The President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Ibrahim Gusau, has said that fans of the Super Eagles can expect to see some new young players in the team.

He also complimented the team’s progress during their time with head coach Eric Chelle.

The football chief highlighted the team’s strong attacking play and the rise of young players as the main good things from their AFCON tournament.

Chelle took over in January 2025 and led Nigeria to a third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Super Eagles did not lose any of their games during regular time in the tournament.

Gusau looked at how the team played and pointed out that Nigeria did well in scoring goals and keeping clean sheets as signs of improvement, even though they didn’t win the trophy.

Gusua said, “After the AFCON tournament ended, even though they did not win the trophy, they were the team that scored the most goals in the whole competition as well as being the only team that did not lose any matches except for those penalty kicks. That shows the team is getting better.”

The Super Eagles scored 14 goals in the tournament — eight in the group stage and six in the knockout rounds — which made them the top scorers in the competition.

They also maintained clean sheets during the knockout phase and only let in four goals in the group stage, which put them among the top defensive teams.

He added, “The most important part is finding some new young talents. There are more players still coming because you know what even makes us have some issues even in trying to introduce more of the young players is that we intend to have some quality friendly matches during the November window, unfortunately, we have to go to the playoffs.

“So, if we don’t have the playoffs, we plan to let the coach try some young players during the friendly matches we’re going to play in November.

“It’s not always easy for a coach to just bring in a new player and put him in a big tournament, but moving forward, we have the March window to do that.

“I believe we are still going to give him a chance to bring in some young players who will be added to the team. Nigerians should have higher expectations from the team and the coach.”

During the tournament, the Malian coach gave competitive starts to young players Salim Fago and Tochukwu Nnadi.

Senegal and Morocco players clash during the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) final football match between Senegal and Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on January 18, 2026. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP)

Morocco’s football federation said it will appeal disciplinary sanctions and fines imposed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after the chaotic scenes at the Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal last month.

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) was fined a total of $315,000 last month, added to bans against two of its players.

In a statement, the FRMF said it would lodge an appeal “in order to preserve all rights guaranteed by the regulations”, citing “non-conformity of these sanctions with the extent and seriousness of the incidents that occurred”.

The AFCON final on January 18 took a series of dramatic turns from late in regular time when an Ismaila Sarr goal was disallowed for a foul on 2025 African player of the year Achraf Hakimi.

Morocco were then awarded a penalty when forward Brahim Diaz was fouled, sparking furious Senegalese protests.

Morocco missed the long-delayed penalty with a weak shot from Diaz saved by Edouard Mendy. The match then went to extra time and Pape Gueye scored to give Senegal a second AFCON title.

While play was halted over the disputed penalty, some Senegal supporters threw projectiles and others temporarily invaded the pitch before police and security staff intervened.

Morocco was fined $200,000 for the “inappropriate behaviour of the stadium ball boys”.

Another fine of $100,000 was imposed for the “improper conduct” of players and technical staff who invaded the VAR review area and obstructed the work of the Congolese referee.

There was also a $15,000 fine after Moroccan supporters used lasers to try and distract Senegalese players.

And for “unsporting behaviour”, Moroccan forward Ismael Saibari was handed a three-match ban and a fine of $100,000, while captain and defender Achraf Hakimi was suspended for two matches.

The Senegal Football Federation (FSF), which was fined a total of $615,000 for various offences during the final and whose head coach Pape Thiaw was banned for five games, also said it would appeal the sanctions.

Two players from the Senegalese contingent, Iliman Ndiaye and Sarr received two-match bans for “unsporting behaviour towards the referee”.

Senegal’s sanctions included the “unsporting conduct of their players and technical staff in violation of the CAF disciplinary code principles of fair play, loyalty and integrity”.