Popular Nigerian comedian, Bovi Ugboma, has shared a critique of the Super Eagles following their semi-final exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, declaring that football remains the sole unifying force in a country divided by religion and politics.
In a video posted via his Instagram page on Thursday after Nigeria’s loss to Morocco on Wednesday, Bovi, who revealed he has several friends in the national team, made a rare departure from his usual stance of non-interference in their professional affairs.
“If there’s anything that unites Nigeria as a nation, it’s football. Mark my words, it’s football,” the entertainer declared.
He went on to say, “Religion stops this country from burning because we are very religious people. Politics divides this nation because self-interest comes into play. But football is the only thing that brings Muslims and Christians, North, South-East, and West together.”
The comedian specifically addressed Samuel Chukwueze and other players who missed crucial opportunities during the tournament.
“You have to treat it like you are an assassin. I’ve never seen in my life where an assassin has an opportunity to kill somebody and chooses to go like this or like this while chewing gum
“Chukwueze, I forgive him from the bottom of my heart, but you need to understand that the weight of the nation lies in your hand,” Bovi stressed.
Bovi warned players against prioritising individual glory over team success, a tendency he believes has cost Nigeria repeatedly at crucial moments.
“If you go for glory before victory, more often than not, you will mess up. More often than not, you become the victim, Don’t let that ember come alive. We let an advantage sleep,” he said.
“I’m not blaming only Chukwueze. In 1994, those are my heroes, but guess what? They messed up at the most critical moment with two minutes to go. Nevertheless, they are still our heroes because it was literally our first time at the World Cup.”
Speaking on the players’ social media habits during tournaments, hw warned `that online praise can be deceptive and distracting.
“Social media will be messing you guys up real bad, not just from this tournament but previous tournaments. You get carried away by the praise. Guess what? They don’t like you. They like what you do. Don’t let the comments, don’t let the likes fool you. The tide can change anytime,” he warned.
He cited Argentina’s disciplined approach during the 2018 World Cup when they needed to beat Nigeria to qualify. “When Argentina had to play us, no member of the Argentine team was on social media. We were on social media posting all kinds of things. Stop going on social media during tournaments.”
Bovi’s message took a particularly stern turn when he addressed players’ commitment to the national cause despite administrative challenges with the Nigeria Football Federation.
“Dear Super Eagles and intending Super Eagles players, have this at the back of your mind when you are playing for Nigeria: regardless of how the NFF treats you, if you choose to say I will play for Nigeria, understand that you have the potential, the power to unite Nigeria,” he said.
“You guys have chances to be heroes, to write your name in history and never be forgotten. Don’t continue to mess this up. It’s very important. You guys are our potential heroes.”
He acknowledged the systemic failures in Nigerian football administration but insisted players must rise above them. “When you wear the Nigerian jersey, it’s beyond football, beyond your salary, beyond your rights. You already know that your system is messed up when it comes to some of these things. You already know.”
The comedian concluded with a stark ultimatum: “So if you’re not ready to die, don’t play.”
PUNCHONLINE reports that Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Wednesday lost 4–2 in a penalty shootout to host nation Morocco at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after a tense 0–0 draw at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
Watch Video Here:
𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐎: 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚’𝐬 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐮𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐫, 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐁𝐨𝐯𝐢 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐜𝐨
Credit: Instagram | Bovi
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