Nigeria's Super Eagles have soared into the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), setting the stage for a high-stakes clash against hosts Morocco. This thrilling advancement comes amid a significant financial incentive from a leading industrialist and a stark warning from a political aide about a potential jinx.
Rabiu's Generous Incentive for Super Eagles Victory
The nation's football fervour received a major boost following a substantial pledge from Abdul Samad Rabiu, the chairman of the BUA Group. After watching Nigeria's dominant 2–0 quarter-final victory over Algeria on Saturday, January 10, Rabiu took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce a $500,000 donation to the team if they defeat Morocco in the semi-finals.
The promise doesn't stop there. Rabiu, 65, further detailed additional bonuses to motivate the squad. He pledged an extra $50,000 for every goal scored in the semi-final match. Should the Super Eagles advance to and win the final, the magnate committed to a grand $1 million donation, plus $100,000 per goal in the championship decider.
Kwara Governor's Aide Issues Warning and Criticises Peter Obi
Reacting to the development, Ibraheem Abdullateef, the Senior Special Assistant on Communications to Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, voiced a superstitious concern. He expressed hope that a mysterious "man in black" would not jinx Nigeria's promising campaign at the tournament.
Abdullateef also used the occasion to launch a critique against former presidential candidate Peter Obi. Obi had recently described the alleged non-payment of the Super Eagles' allowances as a "national embarrassment." The governor's aide dismissed these remarks, contrasting them with Rabiu's tangible support.
"Thank you, BUA. That is patriotic," Abdullateef wrote on his verified X handle. "This is unlike Peter Obi's perfunctory statement on Wednesday on alleged unpaid allowances of Super Eagles..." He went further to suggest Obi might use the AFCON platform for political visibility, concluding with his apprehension about the "Man in Black" jinx.
Super Eagles' Commanding Path to the Semi-Finals
The Eagles secured their semi-final berth with a convincing performance against Algeria at the Grand Stade de Marrakesh. Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half, finishing a cross from Bruno Onyemaechi. Sevilla forward Akor Adams doubled the lead ten minutes later, showcasing composure after a selfless assist from Osimhen.
The Nigerian side was in control throughout the match, appearing sharper and more physically dominant, effectively denying Algeria any clear-cut chances. This victory keeps alive their quest for a first AFCON title since 2013. The team now prepares to face tournament hosts Morocco on Wednesday, January 14, in a highly anticipated semi-final clash.
The combination of corporate backing, political commentary, and on-field excellence has created a captivating narrative around Nigeria's AFCON journey, with the nation eagerly awaiting the next chapter.
