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Tag: CAF

  • CAF Cups: Remo, Rangers secure slim wins, El Kanemi draw at home

    CAF Cups: Remo, Rangers secure slim wins, El Kanemi draw at home

    Nigerian side, Remo Stars defeated AS FAR of Morocco 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League preliminary round clash in Ikenne on Sunday.

    Right-back Sodiq Ismail’s cross was nodded home by captain Junior Nduka in the 19th minute to open scoring for the hosts.

    The visitors equalized four minutes after the break, but Ismail scored the decisive goal with a header in the 63rd minute.

    Despite creating more chances, Remo Stars were let down by poor marksmanship. The reverse fixture will take place next week in Morocco.

     

    However, Nigerian champions Rangers began their CAF Champions League campaign with a 1-0 away win against US Zilimadjou of Comoros.

    Rangers had other chances but were denied by the host goalkeeper. The reverse fixture is scheduled for next Sunday at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

     

    Meanwhile, One of Nigeria’s representative in the CAF Confederation Cup, El-Kanemi Warriors drew 1-1 with Beninese clubside Djande. Trailing until the dying minutes of the match, before Gimba Ajiji’s late strike saved El-Kanemi from a home defeat.

    Technical adviser  of the team, Aliyu Zubairu blamed missed chances for the draw but remains optimistic about the second According to him, the boys have all it takes to win away from hime in the reverse fixtures.

    “The boys weren’t calm enough in front of goal, but I have full faith in their ability to deliver in the second leg,” Zubairu told the club’s media.

    “We will go to Benin Republic and secure a decisive victory, God willing.” The second leg will be held next weekend.

  • Former CAF president, Isa Hayatou to be buried on Friday

    Former CAF president, Isa Hayatou to be buried on Friday

    Former CAF President Issa Hayatou, who passed away a week ago in Paris, will be buried in his hometown of Garoua on Friday. According to family sources, his remains will leave Paris today and arrive at Nsimelen International Airport in Yaoundé. A wake will be held at his residence in Yaoundé until dawn. The following day, Hayatou, a Prince of the Garoua lamidat, will be buried according to Islamic rites. A lamidat is a traditional Muslim chiefdom in northern Cameroon.

     

    In a related development, former Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Dr. Bolaji Ojo-Oba, expressed his condolences, calling Hayatou’s death a significant loss to football and humanity. Ojo-Oba, who served as a CAF and FIFA Security Manager, said, “The news about the death of former CAF President Hayatou came as a shock because I was looking forward to sending him my felicitations on his birthday.”

     

    He added, “You can just imagine how deeply shocked I was when I heard about his passing, but I’m consoled that President Hayatou did his very best for African football. His tenure witnessed monumental development across the continent, and we can never forget his good ideals.”

     

    “To say Hayatou was a true servant of African football is an obvious statement because he devoted all his life to the growth and development of African football,” noted the former Oyo State Commissioner for Sports.

  • Nigerian women coaches deep into second module of CAF C-License course

    Nigerian women coaches deep into second module of CAF C-License course

    A total of 30 women coaches have intensified their learning in the second of a three-module CAF C-License Coaching Course that started in the Federal Capital, Abuja last month.

    The first module, held at the NFF/FIFA Technical Centre, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja held 15th – 25th July, and was followed by a two-week internship at various clubs by the coaches.

    “The second module started on Monday, and we are generally impressed by the discipline, dedication and commitment of the coaches to the entire programme,” NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen told thenff.com.

    Former Nigeria captain and coach Eguavoen also confirmed that this second module, which will come to a close on Friday, 16th August, will be followed by another two-week internship, 23rd August – 4th September.

    The third module, which comes with examinations for the participants, will take place 9th – 19th September.

    Dr. Terry Babatunde Eguaoje, NFF’s Head of Education, is among the coach educators’ team, which also includes Coaches Isah Ladan Bosso, Wemimo Olanrewaju and Lawrence Ndaks.

    Among the 30 participants are former Super Falcons’ stars Precious Dede, Joy Jegede, Esther Michael, Maureen Eke, Otas Ogbonmwan, Vera Okolo, Cecilia Nku, Taiwo Ajobiewe, Gloria Ofoegbu and Amenze Aighewi. There are also Barr. Victoria Nlemigbo and retired FIFA referee Folusho Ajayi.

