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Tag: AFCON 2021

  • AFCON 2022: NFF Owing Super Eagles Match Bonuses, Allowances

    The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), is yet to settle the bonuses and allowances of Super Eagles players who featured at the 2021 AFCON held in Cameroon four  months after it ended.

    Recall that Nigeria played four matches at the Cameroon 2021 Africa football showpiece winning three and losing 0-1 to Tunisia in the second round of the tournament.

    However, some players have come out to say that their match bonuses and camp alliances for the tournament have not been paid

    The players who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they have contacted the secretariat of the NFF through the team secretary, Dayo Enebi who keeps telling them that the NFF has since sent the monies to the central bank whose duty it is, to deposit the money into individual accounts.

    “After the loss to Tunisia in Garoua, the team secretary collected our account details and assured that our match bonuses and allowances will be paid directly into our accounts.

    That has always been the practice so it wasn’t strange to any of us. It is five months since AFCON and we are yet to get any alert. We have made frantic efforts to know where our money is and all they keep telling us is that the money will be paid soon.

    “We don’t know when that will be and our patience is waning. That is because, we are beginning to suspect foul play since most of our colleagues have received their full entitlements,” one of the players told NSM Media

    “We have decided at this point to petition the honorable minister of youth and sports Sunday Dare on this matter because it is now obvious that someone is sitting on our money”, another player added.

    All four players have been invited for post AFCON matches involving the Super Eagles and have vowed not to stop honoring National team invitations while stressing too, that they will not rest until their outstanding match bonuses and allowances are paid.

    The qualifiers for the next AFCON has begun with the the Super Eagles defeating Sierra Leone by 2-1 and Sao Tome by 10-0.

    Despite the wins  Super Eagles  dropped  in the latest FIFA ranking but will regroup again for the double header 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualifiers against Guinea Bissau in September.

  • Salah still disappointed over AFCON 2021 final – Sadio Mane

    Salah still disappointed over AFCON 2021 final – Sadio Mane

    Liverpool star, Sadio Mane has revealed that his teammate Mohamed Salah is still disappointed over the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, final.

    Mane said this ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League round of 16 first-leg tie against Inter Milan on Wednesday night.

    Recall that Mane led Senegal to beat Egypt in the 2021 AFCON final earlier this month in Cameroon.

    Mane guided Senegal to their first-ever AFCON title after scoring the winning goal against Salah-led Egypt as the Teranga Lions won 4-2 on penalties.

    But when asked about Senegal and Egypt’s next meeting in a crucial 2022 World Cup qualifier next month, Mane revealed that he and Salah are not even thinking about it and they have a pact of silence when it comes to discussing the AFCON final.

    “Me and Mo Salah don’t even talk about it,” Mane told the Que Golazo YouTube channel when asked about next month’s World Cup qualifier between Senegal and Egypt.

    “I think that I’m still thinking about my African Cup but it’s also an important game that means a lot to me and my people.

    “If we can qualify – and we will do everything to do it – it’s very important for me, my teammates and my country because it’s a really, really massive competition, which is a dream for any football player.

    “We will be well prepared for it and do everything possible to win because it’s really important.”

    He added: “Until now – you won’t believe me – but we haven’t talked about it, because I know he’s still disappointed for sure.”

  • BREAKING: Mane scores winning penalty as Senegal lift AFCON 2021 trophy

    BREAKING: Mane scores winning penalty as Senegal lift AFCON 2021 trophy

    Sadio Mane netted the winning spot-kick as Senegal beat Egypt 4-2 on penalties to clinch their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations after a 0-0 draw.

    The Liverpool forward had seen a seventh-minute penalty saved by Egypt keeper Gabaski but Mane held his nerve when he returned in the shootout.

    Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy denied Mohanad Lasheen to give Mane the chance to win it in Yaounde’s Olembe Stadium.

    Gabaski had made three good saves from Senegal’s Bamba Dieng in extra time.

  • Salah predicts team to win AFCON 2021 in Cameroon

    Salah predicts team to win AFCON 2021 in Cameroon

    Egypt forward, Mohamed Salah, has predicted his country to win the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon.

