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Tag: AFCON

  • SEE COLOURFUL MOMENTS from AFCON 2023 opening ceremony

    SEE COLOURFUL MOMENTS from AFCON 2023 opening ceremony

    The 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) commenced on Saturday with a magnificent colourful opening ceremony at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire.

    Ahead of the opening ceremony, there was heavy traffic in the city of Abidjan, as football lovers from the across the continent and the rest of the world file out to the opening match of the AFCON 2023 between host, Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire, and Guinea Bissau.

    A correspondent covering the tournament in Abidjan on Saturday reports that security agencies did their best to put the situation under control.

    Newsmen as well as supporters of the two nations had a hectic time accessung the stadium amid heavy security and traffic.

    Some of the motorists and pedestrians expressed  disappointment with the traffic situation and called on the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to make better arrangements to deal with the situation.

    Some of them said, however, they were excited that the African Cup of Nations was taking place in their country.

    In spite of the situation, some Ivorians were seen dancing and drumming some kilometres away from the Alassane Ouattara stadium to entertain the people stuck in the traffic.

    However, the atmosphere in the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara was different totally.

    Nigerian Afro beats sensation Yemi Alade performed at the opening ceremony, leaving the stadium electric after her performance.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Alade was joined on stage by Egyptian singer, Mohamed Ramadan.

    SEE COLOURFUL PHOTOS from AFCON 2023 opening ceremony below:

    2023 AFCON: Sports administrator predicts Super Eagles, Morocco, Senegal for finals

    Meanwhile, Ebere Amaraizu, former Board Member and South-East Director of Nationwide League One (NLO), has tipped Super Eagles and national teams of Morocco and Senegal for finals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    Amaraizu made the prediction while speaking in Enugu on Saturday on the favourites to win the tournament.

    Amaraizu noted that it was only sheer complacency and lack of focus that would stop the Super Eagles getting into the finals of the continental fiesta.

    According to him, “I can feel the passion and hunger among players of the Super Eagles to bring the AFCON trophy back to Nigeria.

    “On paper, national teams like that of our Nigeria, Morocco and Senegal first as well as Cameroon, Egypt and Ghana following are among teams that could be the favourites to lift the trophy.

    “These national teams could also be tipped for better outing owing to their players’ pedigree and ratings.

    “However, they should also understand that other teams are there to make a valid statement,” he said.

    Amaraizu, who is also the former General Manager of 2018 Enugu State Aiteo Cup victorious Crime Busters FC, Enugu, also noted that “football is not a respecter of big names of players and countries”.

    “It is a game that requires purposefulness, hardwork, focus and high concentration with formidable team spirit devoid of complacency.

    “There are teams without big names that will try to make indelible statement in order to be known,” he said.

    The football administrator  expressed optimism over Super Eagles making it to the top of Group A table with Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau and Equatorial Guinea following in that order.

  • 2023 AFCON: Iheanacho, Moffi expected on Saturday, Umar out

    2023 AFCON: Iheanacho, Moffi expected on Saturday, Umar out

    Super Eagles forward Kelechi Iheanacho and Terem Moffi are expected to team up with the rest of the squad ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Iheanacho would arrive a day before Nigeria’s first match against Equatorial Guinea, even as Real Sociedad forward, Sadiq Umar has been ruled out of the tournament.

    Meanwhile, Moffi who was a last-minute replacement for Victor Boniface is expected to join the squad on Sunday.

    The AFCON which kicks off on Saturday with a game between Nigeria’s Group A foes – hosts Cote d’Ivoire and Guinea-Bissau – will hold till Feb. 11.

    Super Eagles Media officer, Babafemi Raji, told NAN that both players were not part of the team’s second training session in Abidjan on Thursday.

    Iheanacho was initially expected to have travelled with the team to Cote d’Ivoire from Lagos on Wednesday.

    “Iheanacho will join us on Saturday and Moffi on Sunday,” Raji told NAN.

    Meanwhile, Umar, who is in Abidjan, did not train with the rest of the squad on Thursday, as he jogged alone on the sidelines, while Peseiro and his crew worked with the remaining 22 of the final 25 men.

    This was after the Real Sociedad striker suffered a knee injury in the aftermath of their warm up friendly with Guinea in Abu Dhabi, and will now be out of action for at least three weeks.

