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Football in Nigerisa is one of resilience, passion, building local talents and international recognition, but in recent years, the role of the Nigerian diaspora has become a focal point in the resurgence of the national teams, especially the Super Eagles.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), being hosted by Morocco, yet again highlights how players raised and trained abroad are not just warming jerseys but redefining the squad’s competitive edge. The likes of the 2024 CAF African Footballer of the Year, Ademola Lookman, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, and Bright Osayi-Samuel stand out as symbols of the transformation.

Born in the UK, Italy, or other parts of Europe, these young players bring to the national team tactical discipline, technical sharpness, and professional exposure from the developed world. But when they don the green and white jersey, they personify the passion and unpredictability that have long defined the game of football in Africa.

Lessons From AFCON 2023

Nigeria’s journey to the 2023 final in the Ivory Coast was a turning point for the Super Eagles. Powered by diaspora talent, the boys showcased a blend of European precision and African flair that left opponents stunned. Netherlands-born William Troost-Ekong was the biggest surprise of the tournament, scoring six goals as a defender and emerging as the 2023 AFCON Player of the Tournament.

Lookman, a marksman for Serie A side Atalanta in Italy, was one of the standout performers, scoring crucial goals and proving himself a reliable attacking force. Iwobi, with his Premier League experience, provided midfield creativity and composure under pressure.

Twenty-six-year-old Bassey’s defensive solidity, honed at Fulham in England, strengthened Nigeria’s backbone, while Semi Ajayi’s aerial presence and versatility added depth.

Osayi-Samuel offered width and defensive cover with his pace and adaptability. Together, these players helped Nigeria overcome giants of African football, only narrowly losing in the final to the host, the Ivory Coast. But that campaign rekindled national pride and reminded the continent of Nigeria’s footballing pedigree.

AFCON 2025

Fast-forward to the 2025 tournament in Morocco, and the diaspora influence is even more pronounced. Nigeria’s squad, announced by coach Eric Chelle in December 2025, is a balanced mix of homegrown stars and diaspora players.

The team’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Mozambique in the round of 16 showcased the blend perfectly. Lookman scored yet again, while Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s talisman, combined seamlessly with diaspora teammates to dismantle the opposition.

Analysts praised the team’s resilience, noting how diaspora players have injected a winning mentality that transcends tribe and religion into the squad. A former Super Eagles media officer, Toyin Ibitoye, advised Nigeria to stay focused despite their 4-0 win over Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“You can only face the team that is ahead of you. Some people believe that when you win a tournament, it doesn’t mean you are the best. You are just lucky to beat all the teams placed ahead of you,” Ibitoye said on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

“Your most important game is the next one. You don’t think ahead of yourself, you think of the next game ahead of you. That’s the most important game for you to play,” he added on the breakfast show.

Comportment

However, the Super Eagles’ march to the last eight against the Desert Foxes of Algeria was not without hitches. Reports of unpaid bonuses threatened the campaign, though the National Sports Commission explained the government’s position here. But the players remained unfazed.

Interestingly, this crop of players displays maturity on the pitch. Lookman downplayed his altercation with talismanic Osimhen in Nigeria’s win over Mozambique at the 2025 AFCON, saying the incident was just about “football” and was nothing personal.

“Nothing happened. It was just a discussion on the pitch. That is it,” the Atalanta man, who scored twice, as the Super Eagles crushed the Mambas 4-0, said after the match.

“It’s just football. It’s always football. He (Victor Osimhen) is my brother,” Lookman, winner of the African Player of the Year prize in 2024, told reporters in Fez.

The Galatasaray man and Lookman had exchanged words during the Round of 16 match on Monday. The three-time African champions were already 3-0 up, but Osimhen was furious with Lookman for not passing the ball to him despite being in a better position to score.

Even Osimhen, who was furious with Lookman for not passing the ball to him despite being in a better position to score, said, “It is a team game,” pointing to the Europa League winner who had given him an assist in the match.

