CAF awards Super Eagles 3 points, 3 goals against Libya
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, on Saturday awarded three points and three goals to the Super Eagles following the botched 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya. The Super Eagles consolidated their top position in the group following the verdict. The Nigerian side now have 10 points from four matches, four points clear of nearest rivals Benin. Libya remain bottom of the group with one point. A draw with Benin in Abidjan next month will qualify the Super Eagles for the 2025 AFCON to be hosted by Morocco in December 2025. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also fined the Libya Football Federation $50,000. The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the decision.
AFCON 2025 Qualifiers: Group D leaders, Nigeria held to a goalless draw
Group D leader in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier Nigeria, was held to a goalless draw in Kigali on Tuesday, by Rwanda.
CAF Announces New Dates for AFCON, WAFCON
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the new dates for the CAF TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the Women African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. The CAF executive committee confirmed the dates during a meeting on Friday and published on its official website. AFCON will take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The Women’s tournament, originally scheduled for this year, has been rescheduled to July 5 to July 26, 2025. CAF President Patrice Motsepe explained that the delay in announcing the dates was due to the crowded global football calendar. Despite the delay, Motsepe expressed optimism about the tournaments in Morocco, anticipating they will be the best in the continent’s history. “The announcement of the dates for the CAF TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025 took longer than expected due to complex and challenging discussions with various stakeholders, considering the extensive International and Domestic Match Calendars,” Motsepe stated. “CAF is dedicated to protecting and advancing the interests of African players competing in clubs across Europe and worldwide. We are also committed to fostering beneficial relationships with the ECA, UEFA, other Football Confederations, and FIFA. We will continue to make significant progress in developing African football to ensure it is globally competitive and among the best in the world,” he added.
List Of of Nigerians Who Died Watching Super Eagles vs Bafana Bafana Semi-Final Clash
The thrilling Semi-final clash between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the ongoing AFCON tournament has left a sombre note for some football enthusiasts in Nigeria. Tragically, amidst the tension and excitement of the match, several Nigerians lost their lives while watching the game at various locations across the country. Here are some of the notable incidents: 1. Dr. Cairo Ojougboh: A former member of the House of Representatives representing the Ika Federal Constituency of Delta State, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, passed away on Wednesday evening during the Nigeria vs. South Africa AFCON semifinals match. Dr. Ojougboh reportedly suffered a massive heart attack and slumped when South Africa scored a penalty against Nigeria. 2. Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi: The Deputy Bursar of Kwara State University Malete, Alhaji Ayuba Abdullahi, also succumbed during the semi-finals between Nigeria and South Africa. He complained of feeling dizzy and collapsed at home after watching the match, eventually passing away before receiving medical attention. 3. NYSC Corps Member: A National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member serving in Adamawa State, identified as Samuel from Kaduna State, reportedly collapsed and died during the penalty shootout stage of the Nigeria vs. South Africa match. Samuel fainted just before the final kick, and despite efforts to rush him to the hospital, he was pronounced dead upon arrival. 4. Mikail Osundiji: In Abeokuta, Ogun State, 43-year-old Mikail Osundiji tragically died while watching the semi-final match. Osundiji went into shock and collapsed after Nigeria’s second goal was cancelled by the referee, despite showing no signs of sickness prior to the incident. These heartbreaking incidents serve as a reminder of the unpredictability of life and the need for caution even during moments of excitement. While football brings joy and unity, it’s essential to prioritize one’s health and well-being. As the Super Eagles advance to the final, Nigerians mourn the loss of these passionate fans and hope for victory in their honour. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of the deceased during this difficult time. May their souls rest in peace.
AFCON ’24: FG Pledges Full support for Super Eagles
The Federal Government has vowed to provide the necessary support for the Super Eagles of Nigeria to win the African Cup of Nations 2024 currently going on in Cote d’Ivoire. The leader of the Federal Government delegation and President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio dropped the hint while speaking via Zoom from Cote d’Ivoire to assure Nigerians that the Nigerian team has the support of the Government of the day to excel at the football competition. Akpabio who led top Government officials including National Assembly members to Cote d’Ivoire to cheer the Super Eagles to victory against the Palancas Negras of Angola at the quarter finals of the ongoing African Nations Cup, said sports is a unifying factor which must be harnessed for the benefit of the youths. According to Senator Akpabio, “I was very ecstatic at the stadium when the Super Eagles scored against Palancas Negras of Angola. The entire stadium exploded with the Nigerian supporters and those who love Nigeria. “Our presence here to support the Super Eagles is evidence of the fact that the Government is serious about sports and youth development and I’m very excited about the victory. “When I was the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, I gave the youths the best stadium in West Africa and under President Bola Tinubu, we shall replicate this in all parts of the country. “The Government of the day is very youth friendly and we are poised to create the enabling environment for the youths of Nigeria to realize their potentials. We are very determined to give opportunities to our youths to take them away from vices and I say congratulations to all Nigerians for this victory,” he said.
