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Tag: AFCON

  • Nigeria, Benin may co-host 2025 AFCON – Amaju Pinnick

    Nigeria, Benin may co-host 2025 AFCON – Amaju Pinnick

    President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick has said Nigeria and Benin Republic may co-host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Pinnick made this known while speaking with journalists in Lagos State on Tuesday.

    The NFF President said the Minister of Sports, Sunday Dare has given his endorsement on the bidding.

    He disclosed that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is likely to withdraw the hosting right of the 2025 AFCON from Guinea.

    “We are putting a bid together for a co-hosting of the tournament with the Benin Republic. The Minister of Sports has given his endorsement on the bidding.

    “It is high time Nigeria hosted an international tournament because there are many advantages attached to hosting of such competitions.

    “There are many countries bidding for the competition; we are confident of getting the nod from CAF. We are working with the ministry of sports to ensure that Nigeria gets the hosting right,” Pinnick said.

    TNG reports Nigeria last hosted the AFCON 2000, co-hosting with Ghana.

  • CAF hints at postponing 2023 AFCON tourney in Cote d’lvoire 

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering postponing the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, according to reports.

    The competition has been scheduled to hold in Cote d’lvoire  june, 2023.

    Recall that the 2021 AFCON  was postponed and held in January 2022 in Cameroon due to ravaging corona virus in 2021.

    However, there have been  growing concerns  over the harsh weather conditions in the West African country at this time of the year.

    CAF authorities are afraid the condition will be the same next summer and scheduling the competition in the middle of the raining season might not be a good idea.

    Speaking on the issue, CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba hinted on the possibilities of postponing the event but the decison has not be taken he said.

    “We are considering it; it is one of the possibilities,” CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba, told Le Monde.

    “We asked Ivorian meteorologists to report to us on rainfall history in Côte d’Ivoire in June and July, but also to share their projections with us.”

    The Teranga Lions of Senegal won the last edition of the competition in Cameroon after defeating Egypt 4-3 on penalties.

  • 2023 AFCON qualifiers: Super Eagles must win every match – Peseiro

    2023 AFCON qualifiers: Super Eagles must win every match – Peseiro

    Ahead of Nigeria’s encounter against Sao Tome and Principe, Head Coach of the Nigerian senior men’s football team, Jose Peseiro has said the Super Eagles must win every match.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports São Tomé and Príncipe play hosts to the Super Eagles in one of the day-two matches of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Group A qualifier at the Grand Stade Agadir on Monday.

    Having bagged all three points in their 2-1 defeat of Sierra Leone at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, the Eagles need to garner another three points against the hosts.

    Peseiro was reported in a statement by Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on Sunday, as saying that winning the game and topping the table was the team’s top priority.

    The Head Coach stressed that the encounter against Sao Tome and Principe will bring the best out of his team as they seek to go top of the table.

    “We want to be the team at the top of the table, so we must fight hard against the opponents. Every match, we must commit ourselves fully to winning it.

    “As I said earlier in the week, Nigeria have huge pedigree and they also have both quality and quantity of players.

    “It is important that we select the best all the time to win the big games.”

    The statement also said that Nigeria’s delegation to Monday’s 2023 AFCON qualifying match against ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’ of São Tomé and Príncipe landed in the southern Moroccan city of Agadir on Sunday.

    “The Air Peace airline’s Embraer 195 E2 which has flown the team to a number of match venues including from Morocco when they defeated Liberia in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Tangier, touched down at the Aeroport Agadir Almarissa.

    “It landed at exactly 8.15 a.m. on Sunday, with a total of 25 players and technical and administrative crew.

    “The delegation was led by NFF 2nd Vice President, Shehu Dikko and also included the General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, a number of board members, a couple of NFF Management and Staff, a few stakeholders and some media representatives,” it said.

    The statement revealed that defender and deputy skipper William Ekong and midfielder Innocent Bonke were not part of  the 25 players who made the trip to Morrocco.

    It said both players had returned to their respective bases in England and France to attend to injuries copped during the international break.

    “Bonke was injured in the friendly game against Mexico in Dallas on 28th May, while Ekong suffered a groin strain in the 2-1 defeat of Sierra Leone in Abuja on Thursday,” it said.

    It added that the Confederation of African Football has appointed Liberian official Hassen Zinnah Corneh as referee for the encounter.

    “He will be joined by his compatriots Joel Doe, Ephraim Whengar and Moses Forkpah as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.

    “Alim Konate Aboubakar from Cameroon will be match commissioner. The match starts at 1p.m. Morocco time,” the statement said.

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles arrive in Agadir for São Tomé clash

    Nigeria’s delegation to Monday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’ of São Tomé and Príncipe landed in the southern Moroccan city of Agadir on Sunday morning.

     The Air Peace airline’s Embraer 195 E2 which has flown the team to a number of match venues including from Morocco when they defeated Liberia in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Tangier, touched down at the Aeroport Agadir Almarissa at exactly 8.15am on Sunday, with a total of 25 players and technical and administrative crew.

