Anything But Gold Is Failure’ — Oliseh Criticises AFCON Bronze Celebrations

'Anything But Gold Is Failure’ — Oliseh Criticises AFCON Bronze Celebrations

By Our Reporter 

Former Super Eagles captain and Nigerian football legend Sunday Oliseh has launched a strong criticism of Nigeria’s national team following the circulation of a viral video showing players celebrating a third-place finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Oliseh, a prominent member of Nigeria’s celebrated golden generation, described the scenes as deeply unsettling, warning that such celebrations reflect a worrying shift from the country’s traditionally uncompromising, title-focused football culture.

Speaking on the incident, the former captain said he was shocked to see Super Eagles players openly celebrating a bronze-medal finish, particularly given Nigeria’s long-standing status as one of Africa’s football powerhouses. He added that the video attracted ridicule from members of the international media present at the tournament.

“I will give you an example of what I meant,” Oliseh said. “Before the final in Rabat, a video went viral of the Super Eagles celebrating winning third place against Egypt.

“At the media tribune where I sat, both African and European journalists mocked us. They couldn’t believe it.”

According to Oliseh, the reaction from neutral observers underlined how unusual and alarming such scenes appeared for a nation with Nigeria’s football pedigree.

Drawing a contrast with his own era, Oliseh said the Super Eagles once viewed anything short of lifting the trophy as failure.

“There was a time when the Super Eagles shed tears after finishing second, because to us, anything but the trophy was unacceptable,” he said. “Celebrating third place builds a culture of mediocrity.”

The former midfielder went further, warning that Nigeria’s gradual decline in dominance on the continent could be traced to a lowering of expectations and standards.

“We must remember that the decline of our dominance started when we became content with bronze,” Oliseh added. “If we want to be Africa’s best again, wild celebrations for anything less than gold must stop immediately.”

Oliseh insisted that restoring Nigeria’s status at the top of African football must begin with a change in mentality, stressing that success should once again be defined by titles rather than podium finishes.

His comments have sparked widespread debate, given his stature in Nigerian football history. Oliseh enjoyed a distinguished club career in Europe, representing Ajax, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus, and remains one of the most respected figures to have worn the green and white jersey.

At international level, he was a key member of Nigeria’s gold medal-winning team at the 1996 Olympic Games, an Africa Cup of Nations winner with the Super Eagles, and later captained the national side during an era defined by pride, resilience and an uncompromising hunger for trophies.