Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, team captain Wilfred Ndidi and defender Chidozie Awaziem were spotted at a popular Lagos nightclub in the early hours of Sunday, just a few hours after Nigeria defeated Egypt to win the third-place match at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The players’ appearance at the club quickly drew attention on social media, with many Nigerians reacting to videos and photos shared online. The outing was reportedly part of a birthday celebration organised by Lagos-based socialite and social media personality, Babatunde Akinpelu, popularly known as Tunde Perry.
In a video posted on Sunday morning, Perry was seen posing with Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, while Ndidi and Awaziem were visible in the background enjoying the moment. Perry captioned the video with the words, “Kai from Morocco Victor,” alongside some of his well-known street slang, “Otorpinpin paaaaaa DATieeeee Mo,” loosely meaning “know your squad.”
In another clip, Perry could be heard saying, “8 am on Sunday, on my birthday,” as he filmed himself with Osimhen inside the nightclub. The Super Eagles striker also received a special welcome from staff and guests at the club, adding to the celebratory mood.
The party came less than 24 hours after Nigeria secured a dramatic victory over Egypt in the third-place playoff at the ongoing AFCON tournament. The match, played on Saturday in Casablanca, ended goalless after regulation time before Nigeria won 4–2 on penalties. The win earned the Super Eagles a record ninth bronze medal in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The third-place match featured two African football giants who both missed out on a place in the final. Nigeria lost 4–2 on penalties to tournament hosts Morocco in the semi-finals last Wednesday, while Egypt were narrowly defeated 1–0 by Senegal in their own semi-final clash.
Saturday’s encounter was tense and closely fought, with both teams struggling to break each other down in open play. However, Nigeria showed greater composure during the penalty shootout, thanks largely to the heroics of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Nwabali emerged as the standout performer, saving two penalties taken by Egyptian stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. His efforts gave Nigeria the edge, while Akor Adams, Moses Simon, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman calmly converted their spot kicks to seal the victory.
Although Osimhen did not feature in the third-place match, he was part of the squad throughout the tournament and played a key role in Nigeria’s journey to the semi-finals. Shortly after the win against Egypt, Osimhen was seen leaving the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca with his bags, having earlier joined his teammates in the dressing room celebrations.
The 26-year-old striker enjoyed an impressive tournament, featuring in five matches for Nigeria. He scored four goals and provided one assist, finishing as one of the team’s top performers. His goals were crucial in helping the Super Eagles advance from the group stage and overcome tough opponents in the knockout rounds.
Captain Wilfred Ndidi also played an important role at the tournament. The Leicester City midfielder featured in all of Nigeria’s matches except the final group game against Uganda. Ndidi, known for his leadership and defensive strength, picked up an injury during the quarter-final clash against Algeria, which limited his involvement in the latter stages of the competition.
Chidozie Awaziem, who plies his trade in Europe, provided depth in defence for the Super Eagles. The defender came on as a substitute in four matches during the tournament, offering support and experience whenever called upon by the coaching crew.
Nigeria’s third-place finish at the 2025 AFCON is seen as a positive outcome, especially after the disappointment of missing out on the final. The bronze medal adds to the country’s rich history in the competition and reinforces its status as one of Africa’s most successful football nations.
The Africa Cup of Nations, organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), remains the biggest football tournament on the continent. It brings together the best national teams from across Africa and attracts millions of viewers worldwide. Nigeria, a three-time AFCON winner, has consistently been one of the tournament’s strongest contenders.
The 2025 edition in Morocco has been widely praised for its organisation, quality of football and competitive matches. Host nation Morocco reached the final after defeating Nigeria in the semi-finals and will face Senegal in the championship match.
Morocco and Senegal are set to clash in the final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 pm and is expected to be a thrilling contest between two of Africa’s most in-form teams. Senegal, the defending champions, will be hoping to retain their title, while Morocco will aim to win the trophy on home soil.
Back home, reactions to the Super Eagles players’ Lagos outing have been mixed. While some fans expressed surprise that the players returned to Nigeria so quickly after the match, others defended them, noting that the tournament was still ongoing and the third-place match marked the end of Nigeria’s campaign.
Supporters also pointed out that players are entitled to celebrate after representing the country and securing a medal. Many fans praised the team for their fighting spirit and resilience, especially after the heartbreak of the semi-final loss.
As the Super Eagles players enjoy a brief break, attention will soon shift to their club duties in Europe and preparations for future international assignments. For now, the bronze medal win and the lively celebrations in Lagos have added another chapter to Nigeria’s long and colourful football story.
Leave a Reply