Tag: CAF

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Ademola Lookman Makes Final List Of CAF Player Of The Year (Men) Award

Nigerian star, Ademola Lookman has made it to the final list of the The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Player of the Year (Men) award for the 2024 CAF Awards.
CAF released a list of the Five exceptional African talents.
See the contenders below:
Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Nigeria):
A dynamic and versatile attacker, Lookman has consistently impressed with his pace, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring ability.
His performances for Atalanta have earned him recognition as one of the top African players in Europe.
 
Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa):
A reliable and commanding goalkeeper, Williams has been instrumental in Mamelodi Sundowns’ success.
His exceptional shot-stopping abilities and leadership qualities have made him a key player for both club and country.
Simon Adingra (Brighton & Hove Albion, Côte d’Ivoire):
A promising young talent, Adingra has shown great potential with his pace, dribbling, and goal-scoring ability.
His performances for Brighton have caught the eye of many and earned him a place on the shortlist.
Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund, Guinea):
A prolific striker, Guirassy has been a consistent goal-scorer for Borussia Dortmund.
His clinical finishing and aerial ability have made him a threat to any defense.
 
Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain, Morocco):
A world-class full-back, Hakimi is known for his attacking prowess and defensive solidity.
His impressive performances for both club and country have solidified his position as one of the top African players in the world.
The winner of the CAF Player of the Year (Men) award will be announced at the 2024 CAF Awards ceremony.
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BREAKING: CAF Awards Three Points, Three Goals To Nigeria, Fines Libya $50,000 Over Missed Game

On Saturday, October 26, the Confederation of African Football, CAF, 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.

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AFCON Qualifiers: Troost-Ekong Celebrates As CAF Awards Victory To Nigeria, Fines Libya

Super Eagles captain, William Troost-Ekong, is in high spirits as he celebrates the ruling by the Confederation of African Football regarding the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match between Libya and Nigeria.

Recall that the Disciplinary Board of the Confederation of African Football awarded Nigeria three points and three goals from the abandoned Matchday 4 encounter in the 2025 AFCON qualification series, scheduled to be played between Libya and Nigeria in Benina on 15 October.

In its ruling on Saturday, signed by chairman Ousmane Kane, the Disciplinary Board determined that the Libyan Football Federation was in breach of Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations and Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

“The Libyan Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

“The match No. 87, Libya v Nigeria, of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October 2024 in Benghazi), is declared lost by forfeit by Libya (with a record of 3-0),” the ruling read in part.

The LFF was also ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000, with payment due within 60 days of notification of the present decision.

The outcome of the Disciplinary Committee means that Nigeria is close to qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with two matches to spare.

As a result, the Super Eagles are now on 10 points from four matches, four points ahead of second-placed Benin Republic, while Rwanda has five points. Bottom-placed Libya has only one point and is out of the running for qualification.

A win or draw against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday, 14 November (a matchday 5 encounter) will secure the Super Eagles a ticket to the finals in Morocco, scheduled for December 2025/January 2026.

The Nigerian team had boycotted the match citing safety concerns, after being left stranded at the remote Al-Abraq airport on the outskirts of Benghazi for over 22 hours.

The LFF, in response, accused the Nigeria Football Federation of not cooperating with it regarding the travel itinerary.

It also alleged that the Libyan national team had suffered the same fate in Nigeria during the reverse fixture a week earlier, claiming the team was left stranded at Port Harcourt Airport by Nigerian authorities.

Reacting in a post via his verified X.com, @WTroostEkong, on Saturday, the Super Eagles skipper said the development means the Super Eagles are one step closer to the AFCON 2025.

He wrote, “JUSTICE: CAF awards three points and three goals to Nigeria. Libya fined $50,000.

“The plane was diverted 300km from the scheduled airport, even when the pilot told them he was low on fuel.

“One step closer to our target AFCON 2025.”

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CAF Confirms Details For 2024 Player Of The Year Awards

It has been confirmed by the Confederation of African Football, CAF, that the 2024 CAF Awards will take place in Marrakech, Morocco, on December 16, 2024.

This is the third consecutive time the prestigious ceremony will be hosted in the North African country.

CAF is yet to publish the final list of contenders for the Men’s Best Player.

However, players like Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy, and Morocco’s Brahim Díaz, are expected to battle it out for the prize.

The reigning African Footballer of the Year is Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen.

Osimhen’s compatriot, Asisat Oshoala, is the current holder of the women’s award.

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Libya vs Nigeria Saga: CAF President, Motsepe Gives Update

Confederation of African Football, CAF President, Patrice Motsepe has reacted to the inhumane treatment of the Super Eagles of Nigeria by Libyan authorites.
He spoke at CAF’s 46th Ordinary General Assembly in Addis Ababa, on Tuesday.
Motsepe also revealed that appropriate action will be taken at the end of the investigation.
Recall that Super Eagles players and their officials were subjected to harsh treatment in Libya ahead of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, qualifier in the October International break.
The team’s flight to Benghazi was diverted to a small airport, Al Abraq, away from Benghazi Airport and the players were held captive for over 15 hours without food, water and internet access.
 