Kelechi Iheanacho Gears Up for Crucial Clash In AFCON Group Stage
Leicester City’s forward, Kelechi Iheanacho, has declared his readiness for the Super Eagles’ upcoming 2023 AFCON group stage match against hosts Ivory Coast. Despite arriving late to the camp due to fitness concerns, Iheanacho was spotted training with the team ahead of the clash scheduled for Thursday, January 18, at 6 p.m. Having sustained an injury while playing for Leicester in December, Iheanacho faced doubts about his participation in Ivory Coast. Coach Jose Peseiro opted to bench him in the Eagles’ recent 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea on January 14. In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, Iheanacho emphasized his readiness to contribute to Nigeria’s success, stating, “I am feeling really good… I am 100% ready to serve the country.” Acknowledging the challenges, he added, “We want to go all the way in this AFCON, but we have to take it one game at a time. We just need to keep working hard and keep believing.” Looking ahead to the crucial clash against Ivory Coast, Iheanacho highlighted the need for thorough preparation, recognizing the strength of the host team. “Going into the next game, we need to be ready to face the Ivorians. They are the hosts, and they are going to go out strong. So, we need to be well-prepared to face them.”
CAF Coaching Instructors’ Course commences in Abuja
The first-of-its-kind CAF Coaching Instructors’ Course to be conducted on Nigerian soil was flagged off at the NFF/FIFA Goal Project, MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Thursday, with President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau expressing a sense of fulfilment with the calibre of instructor sent by the Confederation of African Football to conduct the course. CAF Elite Instructor and FIFA Technical Expert Abraham Mebratu from Ethiopia will take charge of the different aspects of the training programme, which has 15 of Nigeria’s elite coaches participating. “CAF has sent us one of the very best in the field. I urge you to follow this very unique programme and the different modules with rapt attentio, so that you can gain so much to pass on to other Nigerian coaches in subsequent courses,” NFF President Gusau said in a speech read on his behalf by the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi. Sanusi implored the participants to justify the confidence reposed in them by the Federation by being diligent and assiduous in the training programme, and learning enough to impart to fellow coaches “as we hope to have more of these courses going forward.” NFF Technical Director, Coach Augustine Eguavoen, a former Captain and Head Coach of the Super Eagles, is among the group of 15 participants, which also includes Isah Ladan Bosso, 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 occasion were NFF Deputy General Secretary, Dr. Emmanuel Ikpeme; NFF Director of Communications, Mr. Ademola Olajire; NFF Director of Competitions, Ms Ruth David; Deputy Director (Technical), Dr. Robinson Okosun and; Assistant Director (Technical), Mr. Abdulrafiu Yusuf.
2023 AFCON: Thrilling weekend sees 14 nations book tickets
*Ten places still up for grabs The thrilling weekend of TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Qualifiers saw more African football giants’ countries book their place in the continent’s biggest event set to take place between 13 January and 11 February 2024. The qualification of most of the former African champions this past weekend is again another indication that the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 is likely to be one of the most successful events in the competition’s history. There are still qualifier matches to be played on Tuesday as part of the Match Day Five fixture block. Zambia produced possibly the weekend’s most polished performance in front of their home fans in Ndola to secure an emphatic 3-0 victory against tournament hosts and former African champions, Cote d’Ivoire. The results ensured that ‘Chilopopolo’, crowned champions in Gabon 2012, will return to Africa’s most-watched sports event after an eight-year absence. The week of the qualifiers started on a high note for another giant of African football, Egypt. The record-winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations confirmed their place in next year’s tournament following a 2-1 victory over Guinea in Marrakech on Wednesday. In another match, a stoppage-time goal was enough for Equatorial Guinea, who beat Tunisia 1-0 on Saturday to secure their ticket for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations for the second time in a row and a third appearance. On Sunday, Cape Verde recorded an emphatic 3-1 victory over Burkina Faso to confirm their spot for Cote d’Ivoire. Two second-half goals ensured Mali triumphed with a 2-0 win against Congo at the Stade Alphonse Massamba-Debat in Brazzaville to cement their place for the AFCON finals early next year. Nigeria left it very late after a last-gasp winning goal saw them claim a 3-2 victory against Sierra Leone in Monrovia to add their name to the qualified nations for next year’s tournament. Nigeria’s win over Sierra Leone also confirmed Guinea Bissau’s fourth straight qualification for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, having won their match against São Tomé and Príncipe by a 1-0 score line on Wednesday. Hosts Cote d’Ivoire, African champions Senegal, FIFA World Cup semi-finalists Morocco, former Champions Tunisia, Algeria, South Africa and the ever-impressive Burkina Faso all booked their places in March 2023. The last round of qualifiers will be in September 2023. The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 will kick off on 13 January 2024 and run until 11 February 2024. The event will take place in six different venues: Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara (56,000 seats) and Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny (28,000 seats), located in Abidjan. The remaining venues are Stade de Korhogo (20,000 seats), Stade de San Pedro (20,000 seats), Stade de Yamoussoukro (20,000 seats), and Stade de la Paix de Bouake (40,000 seats). Qualified Teams
