An act of alarming gravity recently shook the world of African football. The residence of Nigerian international Samuel Chukwueze was set on fire in Nigeria , following the Super Eagles' elimination in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

According to initial reports, this act is linked to the anger of some individuals after the penalty missed by the player, considered – wrongly – as the main cause of Nigeria's failure to qualify for the final against Morocco , the host country, who won the match 4-2.

A sport meant to unite, not divide

Football is universally recognized as a powerful force for social cohesion. But when it ceases to be a space for unity and becomes a battleground for settling scores, it loses its very essence. Burning down a player's home over an incident on the pitch cannot be considered a legitimate grievance or an expression of sporting passion.

A tense sporting context

At the time of this incident, Samuel Chukwueze was fully committed to the national team, determined to help Nigeria secure the bronze medal in the third-place match against Egypt . While the player was focused on his country's honor, malicious individuals chose the path of violence and destruction.

A call for responsibility

This event serves as a stark reminder that sport must remain a space of respect, fair play, and solidarity. Defeat is part of the game, as is human error. Attacking an athlete's private life and property is not only reprehensible but also profoundly contrary to the values that African football claims to uphold.

The authorities are expected to shed full light on this act and punish those responsible, so that such excesses do not happen again. Football wins when it unites, never when it destroys.