    NAN also reports that Nigeria’s injury list has been growing since the Portuguese coach named his final 25-man squad.

    Leicester midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, was the first to be ruled out and was replaced by Antwerp’s Alhassan Yusuf, while red-hot Bayer Leverkusen man, Victor Boniface, also picked up a groin injury before the end of the team’s one-week training camp in Abu Dhabi.

    With Boniface and Umar now out, Peseiro only has reigning African Player of The Year, Victor Osimhen, as the only fit striker.

    However, a post on the team’s official X handle (formerly twitter) on Friday confirmed that Trabzonspor of Turkey gangling striker Paul Onuachu will now replace the injured Sadiq.

    Nigeria, who won the AFCON in 1980, 1994 and 2013, are in Group A with hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.

    The three-time African champions will begin their quest for a fourth title on Sunday against Equatorial Guinea, before facing Cote d’Ivoire Jan. 18, while the last group game is against Guinea-Bissau on Jan. 22.

  • AFCON: Afro Sports opens up on tussle over broadcast rights

    AFCON: Afro Sports opens up on tussle over broadcast rights

    The Chief Consultant of AfroSports Television, Rotimi Pedro, says monetising and monopolising the broadcast rights of football and other sports is detrimental to the development of sports.

    He made the remark at a press briefing on Thursday in Lagos against the backdrop of the tussle over the broadcast rights for the 2023 Africa Nations Cup (AFCON).

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and New World Televisions (NWTV) have confirmed that the 2023 AFCON matches will be available to Nigerian viewers.

    Pedro said in the past subscribers had to upgrade their subscriptions in order to watch premium sports, which was applicable to only those that could afford it.

    “In the past those who owned the broadcast rights to the AFCON made it impossible for up and coming players to feed their imagination so they could push their limits.

    “We’ve gotten the rights to air 52 matches, we’ve partnered wit NTA, TVC, AIT and Wazobia TV. No need to pay subscriptions to watch the Super Eagles play at the 2023 AFCON,” Pedro said.

    He further said the struggle to get the broadcast rights to ensure that all Nigerians could watch AFCON matches had been on for many years.

    “We have championed the freedom of sports. We believe that every premium sport should be available on free tv. You don’t have to pay subscriptions of N17, 000. We have been advocating for this for 25 or 30 years.

    “There’s a strong connection between free sports TV and the development of sports.

    “Even in developed markets, in Europe all the games are available on free tv, 50 per cent subscription, where they watch all the games of the World Cup and league.

    “There’s a reason for that, the reason is to develop the next generation and broaden their imagination so they believe in their dreams,” he said.

    Pedro reiterated Afrosports’ commitment to bringing Nigerians the best of football in Africa, which he believes will motivate young impressionable players.

    “We pride ourselves as being able to bring premium sports to a large number of people for free.

    “In addition, Afrosport has been awarded a Pay TV license for Pay-per-View TV rights, with the exclusive authority to licence Pay TV broadcaster, Supersport.

    “This news has been eagerly awaited, and can put Nigerian fans at ease that they will be able to enjoy unprecedented coverage of the AFCON this coming January,” Pedro said.

    Similarly, sports broadcaster, Deji Omotoyinbo, said Nigerians should stay tuned to versatile and cerebral panelists during the Nations Cup.

    “Nigerians have the personnel, no matter how we try to colour this. We would have fantastic and brilliant ex-internationals and football analysts to give us in depth analysis.

    “Expect the best quality broadcasting and analysis. We can’t continue to stifle the development of football and sports by commercialising everything.

    “Imagine the marginalisation. it’s only 4.2 million Nigerians that have decoders, what happens to the remaining millions of people who can’t afford to pay N17,000 for subscription,” Omotoyinbo queried.

    Total Energies AFCON 2023 kicks off on Jan. 13 and its matches will be available on the Afrosport, alongside NTA, AIT and all affiliate members of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, amongst a network of Free-to-Air channels across Nigeria.

  • Osimhen lambastes agent who linked him to Saudi Arabia

    Osimhen lambastes agent who linked him to Saudi Arabia

    Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen has lambasted the agent of his Napoli team-mate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Mamuka Jugeli for linking him to Saudi Arabia.

    Jugeli said that Osimhen will leave the Serie A champions for Saudi Arabia next year.

