Success doesn’t always announce itself with medals and confetti. Sometimes, its loudest statement is made in the quiet confidence of planning, organization, and legacy. AFCON 2025 was one of those moments—and Morocco showed Africa, and the world, what long-term vision truly looks like.
Morocco demonstrated that when a country plans deliberately, invests wisely, and builds world-class infrastructure, hosting a major tournament becomes more than an event—it becomes a statement. What struck me most was how organically the story of the country spread. Foreign visitors, unpaid and unprompted, flooded social media with videos and photos of Morocco’s beauty. This wasn’t a government campaign. It was genuine admiration.
I watched Nigerians—some experiencing snow for the first time—light up with excitement, playing and laughing in environments they had never imagined themselves in. Football brought them there, but Morocco gave them memories that will last far longer than the final whistle. That is legacy tourism, and it will pay dividends for decades.
One moment captured this perfectly. Watching Alex Iwobi’s vlog—an initiative worth applauding, thanks to Troost-Ekong for starting it and Alex for sustaining it—alongside Calvin Bassey and other Super Eagles players visiting the Mohammed VI Football Complex was revealing. This isn’t just a training ground; it’s a statement of intent.
The complex designed for elite national team preparation and for hosting foreign squads. It boasts:
- Multiple pitches: Over nine fields, including natural grass, artificial turf, and hybrid surfaces
- Indoor facilities: Including an indoor futsal pitch
- Comprehensive amenities: A fully integrated, modern high-performance environment
What made me smile was the sense of awe from Alex and Calvin as they compared it to St George’s Park the state-of-the art facility located in Staffordshire, England.These are players who have trained and competed in some of the best facilities in world football. Their reaction said everything. Morocco may not have lifted the trophy, but in infrastructure and organization, they delivered a decisive win—one that will keep paying off long after this tournament.
On the pitch, Senegal are deserving champions. While I had hoped the Super Eagles of Nigeria would go all the way, there’s no disputing Senegal’s quality or consistency. My admiration for Senegal goes back to 1992, when they hosted AFCON. The Teranga Lions managed by the legendary Claude Le Roy, with stars like Jules Bocandé—whose dreadlocks and presence always reminded me of the late Samuel Okwaraji—Souleymane Sané, and Roger Mendy. That Nigeria vs Senegal draw in the group stage remains one of the most thrilling games at the tournament.
Senegal’s rise hasn’t been accidental. From that foundation to their historic victory over world champions France at the 2002 World Cup, they’ve shown that African teams can compete, and win, at the highest level. A rematch with France on June 16 at the 2026 World Cup is one I’m already counting down to.
AFCON 2025 reinforced something powerful: Africa is capable of extraordinary things. The football was electric. The fans were unforgettable. The dances, songs, and colors told stories of identity and pride. And then there was DR Congo’s iconic fan, Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, whose Lumumba statue tribute captivated the continent. In a single gesture, he sent millions on a journey of history, rediscovering Patrice Émery Lumumba—the independence leader and first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is the beauty of football: it doesn’t just entertain; it educates, connects, and awakens memory.
Credit must also go to the Confederation of African Football under Patrice Motsepe’s leadership. Running football anywhere is difficult; doing so across Africa’s diversity is even more challenging. The progress is visible, and while constructive criticism from fans and journalists will always remain necessary, this tournament showed clear forward momentum.
AFCON 2025 wasn’t just about who won. It was about what was built, what was shared, and what remains. Morocco reminded us that when football meets vision, the real victory lies beyond the scoreboard.
Bimboh Adekoya is a widely travelled football person.