Diaspora ‘Superiority’

The impact of diaspora footballers goes beyond goals and tackles. They bring exposure to elite football systems. Training academies across Europe equip them with tactical awareness and fitness standards that elevate the team.

These players increase global visibility as playing in top leagues guarantees that Nigerian football remains visible on the world stage. This inspires young talents back home. Diaspora players embody a hybrid identity — European discipline fused with Nigerian flair — making the Super Eagles unpredictable and dynamic. Their experiences abroad instil discipline, helping younger homegrown players adapt to international standards.

Drawbacks, Criticisms

Indeed, the reliance on diaspora talent is not without debate. Some argue that Nigeria risks sidelining homegrown players who rise through local academies. Others worry about identity — whether players raised abroad can fully grasp the emotional weight of representing Nigeria, a nation with over 200 million people.

But superlative performances in AFCON 2023 and, now, 2025 have silenced many doubters. For instance, Lookman’s goals, Iwobi’s creativity, and Bassey’s defensive fortitude are proof that diaspora players are not outsiders but integral parts of Nigeria’s footballing family.

Beyond AFCON

The impact of the diaspora is not limited to tournaments; it is shaping Nigeria’s footballing future. Young Nigerians abroad see the Super Eagles as a viable career path, and this broadens the country’s talent pool, ensuring continuity. Furthermore, the success of diaspora players strengthens Nigeria’s case for investment in grassroots football, as the nation seeks to balance local development with international exposure.

For Nigerians in the diaspora, watching Iwobi, Lookman, Bassey, Ajayi and Osayi-Samuel shine at AFCON is deeply symbolic, as it affirms that identity is not bound by geography. Whether raised in Milan, Lagos or London, the players carry Nigeria deep in their hearts. Their success bridges the gap between homeland and diaspora, uniting Nigerians with shared pride worldwide.

The Legacy

As Nigeria chase their fourth AFCON title in Morocco, the role of diaspora players cannot be overstated. They are not the contributors but the architects of Nigeria’s football renaissance. From the heartbreak of the 2023 final to the promise of 2025, diaspora footballers have proven that Nigeria’s strength lies in its rich global spread.

Morocco coach Walid Regragui on Thursday sought to remove some of the pressure on his team as he suggested Cameroon had more to lose in the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final between the sides.

The tournament hosts are the favourites to win the competition given their home advantage as well as the fact they are Africa’s leading side in the FIFA world rankings.

But the expectation on them brings an enormous weight of pressure that is in contrast to Cameroon, who have reached the last eight despite a chaotic build-up to the Cup of Nations which saw them appoint a new coach weeks before their opening game.

There is also a historical precendent: the last time Morocco hosted the Cup of Nations was in 1988, when their dream of winning the title was ended in defeat by Roger Milla’s Indomitable Lions in the semi-finals in Casablanca.

“The reality is that Cameroon have generally been Morocco’s bete noire. They have often come here and won. But that was in the past. We are the new Morocco so what happened then no longer matters,” Regragui said on the eve of Friday’s clash.

He then suggested that Cameroon’s failure to qualify for the upcoming World Cup means they have more to lose than a Moroccan team desperate to win the continental title in front of their fans, half a century after their sole Cup of Nations triumph to date.

“The reality now is that Cameroon are on form, and this is their competition because they have everything to lose,” Regragui insisted.

“If they go no further they will have to wait two or three more years for another major tournament.

“We also have something to lose because we are at home but in four months we have the World Cup so we have another competition to play.

“That is why Cameroon will be motivated, more than usual. There is pressure on us but on them too.”

READ ALSO: [2025 AFCON] NSC Explains Reason For Delay In Payment Of Super Eagles’ Bonus

 Hakimi back to his best? 

The Morocco coach was also full of praise for his Cameroonian counterpart David Pagou, whose calm demeanour has helped a young side progress from their group and then eliminate South Africa in the last 16.

“We are playing the host nation, a top side who have really good individuals as well as a collective that works well together,” admitted Pagou.

“And also, not that I am a historian but Morocco have not lost at home in a very long time. So that is an extra source of motivation.”

