AFCON

SENEGAL ARE FIRST AFRICAN SIDES TO PICK U-20 WORLD CUP TICKET

Published

6 years ago

February 7, 2019

What Nigeria’s Flying Eagles failed to achieve on Match day 2 of the on-going CAF U-20 Nations Cup, Senegal has done it. The Senegalese on Wednesday became the first to pick a ticket for the Poland 2019 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Youssouph Badji hit a brace to book Senegal a place in the last four and World Cup ticket as they outshined the Black Satellites of Ghana in Group B of the Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Maradi.

Youssouph Dabo and his charges will be representing Senegal at their third appearance at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in May in Poland.

The 18-year old who plays his club football with Casa Sport de Ziguinchor headed in his first goals after eleven as the young Lions took control of proceedings in Maradi.

Jimmy Corbballah’s Black Satellites where determine to level matter after going behind with Lomotey firing over from close range in the midway point of the first half.

Badji missed an opportunity to increase his tally in the half hour mark when he was first to a loose ball rounding the keeper but miscued his control allowing Ishaku Konda to clear the danger.

Goalkeeper Nurudeen pulled an athletic save to deny the maverick midfielder Dion Lopy who shoots from distance.

Youssouph completed his double with a neat right footed finish just inside the area from Lamine Danfa’s superb delivery on the stroke of halftime to hand his team an unassailable 2-0 advantage.

Senegal came into the second half determined to see off the match with Badji and Lopy all forcing saves from the busy Abdul Nurudeen.

The defeat means Ghana has to avoid defeat against Mali on Saturday in Niamey to qualify for the semifinal and booking a place at the World Cup in Poland.

AFCON

Against Benin and officiated by Issa Sy, Osimhen equals Segun Odegbami’s feat

Published

8 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

13 November 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier: Osimhen’s 1st goal: Nigeria 1-1 Benin Republic; Referee: Issa Sy of Senegal

14 November 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier: Osimhen’s 23rd goal: Benin Republic 1-1 Nigeria; Referee: Issa Sy of Senegal

Victor Osimhen’s 81st-minute goal against the Benin Republic on Thursday night in Abidjan did not only save the face of the Super Eagles from a possible defeat, it is also a milestone goal.

It was his 23^rd goal for Nigeria in 37 appearances. With the goal, he becomes Nigeria’s joint-second all-time top scorer, having matched Segun Odegbami’s 23-goal record.

Only Rashidi Yekini with 37 goals scored more. Incidentally, Osimhen opened his scoring for Nigeria in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match with Benin Republic in 2019 when he scored his first Nigerian goal, a penalty kick that brought the scoreline to 1-1 in the 45th minute.

Like it was on Thursday 14 November in Abidjan, the 13 November 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Benin Republic was also refereed by Senegal’s Issa Sy.

What an irony! Libya handed Nigeria AFCON ticket

AFCON

Osimhen saves the face of already qualified Super Eagles as Group D 2nd ticket goes down the wire!

Published

9 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

A late goal from Victor Osimhen saved the day for the Super Eagles who forced a 1-1 draw with Benin Republic at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan which had hitherto become Benin Republic’s slaughter ground of visiting teams.

After a ferocious opening by the Super Eagles, the Benin Republic suddenly turned the tide as defender Mohammed Tijani surged forward to beat the Nigerian defence line in the 16th minute.

With the goal, it was the first time that the Super Eagles had conceded in the series and it looked as if Benin had also picked a ticket, moving to a 9-point haul that would have been unassailable by either Rwanda and Libya even if they win their respective last matches on Monday.

As they held on tenaciously to the lead, Victor Osimhen leaped high in between two Beninese defenders to nod in a cross from Simon Moses from the left flank.

That changed the narrative as Benin will now have to play hard to pick a qualification ticket on Monday when they meet Libya.

But it is still advantage for Benin Republic owing to their better goal difference. Even if they are beaten by Libya and tie at seven points apiece, Libya will need a heavy scoreline to wipe off their current deficit of four.

The second ticket from Group D is still open to the trio of Benin, Rwanda and Libya. But it is advantageous Benin. All could end up with seven points apiece if Libya beat Benin Republic and Rwanda beat Nigeria in Uyo.

AFCON

What an irony! Libya handed Nigeria AFCON ticket

Published

12 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The matchday 4 of Libya and Nigeria was akin to a war as the Super Eagles were literally held hostage for 20 hours at an abandoned airport. The treatment meted to the Super Eagles made it impossible for the match to go on.

The Libyan actions generated global outrage. The Confederation of Africa (CAF) consequently awarded the match to Nigeria.

Paradoxically, the award and Libya’s win over Rwanda have taken a lot of burden off the Super Eagles as they pick qualification tickets, even with two matches to spare. The worst-case scenario for them is to place second on the Group D log.

Libya snatched a narrow 1-0 victory over Rwanda in Kigali, thanks to a late strike by Fahd Saad Mohamed.

The game was closely contested, with both sides creating chances but struggling to find the back of the net.

Rwanda’s Innocent Nshuti came close on several occasions, but Libyan goalkeeper Bader Hassan stood firm.

The win pushed Libya up to four points, although they remain at the bottom of Group D, while Rwanda stays in third with five points