🎵 OneFootball x Patoranking: A joy to see AFCON bringing Africa together | OneFootball

As part of OneFootball's collaboration series with Shoot Music we're interviewing an artist every week about their love of football.

With the African Cup of Nations just around the corner, we've spoken to singer and Nigeria fan, Patoranking.

After the disappointment of World Cup qualification, do you think Nigeria can make amends by winning AFCON 2025?

Yes why not!!! We can win it. I remember in 2013 it was a moment of joy having witnessed my country lift the trophy for the first time since I was born. The closest to that for me was in 1994 when Nigeria lifted that year’s edition but I was just four years old at a time. 

Can you give us an under-the-radar Nigeria player to watch out for at the tournament?

Ejuke Chidera. 

If not Nigeria, who do you think will win the tournament?

I would have said Ghana, but they surprisingly did not qualify so I’ll leave it open. 

What, in your opinion, makes AFCON so special?

Being an African musician who is a big Pan-Africanist that believes in a borderless Africa, this is the only event that brings us all together as Africans on a larger stage to have fun and create good memories and it’s a thing of joy to see. I wish for this to grow bigger and bigger to project the beauty of African unity.

Tell us about your new single No Jonze...

No Jonze is me going back to my roots. Growing up in Lagos, Galala music was everywhere, it has that raw bounce and the energy. I wanted to bring that feeling back but in a way that connects with today’s Afrobeats and dancehall sound. No Jonze simply means don’t slack, don’t fumble, stay focused and keep pushing. And that’s always been my mantra.

You can follow him on Instagram: @patorankingfire

Patoranking's new single ’No Jonze' is out now.