“We should have zero tolerance. When there was this problem of the Nigerian national team in Libya, I will not comment on that because there is a proper investigation,” Motesepe said.
“But I want to emphasise a principle that we will not tolerate. This is something that has been going on for quite some time.
 
“Forget about the Libya vs Nigeria situation; forget about that; appropriate action will be taken. I have heard too many stories about a football club or national team that goes to a country.”
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AFCONQ: CAF Postpones Libya vs Nigeria

The Confederation of African Football, CAF has announced the postponement of Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualifier between Libya and Nigeria.
The announcement was made on Tuesday.
The game was slated to be played this evening in Libya.
In an official statement, CAF indicated that the fixture would not proceed as planned.
The football body did not, however, provide specific reasons for the postponement.
CAFF will now take the matter to the appropriate bodies for further consideration.
The statement added, “The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Qualifier fixture between Libya and Nigeria will not take place as scheduled tonight,” the short statement reads.
“The matter will be referred to the competent CAF bodies.”
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CAF Issues Statement On Treatment Of Super Eagles In Libya

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has issued a statement concerning the ill-treatment of Nigerians in Libya.
CAF frowned at the development and has now referred the case to its disciplinary board.
See statement below:
 
“The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been in contact with the Libyan and Nigerian authorities after it had been informed that the Nigerian National Football Team (‘’Super Eagles’’) and their technical team were stranded in disturbing conditions for several hours at an airport that they were allegedly instructed to land by the Libyan authorities.
 
The matter has been referred to the CAF Disciplinary Board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated the CAF Statutes and Regulations.”
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AFCON 2025 Qualifier: CAF Forcing Super Eagles to Play Against Libya – Sports Minister

The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh has given an update concerning Nigeria’s match against Libya after the Super Eagles were held hostage in the country.
Reacting, Enoh claimed that the Confederation of African Football, CAF, are “insisting” that Nigeria play Libya on Tuesday.
The Super Eagles players have said they will boycott the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, after they were held hostage at the Al Abraq Airport over 15 hours after arrival in Libya.
But in a post on X, Enoh revealed that he has spoken to CAF president, Patrice Motsepe and the Secretary-General, Mosengo Omba.
He tweeted: “This morning, I was on a conference call with CAF President and CAF Secretary General.
 
“While the CAF President’s concern seems to be what to do to get the national team to participate in tomorrow’s match.
 
“I have instead informed CAF that the concern of the Government and people of Nigeria is first,the safety of the team and their safe return, urging that CAF should focus on working with us to achieve this.
 
“There must be a serious adverse consequence to the Libyan football federation for this unspeakable behaviour.
 
“This can not be through insisting that Nigeria still takes part in this match given the very obvious situation.”
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CAF Fixes Date For AFCON 2025

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, took the decision at its virtual executive meeting on Friday.

The competition was originally fixed for summer in 2025 but CAF had to look for a new date with the expanded FIFA Club World Cup scheduled for the same period.

The draw for the 2025 AFCON will hold in Johannesburg, South Africa next month.

The qualifying matches will run from September to October, 2024.

Morocco has been picked as the host of the competition.

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CAF Raises AFCON Winner Prize Money

The Confederation of African Football has announced a new price money for winners of the upcoming 2023 TotalEnergies African Cup of Nations.
CAF said it raised the price money by 40 per cent.
The continental football body disclosed this on Thursday on its website.
CAF stated that the winner of the 2023 AFCON will receive $7 million while the runner-up will now get $4 million.
Each of the two semi-finalists will receive  $2.5 million and each of the four quarter-finalists will get $1.3 million.
The statement, according to the CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepeon, read, “CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the prize money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions.
 
“We have increased the prize money of the AFCON winner to USD 7,000,000 which is a 40% increase from the previous AFCON prize money.
 
“I am confident that a portion of the prize money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our member associations with their administrations.”
PUNCH Online reports that CAF also raised the prize money of the previous AFCON edition in 2022 to $5 million.
The winner’s prize money was increased from $4.5 million, representing an increase of about 11 per cent.
The decision was taken in Douala, Cameroon, during the meeting of the Executive Committee of the CAF.
PUNCH Online reports that the tournament will be held from January 13 to February 11 in Ivory Coast.
Super Eagles coach, Jose Peseiro’s side was drawn in Group A alongside hosts, Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau, and have adopted the catch-phrase ‘Let’s Do It Again’ as their battle cry towards winning a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title in early next year