    The Egyptian captain said the Pharaohs would give everything to win the 2021 AFCON trophy.

    Salah said this after leading his team to qualify for the AFCON quarter-final.

    Egypt defeated Ivory Coast 5-4 on a penalty shootout in the AFCON round of 16 encounter this week to qualify for the last-8.

    Carlos Queiroz’s men will now take on Morocco in the AFCON last-8 on Sunday.

    “Of course, I want to win something with the national team. It is my country, which I love the most. This trophy for me would be completely different, would be the closest to my heart,” Salah said at his post-match press conference after Egypt defeated Ivory Coast on Wednesday.

    “We were close before to win this African Cup [in 2017], we gave it everything, but we were not lucky to win it. But it is ok, now we’re here in the new one.

    “We have to fight for it, we’ve to give everything to win it and I am sure the players have the same feeling.”

  • CAF orders probe and venue change after 8 die in AFCON crush

    CAF orders probe and venue change after 8 die in AFCON crush

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday called for an instant probe into a crush at an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) match on Monday in Cameroon.

    At least eight people died after a stampede occurred at the stadium where hosts Cameroon were to host surprise qualifier Comoros.

    CAF president Patrice Motsepe told reporters on Tuesday that an instant investigation is needed and a first report is to be submitted by Friday.

    He also said that a quarter-final on Sunday would be moved from Stade d’Olembe, where the crush happened, to another venue in the capital of Yaounde, the Ahmadou Ahidjo stadium.

    “There is no excuse for what has happened. We must show responsibility when people lose their lives and are injured,” Motsepe said.

    “We will have very tough and very hard discussions behind closed doors and I’m confident because of the discussions I had this morning.”

    Reports said that apart from the deaths 38 people were injured when a large number of people tried to gain entry into the stadium.

    They said that 50,000 people wanted to attend the game, with only 48,000 allowed in owing to coronavirus regulations.

    Witnesses said the crash occurred when stewards closed a gate to the arena where Cameroon won 2-1 against Comores.

    “I went to see where the people lost their lives and you see it’s a gate. That gate was supposed to be open.

    “Because if it was open, they would have walked through and it was closed for inexplicable reasons,” Motsepe said.

    He said that many were close to the stadium without tickets and that thousands more than anticipated were at the stadium.

    “What happened yesterday in terms of the proximity of people being allowed to the stadium in a manner that is not properly coordinated and governed will never happen again,” the CAF official said.

    He added that silence of one minute would be observed before all remaining matches.

    Cameroon’s national team said in a statement they “extend their heartfelt condolences” to the families of the victims.

    The statement by captain Aboubakar Vincent on behalf of the squad and staff also appealed to the local fans to be “highly disciplined and responsible within and outside the stadiums.”

    World governing body FIFA said it “sends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives following the tragic incident.

    “The thoughts and prayers of the global football community are with the victims and the ones who have been injured in this incident and all the staff of both CAF and the Cameroonian Football Association (FECAFOOT) at this difficult moment,” FIFA said.

  • Super Eagles return from Cameroon

    Super Eagles return from Cameroon

    The Super Eagles returned to Nigeria from the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon on Tuesday.

    Newsmen reports that the team of players and officials returned via a chartered flight from Garoua where they played four matches.

    They arrived at 1.10 a.m. at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where they were received by officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

    The NFF officials were led by their General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, accompanied by federation Executive Committee members Yusuf Ahmed and Shehu Dikko.

    A large chunk of the players and officials came down from the aircraft, alongside a large number which comprised members of the Supporters Clubs and media personnel.

    The aircraft later headed to Lagos, where it dropped off the few remaining players and officials, while the rest headed to the Transcorp Hilton where they were to be lodged.

    Sanusi welcomed the players and praised them for their efforts in Cameroon, saying it was now time to look ahead to the task of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

    ”You have tried your best. It was just unfortunate that you failed to reach the final. But, right now, what is left is the unfinished business of qualification for Qatar 2022.

    ” We should put behind us 2021 AFCON, and start preparing for the final qualifiers,” he said.

