AFCON 2025: Chelsea Star Hailed for “Charmed Career” After Senegal Glory
Nicolas Jackson, the Chelsea striker, played a pivotal role as Senegal clinched the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy, defeating hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time. This victory marks Jackson’s first major international title, complementing his previous titles from club competitions. The AFCON final, held in Rabat, Morocco, witnessed a tense atmosphere, highlighted by a critical penalty miss from Morocco’s Brahim Díaz, which could have given the hosts an advantage.
The final took place on January 18, 2026, with Jackson starting the match and contributing significantly to Senegal’s performance. The decisive goal, scored by Pape Gueye in the fourth minute of extra-time, secured Senegal’s second continental title, following their triumph in 2021. Throughout the match, Senegal dominated the first half, while Morocco controlled the second part but struggled with converting their chances into goals, culminating in the missed penalty following protests from Senegalese players.
In addition to this international success, Jackson has accumulated a notable record in this tournament, with two goals and one assist over five matches. Since transferring to Chelsea from Villarreal for £32 million in 2023, Jackson’s performance has occasionally come under scrutiny, primarily for missed scoring opportunities. However, this AFCON victory and his contributions to the Senegalese squad have significantly bolstered his career credibility.
Interestingly, Jackson also plays for Bayern Munich in Germany as part of a loan deal, where he is currently positioned to secure a Bundesliga title, with Bayern leading the league by 11 points after 17 games. His performance and potential return to club duties following international commitments are highly anticipated.
Prominent Nigerian political figure Morris Monye remarked on Jackson’s impressive trajectory, describing his career as “charmed.” His comment received positive feedback from various users on social media, with fans expressing admiration for his ability to win accolades across different leagues and competitions. The narrative surrounding Jackson emphasizes not only his recent triumph but also the promising future that lies ahead, reflected in the comments praising his potential to achieve even more success this season.
Additionally, the final’s atmosphere drew comment from former Algerian footballer Djamel Benlamri, who suggested that Senegal’s protests against the referee’s decisions should serve as a precedent for other teams facing contentious officiating. This perspective adds another layer of complexity to discussions surrounding fair play and officiating standards in high-stakes matches.
Overall, Nicolas Jackson’s contributions to Senegal’s AFCON success, coupled with his ongoing club career at Bayern Munich, position him as a rising star in international football, with fans and analysts alike excited about his forthcoming seasons. His achievements thus far suggest that he is not only a key player for his teams but also one to watch as he navigates his athletic career moving forward.