FIFA WWCup: CAF hosts Technical Analysts workshop in Casablanca
With the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ New Zealand and Australia 2023 fast approaching, Technical Analysts of the four African Nations at the global showpiece gathered for a two-day Technical Analysts Workshop in Casablanca, Morocco on 13 and 14 June. See This is in line with CAF’s commitment to invest in women’s Football and empower African nations participating in global events. The workshop, organized through the CAF Women’s Football Division in collaboration with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, was attended by the technical staff members and analysts of the four Participating Member Associations. Reigning African champions South Africa, along with Morocco, Nigeria, and Zambia, are the four African nations set to compete at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ after securing their places in New Zealand and Australia by finishing in the top four of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco last year. CAF Director of Technical Development, Raul Chipenda, said the workshop was in line with CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe’s vision of making African football to be globally competitive. “Africa is becoming competitive on the global stage, and this was recently demonstrated in Qatar with Morocco’s historic semi-final qualification. We want to build on this momentum with our women’s teams as this speaks back to Dr Motsepe’s vision of making African football globally competitive,” said Chipenda. “The workshop was designed to empower the teams’ analysts and technical staff with the necessary tools to harness their full potential – using data and technology. By leveraging this invaluable resource, the teams can optimize their preparations ahead of the World Cup. We will also be on standby should they need any form of support from CAF,” he concluded. In addition to the workshop, CAF has signed an agreement with a Data company to provide insightful support to all African teams at the Women’s World Cup. Nigeria face co-hosts Australia, Canada and Republic of Ireland in Group B. At the same time, Zambia take on Costa Rica, Japan and Spain in Group C. Africa’s champions South Africa are in Group G with Argentina, Italy and Sweden, with Morocco, who will be looking to draw inspiration from the Atlas Lions’ unforgettable run in Qatar preparing to take on Colombia, Germany and South Korea in Group H.
AFCON 2023 Qualifier: Full house as Eagles eye early ticket against Leone Stars
All invited players are now in the camp of the Super Eagles in Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos as countdown begins for Sunday’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying showdown with the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone in Monrovia. Table-toppers Nigeria, on nine points, will slug it out with the Leone Stars, four points behind and in third place, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium in Paynesville, Monrovia. The 22,000 -capacity arena will witness fireworks from 5pm Nigeria time (4pm Liberia time) as the Super Eagles seek to reach the finals of the 34th Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire early next year, with a game to spare. For the last edition of Africa’s flagship football championship, the Super Eagles qualified for the finals with a game to spare after Paul Onuachu headed in with few minutes left against Benin Republic’s Guepards in Porto Novo. Three-time champions Nigeria will fire from all cylinders at the Paynesville, conscious that second-placed Guinea Bissau, two points behind, are likely to inflict defeat on group whipping boys Sao Tome and Principe in the other match of the pool. In the last weeks of 2020, the Leone Stars famously came from 4-1 down to draw 4-4 with the Super Eagles at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City in another Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match (Cameroon 2021), and few days later, held the Eagles to a barren draw at the Siaka Stevens Stadium in Freetown. When both teams clashed on Day 1 of the ongoing series at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja a year ago, the Leone Stars drew the first blood before goals by Alex Iwobi and Victor Osimhen put Nigeria in the driving seat. The Eagles flew to Agadir, Morocco some days later to inflict a 10-0 defeat on Sao Tome and Principe, in the event setting a new international win-record. The Confederation of African Football has appointed Sudanese official Mahmood Ali Ismail as the referee for Sunday’s encounter, with his compatriot Mohammed Abdallah Ibrahim as assistant referee 1. Liban Abdourazak Ahmed from Djibouti will serve as assistant referee 2, with Mohamed Diraneh Guedi, also from Djibouti, in the role of fourth official. Gambian Bakary Jammeh will be the commissioner while Kokou Djaoupe from Togo will serve as referee assessor.