It was a weekend of pure Nigerian joy and pure club-level chaos. The guys react to what many are calling one of Nigeria’s best performances in a generation, breaking down the Super Eagles’ dominance, tactical evolution, midfield control, and growing belief at AFCON. From Osimhen’s world-class status to Lookman’s rise and the team’s newfound cohesion, the optimism is real — even with World Cup heartbreak still lingering.

The conversation then swings sharply into Manchester United turmoil, as emotions run high over managerial instability, board interference, and the endless “United DNA” cycle. The panel debates whether sacking the manager mid-season makes any sense, who’s really to blame, and whether bringing back Ole would actually stabilize things.

Elsewhere, the episode touches on Arsenal’s title momentum, City’s intimidation factor, FA Cup chaos, Martinelli controversy, El Clásico madness, and why football fans might need to accept that the sport is slowly being Americanized — whether we like it or not.

Big takes, heated debates, laughter, frustration, and hope — this episode had everything.

⏱️ Timestamps (1:08:03 total)

00:00 – 04:30

Weekend recap & vibes check (Nigeria fans eating good)

04:30 – 18:30

Nigeria vs Algeria reaction – dominance, intensity & belief

18:30 – 28:45

AFCON tactics breakdown: midfield control, back four switch, team chemistry

28:45 – 39:30

Osimhen debate: Is he Nigeria’s first truly world-class striker?

39:30 – 45:45

Lookman, continuity, leadership & comparisons to past Nigerian teams

45:45 – 52:30

FA Cup reactions, Arsenal & City flexing, Martinelli controversy

52:30 – 1:02:30

Manchester United meltdown: sackings, board interference & Ole debate

1:02:30 – 1:08:03

El Clásico chaos, Madrid issues, Americanization of football & final hot takes

AFCON is officially loading properly — and for once, nobody is mad about it.

In this episode, Five Aside link up again with Soccer Takes with AK to break down a surprisingly high-quality AFCON, why Morocco might be setting the gold standard for African football, and how Nigeria are quietly turning into one of the most dangerous transition teams on the continent.

We deep dive into Nigeria vs Algeria, Osimhen’s “tantrum” discourse, unpaid bonuses (because of course), and why passion on the pitch isn’t the problem — bad administration is. From emotional Congo moments to AFCON quarterfinal chaos, this is tournament football at its best.

Then it’s back to Premier League madness:

City dropping points but still looking annoying

Arsenal not taking full advantage of City's slip

Chelsea doing Chelsea things (again)

United… just being United

If you like football debates that jump from Moroccan pitch drainage to Osimhen body language, Pep paranoia, and Arsenal composure, this episode is exactly your vibe.

⏱️ Time Stamps (Cleaned & Logical)

00:00 – Intro & New Year chaos with AK

01:53 – AFCON vibes: why this tournament actually feels serious

02:26 – Morocco setting the standard (pitches, broadcast, structure)

05:18 – Nigeria vs Algeria preview & why this is no easy game

06:58 – AFCON quarterfinals: no underdogs anymore

10:47 – Unpaid bonuses & NFF embarrassment, Should it affect the football?

23:02 – AFCON emotion, Congo moment & why we watch football

27:59 – Why Nigeria’s transition football is lethal

32:06 – Which past Super Eagle player would you bring into this team?

41:35 – Nigeria vs Algeria predictions

42:37 – Manchester City vs Brighton: cracks showing?

49:05 – How will Semenyo fare in City?

52:53 – Arsenal analysis: Flat performance & title talk

58:24 – What's up with Lewis Skelly?

1:03:48 – Gyokere's soliloquy

1:04:58 – Chelsea chaos, red cards & new-manager hope

1:18:57 – United talk: vibes, expectations & reality check

1:23:09 – Final thoughts & wrap-up

What happens when AFCON comes right after Nigeria bottle World Cup qualification?

Tide loses patience. Completely.

This special Five Aside episode turns into a full-blown football therapy session as Tide questions whether AFCON even deserves respect, compares it to going back to primary school after getting cooked in secondary school, and fires shots at everyone from Manchester United’s board to Dalot’s first cross.

We debate whether Ruben Amorim was doomed from day one, why United fans don’t actually want progress, and how “trust the process” only exists until the table starts looking ugly. Then—just when AFCON is declared “silly”—Nigeria start cooking, Osimhen starts shouting, and suddenly football is serious business again.

From Gen Z managers, media nonsense, United nostalgia, to Super Eagles revival ball, this episode is loud, opinionated, funny, and painfully honest.

If you like your football conversations unfiltered, slightly unhinged, and very African, this one’s for you.

⏱️ Time Stamps

00:00 – Intro: “Tide came to rant”

03:10 – AFCON called “a silly tournament” after World Cup failure

07:40 – School analogy: getting cooked, then feeling like Neymar in friendlies

12:30 – United firing talk: do fans actually want progress?

18:20 – Arsenal fan accusations & Ten Hag PTSD

26:10 – Amorim: system merchant or misunderstood?

34:45 – Dalot slander reaches dangerous levels

41:30 – Why United aren’t a “trust the process” club

49:10 – Gen Z managers, media fatigue & interview meltdowns

56:40 – Who should manage United next? (Southgate debate gets spicy)

1:05:20 – AFCON quality quietly improving

1:12:00 – Nigeria’s attacking revival, Osimhen’s edge & final AFCON thoughts

1:13:04 – Outro & wrap-up