    The team captain, Ahmed Musa, later told NAN that the team had put behind it the disappointment of failing to reach its target at the 2021 AFCON.

    ”We are now looking forward to the World Cup qualifiers against Ghana’s Black Stars in March. But right now it is back to club business for us,” he said.

    NAN reports that the Super Eagles, after three wins in the competition’s first round which earned the tag of favourites, could not go beyond the second round.

    They lost 0-1 to Tunisia in a match which saw them being reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark.

    The players are expected to return to their respective clubs abroad in the next one or two days.

     

  • AFCON 2021: We didn’t deserve to lose to Tunisia, Eguavoen says

    AFCON 2021: We didn’t deserve to lose to Tunisia, Eguavoen says

    Super Eagles interim coach Augustine Eguavoen on Sunday said his team did not deserve to lose against Tunisia in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) round of 16 games.

    Newsmen reports that title favourites Nigeria crashed out of the AFCON on Sunday in Garoua, Cameroon after a 0-1 loss to Tunisia.

    The North Africans now advance to the competition’s quarter-finals where they will take on the Stallions of Burkina Faso on the same Stade Roumde Adjia pitch in Garoua.

    Eguavoen, while speaking at the post-match press conference, blamed bad officiating for his team’s ouster from the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon.

    He added that his players fought a good fight. “We tried to come back after the Tunisia goal, and we chased the game. But then we got a red card.

    “It was clear that the officiating wasn’t fair,” the coach said.

    He however disclosed that he had told the players to quickly put the loss behind them and face the job at hand in March.

    ”I have told the players to pick up and ensure they qualify Nigeria for the World Cup,” Eguavoen said.

    He however pointed out that it was always very difficult when you play against a tactical side like Tunisia, especially when the officiating was not fair.

    “I won’t criticise the referee because they are masters of the game, but Alex Iwobi’s red card wasn’t fair. The foul wasn’t an intentional one,” the coach added.

    The Super Eagles will now look forward to the 2022 FIFA World Cup African Zone playoffs in March against Ghana.

  • AFCON 2021: Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem, resumes training

    AFCON 2021: Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem, resumes training

    Super Eagles defender, Chidozie Awaziem, on Monday resumed training with the team ahead of preparations for Nigeria’s final Group D game against Guinea-Bissau.

    The Newsmen reports that Awaziem who was cleared by the medical team after recovering from an ankle injury participated in a training session with the team at the annex of Roumde Stadium, Cameroon from 8:30 pm.

    Super Eagles interim coach, Augustine Eguavoen, had on Friday said Chidozie Awaziem was recovering from an ankle injury.

    Eguavoen, while fielding questions from newsmen, clarified that Awaziem was nursing an ankle complaint that saw him miss Saturday’s clash against the Falcons of Jediane (Sudan) at Roumdé Adjia Stadium, Garoua.

    Alanyaspor central defender had not been spotted in public since the final workout of the Super Eagles before they took on the Pharaohs of Egypt in their first Group game which Nigeria won 1-0.

    He also missed the team’s last two training sessions, fueling speculations in some quarters that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

    Eguavoen had expressed the hope that Awaziem would join his teammates in training.

    “Hopefully soon, that is beyond my control. I think if the medical staff were here now they will certify him fit to be back on the pitch.

    “Awaziem is still down, he has an ankle injury as I know and he is going to be back very soon,” he had said.

    It is, however, uncertain if the defender will feature in Wednesday’s game between the Super Eagles and the Wild Dogs of Guinea Bissau.

    Three-time champions, Nigeria take to the pitch of Stade Roumdé Adjia in Garoua, Cameroon against Guinea Bissau on Wednesday from 8.00 p. m.

    Nigeria has already advanced after routing Sudan 3-1 in their second AFCON match and can only play for a draw to finish top of the group.

    The Super Eagles have six points while Guinea-Bissau has just a point from two games.

    A win for Guinea-Bissau will put them in the frame for consideration among one of the best third-placed finishers in case Egypt avoid defeat against bottom side, Sudan.

