Nigeria’s Super Eagles have been promised a $10,000 bonus (about ₦14 million) for each goal they score in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Round of 16 clash against Mozambique.
According to BSNSports, the incentive, provided by a Nigerian business mogul and team partner, applies to Monday’s knockout fixture at the Fez Stadium in Morocco.
The Super Eagles have been in prolific form, scoring eight goals across their three Group C matches in the tournament’s first round.
The same partner had earlier rewarded the team with $5,000 per goal during the group stage, a bonus structure that has now been doubled for the knockout phase.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, confirmed the development while addressing journalists in Rabat.
“We have fully mobilized the Super Eagles to succeed in this tournament,” Dikko said. “On the part of the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the AFCON Intervention Fund on November 14.
“In addition, our partners and sponsors paid $5,000 per goal in the group stage and have now committed $10,000 per goal for the Round of 16. The incentives will continue to improve as the tournament progresses.”
Cameroon progressed to the quarterfinals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after edging South Africa 2-1 in a tightly contested round of 16 fixture in Rabat.
The match opened at a high tempo, with South Africa enjoying more initiative in the early stages.
Relebohile Mofokeng tested Cameroon’s defensive shape with direct running, while striker Foster briefly thought he had given his side the lead in the 14th minute, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
Despite creating promising openings and applying sustained pressure, Hugo Broos’ side lacked the cutting edge required to translate possession into goals.
Cameroon absorbed that pressure and gradually settled, prioritising structure and discipline.
Cameroon kick South Africa out of AFCON 2025 – Getty image
Against the run of play, the Indomitable Lions took the lead in the 34th minute when Junior Tchamadeu finished decisively past Ronwen Williams.
A VAR check followed, but the goal was upheld, shifting the momentum firmly in Cameroon’s favour heading into the break.
Cameroon extend advantage after restart
Cameroon emerged from halftime with greater intent and were rewarded early in the second half.
Mahamadou Nagida delivered a precise cross from the flank, which Christian Kofane met with a controlled header to make it 2-0, leaving South Africa with a significant task to recover.
South Africa responded by increasing their attacking urgency, but Cameroon goalkeeper Devis Epassy produced key interventions, including sharp saves to deny Samukelo Kabini and Teboho Mokoena.
Cameroon also remained dangerous on the counter, with Bryan Mbeumo leading a rapid break that nearly resulted in a third goal, only for Williams to keep his side alive.
Late scare, but Cameroon hold firm
South Africa finally found a breakthrough in the 87th minute when substitute Evidence Makgopa converted from close range after a well-weighted cross by Aubrey Modiba, setting up a tense finish.
Bafana Bafana pushed aggressively for an equaliser in the closing minutes, committing numbers forward and testing Cameroon’s defensive resolve.
However, Cameroon managed the final stages, slowing the game and maintaining their defensive shape to protect the lead.
The result confirmed their place in the quarterfinals, while South Africa bowed out despite a competitive performance.
Cameroon will now turn their attention to a quarterfinal showdown against hosts Morocco.
Enzo Fernandez scored deep into stoppage time as Chelsea secured a hard-earned Premier League draw at Manchester City, capping a turbulent week with a credible result.
Under interim coach Calum McFarlane, Chelsea executed a disciplined game plan and were rewarded after Tijjani Reijnders’ first-half goal had put the hosts on course for victory.
City dominance, missed chances
Manchester City controlled long spells and created the clearer openings, with Erling Haaland striking the post and forcing a sharp save from Filip Jorgensen before Reijnders broke the deadlock just before half-time.
Pep Guardiola’s side appeared well placed to extend their strong home run, but wastefulness in front of goal proved costly once again, compounding recent dropped points in the title race.
Enzo Fernandez scored deep into stoppage time as Chelsea secured a dramatic 1-1 draw against Manchester City – Getty image
Chelsea resilience under interim boss
Chelsea improved after the break, spurning chances through Pedro Neto and Liam Delap before finally finding a breakthrough.
Fernandez reacted quickest at the far post to convert a low cross, sealing a deserved point.
The result leaves City six points behind leaders Arsenal, while Chelsea remain firmly in the top-five conversation
Manchester United’s inconsistent run continued at Elland Road, but Matheus Cunha spared Ruben Amorim further criticism by salvaging a point against Leeds.
United were second best for long spells and looked set for another damaging result before Cunha intervened.
The hosts imposed themselves early, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin heading against the post before Brenden Aaronson broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute with a precise low finish.
At that point, Amorim was firmly under pressure following United’s midweek failure to beat bottom side Wolves.
Leeds continued to threaten, with Noah Okafor forcing a spectacular save from Senne Lammens and Benjamin Sesko squandering a gilt-edged chance from close range.
