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Tag: CAF

  • AFCON 2024: See all qualified teams for tournament

    AFCON 2024: See all qualified teams for tournament

    All the 24 countries that will compete at next year’s AFCON have been conirmed.

    This comes after Cameroon and Namibia secured their spots on Tuesday.

    The Indomitable Lions defeated Burundi 3-0 to top Group C and will feature in their 19th straight finals.

    Namibia finished second in the group and sealed their place at the competition.

    TheNewsGuru.com reports that Continental giants Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco and Algeria have already booked their tickets.

    There will be no debutants as Gambia will be making their second appearance at the AFCON.

    Below are countries that have qualified in alphabetical order:

    Algeria
    Angola
    Burkina Faso
    Cameroon
    Cape Verde
    Cote d’Ivoire (Hosts)
    DR Congo
    Egypt
    Equatorial Guinea
    Gambia
    Ghana
    Guinea
    Guinea-Bissau
    Mali
    Mauritania
    Morocco
    Mozambique
    Namibia
    Nigeria
    Senegal (Title Holders)
    South Africa
    Tanzania
    Tunisia
    Zambia

  • Again, CAF snubs Nigerian referees, shortlist 85 for 2024 AFCON

    Again, CAF snubs Nigerian referees, shortlist 85 for 2024 AFCON

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has again snubbed Nigerian center referees and linesmen as its launched a preparatory course for match officials  ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

    CAF has listed 85 referees for the preparatory course against next year’s AFCON in Cote d’ Ivoire

    No Nigerian referees made the shortlist released by CAF on Tuesday.

    The list include centre referees, assistant referees, video assistant referees (VAR), technical instructors, physical trainers, VAR technicians and IT support.

    Egypt and Algeria have the highest number of referees on the list with three each.

    Four VAR referees were selected from Mauritius, South Africa, Morocco and Egypt. Seven technical instructors and physical trainers from Zimbabwe, Burundi, Cote D’Ivoire, Senegal, Morocco and Djibouti were selected.

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria are among the 24 countries that will compete for the title at the 2023 AFCON finals.

    This was confirmed after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) published a list of officials for the tournament on their website.

    A total of 32 center referees, 33 assistant referees, and 2 VAR officials were listed by CAF for the preparation course ahead of the showpiece.

  • 2023 AFCON Qualifier: CAF picks Algerian referee for Nigeria vs Sao Tome clash

    2023 AFCON Qualifier: CAF picks Algerian referee for Nigeria vs Sao Tome clash

    Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Algerian referee Lahlou Benbraham to officiate the dead rubber match between Nigeria and Sao Tome this weekend.

    The encounter is slated for the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom.

    The Algerian referee will be assisted by his compatriots Brahim El Hamlaoui Sid Ali (Assistant Referee 1) and Mohammed Serradj (Assistant Referee 2).

    Another Algerian, Nabil Boukhalfa will serve as fourth official while Prosper Addo from Ghana will be the match commissioner.

    Togolese Komi Konyoh has been appointed as referee Assessor , while Ozoemena Joseph from Nigeria will be the general match coordinator.

    The Super Eagles versus Sao Tome and Principe is a dead rubber game that will end the end of AFCON qualifiers for 2024.

    A win or draw for Super Eagles will see them finish top of group A.

    The 2024 AFCON will be hosted by Cote D’ Ivoire in 2024

  • Delta ready to host 2027 AFCON – Oborevwori

    Delta ready to host 2027 AFCON – Oborevwori

    The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has said that the state is prepared to serve as one of Nigeria’s host cities for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.

    Speaking when he played host to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) bidding inspection committee at Government House, Asaba on Tuesday, Governor Oborevwori said the state was peaceful and conducive to host the continental football tournament.

    The Governor said that the state was renowned for hosting such sports events, assuring of top-notch security and facilities for the event, if selected.

    “I specially welcome the inspection team of the Confederation of African Football to this second round of inspections for the 2027 African Nations Cup to be hosted by Nigeria and Republic of Benin.

    “I welcome you to Delta State and because we are a very peaceful state, Delta state would be among the ones you will select to host the competition in Nigeria.

    “Delta State will be among the six states that would be hosting in Nigeria because it’s peaceful and we have a very serene environment with top-notch security, good roads and airport infrastructure.

    “We have hosted several athletes in the past including the Senior African Athletics Championship in 2018 and the National Sports Festival in 2022.

    “As a state we are renowned for hosting such high class sports events and we have not recorded any incidence of insecurity or any negative report.

    “We have one of the best stadiums in the country and I can assure you that if Delta State is chosen we will provide excellent hosting for the event.

    “By the time you finish your inspection am quite sure that we will pass even as I assure you that Delta State is more than ready to host the 36th African Cup of Nations.

