The usually quiet roads around the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development field in Dopemu, Lagos, were filled with movement and music on Saturday.
Football fans gathered early for the Goldberg Festival of Drums and Light, staged alongside Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) quarter-final against Algeria.
The festival drew supporters hours before kick-off, creating a lively build-up that went beyond football.
Traffic built up around the area, while drumbeats and music echoed through the neighbourhood, signalling a night of high expectations for the Super Eagles.
Inside the PAKO Field, the venue took on a carnival atmosphere as fans mingled, took photographs and discussed Nigeria’s chances.
The setting reflected the growing excitement ahead of a match widely seen as a major test in the team’s AFCON campaign.
Proceedings opened on a patriotic note as veteran singer Yinka Davies, supported by the Ayo Bankole Orchestra, led a rendition of the national anthem.
The performance drew applause and set a reflective tone, linking the football encounter to a broader sense of national pride.
As kick-off approached, cultural performances took centre stage.
About 100 drummers, led by Kaakaki, delivered steady rhythms across the field, while dance groups and freestyle football performers kept fans engaged.
Television host Tolu Daniels guided the flow of activities, leading chants in support of the Super Eagles that quickly spread through the crowd.
Fan engagement continued with games, DJ sets and short video clips from past AFCON tournaments, including Nigeria’s famous 1994 victory over Gabon, which stirred memories of past success and raised optimism ahead of the match.
When the game began, attention turned fully to the screen. Nigeria started brightly, and fans reacted loudly to every chance.
Despite a goalless first half, confidence remained high among supporters gathered at the festival.
That belief was rewarded in the second half when Victor Osimhen opened the scoring, sparking celebrations across the venue. Adams Akor later added a second goal to seal a 2–0 win over Algeria and confirm Nigeria’s place in the AFCON semi-finals.
As the final whistle sounded, the Goldberg Festival of Drums and Light shifted into full celebration mode.
Popular artistes Zlatan Ibile and Segun Johnson led post-match performances, entertaining fans who were still celebrating the Super Eagles’ progress, as DJs and dancers kept the mood upbeat late into the night.
Speaking on the experience, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Laolu Babalola, said the night reflected the essence of the brand’s Our Beat, Our Gold campaign.
“This is how Nigerians experience football,” he said. “It’s not just about the match. It’s about the rhythm, the togetherness and the belief. Our Beat, Our Gold is about creating spaces where fans can feel that connection, especially at moments like this.”
READ ALSO: AFCON 2025: Morocco’s Brahim Díaz leads Golden Boot race as semi-finals beckon
Also commenting, Senior Brand Manager, Goldberg, Kunle Aroyehun, described the festival as a celebration of shared identity.
“Football has a special place in Nigeria,” he said. “What we saw here shows how culture and football come together to unite people, and how Goldberg continues to support those moments.”
The Festival of Drums and Light forms part of Goldberg’s wider Our Beat, Our Gold campaign, which has followed the Super Eagles through AFCON 2025 with viewing centres and fan activations across Lagos and beyond.
As one of the longest-standing sponsors of Nigerian football, the brand says it continues to place fans at the centre of the Super Eagles’ journey.
With Nigeria now through to the semi-finals and still chasing a fourth AFCON title, organisers say similar fan-driven experiences will continue as supporters rally behind the team in the tournament’s decisive stages.
