Tag: AFCON

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AFCON 2025Q: Super Eagles Suffer Flight Hitch In Abidjan

The Super Eagles were delayed for a few hours in Abidjan on Friday following a change in their travel plans back to Uyo.

Augustine Eguavoen’s side was in action against Benin Republic at the Felix Houphet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan on Thursday night.

The three-time African champions held their hosts to a 1-1 draw.

The contingent was earlier expected to depart Abidjan by 9am local time.

They are expected to land in Lagos first before making their way to Uyo.

The players will to skip training today.

The Super Eagles will take on Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo next Monday.

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AFCON 2025Q: Benin vs Nigeria – Date, Time And Where To Watch

Benin Republic is poised to face Nigeria in a crucial match in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The encounter promises to be intense, as the two West African rivals have built a fierce competitive history.

In June, Benin secured a 2-1 victory over Nigeria at this very venue during the first leg of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
However, Nigeria responded with a dominant 3-0 win in September during their AFCON qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

Benin’s head coach, Gernot Rohr will be under pressure to secure a victory, as a loss could jeopardize Benin’s hopes of advancing to the AFCON tournament.

In his quest to strengthen the squad, Rohr has recalled five players: David Kiki, Tosin Aiyegun, Lenny Pirringuel, Ryan Adigo, and Serge Obassa. However, the team will be without experienced defender Cedric Hountondji, who is sidelined due to an injury.

On the Nigerian side, head coach Augustine Eguavoen has assembled a formidable squad, including star striker Victor Osimhen, who missed the previous match against Libya.

Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman is also in the squad, adding strength to Nigeria’s offensive front as they aim to maintain momentum in their bid for a fourth AFCON title.

Benin vs Nigeria: Date and Time

The penultimate match for both teams will take place at the Stade de Houphouet Boigny in Abidjan on Thursday, November 14, with kick-off scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Nigerian time.

Benin vs Nigeria: Where to watch

Fans across Africa can catch the action live on SuperSport and Startimes, while the CAF website and designated YouTube channels will also stream the game.

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BREAKING: AFCON 2025 Postponed Due To Club World Cup

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for 2025 in Morocco has been rescheduled to January 2026.

The tournament will be delayed by six months, as it clashes with the expanded 32-team Club World Cup.

AFCON 2025 was originally scheduled to take place in June, but the Club World Cup is set to be played in the United States from June 15 to July 13.

CAF’s general secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba, told BBC that the AFCON would now be held in early 2026, acknowledging the pressing issue of scheduling conflicts.

Mosengo-Omba highlighted concerns regarding player welfare, questioning the feasibility of players participating in both the Club World Cup and the AFCON consecutively.

“For the men, we need to make sure that the dates that we’ll be choosing will be in the interests of the players.

“For this, we need to balance different aspects and also discuss with our partners and then we complete [the dates]. Scheduling is a nightmare for everybody,” Mosengo-Omba said.

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I Prefer to Watch AFCON Football Over European Football, Says Mourinho

The refereeing at the ongoing African Cup of Nations, or AFCON, has received praise from former Chelsea and Roma coach Jose Mourinho.

Although the Portuguese strategist acknowledged that he prefers to watch the African event over European football, he said that Europe ought to imitate Africa’s integrity in officiating, particularly with regard to the application of Video Assistant Refereeing, or VAR.

He claimed that VAR’s rulings at the AFCON are not biased in favor of wealthy or well-known teams.

He recommended that VAR’s headquarters be located in Africa.

“I’ve seen more AFCON football than European league play. All they’re doing is educating us to be truthful. VAR is applied in the AFCON precisely as it should be, according to Mourinho, as reported by CFC News Report.

“They do not use it to help the money magnet teams or famous teams. This is why you saw the best out of every team . Because they know VAR is not hired behind the scenes but is for everyone. They listen even to their Players if the Ref missed something and go check. In Europe if I as a coach or a player plead with a ref to go check something, it is a red card for doing that. The headquarters for VAR needs to be in CAF.”

Recall that African Cup of Nations will climax today with the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the hosts, Cote D’Ivoire locking horns in the final.

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After the match between South Africa and Nigeria, Osimhen tells Boniface, “No Olosho Until We Win.”

In front of the 2023 AFCON championship match, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has given fellow national Victor Boniface assurances that the Super Eagles will maintain their focus.

Ivory Coast and Nigeria will compete for the continental trophy.

In their conversation, Boniface asked to be given two “oloshos” (prostitutes) for every Super Eagles player. Victor Osimhen, however, promptly corrected him, emphasizing that he and his colleagues are committed on taking home the AFCON championship in 2023.

When Osimhen subsequently enquired about Boniface’s level of fitness, the 23-year-old striker said that he is still struggling to get back to full health.

“Make them give Pere Nwa two Oloshos each for this night, una deserve am,” stated Boniface.