    “Since 2018 when we hosted the CAA, the hospitality industry in Asaba has witnessed more growth with the coming of more hotels to the city and more top class hotels will be completed before the hosting date,” the governor stated.

    Earlier, Bid Coordinator for Nigeria and Benin Republic, Mainasara Illoh said the team was in Delta State because Asaba has been found worthy of being put forward as a host city.

    Illoh stated that Nigeria was expected to provide six venues while Benin Republic provides two.

    He said other countries were also interested in hosting the 36th Edition of the African Cup of Nations and urged the State Government to invest more in improving on the facilities used in hosting previous sports events to increase the State’s chances of being selected.

  • FIFA Ranking: Nigeria remain unmoved, still world 39th

    FIFA Ranking: Nigeria remain unmoved, still world 39th

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles have remained unmoved in the July edition of the FIFA Coca-Cola Men’s Ranking to remain as the world’s 39th team.

    In the ranking table published on the website of the world football governing body on Thursday, Nigeria still maintained the 1486.48 points it had in June.

    The stagnancy on a spot was also seen at the continental level as the Nigerian side still maintained the sixth spot behind Morroco, Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt respectively.

    On the global scene, a total of 62 matches have been played since the last edition of the World Ranking in June, with 25 of those matches taking place in the final competition of the Concacaf Gold Cup.

    The other 37 matches were in the SAFF Cup (AFC) and COSAFA Cup (CAF), two tournaments that are considered friendly competitions for the purposes of the FIFA ranking.

    There are no changes at all in the top ten, which is made up solely of European and South American teams.

    Argentina remained at the top of the pile, with the other two podium places occupied by France (2nd) and Brazil (3rd), closely followed by England (4th), Belgium (5th) and Croatia (6th).

    Knocked out in the semi-finals of the Gold Cup, the USA (11th) have missed a chance to break into the leading pack.

    They now also have Mexico (12th, up 2) hot on their heels following El Tri’s triumph in the same competition.

    However, Mexico’s rise means that Switzerland (13th, down 1) and Morocco (14th, down 1) have both fallen one spot.

    Gold Cup runners-up Panama (45th, up 12) have climbed 12 places, the biggest rise in this ranking.

    By reaching the final four, Jamaica (58th, up 5) have also made good progress.

    There are mixed fortunes for the beaten quarter-finalists, however.

    Costa Rica (46th, down 4) have slipped four places, whereas Guatemala (107th, up 9) have jumped nine spots.

    The tournaments in Asia (SAFF Cup) and Africa (COSAFA Cup) have had very little impact on the ranking.

    Although three of the participating teams – Kuwait (137th, up 4), Bangladesh (189th, up 3) and Malawi (123rd, up 3) – have made some headway.

    The two tournament winners – India (99th, up 1) and Zambia (84th) – have gained points but made little to no progress in the ranking.

    Finally, there are some notable climbs for teams in the lower reaches of the ranking, such as the Cayman Islands (193rd, up 4), Gibraltar (198th, up 4), Aruba (199th, up 4) and Liechtenstein (200th, up 4).

  • Participants praise NFF as CAF’s first-ever coaching instructors’ course ends

    Participants praise NFF as CAF’s first-ever coaching instructors’ course ends

    Participants at the first-ever CAF Coaching Instructors’ Course held in Nigeria 6th -15th July have hailed the leadership of Nigeria Football Federation for working assiduously to ensure that the course became a reality.

    The course content included classroom and practical modules handled by CAF Elite Instructor and FIFA Technical Expert Abrham Mebratu, and 15 of the best coaches in Nigeria were involved in the pace-setting train-the-trainers on-field drills and theoretical grills.

    President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, who attended the closing ceremony, said he was fulfilled that the first-ever course has finally taken place, opening the gate for more of such courses for Nigerian coaches to really develop themselves.

    “Without any disrespect meant, the truth is that most of our coaches are just calling themselves ‘coaches’ without having any real grasp of modern tactics and techniques. With this course, we can now begin to see positive changes as the new instructors will be encouraged to organize courses for the benefit of colleagues.”

    Augustine Eguavoen, NFF Technical Director, who was among the group of 15 participants, said: “It was an interesting experience for me. Now, we have 15 coaching instructors in Nigeria who can organize coaching courses for their colleagues. It is a great feeling and our coaches will be the better for it.”

    Eguavoen and staff worked their socks off for weeks putting the dots and marks in the right places, and he says he feels fulfilled that everything went as planned.

    “Mr Mebratu is a genius, a hard working one at that. Tireless and well-grounded. I believe that our coaches, including myself, gained so much from the course,” Eguavoen added.

    The group of 15 also included president of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association, Isah Ladan Bosso (who recently took the Flying Eagles to the quarter finals of the FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina), former Super Eagles’ captain Daniel Amokachi, Alphonsus Dike, Stanley Eguma, Wemimo Oni Mathew, Henry Abiodun, Sam John Obuh, Edema Fuludu, Bala Nikyu and Lawrence Ndaks.