    Osimhen, who just landed in Abidjan with the rest of national teammates tp prosecute AFCON matches for his country has now fired back at the agent with strong words.

    He took to his Instagram story to slam Jugeli, describing him as “a disgrace”.

    “Dear Mamuka Jugeli, you are a piece of filth and a disgrace.

    “I’m embarrassed at your sense of reasoning. Dumb f**k! KEEP MY NAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH,” the post read.

    Osimhen recently put pen to paper on a new contract with Napoli, which includes a release clause of around €120 million.

  • AFCON 2023: Moffi set to replace injured Boniface

    AFCON 2023: Moffi set to replace injured Boniface

    Boniface had picked up a groin injury during training at the Super Eagles’ camp in Abu Dhabi.

    The lingering injury was said to have kept him out of Sunday’s test game with local club, Al Gharbia and Monday’s International friendly against the Syli Nationale of Guinea.

    Super Eagles spokesman, Babafemi Raji was quoted in a statement as saying that the replacement was imminent, pending the approval of both CAF and Moffi’s French Ligue 1 club.

    “Victor Boniface is out and Terem Moffi takes his place pending the approval of CAF and concurrence of his club.

    “A scan was done which showed that for the length of his recovery period, he will be out of AFCON.

    “He will now return to Germany, where he will begin treatment for the groin injury that is expected to keep him out for six weeks,”he said.

    The 23-year-old seemed to have resigned to fate after wishing his teammates the best of luck at the tournament on Monday.

    He  took to his X (now twitter) handle to recall how he was forced by injury to pull out of the U20 AFCON seven days to the tournament, and now the 2023 AFCON six days to the kick-off.

    “At the U20 Nations Cup I got injured seven days before the tournament.

    “Now, with the Super Eagles, I got injured six days before the Nations Cup.”Na only God knows why,” he said.

    NAN also reports that Moffi was a shock omission on the final squad after consistency and goals in Ligue 1 since 2020.

    His French club, OGC Nice had celebrated his omission from the final list for AFCON on the team’s official X (former twitter) handle.

    His coach, Christophe Galtier described the striker as his team’s “best new signing” of the transfer window.

    This was after they had conceded losing him ahead of the continental tournament.

    The month-long AFCON tournament is expected to kick off on Saturday and end on Feb. 11.

  • AFCON 2024: African stars who will be missing in action

    AFCON 2024: African stars who will be missing in action

    With just few days to the start of the 2024 AFCON tournament in Cote D’Ivoire, few African  stars and playmakers  will not be on parade for their various national teams due to injuries and some other factors.

    Here is a list of the African stars who will miss out.

    Victor Boniface Nigeria

    Few weeks after emerging on the scene as one of the finest strikers on the surface of the earth, Nigeria and Bayer Leverkusen attacker, Victor Boniface who initially made the Super Eagles 25-man list to the tournament has been ruled out due to injury.

    The attacker got injured while in training for the Super Eagles of Nigeria at the Abu Dhabi camp in the United State Emirate.

    The attacker will be back on his feet in February 2024.

    Thomas Partey Ghana

    Very good defensive midfielders, Thomas Partey known for his skills, dribbles  and defensive abilities will also not partake in the 2024 AFCON holding in Cote D’Ivoire.

    Partey has been out injured for a couple of weeks and it has forced him to sit out in many games for his club Arsenal football club.

    Ghana will miss his services at the AFCON 2024.

    Taiwo Awoniyi

    On -song Nigerian star, Taiwo Awoniyi is one of the top stars that will be missing at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast in January.

    Few weeks to the start of the competition the Nottingham of England forward picked up a groin injury that would rule him out for several weeks.

    Forest manager, Steve Cooper, announced in November that the striker, who had hoped to feature at the AFCON for the second time, would be out of action for some months after undergoing surgery to correct a groin injury he picked up during an international game between Nigeria and Saudi Arabia in Portugal.

    The Nigerian is expected to be back on his feet after AFCON would have been concluded in January.

    Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)

    Cameroon and Brentford in-form striker Bryan Mbeumo is another very fine attacker that his services will be greatly missed at AFCON.

    The striker got injured in Brentford’s 2-1 defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion on December 6.

    Before his injury, the striker had 11 goal contributions (seven goals and assists)in 15 matches and his absence will come as a big blow to Cameroon head coach Rigobert Song.

