Super Eagles and Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu has opened up on his “wonderful experience” at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations where he helped Nigeria secure a third place finish, Footynaija.com reports.
Alebiosu made the Super Eagles’ final squad due to the injury-enforced absence of first choice right-back Ola Aina, providing the 24-year-old with his first opportunity to represent Nigeria at senior level.
The ex-Arsenal man made his debut for the Super Eagles in a 3-1 win over Uganda in the final round of group stage matches and enjoyed a really impressive outing after featuring for the entire duration of the game.
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Unfortunately, he picked up an injury in that game and had to sit out the remainder of the tournament. Despite this, Alebiosu has nothing but fond memories of his time at the 2025 AFCON with Nigeria.
“It’s been a very good experience with a great bunch of lads and an honour,” he said to RoversTV. “It was something different, something to learn from and something to take back here with me.
“It was great to make my debut, brilliant, and I think I played well, but I picked up an injury, which was frustrating because I couldn’t finish off the tournament.
“The team did well. We got to the semi-finals and, although we didn’t end up winning, we came third and got bronze. Nigeria’s expectations were to win the competition, but we had to take something back with us and bronze was what we got.
“My debut was brilliant. It was brilliant to walk out for your nation and a great achievement for me and my family.
“I was a little bit nervous at first, but I felt comfortable as the game went on and the players helped me get through it. It was great to be a part of it, but frustrating to get that injury. It was a wonderful experience.”
Going forward, Alebiosu will be looking to keep himself in Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles plans, even with the return of Aina, who has finally recovered fully from his hamstring setback and is back firing for Nottingham Forest.
Right now though, his full focus will be on helping Blackburn turn their season around. The Rovers are hovering right above the relegation waters and need a run of positive results to get themselves away from the danger zone.