       The delegation was led by NFF 2nd Vice President, Mallam Shehu Dikko and also included the General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, a number of board members, a couple of NFF Management and Staff, a few stakeholders and some media representatives.

     Having bagged all three points in their 2-1 defeat of Sierra Leone at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, the Eagles countenance another three points against ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’ at the Grand Stade Agadir, also known as Adrar Stadium, on Monday afternoon.

     Head Coach Jose Peseiro said at the Aeroport Agadir Almarissa that the encounter against ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’ will bring the best out of his team as they seek to go top of the Group A table.

     “We want to be the team at the top of the table, so we must fight hard against the opponents. Every match, we must commit ourselves fully to winning it. As I said earlier in the week, Nigeria have huge pedigree and they also have both quality and quantity of players. It is important that we select the best all the time to win the big games.”

     Defender and deputy skipper William Ekong and midfielder Innocent Bonke have returned to their respective bases in England and France to attend to injuries copped during the international break. Bonke was injured in the friendly game against Mexico in Dallas on 28th May, while Ekong suffered a groin strain in the 2-1 defeat of Sierra Leone in Abuja on Thursday.

     The Confederation of African Football has appointed Liberian official Hassen Zinnah Corneh as referee for the encounter, with his compatriots Joel Wonka Doe, Ephraim Grant Whengar and Moses Forkpah as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.

     Alim Konate Aboubakar from Cameroon will be match commissioner. The match starts at 1pm Morocco time

  • AFCON 2023: Nigerian team hosted to a grand reception after beating Sierra Leone 2-1

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria were hosted to a grand reception by staff of Johnwood Hotel by Bolton in Abuja Thursday night after they defeated Sierra Leone 2-1.

    In a two minutes’ video shared online, the staff lined up to form an isle at the entrance of the hotel, clapping and making sounds of jubilation as the Super Eagles players walked through their midst. They were thereafter treated to special mouth-watering delicacies.

    As one of the Match Day 1 fixtures of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers, the Nigerian team had laboured to a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

    Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen’s first half goals made the difference as the Super Eagles struck back after the away side took a shock early lead.

    The Super Eagles started strong at the onset, boasting of more ball possession as they looked for the long balls, attempting to pin the opposition back.

    Sports analysts say it was hardly the most convincing display from the Super Eagles, but it was three points sealed after a much-needed comeback.

    Nigeria will next take on Sao Tome and Principe in a day two AFCON qualifier in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday.

  • Flash: Super Eagles beat Sierra Leone 2-1

    Flash: Super Eagles beat Sierra Leone 2-1

    The Super Eagles on Thursday laboured to a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja

    The match was one of the Match Day 1 fixtures of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers.

    Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen’s first half goals made the difference as the Super Eagles struck back after the away side took a shock early lead.

    The Super Eagles started strong at the onset, boasting of more ball possession as they looked for the long balls, attempting to pin the opposition back.

    Victor Oshimen missed two clear goal-scoring chances in the sixth and ninth minutes as the Super Eagles pressed for the opening goal.

    Still, the Leone Stars’ defence did well to repel the attacks, albeit struggling to keep a hold of it themselves.

    It was however the visitors who opened scoring against the run of play through John Morsay from a powerful header in the 11th minute following a brilliant cross the left.

    Mohamed Turay could have increased the lead for the visitors three minutes later.

    But he missed a lovely chance after his shot which left goalkeeper Francis Uzoho for dead hit the far upright.

    Alex Iwobi however got the equaliser for Nigeria barely two minutes later after a brilliant finish into the far-right following good work from Moses Simon in the 16th minute.

    There was no much luck for Oshimen, in spite of how much his teammates kept looking for him with long balls.

    He saw his point-blank shot saved by goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara after a brilliant work and lovely pass from Simon.

    The Napoli star however got the goal he so badly needed in the 40th minute, after a brilliant cross from Ola Aina was headed down by Simon for him to stretch and poke home.

    Head Coach José Peseiro looked to gain more control of the match at the start of the second half, as he brought in Oghenekaro Etebo for Sadiq Umar.

    With Etebo now alongside Aribo as the pivot, the Super Eagles looked more solid as they kept the ball nicely with the defence leaving little or no space for the visitors’ counter-attacks.

    The switch in formation also helped the hosts link well with Samuel Chukwueze, Simon and Aina all finding each other with ease.

    Chukwueze however squandered a lovely goal-scoring opportunity to put the game to bed in the 54th minute as his angled shot went wide off target, with only the goalkeeper to beat.

    Sierra Leone had an opportunity of their own five minutes later through substitute Amadou Bakayoko who missed in what was a let-off for Nigeria in the 59th minute.

    This was when he rounded goalkeeper Uzoho after the Nigeria defenceline went into a state of disarray, but he could not quite find one more touch to direct the ball goalward.

    Peseiro made four more changes with Ademola Lookman coming in for Chukwueze, Abdullahi Shehu for Aina and Kenneth Omeruo for the injured William Ekong as Nigeria held on for the win.

    It was hardly the most convincing display from the Super Eagles, but it was three points sealed after a much-needed comeback.

