AFCON
WILL THE SUPER EAGLES PAY THE PENALTY AGAIN?
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
The
most often recalled match of Nigeria and Cameroon is the final match of 2000
Africa Cup of Nation. It ended 4-3 on penalty shootout after full time and
extra time scores stood at 2-2.
From knockout stage of competitions, as will be applied in the Africa Cup of Nations’ Round of 16, penalty shootout will be a tiebreaker.
For that reason, one of thethoughts that will be dancing in the minds of the 16 team managers will be that of fitness of players and tactics. Since June 1, there has been amendment to the laws of football concerning penalty kick.
Already,
at the Women’s World Cup in France, Nigeria paid dearly for not been conversant
with the rule change as a kick previously saved by the Nigerian goalkeeper had
to be retaken and the goalkeeper cautioned for not having at least a foot on
the goal line at the moment the kick was taken.
Being a knockout stage, the margin of errors has to be reduced. If previous Africa Cup of Nations finals are guides, there is one training practice, which will be just as decisive. It is how to strike the ball from 12 yards.
Since the 1984 finals when Nigeria ousted Egypt in a lengthy penalty shootout in the semi finals, Nigeria have been involved in penalty shootout in nine out of 12 editions.
This is perhaps a record in the Africa Cup of Nations’ history.
Six final matches since 1982 had been decided by penalty shootout. It is a common occurrence even at the summit of world football, the FIFA World Cup. Great players, namely, Socrates (1986), Platini (1986), Zico (1986), Maradona (1990), Roberto Baggio (1994) Gerrard (2006) and Lampard (2006) have fumbled at what appears the cheapest goal to be scored in football.
Penalties have become part and parcel of recent tournaments. The 2011/12 European Champions League was decided by penalties. Since 1982 when a World Cup match was decided by penalty shoot-out, there have been 22 of such incidents.
In 1990 World Cup, both semi final matches were decided on spot kicks, while the final match itself was prevented from ending up the same way. Ironically, it was still decided by a penalty kick, five minutes from regulation time.
It is of common knowledge that Ghana could had made a record by qualifying for the semi finals of the 2010 World Cup but for the unpredictable nature of the lottery of penalty kick shootout.
Zambia won the 2012 edition of the Africa Cup of Nations through penalty shoot-out. Beyond that, what could have been the decider of the game with Cote d’Ivoire was a penalty miss by Didier Drogba during regulation time, recalling the sad memory of how he also lost a vital kick during the penalty shoot-out against Egypt in the final game of the 2006 edition. Several other celebrated players have equally failed to convert penalty kicks.
Before Ghana at the World Cup 2010, Cameroon lost the opportunity of getting to the 1990 semi finals of the World Cup through two penalty kicks scored against the African team by England’s Garry Lineker.
From the on going, it is clear that teams must have learnt to include penalty kick taking in their training schedule.
Penalty kicks have played crucial roles in shaping the champions in 11 of the last 16 editions of Africa Cup of Nations since Libya’82 that was decided by penalty shoot-out.
Big names in the continent – Nwankwo Kanu, Victor Ikpeba, Samuel Eto’o, and Didier Drogba among others – have missed from the penalty spots.
In Nigeria’s march to victory in 1994, penalty kicks played crucial roles. The Super Eagles had to survive the ordeal of penalty shoot-out with Cote d’Ivoire in the semi finals.
It is on record that penalty kicks played crucial roles in shaping Nigeria’s destiny in 2013, 2010, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1994, 1988 and 1984 – a total of nine in Nigeria’s last 10 appearances at the finals.
In 1984, Nigeria survived a lengthy penalty shoot-out against Egypt in the semi final, after scoring a goal from the penalty spot during regulation time.
In 1988, it was the same tale, this time against Algeria in the semi finals. A penalty kick award to Cameroon eventually decided Nigeria’s fate in the Maroc’88 final.
Apart from 2000 in Lagos when Cameroon lifted the trophy through a penalty shoot –out, loss of a penalty in the extra time against Senegal decided the Super Eagles fate in the 2002 semi finals. Nigeria again crashed out of 2004 finals via penalty shoot out!
In two of Nigeria’s six World Cup appearances, penalty kicks were largely responsible for Nigeria’s elimination. Roberto Baggio’s conversion of penalty kick in the extra time of a Round of 16 tie enabled Italy to eliminate Nigeria from USA’94.
At 2002 World Cup, the 63rd minute penalty kick converted by Henrik Larssson for Sweden, in Nigeria’s second match, technically knocked out the Super Eagles from the World Cup.
Penalty kicks also proved decisive for other African teams in the African Nations Cup. Cameroon, Tunisia and Cote d’Ivoire lost vital matches via penalty shoot-out at 2006 African Nation Cup finals.
The keepers who saved the kicks were the heroes, while the outfield players whose kicks missed the targets were the villains. It is obvious that those dramas will once more unfold at as Egypt 2019 gets to the knock out stage.