  • NFF mourns as former CAF President, Issa Hayatou, dies at 78

    NFF mourns as former CAF President, Issa Hayatou, dies at 78

    President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has commiserated with the Cameroonian football fraternity and the African football family as a whole, following the death on Thursday of former President of Confederation of African Football, Alhaji Issa Hayatou.

     

    L A former 400m and 800m champion of Cameroon, who served as President of CAF between 10th March 1988 – 16th March 2017, Hayatou died after a protracted illness in the French capital, Paris on the eve of his 78th birthday.

     

    “LThe NFF and the entire Nigeria football family are terribly saddened by the death of Alhaji Issa Hayatou. He was a great and much-loved leader of African football and did his best to leave African football greater than he met it.

     

     

     

    “Alhaji Hayatou was a man of strong character and integrity. We love him but God loves him more. We pray that Almighty Allah will grant him eternal rest and also grant the Cameroonian, nay African football family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

     

     

     

    Hayatou, who served as Secretary of the Federation Cameroonaise de Football (FECAFOOT) in the 1970s, was elected CAF President on the margin of the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, to take office from interim boss, Dr Abdelhalim Mohamed, who had stepped in the previous year following the death of Dr. Ydnekatchew Tessema.

     

     

     

    Tall, energetic and visionary, Hayatou (who was born to the royal family in the northern Cameroonian town of Garoua) was also a member of the International Olympic Committee, and served as Acting President of football’s world-ruling body FIFA for 4 months and 18 days (8th October 2015 – 26 February 2016) following the suspension of Sepp Blatter and prior to the election of Gianni Infantino.

     

     

    After 29 years in office as CAF President, Hayatou lost the bid for a fresh term in an election won by Ahmad of Madagascar at an elective Congress in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa on 16th March 2017

  • Former CAF president, Isa Hayatou is dead

    Former CAF president, Isa Hayatou is dead

    The African football community is in mourning following the passing of Issa Hayatou, the former President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), who died on Thursday in Paris. Hayatou, a legendary figure in African football, left an indelible mark on the sport through his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to its development across the continent.

     

    Born on August 9, 1946, in Garoua, Cameroon, Hayatou was a former footballer and one of the most influential sports administrators in Africa.

    He served as CAF President from 1988 to 2017, a period marked by significant growth and global recognition for African football.

    During his tenure, he oversaw the expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations, increased African representation at the FIFA World Cup, and strengthened football infrastructure across the continent.

     

    Hayatou also served as interim FIFA President from 2015 to 2016, leading the organization through a turbulent period with his characteristic calm and authority.

    His leadership brought African football into the global spotlight, paving the way for future generations of African footballers and administrators.

     

    The news of his death has sent shockwaves throughout the football community, with many paying tribute to his immense contributions to the sport.

    His legacy will continue to inspire the development of football on the continent. Condolences have poured in from around the globe, recognizing Hayatou’s pivotal role in transforming African football into a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.

    His passing marks the end of an era for African football, and his contributions will forever be remembered.

  • Champions League:CAF approves Remo Stars stadium, forces Rangers to Uyo

    Champions League:CAF approves Remo Stars stadium, forces Rangers to Uyo

    Nigerian champions Rangers will play their CAF Champions League home games at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

    The Flying Antelopes adopted this venue after failing to secure CAF’s approval for their home ground, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. In the first preliminary round of the competition, Rangers will face Union Sportive Zilimadjou from Comoros.

     

    Meanwhile, Remo Stars received approval to host their home games in Ikenne. The Sky Blue Stars will compete against AS FAR of Morocco in the first preliminary round.

    The first and second legs of these matches are scheduled for next month.

    They are expected to play three preliminary games on home and away basis before making it to the group stage of the money spinning CAF champions League.

  • AFCON 2025 qualifiers: CAF releases Super Eagles fixtures, date

    AFCON 2025 qualifiers: CAF releases Super Eagles fixtures, date

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released match fixtures for Nigeria AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

    The Super Eagles will begin their AFCON 2025 qualifiers with a home match against Benin Republic on September 2, 2024. They will then travel to Kigali to face Rwanda for their second match.