    Nigeria will next take on Sao Tome and Principe in a day two AFCON qualifier in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday.

  • Nigeria draw rivals South Africa in Women’s AFCON

    Nigeria draw rivals South Africa in Women’s AFCON

    Nigeria’s Super Falcons have South Africa as their Group C rivals in the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as well as Botswana and Burundi.

    They were drawn in the same group at the official draw ceremony held at the Complex Mohamed VI in Rabat, Morocco on Friday.

    Group A of the women’s football competition billed for July in Morocco has the hosts, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Uganda.

    Group B has Cameroon, Zambia, Tunisia, and Togo.

    It is the first time 12 teams will be participating in the tournament with Togo, Burundi, Burkina Faso, and Botswana as debutants.

    The tourney kicks off in Rabat on July 2 with the final match to be played on July 23.

  • AFCON: Super Eagles to know group opponents as draws hold next week

    AFCON: Super Eagles to know group opponents as draws hold next week

    AFCON qualifiers draws has been scheduled to hold Tuesday 19th April in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    Former Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations winners Lucas Radebe of South Africa and Salomon Kalou of Ivory Coast will be the two draw assistants for the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

    The draw will be conducted live at 17h30 GMT (4:30pm Nigerian time) at cable TV, SuperSport studios in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    Ex-South Africa international defender Radebe and former Cote d’Ivoire striker Kalou will join CAF Director of Competitions Samson Adamu for the draw.

    Both Kalou and Radebe were fantastic footballers in their playing days for both club and country.

    Radebe was part of the South African team that won the 1996 TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations. He made four appearances in Africa’s flagship football competition, having played in the tournaments of 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002.

    Salomon Armand Magloire Kalou is an Ivorian footballer who plays as a striker and winger. He was part of the Ivorien team that won the 2015 AFCON.

    He previously played for Feyenoord from 2003 to 2006 and Chelsea from 2006 to 2012. While at Chelsea, he won numerous honours, including the Premier League, the UEFA Champions League, four FA Cups and the League Cup.

  • President Buhari gifts Super Eagles 94 set house allocation

    President Buhari gifts Super Eagles 94 set house allocation

    The 1994 set of the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been given house allocation in National Housing Estate across the country .

    The super Eagles of Nigeria won the AFCON held in Tunisia in 1994 and got promises (House) from the then head of state General Sanni Abacha.

    The president spoke during the official commissioning of housing projects under the National Housing Programme (NHP) Phase 1 at the Three Arms Zone in Minna.

    Ably represented by the Minister of State of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Zubairu Dada, the president stated that member of the 94 set should be free to select any of house in the numerous housing projects in the country.

    “This provides an opportunity to remember our heroes, the valiant Super Eagles to whom our country made a promise of providing housing for winning the 1994 African Cup of Nations, which has remained unfulfilled.

    “On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I feel proud and privileged to redeem the promise Nigeria made to these patriotic Nigerians, even if belatedly.

    As the saying goes, it is better late than never and I have approved allocation to redeem the outstanding allocation to 22 members of the Super Eagles in National Housing Estate located in their state of choice.

    Their keys and title documents will be handed over at the commissioning in their state while the remainder of the housing is allocated to willing members of the public,” he said.

    The president stated that the housing estate “is an example of the fulfilment of the promise of change and to provide affordable and accessible housing to Nigerians.

    “This is one of the projects undertaken by our government in phases since 2016 when our party, the APC sought your mandate to form the government in 2015, one of the things we promised

  • Super Eagles Midfielder Kelechi’s contract terminated by club side

    Super Eagles Midfielder Kelechi’s contract terminated by club side

    2015 Golden Eaglet captain Kelechi Nwakali’s contract has been terminated by Spanish Segunda B clubside for violation of rules.

    Kelechi’s termination was announced via Huesca website Tuesday evening.

    The statement read: “The Huesca Sports Society has terminated the contractual relationship that the first-team footballer Kelechi Nwakali maintained with the Barça entity until now.

    “The club has communicated to the player the decision to terminate the contract that he joined both in this campaign and expired in June 2022.

    “SD Huesca wishes Nwakali the best in his professional future.”

    Nwakali ran into a problem with Huesca’s management when he returned to the club late after the Super Eagles exited the AFCON tournament held in Cameroon in January 2022.

    Upon his late arrival at the club< Huesca opened up a disciplinary actions against him but the Spanish Players’ union rose to his defence accusing the lower division club of committing procedural breaches in the handling of the case.

    Kelechi Nwakali (born 5 June 1998) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Spanish club SD Huesca

    Nwakali started his career at the Diamond Football Academy. After his fine performances at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he won the Golden Ball Award, he was signed by English Premier League side Arsenal football club.

    He was then sent on loan to Dutch side MVV Maastricht for the remainder of the season , he later joined VV Venlo and Porto B before signing for Huesca in Spanish Segunda B.

    Kelechi Nwakali was a second half substitute for the Super Eagles in the games against Egypt and Guinea Bissau at the AFCON.