    Also at the closing ceremony were NFF 1st Vice President, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu and Executive Committee members, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa and Alhaji Babagana Kalli.

  • Nigeria’s Justice Roli Harriman elected President of CAF Appeals Board

    Nigeria’s Justice Roli Harriman elected President of CAF Appeals Board

    On the margin of the Ordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria’s Justice Roli Harriman has been elected President of the CAF Appeals Board.

    Harriman, a 62 – year old High Court judge, former senior lecturer at the Nigerian Law School and an Alternative Dispute Resolution Judge in Delta State since January 2013, replaces compatriot A. U. Mustapha (SAN) at the head of CAF’s ultimate judicial body.

    She was elected alongside Fernando Valera Monteiro from Cape Verde, who will serve as Vice President of the Appeals Board.

    Also elected are Senegalese Ousmane Kane, who will serve as President of the CAF Disciplinary Board, while Jane Njeri Onyango from Kenya will be Vice President

  • NFF set to organize first-ever CAF Coaching Instructors’ Course

    NFF set to organize first-ever CAF Coaching Instructors’ Course

    All arrangements have now been concluded for the organization of the first-ever CAF Coaching Instructors’ Course in Nigeria, which will hold at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja 5th – 15th July 2023.

    The train-the-trainers programme has the approval of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which is sending Ethiopian official Abrham Mebratu, a CAF elite instructor and FIFA technical expert, to conduct the course.

    NFF’s Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen told thenff.com that a carefully-selected group of 15 coaches will benefit from this pacesetting programme, and this will then form the vanguard of the determined drive by the NFF to improve the lot of Nigerian coaches.

    “This programme is with an objective towards enhancing the capacity of Nigerian coaches. There are changes to methods, tactics and techniques almost every day, and our coaches must be aware of these changes and be able to implement them to make our teams and clubs better, and able to compete favourably internationally.

    “I commend the efforts of the NFF leadership, particularly the President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau for the initiative and resilience in ensuring the course becomes a reality.”

    Participants will be taken through practical and theoretical sessions over the 10-day course.

  • Delta Queens emerge NWFL champions, to represent Nigeria in CAF Champions League

    Delta Queens emerge NWFL champions, to represent Nigeria in CAF Champions League

    Delta Queens FC, have been crowned champions of the Nigeria Women’s Professional Football League for the 2022/23 season.

    Delta Queens came from behind to deny Bayelsa Queens their hopes of retaining the NWFL Super 6 title, denying Bayelsa Queens the opportunity of winning a back-to-back title.

    The winner of the competition earned a whopping sum of Ten Million Naira and a ticket to the CAF Champions League. Runners up, Five Million Naira and third place went home with Three Million Naira.

    Chinanza Agoh scored two goals to gift Delta Queens the winner after the team had iniotailly conceded an own goal from Chisom Henry.

    Delta showed their mettle with a fightback through Agoh’s equalizer seven minutes after the hour mark.

    The energetic Agoh then turned up again with the winner in the 86th minute.

    Meanwhile, in the third-place match, Rivers Angels beat Conference Queens 2-0.

    Wife of the new Delta State Governor, Tobore Oborevwori, observed the ceremonial pre-match kickoff in Asaba.

  • Algeria 2023: Senegal clinch title, beat Morocco 2-1

    Algeria 2023: Senegal clinch title, beat Morocco 2-1

    The Senegal U-17 team has won the AFCON tournament in Algeria after defeating Morocco 2-1 on Friday night Nelson Mandela Stadium.

    A dramatic fightback from Senegal sealed a 2-1 comeback win over Morocco to be crowned 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations champions.

    Morocco went ahead as early as the 14th minute in the game when Ait Bouldal scored for the North Africans before the West Africans began a fightback in the 80th minute.

    Saliou Dia tutored Terenga Cubs pressed the Atlas Cubs in search of an equalizer until a VAR Influenced penalty call gave Senegal a lifeline.

    Senegal captain Amara Diouf picked the ball before electing to hand Serigne Diouf responsibility from 18-yards.

    Serigne Diouf made no mistake, sending Morocco goalkeeper Benorhzil the wrong way to level scores at 1-1 in the 80th minute.

    Three minutes later, Moroccan hearts were left broken as Mamadou Savane headed home from a corner-kick to gift Senegal the lead.

    At the Referees whistle for full-time, it finished Senegal 2-1 Morocco.

    The win meant Senegal has completed a clean sweep of all competitions on the continent.

    Senegal are now Africa Cup of Nations Champions, Africa Beach Soccer Champions, Africa U-20 Cup of Nations Champions, Championship of African Nations champions and now 2023 U-17 AFCON winners.