  • AFCON 2021: Mukansanga makes history, becomes first female referee to officiate tournament

    AFCON 2021: Mukansanga makes history, becomes first female referee to officiate tournament

    Rwandan-born referee, Salima Rhadia Mukansanga, will make history when she becomes the first woman to referee a match at the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Tuesday.

    A statement on the CAF official website said Mukansanga, 35, will take charge of the group stage match between Zimbabwe and Guinea on Tuesday at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT) at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaounde.

    She is part of the quartet selected as match officials at the match; making it the first time ever that an all-women team officiates a match at an AFCON tournament since the competition was established.

    The other women match officials are assistant referees Carine Atemzabong (Cameroon) and Fatiha Jermoumi (Morocco) as well as VAR referee Bouchra Karboubi (Morocco).

    On Jan. 10, Mukansanga made history by becoming the first woman to officiate a match in the AFCON when she was appointed as a fourth official in the game between Guinea and Malawi in Bafoussam.

    CAF Head of Referees, Eddy Maillet, said this historic moment was as a result of CAF’s clear commitment and investment to improve and advance the standard of refereeing in Africa.

    “Part of this journey is the ‘Star Programme’ initiated by FIFA and CAF to develop referees.

    “We are super proud of Salima because she has had to work exceptionally hard to be where she is.

    “We know that for a woman, she has had to overcome serious obstacles to reach this level and she deserves a lot of credit.

    “This moment is not just for Salima but for every young girl in Africa who has passion for football and who sees herself as a referee in the future,” Maillet said.

  • AFCON 2021: There is still more work to be done – Super Eagles

    AFCON 2021: There is still more work to be done – Super Eagles

    Players of the Super Eagles have expressed joy over their victory against Sudan, noting however, that there is still more work ahead.

    The Eagles are billed to face Guinea Bissau in their final group game on Jan. 19.

    Newsmen reports that the Eagles beat their Sudanese counterparts 3-1 in a Group D clash at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to advance to the knockout phase of the competition.

    A cross-section of the players, who spoke to Newsmen after the team’s victory said the team gave a good account of themselves, adding however, that there was still more work to be done.

    Eagles Captain William Troost-Ekong said that the team deserved their victory over their Sudanese counterparts, noting that they still want to go ahead and win their last group game.

    “I think today was a different challenge again. Just like in our first game, the first half I thought we were a little bit slow but in the second half we came out well.

    “We are still a good side, even when we don’t perform well just like in the first game. We still managed to score goals and I think we deserve to win this game.

    “All in all, we have six points most importantly and through to the next round but we surely want to win our last game,” he said.

    On the Eagles conceding a penalty, Ekong noted that the team was still playing well at the time but was unlucky to have conceded the penalty.

    “Aina put a wrong step in the player’s foot in the box and sometimes with VAR you are going to have these decisions and I think we played better in the second half than in the first,” he said.

    Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi said: “So far it’s been good and we have six points now, which is very important and we look forward to the next game.

    “There’s always room for improvement and we don’t think this is our best yet but we know that we will keep improving with each game as we move to the next round.

    “So, there are still more games to come and we will see what happens.

    “Our expectation now is to try and win our final group game as much as we know that we have qualified but we try to take every game as the finals,” he said.

    Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye said he was happy with the win, pointing out, however, that it would have been even sweeter if the team had kept a clean sheet.

    “When I realised that it was a penalty, I guess all I wanted to do was to save the penalty for the team but it didn’t happen.

    “It would have been sweeter if we had conceded no goal but the most important thing is that we qualified for our country, our families and now we keep on going.

    “We now have to be fully focused and give our best in our final group game because there are some teams or country, so we have to do everything to get another three points,” he said.

    Union Berlin forward Taiwo Owoniyi on his part said it was a sweet victory, insisting that the team still had a long way to go.

    “It was a sweet victory and we are very happy that we were able to make our country, our families as well as all Nigerians proud.

    “We still have a long way to go in the competition although and I think the style of our coach is giving the boys more freedom to express themselves in the field of play is really working for the team.”

    The Super Eagles will next take on Guinea Bissau in their final group game on Wednesday at the Stade Roumdé Adjia in Garoua, Cameroon.