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Tag: AFCON 2023

  • AFCON 2023: President Tinubu to storm Cote D’Ivoire for AFCON final

    AFCON 2023: President Tinubu to storm Cote D’Ivoire for AFCON final

    Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s president has been confirmed to watch Sunday’s AFCON final between the Super Eagles and the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire at the Alassane Quattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan.

    Confederation of African Football president, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, disclosed this on Friday while speaking at a press conference after meeting with CAF Member Associations’ Presidents ahead of the AFCON final.

    Motsepe made this known while replying a journalist who asked him when Africa could host the FIFA World Cup again after South Africa did for the first time in 2010, Tinubu will be in Abidjan on Sunday.

    “Nigeria must put in a bid. The Nigerian president (Bola Tinubu) is coming to watch the final on Sunday. I will have a conversation with him about it.” he said.
    Recall that Peter Obi, governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Vice President Kashim Shettima have all graced at least one Super Eagles game so far at the 2023 AFCON.

     

  • AFCON 2023: Nigeria a country after my heart – CAF President, Patrice Motsepe

    AFCON 2023: Nigeria a country after my heart – CAF President, Patrice Motsepe

    President of The Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, has heaped praises on the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their performance so far at the AFCON 2023 tournament.

    Motsepe also described Nigeria as a country after his heart.

    According to the South African, Nigeria is a beautiful country with  millions of good people doing their lawful business everywhere in the world.

    The 62-year-old made this revelation while speaking at a media parley at Palais de la Culture, Trenchielve, Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire on Saturday, evening.

    Motsepe used the opportunity to address some vital issues concerning the ongoing AFCON 2023.

    He added that the 2023 AFCON has been the best in terms of Organization and even financial rewards to participating countries.

    Motsepe noted that whatever progress being recorded at the 2023 AFCON will be extended to other continental competitions like the CAF Champions League, Super League, CAN and the Women AFCON.

    He however, praised the efforts of media men on ground, saying they hace projected the image of the competition positively to the world.

    He added that CAF is studying some lapses noted in the competition and would fix them in the next competition slated for Morocco in 2025.

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria will slug it out with the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire on Sunday in the finals of the 2023 AFCON.

    Whilst South Africa will battle DR Congo for the third place match on Saturday.

     

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles tipped to win trophy

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles tipped to win trophy

    Idah Peterside, former Super Eagles goalie and media officer, has tipped the team to emerge victorious when they clash with the hosts, Cote Ivoire  at the finals of the 2023 CAF African Cup of Nations final on Sunday.

    Idah made this known while featuring as a guest on the Channels Television programme, Sunrise Daily, on Thursday.

    The ex-goalie said that the Nigerian team would defeat the host nation as the former had won the Group A encounter when they met, by 1-0; courtesy of captain Troost-Ekong’s 55th-minute penalty.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that the Super Eagles defeated the Bafana Bafana of South Africa 4-2 on penalties after a hard-fought full-time game that extended into extra-time and subsequently penalty shoot out.

    Two penalty saves from Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, were enough to help the Eagles cement a place in the final stage of the tourney against host nation Ivory Coast.

    The Ivorian Elephants also advanced to the final after Dortmund’s Sebastian Haller struck in the 65th minute to book a date with Nigeria.

    However, Peterside opined that Nigeria’s match against South Africa was “our toughest” while noting that the final against Ivory Coast “will be easier.”

    He said, “We all knew this (South Africa) was going to be our toughest game. The game against Ivory Coast will be easier than this because we have beaten them already in our group game.

    “They (Ivory Coast) only survived by sheer luck to get here. I watched the game against Congo yesterday. They are not as good as we are. They just wobbled and fumbled into the final and they will be under pressure.

    “The final game will be so easy; I say it again and we will win easily.”

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria will slug it out against the Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire in the finals of the 2023 AFCON on Sunday at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan by 9 pm (Nigerian time).

    The Super Eagles have clinched he title three times in the tournament’s history while Cote D’Ivoire have won it two times.

     

  • AFCON 2023: Injury boost for Super Eagles as another key player resumes light training

    AFCON 2023: Injury boost for Super Eagles as another key player resumes light training

    Zaidu Sanusi, Super Eagles left full back who missed the semi-final clash against South Africa due to injury  trained separately from his teammates at the Police College Cocody, Abidjan on Thursday night.

