Former sports editor and administrator, Arabinrin Aderonke, has commended the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their convincing victory over Tunisia at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a result that secured Nigeria’s qualification for the Round of 16 with a game to spare.Speaking after the match, Aderonke praised the team’s resilience, tactical discipline, and attacking intent, noting that the Super Eagles rose to the challenge against a confident Tunisian side that entered the encounter on the back of an opening-match win.
She described the performance as a clear reflection of the team’s ambition at AFCON 2025, stressing that early qualification underlined Nigeria’s growing authority in the competition.“I would like to extend my warmest felicitations to the Super Eagles for their well-deserved and courageous victory over a highly competitive Tunisian team. Qualifying with a game to spare is a strong statement about the character, strength, and ambition of this team,” Aderonke said.
Aderonke, who recently received the Role Model of the Year award from the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) in Copenhagen, Denmark, highlighted the collective nature of the Super Eagles’ performance and the impact of their early dominance on the outcome of the match.According to her, the goals scored by Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi, and Ademola Lookman reflected more than individual brilliance, pointing instead to a cohesive team philosophy anchored on discipline and confidence.“ The goals should not be attributed solely to individual talent but to a strong team structure built on belief, discipline, and unity. Despite Tunisia’s attempts to fight back, the Super Eagles showed maturity and focus to see out the game,” she noted.
Aderonke also emphasised the significance of Nigeria securing six points from their first two group matches, describing it as a decisive statement of intent at the tournament.“To qualify for the Round of 16 with six points after two group games shows real strength. It clearly indicates that the Super Eagles are not just participants at AFCON 2025 but serious contenders for the title,” she said.The Super Eagles currently sit top of Group C and could face the runner-up of Group D if they maintain their position. Group D features strong sides including Senegal, Benin, Congo, and Botswana, setting the stage for potentially high-profile knockout fixtures.
As the tournament progresses, Aderonke urged the players and technical crew to remain focused and build on their current momentum, while calling on Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to continue backing the team.“I appeal to the players and technical personnel to remain focused and build on this spirit. Nigerians are proud of you, and the nation stands firmly behind the Super Eagles as they continue their AFCON 2025 campaign,” she added. Beyond football commentary, Arabinrin Aderonke is widely recognised for her advocacy in gender equality, youth empowerment, and social inclusion, positioning her as one of Africa’s prominent voices in sports-for-development initiatives.