But who will be jumping and which player will bent double in tears? In 1982, Italy’s Antonio Cabrini wrote his name into the World Cup record books as the first player to miss a penalty in the final. He looked dejected after his 25th minute spot kick went wide in the game with the then West Germany.
Penalty kicks, especially the shoot-outs, are made for television. They are fast, exciting while being a fairer means of tie-breaking than the toss of a coin.
But the Italians will not like to believe this after the Azzuris lost the USA’94 World Cup final through penalty shoot-out and had gone out through the same process at home in the Italia’90 World Cup semi final.
They again crashed out of France’98 through penalty kicks. But for the extra time goal with which the Koreans defeated them in 2002 in the Round of 16, one will have to go back 20 years (Mexico’86) to get the last time the Italians lost a knock-out match in the World Cup without resorting to penalties.
Their prayers were answered at Germany 2006 when they beat France in the final via penalty shoot-out.
Penalty kicks at the Africa Cup of Nations finals
- 2017 – Quarter final match between Senegal and Cameroon decided by penalties. So also was the semi finals involving Burkina Faso and Egypt.
- 2015 – 3rd place match between DR Congo and Equatorial Guinea was decided by penalties just the final match between Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana.
- 2013 – Quarter final match between South Africa and Mali decided by penalties. So also was the semi finals involving Burkina Faso and Ghana.
- 2012 – Final match decided by penalty shoot-out, while Drogba lost penalty in regulation time.
- 2010 – Quarter final duel between Nigeria and Zambia was decided by penalty shoot-out.
- 2006 – Nigeria involved in penalty shoot-out in the quarter finals against Tunisia. Final match between Egypt and Cote d’Ivoire was decided on penalties, so also was the quarter final match of Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon.
- 2004 – Penalty shoot-out decided Nigeria’s fate in the semi finals.
- 2002 – Penalty loss by Wilson Oruma in 117th minute of the extra time against Senegal in the semi-finals decided Nigeria’s fate. Final match of Cameroon and Senegal decided by penalties.
- 2000 – Penalty shoot-out decided Nigeria’s fate and the final match.
- 1994 – Penalty shoot-out played crucial role in Nigeria’s march to the final after regulation time 2-2 draw with Cote d’Ivoire in the semi finals.
- 1992 – Penalty shoot-out decided the final match of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire.
- 1988 – Penalty shoot-out propelled Nigeria to the final after 1-1 draw with Algeria in the semi-finals. Penalty for Cameroon decided Nigeria’s fate in the final.
- 1986 – Penalty shoot-out decided the final match of Egypt and Cameroon.
- 1984 – Penalty shoot-out took Nigeria to the final after regulation time 2-2 draw with Egypt in the semi finals.
- 1982 – Penalty shoot-out decided the final match of Ghana and Libya.
AFCON
Morocco Rejects Claims of Delay, Defends Legal Process in Case Involving Senegalese Supporters
Morocco’s Public Prosecutor’s Office has firmly rejected allegations of unjustified delays and poor detention conditions in the ongoing case involving Senegalese football supporters arrested after unrest linked to a recent continental fixture in Rabat.
In an official clarification, judicial authorities described circulating claims as “unfounded,” insisting that the legal proceedings have been conducted in accordance with Moroccan law and international standards.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office categorically denied any suggestion that the case has been deliberately delayed. Authorities stated that all procedural timelines have been respected and that adjournments were made strictly within the framework of due process.
According to the statement, postponements of hearings were granted at the request of the defendants themselves to allow adequate time to prepare their defence and to ensure the presence of their legal representatives.
Judicial officials also dismissed reports alleging that the detainees were on hunger strike. They confirmed that the accused are receiving their meals regularly and that detention conditions comply with applicable regulations.
“The rumours suggesting otherwise are without basis,” the statement noted.
Authorities explained that one of the hearings was attended by a lawyer registered with a Bar Association in France. However, the absence of a consultation office in Morocco, coupled with the defendants’ preference to be tried in the presence of their chosen lawyers, led to a postponement of the hearing until February 12, 2026.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office emphasised that these postponements were legitimate and aimed at safeguarding the defendants’ right to a fair trial.
Translation and Language Support
In response to concerns about language barriers, the court confirmed that it provided a sworn French-language interpreter during proceedings. French is reportedly mastered by all defendants.
Additionally, authorities coordinated with the Deputy Consul of Senegal in Morocco to make available an interpreter in Wolof, the defendants’ mother tongue, further ensuring that they fully understood the proceedings.
Officials also clarified that Moroccan law does not require the presence of an interpreter during the preliminary investigation phase if the judicial police officer understands the language of the individual concerned, provided that official reports are read and explained to them.
The Moroccan authorities reiterated their commitment to transparency, due process and the protection of the rights of all foreign nationals within the kingdom.
