Former captain of the Super Eagles, Sunday Oliseh, has said the big teams will begin to go home from the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

There have been no upsets so far at the tournament, with the final eight among the top 10 countries on the continent, according to the latest FIFA rankings.

However, they have all been paired against each other, for places in the semi-finals.

Hosts Morocco take on Cameroon, Nigeria are up against Algeria, Mali will play Senegal and Egypt have been drawn against Ivory Coast.

Oliseh, reacting to a post on X by BBC Sport broadcaster John Bennett, who noted that this AFCON has produced no major shocks heading into the quarter-final stage.

Quoting Bennett’s tweet, he wrote: “Spot on. So far, no huge surprises yet! But this is where it ends!”

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has suggested why his team was defeated 2–1 by Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.

Arteta watched as Aston Villa took the lead through Matty Cash in the first half.

But Arsenal fought back and equalised through Leandro Trossard in the second half.

However, a late goal from Emiliano Buendia ensured the hosts defeated the Gunners at Villa Park.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Arteta admitted it was painful to lose against Aston Villa.

According to him, Arsenal failed to have dominance and allowed open spaces in the second half, adding that they gave two balls away to the opponent.

“In the first half we had moments, obviously had the best chance after a foul on Riccy [Calafiori] that Watkins goes through,” Arteta said.

“In the second half we started really well. Scored a goal and we were really dominant.

“But then we had periods again where the same issue appeared and then we didn’t have the dominance and we allowed the open spaces, we gave two balls away ourselves to the opponent which could have cost us the game before actually the goal.

“Last kick of the game we have the chance with the cross from Declan for Noni and Viktor. We don’t score. Goal kick long, second ball, clear the ball, individual action. The ball comes inside the box and you end up losing it. It is painful.”

Former Nigeria international and Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh, has said that Victor Osimhen could be heading to Real Madrid next summer.

He said the LaLiga giants are closely monitoring the striker, with a potential move set for the summer.

The Nigerian could be replacing winger Vinicius Jnr, who might likely depart the club.

Osimhen is currently lacing his boots for Galatasaray, following a permanent move to the Turkish champions last summer.

The Super Eagles striker has netted six times in the Champions League this season despite being slowed down by injuries.

Meanwhile, Vini is yet to agree to a new contract with Real Madrid, as his current deal expires in the summer of 2027.

Oliseh told Insight Podcast that Kylian Mbappe can easily return to his position on the left of the attack if Vinicius leaves the club, creating room for Osimhen to take the centre-forward role.

According to him, the club now has the luxury to let go of Vinicius without losing anything.

“And there’s a lot of talk under the ground about the possibility of Osimhen being a candidate. I am not going to tell you how I got this information, but there’s a lot of talk,” he added.

“Let’s see how this plays out. But when I heard it from a top personality, I was happy for the young man,” he added.

Osimhen left Napoli permanently for Galatasaray in the summer of 2025. The Turkish giants were able to pay the player’s salary as he opted against a move to the Saudi Pro League despite huge offers.

No Nigerian-born player has ever played for Real Madrid’s first team. Oladimeji Lawal and Mutiu Adepoju only made the Spanish giant’s B team.