AFCON

WEATHER ALERT! AFCON TEAMS WARNED ABOUT EXTREME TEMPERATURE

Published

5 years ago

June 20, 2019

The teams featuring in the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Egypt on Friday, have been warned about the heat over the next month.

The players have been warned of possibility of playing in extreme temperatures.

A statement from the Confederation of African Football reveals the average temperature over the next month is expected to be between 35-38 degrees Celsius with an average humidity of 40-60%.

“This would give a high wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index reading above 32 degrees,” it said.

The WBGT is the environmental measure that incorporates temperature, humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover.

“It is certain that most teams will be aware of this and will train accordingly,” said CAF.

“At this level, FIFA recommends three minute rest-and-refreshing breaks in the 30th and 75th minutes.

“These breaks must require the provision of cold containers on wheels to put crushed ice, drinks for referees and small towels cold and wet to place around the neck for 26 people (four referees and 22 players).”

“It will also be necessary to prepare for any eventuality of emergencies,” CAF added.

“It will be important to be able to diagnose and treat heat-related illnesses, if they occur on site.”

Some matches at the tournament kick off at 1630 local time (1430 GMT), others at 1900 (1700 GMT) and 2200 (2000GMT) and then later, at the end of the group phase, at 1800 and 2100.

Ghana, seems to be one of the teams to have anticipated the weather condition and put up training camp in the Gulf Region.

Nigeria on the other hand set up training camp in Asaba and trained under raining conditions and even played the first of their pre-Afcon friendly matches under the rain before travelling to Egypt.

The timing of the Cup of Nations has also changed from January every two years to mid-year, although heat is only an issue at finals being played in the northern hemisphere.

Egypt were chosen above South Africa to be the hosts of 2019 final when Cameroon were stripped of the right to host the event late last year.

Had the tournament been played in South Africa over the next month, teams would have to deal with temperatures ranging from 24 degrees Celsius down to below freezing.

AFCON

Hurray, Super Eagles back to winning ways!

Published

6 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

What a turn-around! After four previous competitive matches without a win, the Super Eagles have regained their winning mentality after a 3-0 defeat of Benin Republic in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.

The win also put the Super Eagles at the top of the Group D after both Libya and Rwanda played 1-1 draw last Thursday.

It is also the biggest win by the Super Eagles since their 2023 6-0 win over Sao Tome & Principe last year September.

Great man Ademola Lookman, he put in two goals straightening the possibility of his emerging as 2024 African Footballer of the Year.

The current title holder, Victor Osimhen proved his mettle coming off the bench in the second half to double Nigeria’s lead after Lookman’s late first half goal.

The Super Eagles will now honour their next fixture against Rwanda on Tuesday with the hope of consolidating their lead.

Benin Republic with no points and a deficit of three goals are rooted at the bottom of the log.

AFCON

‘Oh Come All Ye Faithful!’, Rev Ikpea calls on football fans to rally round Super Eagles

Published

13 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY JOSEPH ODOEKWU

The National Chairman of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Rev. Samuel Ikpea has called on all Nigerians to rally round and pray for the Super Eagles ahead of Saturday’s Morocco 2025 AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic in Uyo.

Ikpea who is mobilizing support for the Super Eagles ahead of the clash in Uyo said that whatever Benin Republic come with both spiritually and physically in the game, we will surely overcome them.

“In the NFSC we have Christians, Muslims as well as those who believe in traditional worship and we respect the rights of freedom of worship of every member and all Nigerians.

“When we are faced with this kind of crucial game, we call on everyone to pray through their various believes because we foresee that Benin Republic are most likely coming to fall back on ‘black magic’ to enable them perfect a back-to-back victory over our Super Eagles after beating us 2-1 in our last meeting in a World Cup qualifier”

“We cannot underestimate the efficacy of the black magic” Ikpea further stressed, “but we believe that when we come together we can neutralize it’s efficacy.

“This is no time to sleep, we all have to rally round and do our best to support our Super Eagles because they cannot do it alone without the prayers and support of all Nigerians.

“While charging Nigerians to be positive with the team, we at the NFSC have done everything positive to overturn whatever plans they are coming with and we enjoin everyone to toe that path through prayers”.

Meanwhile, the Super Eagles camp is bubbling with training in Uyo, as team Coach Austin Eguavoen, has been working hard to perfect tactics with the boys and ensure the Super Eagles soar on Saturday.

AFCON

Will Super Eagles regain their winning mentality?

Published

15 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Super Eagles have not won a qualifying match for any competition since their 6-0 defeat of Principe & Sao Tome on 10^th September 2023 in Uyo. That was their last qualifying match for Cote d’Ivoire 2023 played in 2024.

Since then, they have played four World Cup qualifying matches without a win despite being the overwhelming favourites at those matches.

A forensic analysis of their World Cup qualifying since that of Qatar 2022 will reveal they had played seven consecutive matches without a win starting from their 1-1 home draw with Cape Verde in Lagos which qualified them for the play off. In the play off with Ghana, the Super Eagles drew the two matches.

In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, they have gone four matches, getting three draws and a loss. The prospect of their getting a straight qualification from the group is doubtful as they have a mountain to climb by winning the remaining six matches, three of which are away duels of which are most likely to be played in South Africa, the home ground of their main rivals.

Zimbabwe and Lesotho play their home matches in South Africa and Nigeria also still have an away duel with Bafana Bafana.

The qualification series of AFCON 2025 presents the Super Eagles a new beginning. Starting from the semi-finals of the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, the team has won none of their four competitive matches in regulation time. The players have a date with destiny in Uyo this Saturday to wipe off the sagging image they have had in recent time.

A win will give the team the confidence expected in anticipation for future fixtures.