A member of Nigeria’s gold medal-winning team at the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations, Edema Fuludu has heaped praises on Morocco for how they did well as hosts of this year’s edition, Sports247 reports.
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Fuludu, who excelled as a midfielder but is now a football administrator, stressed that Nigeria should learn from the high-level organisation and infrastructure that Morocco presented at AFCON 2025.
He further pointed out that, aside from exhibiting top-notch organisation and installation of ultra-modern facilities, Morocco has also been able to upgrade their national team with a lot of technical innovations.
“Morocco’s football has developed a lot, and it has been boosted with a kind of system that they conceptualised and have developed over time.
“If we are like that here in Nigeria, with the kind of players we have, I believe we’ll be the team to beat in Africa and the world,” Fuludu reasoned.
He also spoke about the fiasco that almost marred the AFCON 2025 final and, while absolving Morocco of blame for the ugly scenes, Fuludu roundly condemned Senegal for almost abandoning the match.
Fuludu averred, “Regarding what happened in the final, when Senegal walked off and almost abandoned the match, because they felt they were cheated, that’s something no one will support.
“FIFA’s president was there, and he was not happy. Those of us who love football and never want it put to shame were also not happy.
“This is football and, at that level, you mustn’t walk out of the field. You just have to play on and let it be the way it goes. It’s all about unity and togetherness.
“We have to do things that will make sure that African football evolves, not what would bring it down. That’s why that incident was very poor, although they eventually returned to finish the match.”
The ex-international, who shot to limelight with New Nigeria Bank FC of Benin City and excelled with Altay of Turkey at the height of his career, concluded by mentioning the role of Senegal’s top player, Sadio Mane in saving the final and lessons Nigeria must learn from the competition.
“Thank God for a player like Sadio Mane, who was able to get the Senegalese back to play, and they eventually won the game. That’s to show that what will be will be.
“Overall, based on what I saw at this past AFCON, I believe African football is growing fast. It will surely grow further and get better.
“So, Nigeria must not be left behind. Nigeria can also get better if we copy Morocco with their infrastructural development and improvements in their national team,” Fuludu submitted.