    Osayi Samuel replaced Sanusi in the semi-final clash against Bafana Bafana of South Africa but was later replaced by Kenneth Omeruo before the end of 120 minutes.

    Meanwhile Sanusi has just  two days to prove his fitness level  before Nigeria’s epic final clash against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.

    Meanwhile, all the players that started the game with South Africa were exempted from the recovery training session.

    The players including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon and William Troost-Ekong stayed back at the team’s Pullman Hotel.

    Thursday’s session was opened to the media.

    The Super Eagles training on Friday will hold behind closed doors.

    Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire will clash in the final at the Alssanne Quattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan on Sunday.

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles goalie, Nwabali warned against returning to club in South Africa

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles goalie, Nwabali warned against returning to club in South Africa

    Former Super Eagles goalkeeper and media officer, Peterside Idah has revealed that the Nigerian goalie, Stanley Nwabali  has been warned not to return  to his clubside in South Africa after at the end of the 2023 AFCON.

    Idah made this revelation shortly after the  Super Eagles defeated South Africa 4-2 on penalties in the semifinal of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations presently holding in Cote D’Ivoire.

    It would be recalled that Nwabali saved two penalties as Nigeria defeated South Africa to secure a place in the final of the competition.

    The Nigerian side will slug it out against hosts, Cote D’Ivoire on Sunday at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan.

    “We have now gotten some messages where people are sending messages to the goalkeeper threatening him. I heard some people were telling him, don’t come back to South Africa since you don’t want us to score  when your national team is playing,” he said in a viral video shared on X. (Sic).

    “This is unacceptable. We have not heard of any violence but just threats. They have been threatening him and some people.”

     

  • AFCON 2023: FG launches fund raiser for Super Eagles

    AFCON 2023: FG launches fund raiser for Super Eagles

    Minister of Sports, John Enoh has announced a fund raiser for the Super Eagles of Nigeria ahead of the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Super Eagles will take on hosts Ivory Coast in the final of the 2023 AFCON at the Stade Olympique Alassane-Ouattara d’Ebimpé on Sunday.

    Enoh stressed the feel good feeling the country is suffused with as a result of the heroics of the Super Eagles thus far needs to be sustained until the team lifts the coveted trophy for historic fourth time.

    In a statement released via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, the Minister of Sports further stressed the government alone cannot fund sports development in the country.

    He called on public spirited individuals and corporate Nigeria to financially support the Super Eagles team and make donations directly to the Team Manager, Mr. Enebi Achor, who he said can be reached on +2348037860516.

    The statement reads: “The curtain will fall on the African Cup of Nations football tournament on Sunday February 11, 2024 with our senior national team, the Super Eagles facing the Cote De Ivoire national team in the finals.

    “The inspiring performance of the Super Eagles thus far has lifted the spirit of our country and united us the way no other aspect of our national aspiration can. The outstanding performance they have posted so far underscores the resilient and indomitable Nigerian Spirit which surmounts obstacles to achieve individual and collective objectives.

    “The feel good feeling the country is suffused with as a result of the heroics of the Super Eagles thus far needs to be sustained until the team lifts the coveted trophy for historic fourth time. The current administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated full support to the national team unprecedented in the contemporary history of sports administration in our country.

    “In the face of paucity of funds amidst competing national priorities, it has become self-evident and abundantly clear that government alone cannot fund sports development in our country. It is based on the understanding of this reality that I am making this impassioned appeal to private individuals and corporate Nigeria to support our national team, the Super Eagles to win the African Cup of Nations trophy.

    “I believe that in this critical moment in which the Super Eagles are on the cusp of victory, all Nigerians need to support and motivate them to go all the way to win the cup. My expectation is that public spirited individuals and corporate Nigeria should make a promise of financial support to the Super Eagles team in the likelihood of their wining the final match on Sunday.

    “This will be announced to the team ahead of the Sunday match.

    “Our country is on the threshold of history. I call on sports loving Nigerians in their private and corporate capacities to massively support the team.Together, “Let’s Do It Again” for the love of country.

    “Pledges and commitments for the team should be made directly to the Super Eagles Team Manager, Mr. Enebi Achor who can be reached on +2348037860516”.

  • AFCON 2023: South Africa congratulates Super Eagles for making it to final

    AFCON 2023: South Africa congratulates Super Eagles for making it to final

    The Bafana Bafana of  South Africa have congratulated Nigeria for making it through to the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.

    The Super Eagles beat Bafana Bafana 4-2 on penalties after the match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes.