    Mbeumo is expected to return in March, 2024.

     

    Cheick Doucoure (Mali)

    Mali international Cheick Doucoure who is known for his defensive abilities, shooting attributes, and energy on the field of play will also miss AFCON 2024.

    Doucouré’s injury in November shook the Mali national team after the defensive midfielder left Kenilworth Road on crutches after being taken off on a stretcher in the 54th minute of Crystal Palace’s 2-1 defeat to Luton.

    Palace’s manager, Roy Hodgson, admitted after the game that the 23-year-old “is not going to be out for a short period of time” before it was confirmed two days later that he could be out for up to six months, a period which automatically ruled him out of the AFCON and probably the rest of the entire 2023/24 season.

    Tariq Lamptey

    The Black Stars of Ghana will also miss the services of quality attacker, Tariq Lamptey.

    Lamptey will play no part in the Black Stars’ quest to win the AFCON tournament for the first time in over 40 years.

    Lamptey limped off in the first half of the Brighton and Albion’s 3-2 win away against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League in November.

    The attacker has been ruled out for many months.

    Wilfred Ndidi Nigeria

    Nigeria and Leicester of England defensive midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi had initially made the final 25-mn squad for the Super Eagles of Nigeria before being replaced by Alhassan a belgium based player.

    Ndidi picked up an injury while playing for his championship clubside in England and has now being ruled out for several weeks.

    Ndidi’s expertise and great footballing skills plus his defensive abilities will be missed by the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    Wilfred Zaha, Cote D’ Ivoire

    Former Crystal palace attacker, Wilfred Zaha is another top notch player that will not be part of AFCON 2024.

    Reports say that Zaha has been dropped due to his transfer out of the English Premier League.

    Didier Drogba one of the greatest player to ever played for Cote D’Ivoire has questioned the exclusion of the player in the 27-man list released by coach of Elephants of Cote D’Ivoire.

    Zaha featured for the Elephant of Cote D’Ivoire at the last AFCON and was a delight to watch.

  • AFCON 2023: Check out African football stars to watch out for

    AFCON 2023: Check out African football stars to watch out for

    On January 13, Africa’s most glamorous football competition, AFCON will take center stage in Cote D’Ivoire.

    Many African stars will be on parade for their different national teams.

    TheNewsGuru.com brings you African stars to watch out for when the competition kickstart from January 13 to February 11

    Victor Osimhen Nigeria

    Few weeks after emerging the best player on the continent, Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen will be the player on the lips of everyone when 2023 AFCON kickstart on January 13 in Cote D’Ivoire.

    He is the figurehead of Nigeria’s rich attacking frontline, which he would have to guide at AFCON.

    The Napoli attacker is known for his energy, pace and clinical finishing, promising to be a delight to watch at the tournament.

     

    Sebastian Haller, Ivory Coast

    Ivorien Forward, Sébastien Haller is another player who many football fans would watch out for at the 2023 AFCON.

    Haller has reached maturity and intends to make a big impact at Africa’s biggest football spectacle in front of his fans.

    This is his second tournament for Ivory Coast and many football fans will watch out for his strength, energy dribbles and runs.

    Haller has proven to be a reliable goal scorer owing to his exploit for club and country.

     

    Mohammed Salah Egypt

    English Premier League, joint top scorer, Mohammed Salah is another star to watch out for at the 2023 AFCON.

    He will be guiding the Pharaohs of Egypt to the tournament as captain and would look out to reach the final once again after losing last AFCON title to Senegal.

    Salah has promised to take home the trophy and also promised to score goals that will help Egypt emerge victorious.

    The former African footballer of the year will also be another star that will dazzle in the competition.

    Kudus Mohammed Ghana

    Ghanaian Superstar, Mohammed Kudus has been an absolute revelation for his English Premier League side, West Ham United.

    Kudus has set one of the best leagues in the world alight with his explosive speed, dribbles, skill and goal scoring prowess.

    This season, he has won man of the match for West Ham seven times already and he is expected to shine at the 2023 AFCON.

    Kudus will lead the attack line of Ghana at AFCON and he’s expected to shine like a million stars at the tournament in Cote D’Ivoire.

    Sadio Mane Senegal

    Newly wedded Senegalese player, Sadio Mane will once again be in  cynosure of all eyes as he would be captaining teranga Lions to the AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire.

