AFCON
FROM PORT HARCOURT AND ASABA, AFCON GROUP A TEAMS NOW SET FOR BATTLE IN CAIRO
Nigerian arenas named after two previous Africa Cup of Nations’ winners, Adokiye Amiesiamaka and Stephen Keshi were the testing grounds for all the Group A teams of the 2019 tournaments.
Sports Village Square recalls that Egypt, Congo DR, Uganda and Zimbabwe curiously engaged the Nigerian soil and the Super Eagles team to test their strength.
DR Congo played against Nigeria last year May in Port Harcourt, while Uganda’s Crane visited Asaba to play a friendly tie with the Super Eagles last November. Egypt came in March while Zimbabwe would not be left out as they also came early in June.
None of the teams beat the Super Eagles. Now all the four are competing in Group A in Cairo.
As the competition kicks off on Friday night, it will be Egypt taking on Zimbabwe.
The Group A curtain raiser is set to start at 22:00 local time (20:00 GMT) after a scheduled opening ceremony that starts a couple of hours earlier.
Record seven time champions Egypt, led by recent UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool Mohamed Salah would be eager to give a good impression of themselves in front of their die-hard supporters, who are thirsty for a record extending eighth title, their first since completing the unprecedented treble between 2006 and 2010.
The Pharaohs were losing finalists two years ago when they succumbed to a late 2-1 defeat against eventual champions Cameroon in Libreville, Gabon.
Head Coach Javier Aguirre opted to keep the core of the team that returned from Gabon with the runner-ups tag, hoping for a better outing this time round.
Zimbabwe are having a back to back appearance at the finals after their early group stage crash in 2017.
The Warriors have never gone past the group stage in their previous outings and they are eager for a good start against the hosts, despite their Coach Sunday Chidzambwa admitting it will be a tough outing.
“Egypt is not an easy match because they won the title seven times and they are also playing at home. We are one of the best 24 teams as we have qualified and we will do our best”. Chidzambwa told the reporters on Wednesday.
PREVIOUS AFCON MEETINGS
25.01.2004 Sfax Egypt 2-1 Zimbabwe
WHAT THEY SAID
Javier Aguirre (Coach, Egypt)
We have reached a very good form since we started preparing, and we have no problems either physically or technically. It’s a very important game as it’s the opening and we know the responsibility for us, yet we feel no pressure. We respect Zimbabwe and know them well. We will do our best come Friday. We are just thinking of Zimbabwe game now and will take one game at a time.
Ahmed Elmohamady (Captain, Egypt)
We are ready for the first game and our morale is very high. We play at home and promise our supporters that we will emerge champions. Our treble between 2006 and 2010 gave us great confidence and we were unlucky to win two years ago. Being at home will push us more. Salah is one of the best three players in the world and that’s good for all of us. He is a great addition for the team and he’s only one of us and we all play as one team.
Sunday Chidzambwa (Coach, Zimbabwe)
We prepared well and we believe we will do well. We are playing in a very difficult group and we also had the same in the qualifiers. Facing Egypt is not going to be easy because they play at home and also they won AFCON 7 times. But we are one of the best 24 teams in Africa and we will do our best. We know well Egypt is a very good team and we are the underdogs. Since we qualified nothing can stop us from doing a surprise. The best team on the day will win.
Knowledge Musona (Captain, Zimbabwe)
We are very excited to play in Egypt, a very nice country and people. We are looking forward to the tournament kickoff. Egypt has home advantage and we’re not playing at home, but we are going to focus on our game and we’re not worried. I’ve been watching Egypt since I was young and they’re a very good team. There’s a great potential in Salah as he’s a great player but there are many other good players. We are not playing against him only and we are going to watch for everyone.
The Confederation of African Football has announced a major overhaul of its flagship competition, with the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to expand from 24 to 28 teams.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe disclosed the decision on Sunday following an executive committee meeting, describing it as part of the body’s commitment to elevating African football to global standards.
Motsepe said the expansion would create more opportunities for countries across the continent while ensuring that top African players worldwide return home to compete at the highest level.
“This is about our commitment to world-class football, bringing together the best African players from across the globe to compete on the continent,” he stated.
However, the CAF boss did not provide details on how the new 28-team format would be structured or when the expansion would take effect, leaving questions over qualification pathways and tournament scheduling.
Continuity for 2027, New Cycle from 2028
Motsepe confirmed that the 2027 AFCON will proceed as planned with co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, maintaining the current 24-team format for that edition.
In a significant shift, CAF also announced that another AFCON tournament will be staged in 2028, after which the competition will move to a four-year cycle—aligning more closely with other major international tournaments.
CAF Nations League Introduced
In addition to AFCON reforms, CAF revealed plans to introduce an African Nations League starting from 2029. The new competition will be held annually, with a 16-team final tournament staged every two years.
