Former sports minister, Nii Lante Vanderpuye has said that the aesthetics of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) made it more appealing than other international tournaments.

He explained that the colorful way fans appeared at the stadiums coupled with the joy and excitement they brought, made the tournament more powerful.

The former Member of Parliament for the Odododiodio constituency asserted that, considering the commitment of the supporters, the 2025 AFCON was more attractive than the World Cup or the European Championships (Euros).

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“Nigerians have their own unique way of doing it. Senegal, marvelous. The Cup of Nations, I think their supporters were the best, committed, fully participating in whatever they were doing. Morocco, as usual, it’s almost part of their tradition to always have that. But the colorful nature of the supporters added to the brand of the Cup of Nations.

"It was more beautiful than the World Cup, more than the European Championship. You don’t see that too much with the European Championship. But I looked at the aesthetics of the Cup of Nations, even more than the football being played. The joy, the color, the beauty they brought to the tournament is worth celebrating,” he told Citi Sports.

Nii Lante added that he expects similar support and branding from African countries at the 2026 World Cup to project local culture.

"That's what I want to see with the African supporters who will be at the World Cup. Let's look at how we can engage the stakeholders, the leadership of all these supporters groups," he noted.

Watch Nii Lante's remarks below:

🎥 “The colorful nature of the supporters added to brand of the 2025 AFCON making it more beautiful than the World Cup and the EUROS.” - Former Sports Minister Nii Lantey Vanderpuye #CitiSports pic.twitter.com/NIp7x8ce5C

— Citi Sports (@CitiSportsGHA) February 5, 2026