    Jose Peseiro’s men will now have the chance to win their fourth AFCON title.

    But for South Africa, the wait continues to play in another final, for the first time since 1996.

    They wrote on X, “Well done to Nigeria for making it to the final of AFCON 2023.

    “South Africa Thank you so much for your unwavering support for #BafanaBafana throughout this tournament.”

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles to face Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire in final

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles to face Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire in final

    Host nation, Ivory Coast will play the final of the 2023 AFCON against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday, February 11.

    The hosts qualified thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over DR Congo in the second semi-final on Wednesday night.

    After a goalless first half, Sebestian Haller scored the much needed goal in the second half to send the host to their first AFCON final since 2017

    Earlier, Nigeria needed penalties to see off South Africa in their semi-final clash earlier in the game.

    The match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes and Stanley Nwabali produced two saves during the shoot-out to send the three-time African champions through.

    Sunday’s final is a repeat of a Group A fixture in the competition, which Nigeria won 1-0, thanks to William Troost-Ekong’s penalty.

  • BREAKING: Côte d’Ivoire set up 2023 AFCON final against Nigeria

    BREAKING: Côte d’Ivoire set up 2023 AFCON final against Nigeria

    Hosts Côte d’Ivoire won their semi final fixture against Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Côte d’Ivoire will therefore play the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Sunday in the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    Sebastian Haller snatched the victory for the Elephants with a superb second half volley against DR Congo.

    The Bafana Bafana of South Africa, earlier defeated by the Super Eagles, will square up for third place against DR Congo.

    Hosts Cote d’Ivoire will lock horns with Nigeria in the final showdown of the 2023 AFCON in Abidjan.

    Haller was the matchwinner in Wednesday’s semi-final, superbly flicking in Nicolas Pepe’s cross to break Congolese hearts.

    His goal has thus knocked the Leopards out, setting up this fascinating clash in Sunday’s final.

    The Borussia Dortmund hitman has established himself in the Elephants after recovering from testicular cancer.

    Now, the 29-year-old returns intent on breaking Nigerian hearts.

    Haller will spearhead the Cote d’Ivoire attack alongside Pepe as they target a historic triumph.

    Victory would spark jubilation in Abidjan given this AFCON is on home soil.

    After struggling in their group, the Elephants have momentum despite unconvincing performances.

    Against DR Congo, they rode their luck, with Cedric Bakambu having a goal disallowed.

    But Haller’s quality shone through as he rifled home to book Cote d’Ivoire’s passage.

    The Super Eagles, on their part, had largely made light work of all before them at this year’s AFCON.

    But they were forced into a dramatic penalty shootout by a dogged South Africa side in the semi-finals.

    Kelechi Iheanacho scored the winning spot-kick to put Nigeria within touching distance of a fourth continental crown and first since 2013.

    Though 1992 and 2015 champions Cote d’Ivoire have been on quite the journey themselves over recent weeks, but Nigeria will prove a sterner test.

    The striker, who is in great form, threatens to inspire Cote d’Ivoire to their first AFCON crown since 2015.

    The Stade olympique Alassane-Ouattara d’Ebimpé in Abidjan will host the final on Sunday from 8.00 p.m.

  • AFCON 2023: Chukwueze sure Super Eagles will make it to final

    AFCON 2023: Chukwueze sure Super Eagles will make it to final

    Nigeria winger, Samuel Chukwueze, is full of confidence that today’s semi-final clash with the Bafana Bafana of South Africa will end in  Super Eagles favour.

    Chukwueze added that the Super Eagles will get the job done without allowing it get into penalty shoot-out.

    Chukwueze said this while also dismissing the notion that South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams is a penalty-saving specialist.

    Ronwen became the first goalkeeper in AFCON history to save 4 spot-kicks in South Africa’s penalty shoot-out win over Cape Verde and has kept 4 clean sheets so far, the joint-most at the tournament but Chukwueze believes Nigeria will triumph in normal time.

    “Penalty is a game of luck, anybody can miss. It is the one he [Williams] saw that he saved,” Chukwueze told Hot Sport’s Toyin Ibitoye.

    “I’m not saying he is not a good goalkeeper, he is actually a good goalkeeper, but the most important thing is for us to win in 90 minutes or 120 minutes. We will win without going into penalties.

    “It is not about being scared, it is about being on a safer side at the moment. We have been watching their clips, they are good on their own, but we will try our best and win.”