Nigerian music icon Davido and popular TikToker Peller both incurred substantial financial losses after the Super Eagles of Nigeria were defeated by the Atlas Lions of Morocco in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semifinal clash. The highly anticipated match, played on Wednesday night at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, concluded in a goalless draw in regulation and extra time, with Morocco ultimately securing a 4-2 victory in a penalty shootout.

Davido, the acclaimed Afrobeats singer, publicly shared his bet slip hours before the match, revealing a $50,000 (approximately ₦72 million) wager. His prediction was for Nigeria to beat the host nation, for both sides to score, and for the Super Eagles to reach the finals. Had his prediction been correct, Davido stood to win over $348,274, equivalent to more than ₦500 million at current rates. However, the goalless draw and subsequent penalty loss meant the singer lost his considerable bet.

Similarly, Nigerian TikToker Peller expressed his dismay after losing a $3,000 bet he placed on Nigeria to beat Morocco within 90 minutes. In a livestream on Wednesday night, Peller sarcastically thanked the Super Eagles, lamenting, “I have lost my $3,000 bet. You guys were playing well the previous games before I decided to place a bet and watch your match.” He added, “Maybe, if I stop watching your games, you will start playing well again,” and cried out, “My $3000 has gone! I don’t understand. God please.” Peller also mentioned leaving the stadium where he was watching the match, realizing his bet would be voided after 90 minutes.

Leading up to the semifinal, the Super Eagles had been in impressive form, entering the stage unbeaten. They had won all five of their previous matches in the tournament, scoring a total of 14 goals. Nigeria topped Group C and notably beat Algeria 2-0 in the quarter-final, with goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams. Despite this strong run, they could not overcome Morocco in the crucial semifinal.

Following their elimination, Morocco is set to face Senegal in the AFCON final, while Nigeria will play against Egypt in the third-place match. The loss sparked reactions among fans, with some criticizing players, including Samuel Chukwueze, who missed his penalty during the shootout. Despite the semifinal exit, Nigeria will now aim to secure a third-place finish in the tournament.