and national performance.

Despite the setback, the Super Eagles still have a chance to end their AFCON campaign on a positive note. Nigeria will face Egypt in the third-place playoff, with a bronze medal at stake.