By Wellington Jopelo
The Federal Government has thrown its weight behind the Super Eagles as the national team prepares for a crucial semi-final showdown against Morocco at the ongoing 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a message released on Wednesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, urged the players to remain composed and self-assured as they take to the pitch in Rabat later in the evening.
According to the minister, the Super Eagles have already captured the admiration of Nigerians through their consistency and fighting spirit throughout the tournament, stressing that the nation is fully behind the team ahead of the high-stakes encounter.
Idris noted that the players are no strangers to pressure at the continental level, reminding them of Nigeria’s long-standing reputation as one of Africa’s football powerhouses. He encouraged the squad to draw confidence from past successes and approach the match with belief and unity.
He further charged the team to remain focused for the entire duration of the match, adding that millions of Nigerians at home and abroad would be watching and cheering them on as they chase a place in the final.
The Super Eagles are set to face Morocco in the semi-final on Wednesday night, with the winner earning a spot in the AFCON final.
Nigeria advanced to the last four after a convincing 2–0 win over Algeria in the quarter-finals. Under the guidance of head coach Éric Chelle, the team has recorded five wins from five matches and found the back of the net 14 times in the competition.
In a related development, Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, has announced cash rewards for the players as further motivation ahead of the remaining matches of the tournament.
Rabiu revealed that the players would receive $500,000 if they defeat Morocco in the semi-final, along with a bonus of $50,000 for each goal scored. He added that an additional $1,000,000 has been set aside should the team go on to lift the trophy, with $100,000 promised for every goal scored in the final.