For Morocco, the Lille striker Hamza Igamane is fit again after injury but Regragui acknowledged that midfield lynchpin Sofyan Amrabat is still struggling with an ankle problem while veteran defender Romain Saiss is also not fully fit.

However, captain Achraf Hakimi is set to start again after doing so for the first time in the tournament in the narrow last-16 win against Tanzania.

“Achraf hadn’t played 90 minutes in almost two months. He played very well against Tanzania but we have not yet seen Achraf at his best. Hopefully we will tomorrow,” Regragui said of the African player of the year, who suffered an ankle injury with Paris Saint-Germain in early November.

Liam Rosenior’s first match as Chelsea manager comes laced with giant-killing danger as he takes the Blues to second-tier Charlton in the FA Cup third round.

Troubled Tottenham boss Thomas Frank is fighting to avoid the sack, while Manchester United are also in turmoil as caretaker manager Darren Fletcher tries to lift the gloom.

AFP Sport looks at three coaches in the spotlight as clubs take a break from the Premier League to concentrate on the FA Cup this weekend:

Rosenior set for Chelsea debut

Liam Rosenior’s last taste of managing in English football came in the sedate surroundings of Plymouth, where his Hull side slumped to a 1-0 defeat to bring a disappointing end to their bid to reach the Championship play-offs in May 2024.

When Rosenior was sacked just days after that loss, a less confident character would have found it hard to believe they were destined to manage Chelsea less than two years later.

But the ultra-driven Rosenior has done exactly that, earning a reputation as a young coach to watch by leading unfashionable Strasbourg to a seventh place finish in the French league last season.

Despite his solid work at another club controlled by Chelsea owners BlueCo, Rosenior was still a surprise choice to replace Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge.

Now the 41-year-old will experience life under a microscope, with his debut at The Valley serving as an intriguing introduction.

Rosenior knows he must make a fast start to keep the doubters at bay and a loss at Charlton, languishing in 19th place in the Championship, would be a disastrous opening to his reign.

“For this opportunity to come up at this stage of my career is great but my biggest focus is not about being Chelsea manager, it’s about being a winning Chelsea manager,” said Rosenior, whose father Leroy played for Charlton in the 1990s.

“We need to hit the ground running for the rest of the season.”

READ ALSO: Manchester City Sign Forward Semenyo

Frank on the brink

Heralded as a slam-dunk appointment after his impressive spell with Brentford, Thomas Frank’s Tottenham travails have shown the Dane just how hard managing one of the Premier League’s biggest clubs really is.

Tottenham moved quickly to hire the 52-year-old after sacking Ange Postecoglou at the end of last season.

But, like so many of his Tottenham predecessors, Frank has found it impossible to live up to expectations at the north London club.

In stark contrast to Postecoglou’s attacking game-plan, Frank’s prosaic tactics focus on defensive organisation, work-rate and set-piece prowess.

Those qualities were lauded at Brentford but Tottenham fans see their club far differently.

After three wins in their last 13 games, many have already turned on the Dane, who will be pushed closer to the sack if they lose at home to Aston Villa on Saturday.

READ ALSO: [2025 AFCON] NSC Explains Reason For Delay In Payment Of Super Eagles’ Bonus

Fletcher auditions for Man Utd role

Having stepped in as Manchester United’s caretaker boss, Darren Fletcher has another chance to impress and keep the Red Devils’ hopes of silverware this season alive against Brighton.

United plan to use an interim head coach to see them through until May while they search for a permanent boss after dismissing Ruben Amorim on Monday.

The club have reportedly spoken to their former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and ex-midfielder Michael Carrick, sacked by Middlesbrough earlier this season, about returning as interim boss.

Fletcher’s case to remain in charge beyond the weekend was not aided by a 2-2 draw at lowly Burnley on Wednesday, despite a much-improved display in attacking areas.

A dismal run of one win from their last five games at Old Trafford brought the curtain down on Amorim’s troubled reign.

Fletcher has to stop that rot against the Seagulls, who had won on their three previous trips to the Theatre of Dreams prior to a 4-2 defeat in October.

