AFCON
Nigeria-South Africa Duels Always Brace-Laden
BY BOLAJI OKUNOLA
Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations’ qualifying match that pitches Nigeria against South Africa will be the 13th clash of both countries at the senior level. Sports Village Square recalls that half of the past 12 encounters produced players that scored two goals, which in football parlance is called brace.
The last competitive encounter of both teams, incidentally at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium which is also hosting Saturday’s match, produced brace achievers on both sides.
South Africa’s Tokelo Rantie scored in each half before Omatsone Aluko also achieved his own brace for Nigeria in the second half.
Before then, Rashidi Yekini had opened the brace-laden encounters when he scored two goals in a 4-0 defeat of South Africa in 1992. This was followed up by Tijani Babangida who scored the two goals with which Nigeria eliminated South Africa in the quarterfinals of 2000 Africa Cup of Nations in Lagos.
When both side met again in the group game of 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia, Osaze Odemwingie scored two late goals to join the brace scorers. Sports Village Square also recall that the encounter saw Nigeria’s captain, Austin ‘Jay Jay’ Okocha, scoring the milestone 1000th goal in the Africa Cup of Nation’s history.
When Nigeria met South Africa in the Mandela International Challenge on August 14, 2013, Uche Nwofor scored the two goals with which Nigeria beat South Africa in the last edition of the series in Nelson Mandela’s lifetime.
Nigeria beat South Africa 3-1 on home soil in the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN). Ejike Uzoenyi was the two-goal hero. It was not until the last time both met in Uyo that South Africa had its first opportunity of scoring against Nigeria outside their shores and also achieved their first brace when Tokelo profited from two defensive blunders to score in 42nd and 48th minutes. Nigeria’s Omatsone Aluko replied with a brace later in the game.
Nigeria versus South Africa: Head-to-Head
- October 10, 1992, Lagos: Nigeria 4-0 South Africa: Brace by Rashidi Yekini
- January 16, 1993, J’bourg: South Africa 0-0 Nigeria
- February 10, 2000, Lagos: Nigeria 2-0 South Africa: Brace by Tijani Babangida
- January 31, 2004, Monastir: South Africa 0-4 Nigeria: Brace by Osaze Odemwingie
- November 17, 2004, J’bourg: South Africa 2-1 Nigeria
- June 1, 2008, 2008, Abuja: Nigeria 2-0 South Africa
- September 6, 2008, Port Elizabeth: South Africa 0-1 Nigeria
- August 14, 2013, Durban: South Africa 0-2 Nigeria: Brace by Uche Nwofor
- January 19, 2014, Cape Town: South Africa 1-3 Nigeria: Brace by Ejike Uzoenyi
- September 10, 2014, Cape Town: South Africa 0-0 Nigeria
- November 19, 2014, Uyo: Nigeria 2-2 South Africa: Brace by Tokelo Rantie (South Africa), Sone Aluko (Nigeria)
- March 29, 2015, Cape Town: South Africa 1-1 Nigeria
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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