Former Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has criticised Nigeria’s celebration of a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, warning that it sends the wrong message about the country’s football standards. According to him, such celebrations risk promoting a mindset where coming short of winning the trophy is seen as acceptable.

Oliseh made the remarks after Nigeria defeated Egypt on penalties to secure the bronze medal in Morocco. He said he was surprised to see how widely the players celebrated the result, noting that it drew mockery from African and European football analysts who expected more from a football nation like Nigeria.

Speaking on the Global Football Insight Podcast, Oliseh recalled a time when the Super Eagles were disappointed even after finishing second at AFCON. He explained that in those days, the team measured success strictly by winning the trophy, and anything less was treated as failure that needed reflection and improvement.

The former captain stressed that celebrating third place lowers expectations and weakens the winning culture Nigeria was once known for. He urged football stakeholders and players to aim higher, insisting that the Super Eagles should always compete with the mentality of champions, not settle for consolation prizes.