Led by Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria’s form at the Africa Cup of Nations has offered cause for optimism ahead of Saturday’s heavyweight quarter-final against Algeria despite reports of unrest in the squad.

The Super Eagles arrived in Marrakesh for the last-eight tie as the top scorers at the tournament with 12 goals in their four games so far.

Wins against Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda in the group stage were followed by a 4-0 demolition of Mozambique in Fes in the last 16, the biggest victory for anyone in an AFCON knockout tie since 2010.

Osimhen and Lookman, winners of the African player of the year prize in 2023 and 2024 respectively, have played starring roles with three goals each as Nigeria target Cup of Nations success as a tonic for their World Cup woes.

“The team is improving every single game,” said Lookman, who has also set up four goals at the tournament, after the Mozambique victory.

Nigeria have started strongly despite the team returning to Morocco reeling in the wake of their failure to qualify for the World Cup.

Having only just sneaked into the play-offs for the tournament in North America, the Super Eagles saw their hopes ended in a penalty shoot-out loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Rabat in November.

They will therefore miss a second consecutive World Cup having appeared at six of the previous seven competitions.

That represents a fiasco for a football-mad nation with by far the largest population on the continent, but the Cup of Nations has a tendency to throw up unexpected success stories.

Ivory Coast’s incredible revival at the last AFCON two years ago, when they were on the brink of elimination in the group stage as hosts before coming back to win the trophy with victory against Nigeria in the final, is the perfect example.

READ ALSO: [2025 AFCON] NSC Explains Reason For Delay In Payment Of Super Eagles’ Bonus

Bust-ups and bonuses 

Of the nine African nations who qualified directly for this year’s World Cup, Ghana and Cape Verde failed to make it to Morocco for the Cup of Nations.

Nigeria, meanwhile, are hoping to claim a fourth continental crown to soothe their disappointment at not being among the teams bound for the United States, Canada and Mexico.

This week marks a year since Eric Chelle, a former Mali player and coach, took over the Super Eagles but all he can do is try to keep his focus on Algeria amid much off-field noise.

Lookman had to play down suggestions of a bust-up with Osimhen in the last-16 win, when the latter appeared angry at his teammate for not giving him the ball.

The Galatasaray striker was then substituted and took no part in victory celebrations on the pitch with his teammates at the end of the game.

Atalanta forward Lookman later told journalists: “He’s our number one guy, everyone knows this. Top striker, top player, the rest is not really important.”

Chelle must hope harmony is restored for the game against Algeria, a repeat of the 2019 AFCON semi-final which the Super Eagles lost 2-1 in Cairo to a late Riyad Mahrez goal.

The Final 8️⃣ Awaits #Naija4TheWin #ALGNGA pic.twitter.com/zE2Q1EY3ZN

However, preparations for the showdown have been overshadowed by reports of a dispute over bonuses, with multiple sources in recent days saying the team had not been paid money promised following their first four matches.

That led to talk of a training boycott, but reports on Thursday said the issue had been resolved, with Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Musa Gusau telling ESPN that “payments had been processed”.

A Nigeria team spokesperson confirmed to AFP that the squad was training as planned in Marrakesh, as Chelle and his players eye a place in the semi-finals.

Manchester City added to their attacking arsenal on Friday with the signing of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth for a reported £65 million ($87 million).

The 26-year-old, who has scored 10 Premier League goals this season, has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal.

Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham were amongst the other clubs interested in the London-born Ghana international, who had a buyout clause that would reportedly expire on Saturday.

“I am so proud to have joined Manchester City,” said Semenyo.

“I have watched City over the last decade under Pep Guardiola, and they have been the dominant team in the Premier League as well as achieving amazing things in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup.

“They have set the highest of standards and it’s a club with world-class players, world-class facilities and one of the greatest managers ever in Pep.”

READ ALSO: Real Madrid Beat Atletico, Set Up Clasico Spanish Super Cup Final

His final act after three years with the Cherries was scoring a stoppage-time winner to beat Tottenham 3-2 and end an 11-game winless run on Wednesday.

