Big games come with big emotions, and sometimes, big losses too.
Nigerian singer Davido has reportedly lost a $50,000 bet (approximately ₦72 million) following Nigeria’s defeat to Morocco in the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The highly anticipated clash ended Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the final, despite strong belief and national support going into the game.
Ahead of the encounter, Davido had taken to his X page to share a screenshot of his betting slip. The slip showed that he staked $50,000 on the Super Eagles to defeat Morocco, with both teams expected to score during the match. Confident in Nigeria’s chances, the singer added an extra layer of optimism to the bet.
In his post, he wrote,
“Nigeria to make the finals and I’ll double my stake on my slip.”
The semi-final match, played on Wednesday night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, ended in a tense goalless draw after regulation time. With neither side able to break the deadlock, the game was decided by penalties, where Morocco emerged victorious with a 4–2 win in the shootout.
Had the prediction gone Nigeria’s way, Davido stood to win over $348,274 — a figure that translates to more than ₦500 million at current exchange rates. Instead, the loss added to what was already a painful night for Nigerian fans hoping to see the Super Eagles advance to the final.
While the result ended Nigeria’s AFCON journey, it also highlighted the emotional investment many fans, celebrities included, place on the national team. For Davido, it was a bold show of support that simply did not pay off — a reminder that in football, belief does not always guarantee victory.