In response, Osimhen said, “Thunder, fire you. We don’t give up until we succeed, you hear?

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Kizz Daniel will follow through on his promise to fly a fan to the UK once Nigeria wins the 2023 AFCON.

Following Nigeria’s qualifying for the AFCON 2023 final, Nigerian singer Kizz Daniel has pledged to fly fans to the United Kingdom.

To get to the final, Nigeria had to defeat South Africa.

In a tweet, the singer had pledged to pay for the fan’s flight to the UK.

If Nigeria wins South Africa, the fan has arranged with Kizz Daniel to have him attend his upcoming gig at the Ovo Arena in the UK.

The fan asked, “Vado, take me to your next show, ovo arena, if super eagle wins today.”

Kizz Daniel said, “This I promise you… X is my witness 🤞🏿,” in acknowledgment of the wager.

However, Nigeria defeated South Africa, winning 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 deadlock at 120.

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AFCON: Lagos Prepares For Massive Watching Center Before South Africa vs. Nigeria Match

A massive watching center has been erected by the Lagos State Government at Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, as well as at several other spots throughout the state, ahead of the Super Eagles’ African Cup of Nations semi-final match versus South Africa on February 7.

A statement posted on the Lagos Government’s X handle states that 25 viewing centers have been established in various parts of the state to guarantee that every Lagosian is excited and amused.

“SANWO-OLU SETS UP VIEWING CENTER AT ONIKAN FOR SUPER EAGLES/BAFANA BAFANA MATCH,” the statement says.

“A massive watching center has been established by the Lagos State Government for the Super Eagles vs. Bafana Bafana match on Wednesday, February 7. To promote and guarantee that, the government maintains twenty-five viewing centers around the State.

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AFCON: Victor Osimhen is eligible to compete against South Africa.

In tomorrow’s Semi-Final match at the upcoming AFCON 2023, Super Eagles attacker Victor Osimhen will play against South Africa.

Osimhen reportedly received permission from the team’s medical staff to participate in the game, according to TheNation.

Note that due to stomach trouble, the Super Eagles did not have their star striker with them on Monday night’s trip from Abidjan to Bouaké.

Once the incident was confirmed by the team’s media officer, Babafemi Raji, a member of the medical team stayed behind in Abidjan to accompany him while the team medics kept him under strict observation.

Osimhen will join his teammates in Bouake after being cleared to play, according to reports in Abidjan, and he is anticipated to play in the match.

Striker for Napoli has played a significant role.

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AFCON: Nwabali, Osimhen, Lookman Included In Super Eagles’ Starting XI Against Angola

Stanley Nwabali, the goalkeeper for the Super Eagles, is set to guard the goalposts when Nigeria takes on Angola in the quarter-final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Friday evening.

Recall that The Chippa United keeper was a major doubt after he sustained a knee injury during Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Cameroon in the round of 16 clash last Saturday.

However, Super Eagles manager Jose Peseiro, has kept faith in his players who started against Cameroon in the round of 16, and expects them to get a good result against Angola.

Peseiro will maintain the 3-4-3 formation with the likes of William Troost-Ekong, Semi Ajayi, and Calvin Bassey to shield Nwabali.

Ola Aina and Zaidu Sanusi will be on the right and left flanks.

Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka will occupy the midfield, while Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon will spearhead the attack.

The match will take place at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan at 6 pm.

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AFCON 2023: The Vision I Saw About Nigeria Vs Angola Match – Nathaniel Bassey

Gospel singer, Nathaniel Bassey has revealed that God showed him a vision concerning Super Eagles match against Angola.
The match will take place today, February 2 against Angola in the ongoing 2023 AFCON.
In the last game of Nigeria, Bassey had predicted about the injury of Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Nwabali was injured in Nigeria’s 2-0 win over Cameroon making him doubtful for today’s game.
The Chippa United goalkeeper was fouled by Georges-Kevin N’Koudou while saving a cross in his box.
Bassey had said: “Me, I feel led to pray for our goal keeper. May the Lord help Him.”
Nigeria vs Angola is the first quarter-final game of the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations by 6pm today.
All eyes are on the Super Eagles of Nigeria as they slug it out against Angola in the AFCON Cote d’Ivoire 2023.
The target for Nigeria is to qualify for the semi-final.
The winner between Nigeria and Angola on Wednesday February 7, 2024, at the 40,000-capacity Peace Stadium in Bouake, will face the winner of Cape Verde vs. South Africa to be played also on Friday.
Reacting on his verified “X” page, Bassey said:Why am I praying and the next thing I’m seeing is about super eagles? And hey, it’s not as though I’m thinking about them o per se… 
 
“Well, tomorrow we must take every chance that comes our way. It’s not the day to miss chances. 
 
“I saw two people on the bench crying. May we not have cause to weep about the match and any of our players. 
 
“If we have to weep, may it be for joy ooo. Amen. So it lifts the nation. It’s been tough lately.”