     

    In October, they will play a double-header against Libya:

     

    September 2, 2024:** Benin Republic 🇧🇯 (Home)

    September 10, 2024:** Rwanda 🇷🇼 (Away)

    October 7, 2024:** Libya 🇱🇾 (Home)

    October 15, 2024:** Libya 🇱🇾 (Away)

    November 11, 2024:** Benin Republic 🇧🇯 (Away)

    November 19, 2024:Rwanda 🇷🇼 (Home)

     

    The top two teams in the group will qualify for the AFCON 2025 finals in Morocco.

    2025 AFCON will be played between December 18, 2025 and January 21, 2024.

  • NFF set to organize CAF C coaching course for women

    NFF set to organize CAF C coaching course for women

    All is set for the first-ever CAF C Coaching Course organized by the Nigeria Football Federation exclusively for women, with the first module to run 15th – 25th July at the NFF/FIFA Technical Centre, inside the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.

    NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen told thenff.com on Thursday that the program is in three modules, with the first 15th – 25th July, to be followed by a two-week internship for the participants between 27th July – 7th August. The participants will return to Abuja for the second module that is scheduled for 12th – 20th August, after which they will go on another two-week internship, 23rd August – 4th September.

     

    The third module, which comes with examinations for the participants, will take place 9th – 19th September.

    For the first module starting on Monday, theory and practical sessions will run daily 8am-6pm, with intermittent breaks of two hours for tea and lunch breaks.

    A total of 30 coaches are expected, with preference having been given to retired football players and women who are currently in the coaching business but do not possess coaching licenses.

    A clutch of former Super Falcons’ stars, including goalkeeper Precious Dede, defender Joy Jegede and pacy forward Vera Okolo are among the 30 women registered for the maiden program.

    There are also former Super Falcons’ forwards Maureen Eke and Esther Michael, former midfielder Cecilia Nku and former U20 girls’ captain Gloria Ofoegbu.

  • AFCON 2025: Super Eagles drawn in Group D alongside, Benin, Rwanda, Libya (Full Fixture)

    AFCON 2025: Super Eagles drawn in Group D alongside, Benin, Rwanda, Libya (Full Fixture)

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been drawn in group D of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

    The Super Eagles will slug it out with neighbour Benin- Republic, Rwanda and Libya.

    The draws were held inside Super Sport Studio in South Africa on Thursday afternoon.

    The draw features 48 countries divided into 12 groups of four teams each, with the top two teams from eleven groups qualifying directly for the finals scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

    CAF has stated that the 2025 AFCON will hold during the FIFA international windows of September, October, and November this year.

     

    Group A

    Tunisia, Madagascar, Comoros, Gambia

    Group B

    Morocco (hosts), Gabon, Central African Republic, Lesotho

    Group C

    Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Liberia

    Group D

    Nigeria, Benin, Rwanda, Libya

    Group F

    Ghana, Angola, Sudan, Niger

    Group G

    Ivory Coast (holders), Zambia, Sierra Leone, Chad

    Group H

    Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Tanzania, Ethiopia

    Group I

    Mali, Mozambique, Guinea-Bissau, Eswatini

    Group J

    Cameroon, Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe

    Group K

    South Africa, Uganda, Congo Brazzaville, South Sudan

    Group L

    Senegal, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Burundi

    Dates

    Sept 2-10: Matchdays 1, 2

    Oct 7-15: Matchdays 3, 4

    Nov 11-15: Matchdays 5, 6

    Winners and runners-up qualify from each group except that containing Morocco, who will take part to gain competitive match practice. Morocco qualify automatically as hosts so only the best placed of the other three teams in their section will secure a place.

    The tournament will kickstart on December 21 2025 to Jan 18 2026 in the North African country of Morocco

     

  • CAF postpones WAFCON till 2025

    CAF postpones WAFCON till 2025

    The 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will no longer hold this year according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

    The tournament will now be held in Morocco from June 5 to June 26, 2025

    The busy calendar for women’s football necessitated the adjustments, CAF said.

    The decision was arrived at the virtual executive meeting of CAF held today (Friday)

    This rescheduling marks the first time the Women’s tournament will be moved from its original dates.

    Hosts Morocco, along with South Africa, Nigeria Botswana, Zambia, Ghana, Algeria, Tunisia, DR Congo, Senegal, Tanzania, and Mali, have already qualified for the tournament.

    Morocco also hosted the last edition of the WAFCON in 2022.

    This marks the first time that both AFCON and WAFCON will be postponed.