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A Moroccan court on Thursday sentenced 18 Senegalese football supporters to prison terms ranging from three to 12 months after finding them guilty of hooliganism during last month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.
The supporters had been in pre-trial detention since 18 January, the day Senegal defeated hosts Morocco 1–0 in a tense and controversial final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
According to the court’s ruling, nine of the defendants received one-year prison sentences and were fined 5,000 Moroccan dirhams (approximately $545). Six others were handed six-month terms alongside fines of 2,000 dirhams (about $218), while three supporters were sentenced to three months in prison and fined 1,000 dirhams (around $109).
Prosecutors had sought a maximum penalty of two years, arguing that the accused “deliberately sought to disrupt the proper conduct of the match” and engaged in “acts of violence broadcast live on television.”
Chaos at the Final
The AFCON final was overshadowed by dramatic scenes late in regulation time following a contentious penalty awarded to Morocco after a VAR review. Senegalese players protested the decision vehemently, surrounding the referee and causing play to be halted for nearly 20 minutes.
Amid the tension, some Senegalese supporters reportedly attempted to invade the pitch, while others threw objects — including chairs — onto the field. Players from both sides temporarily left the pitch before returning after intervention from security officials and match authorities.
Authorities said their case was supported by stadium surveillance footage and medical reports detailing injuries sustained by security personnel during the unrest.
However, defence lawyers rejected the charges and described the sentences as excessive.
“The footage does not contain irrefutable proof showing that any one of them struck or assaulted anyone,” defence counsel Naima El Guellaf told the court.
Another lawyer, Patrick Kabou, called the verdict “incomprehensible,” arguing that his clients were “victims” rather than perpetrators. The defence team has confirmed plans to file an appeal.
The ruling comes as football authorities continue to grapple with the fallout from a final that, despite Senegal’s historic victory, was overshadowed by controversy both on and off the pitch.
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French coach Herve Renard has reopened the debate around the controversial “towel incident” that marred the closing stages of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal.
Renard, who previously coached Morocco and now manages the Saudi Arabia national football team, addressed the episode in a recent interview with Jeune Afrique, describing it as a complex issue rooted partly in African football culture.
“The towel story is long and complicated. It has a certain significance, that’s all,” Renard said. He suggested that, if anyone attempted to remove the towel, it could have been intended to unsettle the opponent psychologically.
“In Europe, people don’t understand that there is something behind it. Was the towel charmed? In Africa, these are beliefs, and everyone is free to believe what they want,” he added.
Renard stressed that cultural context is often overlooked by outsiders. “Those who don’t know Africa cannot understand. In this case, Moroccans would never allow anyone to cross that line,” he said, while admitting he was unsure whether events unfolded exactly as widely portrayed. Drawing from his extensive coaching experience across the continent, he noted that similar charged atmospheres are not uncommon in high-stakes African fixtures.
The incident occurred during the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final in Rabat, where Senegal defeated Morocco 1–0 to lift the continental crown.
Late in the match, attention shifted away from the ball to Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy’s towel, which had been placed inside his goal to dry his gloves amid wet conditions. As tensions rose in the closing minutes, substitute goalkeeper Yehvann Diouf attempted to safeguard the towel, resulting in a chaotic scene inside the penalty area.
Television footage — quickly dubbed a “towel tussle” — showed Moroccan midfielder Ismael Saibari blocking Diouf as he tried to return the towel to Mendy, while a ball boy also reached for it. Diouf later insisted he had merely been assisting Mendy and had no intention of disrupting play.
Images circulating after the match appeared to show Moroccan players attempting to remove the towel, sparking a heated debate. Some observers viewed it as gamesmanship designed to unsettle the Senegalese goalkeeper, while others linked the episode to longstanding superstitious beliefs within segments of African football culture.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) disciplinary committee subsequently sanctioned Saibari with a two-match suspension and a $100,000 fine. The midfielder later apologised to Mendy, stating that his actions had been misunderstood.
CAF’s refereeing chief, Olivier Safari, also addressed the matter in an interview with Canal+ Afrique.
“The towel is not part of a goalkeeper’s official equipment. Its use must remain within the spirit of fair play,” Safari explained. “If it influences the match, it must be removed from the playing area.”
His comments underscored the regulatory grey area surrounding auxiliary items such as towels, which are not formally recognised as playing equipment under the Laws of the Game but are commonly used for practical reasons.
While the final result stands and Senegal’s victory remains uncontested, the towel episode has lingered in public discourse — not merely as a fleeting controversy, but as a symbol of the psychological and cultural layers that often accompany African football.
Renard’s remarks add nuance to the debate, suggesting that what may appear trivial to some can carry deeper meaning in different footballing contexts.
Nearly a year after Senegal’s triumph in Rabat, the “towel incident” continues to provoke reflection, less about fabric inside a goalmouth, and more about the intersection of belief, psychology and competition at the highest level of African football.
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