By Our Correspondent
From the entertainment industry to the business sector, and across continents from Nigeria and South Africa to Australia, sports administrators and football-loving Nigerians continue to shower praise on the Super Eagles for their impressive outing.
The latest public figure to join the growing list of admirers is renowned music producer and entrepreneur, PuffyTee.
The entertainment mogul described the Super Eagles’ impressive campaign at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as the product of collective brilliance and sound technical execution.
He made this known on Tuesday during an exclusive interview, rating Nigeria’s overall performance an impressive eight out of ten.
“Under the leadership of Coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles displayed tactical discipline and collective brilliance for the world to see. Everywhere you turn, people are talking about the Super Eagles’ performance,” PuffyTee said.
“It’s not just another bronze medal, as some may suggest. It is a statement of strength and character. It proves that Nigeria remains a force to be reckoned with in African football and that Nigerians never back down.”
PuffyTee, who produced Olu Maintain’s hit song Yahooze, singled out several players for special praise.
“For me, the standout players were Ademola Lookman, Akor Adams, heroic shot-stopper Stanley Nwabali, and Alex Iwobi. Everyone played their part, but these four were exceptional. By every measure, this campaign deserves an eight out of ten. The team was strong, inspiring, and full of promise,” he stated.
He also commended the Super Eagles for their swift recovery from their semi-final heartbreak against Morocco.
“Although the semi-final loss was very painful, the team showed resilience, bounced back strongly, and reminded us that setbacks are only temporary,” he explained.
While praising the team, PuffyTee urged the coaching crew to place even greater emphasis on strategy and game planning.
“At times the team performed above expectations, but football on the continent is evolving rapidly. We need to improve our interchange, strategy, and style of play. Nonetheless, we still remain a force to be reckoned with,” he noted.
Looking ahead, the globally acclaimed hitmaker called for increased investment in Nigerian football development to sustain the current momentum.
“If Nigeria is to rise even higher by 2027, we must act now. We need to invest in youth development, strengthen our domestic league, and build academies for young talents,” he said.
He also highlighted some of the systemic challenges affecting football development in the country.
“One of my sons is a talented goalkeeper who trains every day. Each time I watch him, I see enormous potential that only needs proper grooming and development. There are pathways for young talents abroad, but here at home, those pathways are limited. Just look at our stadiums—let me not even go there,” he lamented.
An ardent Arsenal fan with a deep passion for football, PuffyTee further emphasized the need to support grassroots development by empowering coaches and managers.
“We must take better care of our coaches and managers and invest more in the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL). This is one of the main reasons many of our players end up representing other countries. It’s not because they don’t want to play for Nigeria, but because of uncertainty and poor welfare. Even player bonuses are delayed when it’s time to pay,” he said.
“These are not dreams; they are necessities. If we address these issues, Nigeria will continue to dominate the football scene,” he concluded.