The initiative is aimed at improving the competitiveness, structure and commercial value of the African national team football.
“We have to stop this situation where African fixtures are not predictable, consistent and reliable,” Motsepe said. “We must also focus on developing football in regions like East Africa, which has enormous potential.”
A New Era for African Football
The proposed changes mark one of the most ambitious restructurings of African football competitions in recent years, with CAF seeking to expand participation, enhance organisation and create a more predictable football calendar.
While details are still emerging, the decisions are expected to have far-reaching implications for national teams, qualification formats and the overall growth of the game across the continent.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The Confederation of African Football said it would implement changes and improvements to its statutes and regulations that would ensure that the farcical scenes at January’s Africa Cup of Nations final do not happen again.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe said the changes would strengthen trust and confidence in its referees, VAR operators and judicial bodies, but did not give concrete details.
The announcement followed a meeting of CAF’s executive committee in Cairo on Sunday and came on a tumultuous day for the organisation as its general secretary resigned.
African football’s governing body has been battling a crisis of confidence after its Appeal Board stripped Senegal of the Cup of Nations title in a decision that has been met with widespread derision.
Senegal were ruled to have forfeited the final in Rabat on January 18 after walking off the pitch in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded to Morocco. They returned and scored a goal in extra time to win the game 1-0.
The decision is being challenged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and if Senegal win back their title it will be a further blow to CAF’s credibility.
“CAF has taken extensive legal advice from top African and international football lawyers and experts, to ensure that the CAF statutes and regulations adhere to and implement global football best practices, on and off the field,” Motsepe said in a statement on Sunday.
“This is important for the respect, integrity and credibility of African referees, VAR operators and the CAF Disciplinary Board and Appeal Board.
“CAF is working with FIFA for the ongoing training of African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners so that they are as good as the best in the world… CAF has made significant progress over the past five years in implementing governance, ethics, transparency and managerial best practices,” the CAF president added.
More precise details on the changes and how they would avoid a repeat of the Cup of Nations final controversy were not given by Motsepe, who earlier this month admitted his organisation was struggling with perceptions about its integrity.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja
The Confederation of African Football may be considering possible disciplinary measures against Senegal following reports that the country’s national team has continued to parade the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy despite being stripped of the title.
The development has triggered fresh debate within African football circles, with CAF understood to be treating the matter as a potential breach of its statutes and disciplinary code.
Sources close to the continental body indicate that Senegal’s actions could be interpreted as defiance of an official ruling, raising concerns about respect for regulatory authority and the precedent such conduct may set for other member associations.
CAF is believed to be weighing a range of sanctions, which could include financial penalties, formal reprimands, or restrictions on the country’s participation in certain CAF programmes and competitions.
While no final decision has been announced, insiders suggest that the governing body is keen to send a strong message on compliance and institutional discipline.
There are also indications that CAF’s disciplinary committee may be tasked with reviewing the circumstances surrounding the continued public display of the trophy, including whether the act constitutes misconduct under its regulations.
The issue is seen as more than a symbolic dispute over silverware. Analysts argue that how CAF handles the situation will reflect its ability to enforce decisions and maintain order among its 54 member associations.
“CAF cannot afford to appear weak on matters of discipline,” a source familiar with the situation said. “If a federation openly disregards a ruling, it undermines the entire governance structure.”
CAF is expected to provide clarity on the issue during an upcoming press engagement, where its president may outline the organisation’s position and any disciplinary steps to be taken.
For Senegal, the situation presents a delicate balancing act between national pride and compliance with continental football authority. For CAF, it represents a critical test of leadership and regulatory enforcement at a time when the credibility of African football governance remains under close watch.
The coming days are likely to determine whether the matter escalates into a full disciplinary case or is resolved through diplomatic engagement behind the scenes.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup7 days ago
World Cup Fans, Players And Officials Face $15,000 Visa Bonds to Enter U.S.
- AFCON4 days ago
AFCON to Expand to 28 Teams as CAF Unveils New Competition Calendar
- CAF Champions League1 week ago
Ten-man Zamalek hold on in dramatic Otoho clash to reach semi-finals
- World Cup2 days ago
Infantino promises FIFA backing for Iran to play at World Cup
- World Cup1 week ago
Absent Giants: Big Football Nations Missing from the 2026 World Cup
- AFCON4 days ago
CAF May Sanction Senegal Over AFCON Trophy Parade
- World Cup6 days ago
Jamaica Edge New Caledonia to Set Up Decisive World Cup Showdown with DR Congo
- Governing Bodies4 days ago
BREAKING! Nigeria’s Samson Adamu Appointed Acting CAF General Secretary