The Second Captains Podcast Ep 3448: Macc Lads, Theatre Of Screams, Lumumba Falls, Mané v Mo, Mbappé No Honour, Chelsea Heritage, Limp Dutch
Jan 12, 2026
Oluwashina Okeleji, an acclaimed African football writer, joins to dive deep into the excitement of AFCON. He discusses Nigeria's remarkable comeback after their World Cup absence and praises Victor Osimhen's crucial role in their success. The conversation also touches on a controversial salute from the Algerian players towards Patrice Lumumba that sparked debate. Moreover, Oluwashina analyzes the fierce rivalry between Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané as they prepare for a showdown in the semi-finals. Will Nigeria claim the title? Tune in to find out!
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When Cup Upsets Lose Their Shine
- The FA Cup giant-killing magic is diluted when top clubs field weakened sides, making upsets less impressive.
- Ken and Murph argue Palace's B-team loss to Macclesfield feels less shocking because key players were rested.
Human Values As Club Branding
- Chelsea's new manager messaging emphasizes 'human values' alongside on-field talent as identity-building language.
- Hosts note the phrase feels novel for Chelsea and links it to attempts to shape culture under new leadership.
Fans' Chants Mix Politics And Loyalty
- Chelsea fans chanted against Keir Starmer amid broader resentment tied to Roman Abramovich and political moves over frozen assets.
- The hosts debate whether the chants reflect policy anger or generic anti-Starmer sentiment.