    The forward who left Liverpool to Bayern and now Al Nassr ofSaudi Arabia has been banging goals week in week out for his clubside.

    He will be leading the defending champions and hoping to defend the trophy won at the last AFCON.

     

     

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles to earn $35,000 each if they win trophy

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles to earn $35,000 each if they win trophy

    Every  member of the Super Eagles to the African Nations Cup in Cote D’Ivoire will pocket $35,000 should they emerge victorious at the tournament.

    According to SCORENigeria, a win in every Super Eagles match will attract a total sum of $5,000 at the competition.

    A draw will fetch each player $2,500.

    This payment does not include the percentage of the upgraded $7 million prize money for the AFCON champions the players will negotiate with the NFF.

    Super Eagles are already three times winner and the team is looking forward to winning their fourth title.

    They are drawn in Group A with hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.

    The 2023 AFCON finals will run from January 13 to February 11.

  • Super Eagles officially honour Osimhen for POTY award in camp

    Super Eagles officially honour Osimhen for POTY award in camp

    Super Eagles players and coaches have officially honoured Victor Osimhen at the team’s Abu Dhabi camp, after winning the men’s African Player of the Year (POTY) award.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Osimhen became the first Nigerian after Nwankwo Kanu in 1999 to win the CAF POTY award as the best player on the continent in December.

    This was after he powered Napoli to their first Scudetto title in 33 years  and topping the goalscorer chart during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign.

    However, since Osimhen’s triumph at the CAF award ceremony, the Super Eagles had not met as a team.

    Nigeria’s last engagement was in November when the Super Eagles, who had Osimhen out injured, were forced to two consecutive 1-1 draws by Lesotho and Zimbabwe in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

    The Super Eagles are, however, gathered in their training camp in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, as they step up preparations for the AFCON in Cote d Ivoire  this month.

    The national team camp opened on Tuesday, with 24 out of the 25 invited players already working with head coach Jose Peseiro.

    Only Leicester City’s striker Kelechi Iheanacho is being awaited as he recovers from an injury threatening his participation at the tournament.

    Osimhen and William Troost-Ekong were among the last players to arrive in camp.

    The team’s first dinner together on Friday, therefore presented the Super Eagles the perfect opportunity to officially congratulate the current African king.

    A video shared on the team’s official X account on Saturday, saw Patrick Pascal, the team’s coordinator, call out Osimhen for special recognition.

    He was honoured with a standing ovation and resounding claps by his teammates and officials.

    “On behalf of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Ibrahim Gusau, the board members, the coach, team officials, the Captain and the players of the Super Eagles, please help me welcome the king, Osimhen ,” Pascal said.

    He officially welcomed Osimhen and praised him for winning the prestigious award, adding that the NFF as well as the entire country was proud of his achievements.

    Prayers were thereafter offered to thank God for giving him the victory.

    NAN also reports that Osimhen will be Nigeria’s primary goal outlet when proceedings kick off at the 34th edition of the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.

    The Napoli forward was Nigeria’s most prolific goalscorer in 2023.

    As the best striker on the continent, he will be expected to lead the Super Eagles’ charge for a fourth continental crown.

    Osimhen could become the first Nigerian player since Rashidi Yekini to win the AFCON as the Best Player on the continent.

    The 2023 AFCON which kicks off on Jan. 13 will end on Feb. 11.

  • AFCON increases price money from $5m to $7m

    AFCON increases price money from $5m to $7m

    The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced an increment in the prize money for winners of the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire to $7 million, up from the previous amount of $5 million.

    The body announced the 40 per cent increase in a statement on Tuesday.

    It also stated that the runner-up of AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 will now get $4 million. Each of the two semi-finalists will receive $2.5 million, and each of the four quarter-finalists will receive $1.3 million.

    CAF President, Patrice Motzepe, said he’s confident that the increase will help the development of football on the continent.

    His words: “CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the Prize Money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions. We have increased the Prize Money of the AFCON Winner to USD 7 000 000 which is a 40% increase from the previous AFCON Prize Money.

    “I am confident that a portion of the Prize Money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our Member Associations with their administrations.”

    AFCON 2023 will kick off on Saturday, January 13, with host Cote d’Ivoire and Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.