<img class="size-full wp-image-1239336 entered exited" src="data:;base64,” alt=”EPL: Cunha rescues point for Man United against Leeds” width=”720″ height=”480″ data-lazy-srcset=”https://www.gistreel.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/every-second-media-alamy-live-1049352142.webp 720w, https://www.gistreel.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/every-second-media-alamy-live-1049352142-300×200.webp 300w, https://www.gistreel.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/every-second-media-alamy-live-1049352142-220×147.webp 220w, https://www.gistreel.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/every-second-media-alamy-live-1049352142-330×220.webp 330w” data-lazy-sizes=”(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px” data-lazy-src=”https://www.gistreel.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/every-second-media-alamy-live-1049352142.webp” />Cunha scores in less than three minutes after Leeds opener – Getty image
United response limits damage
United drew level just three minutes later when Cunha ran onto Joshua Zirkzee’s pass and slid the ball under Lucas Perri.
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The goal, Cunha’s fourth since his £62.5m move, came at a critical time with Amorim missing several attacking options through injury and international duty.
Cunha later struck the post after having an earlier goal ruled out for offside.
The draw extends Leeds’ unbeaten run to seven games and leaves them eight points clear of relegation trouble, while United once again failed to capitalise on an opportunity to move into the top four.
Super Eagles defender Chidozie Awaziem has spoken of his admiration for former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, describing him as his idol within the national team.
Awaziem revealed that he and Obi Mikel used to live together in a home in Jos, Plateau State, during their early years.
In addition, the Nantes star also hailed Real Madrid legend Sergio Ramos as another important influence in his football career, particularly in his defensive role.
Ahead of Nigeria’s Round of 16 clash with Mozambique at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, Awaziem stated (via Jekanmo Fan Family): “John Obi Mikel is my idol. Even though I am not a midfielder, I knew him since I was young.”
“We lived together in an old neighborhood in Jos, and I’ve known Mikel for a long time. He also came from my academy.”
Awaziem further disclosed, “Sergio Ramos is my idol when it comes to my position.”
Renowned heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua has returned to the United Kingdom following a fatal auto crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of his close associates.
Recall that the car conveying him last Monday rammed into a stationary truck along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The former world heavyweight champion’s personal trainer, Kevin Latif Ayodele, and his strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, died in the accident.
The Nigeria-born British boxer survived the crash after sustaining minor injuries and was taken to a hospital in Lagos.
He was, however, discharged from a Nigerian hospital on New Year’s Eve.
Meanwhile, the funerals for Ghami and Ayodele are scheduled to be held at a London mosque on Sunday.
The police confirmed that Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash, has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving and operating a vehicle without a valid licence.
Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh has cautioned Eric Chelle’s side ahead of their Round of 16 encounter with Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
According to Oliseh, the knockouts will be a different kettle of fish from the group stages, starting with the Round of 16
The Super Eagles won all their three group fixtures – the only team to achieve the feat.
By the end of the group stages, Eric Chelle’s men scored eight goals and conceded four.
“We’re starting the round of 16. What changes here now is that if you lose, you go home,” Oliseh said on his podcasy.
“It is no longer important how beautiful you play; what matters is the result, and that is why the Super Eagles have to make sure their priority is not conceding.”
Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, the driver of Nigerian-British boxer Anthony Joshua, has been arraigned in court by the Ogun State Police.
Recall that the Ogun Police Command on Thursday announced that the driver was in custody.
In an update on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi in a statement said the driver has been charged to the Sagamu Magistrate Court.
The PPRO further stated that the matter was adjourned to 20th January, 2026.
The statement reads, “The Ogun State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the driver of the Lexus SUV involved in the Anthony Joshua accident case, Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, aged 46, was charged to the Sagamu Magistrate Court today, 2nd January, 2026 and the case has been adjourned to 20th January, 2026.
Recall that Anthony Joshua on Monday involved in a fatal road accident that claimed the lives of his close friends Sina Ghami, Latif Ayodele.
Chuba Iwobi, father of Super Eagles midfielder Alex Iwobi, has highlighted the significant influence Nigerian football legend Jay-Jay Okocha has had on his son’s career.
Okocha, a former Super Eagles player, is the uncle of Alex.
In an interview with Molatsportsgist, Chuba shared how Okocha has consistently inspired his nephew, Alex.
“Uncle Jay-Jay has been an inspiration to Alex. When he was at the Arsenal academy, we often visited Bolton to watch Jay-Jay play,” Chuba explained.
“Alex has his own playing style, but he is also influenced by the skills and the technical ability of his uncle, and Jay-Jay has always been there for him.”
Okocha, who last played his club football at English side Hull City, retired from professional football in 2008.