City are hoping Semenyo can boost their challenge for silverware on four fronts in 2026.

Guardiola’s men trail Arsenal by six points at the top of the Premier League and have FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League fixtures in the coming weeks.

City’s options in the wide areas are currently limited with Savinho out injured and Omar Marmoush representing Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Semenyo’s transfer is the first major move by Premier League clubs in the January window.

City are also in the market to boost their defensive options after losing Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol to injuries.

Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is their prime target.

Semenyo has enjoyed a meteoric rise since being shipped out on loan three times by Bristol City early in his career.

He eventually earned his move to the Premier League in 2023 and has blossomed into one of the most potent wingers in the English top-flight in the past two seasons under Andoni Iraola.

“I have so much scope for improvement, so to be at this club, at this stage of my career, is perfect for me. It’s a real privilege to be here,” added Semenyo.

“My best football is yet to come, I am sure of that. And City are in a great position –- still involved in four competitions. I really feel I can help them have a strong second half of the season.”

Semenyo could make his debut on Saturday when City host third-tier Exeter in the FA Cup at the Etihad Stadium.

Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in a tight Spanish Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia on Thursday to set up a Clasico final clash against rivals Barcelona.

Fede Valverde’s free-kick and a Rodrygo Goes strike helped Madrid claim a fifth consecutive victory across all competitions, with Alexander Sorloth pulling one back for Diego Simeone’s Atletico, who came up short in Jeddah.

READ ALSO: Gonzalo Garcia Hits Treble As Real Madrid Thrash Betis Without Mbappe

Alonso was close to the sack after a run of inconsistent form towards the end of 2025 but his team have slowly found their footing.

The Spanish coach led Madrid to a win over Barcelona in his first Clasico at the helm in October, before his team began to slump.

With French superstar Kylian Mbappe out as he recovers from a knee sprain, Alonso kept young striker Gonzalo Garcia in the centre of the attack after his hat-trick against Real Betis on Sunday.

Atletico beat their city rivals 5-2 when the teams met in September in a La Liga derby but this was a far closer affair.

Los Blancos took the lead after just two minutes when Valverde’s ferocious free-kick flew past Sorloth in a poorly-positioned wall and rocketed past Jan Oblak.

The Norwegian Atletico forward might have done more to block it and Oblak got his hand to the shot but could not keep it out because of the sheer power.

Valverde celebrated vehemently, slapping his own head, clearly delighted at netting his first goal of a difficult season to date.

By taking the lead Real Madrid earned the right to sit deeper and force Atletico to try and attack them to pull back level.

Madrid hit the Rojiblancos when they could on the counter, with Oblak saving well from Rodrygo after he floated inside from the right.

Atletico began to create some chances and could have pulled level before the interval.

Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tipped away Sorloth’s header and then the target man clumsily nodded Conor Gallagher’s cross off-target from close range.

Julian Alvarez, who has just two goals in his last 11 matches, fired towards goal but was also thwarted by Courtois.

Rodrygo extended Madrid’s lead in the 55th minute with his third goal in five games, continuing a rich vein of form across the past few weeks.

The Brazilian found a gap to burst through in the middle of Atletico’s defence and kept his cool to sweep the ball past Oblak.

Sorloth Strikes At Last

Three minutes later Atletico hit back, with Sorloth finally finding the net with a header from Giuliano Simeone’s cross.

The striker gave defender Raul Asencio just enough of a shove to put him off without being penalised for it before nodding in.

Atletico came close in the final stages as they tried in vain to force extra-time, with Courtois saving an acrobatic Antoine Griezmann effort, and Marcos Llorente whipping a shot agonisingly wide.

Alvarez flashed a shot across the face of goal deep in stoppage time as Atletico’s hopes of silverware in Saudi Arabia came to a quick end.

Madrid face Barcelona on Sunday in the final at the King Abdullah Sports City stadium after the Catalans thrashed Athletic Bilbao 5-0 on Wednesday.