AFCON
AFCON 2019: SUPER EAGLES UP AGAINST BAFANA HURDLE
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
One highlight of this competition in its closing stages is the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee system. In the earlier rounds, some questionable decisions angered fans and appeared to changed the fortunes of some teams.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles step out in the second match of the day with a mission to avoid a repeat of Ghana 2008.
That was the last time Nigeria failed to advance beyond the last eight since 1982. In that first quarterfinal match against hosts Ghana on February 3, 2008, Yakubu Aiyegbeni shot Nigeria ahead in the 35th minute via penalty.
But Michael Essien would cancel that advantage in added time of the first half, while Junior Agogo won it for the Black Stars with seven minutes to end the fierce encounter.
Champions in 1980, 1994 and 2013, Nigeria were runners-up in 1984, 1990 and 2000 and bronze medalists in 1992, 2010 and in three straight editions between 2002 and 2006.
But the Super Eagles have missed two tournaments since their last trophy in 2013 and appeared shaky in the earlier matches of their return to the finals.
Lone goal victories over Burundi and Guinea was followed by the horrific defeat to Madagascar. But confidence seems to have been regained following the fightback that led to the elimination of defending champions Cameroon in a five-goal thriller last Saturday in the Round of 16.
South Africa scored only one goal and conceded two at the group stage of Egypt 2019 but squeezed through that phase with only three points as one of the best four losers. Bafana Bafana would then get inspired by the defeat of the host nation in their last match, against most predictions.
Since winning as hosts in their first time in the competition in 1996, it’s been down the hills for South Africa.
Silver medalists as defending champions in Burkina Faso 1998, they claimed third place in Ghana/Nigeria 2000 and were quarterfinalists in the next edition in 2002, as well as in 2013 when they played host again.
Group stage exits in three consecutive editions from 2004 to 2008 and in 2015 complete South Africa’s journey in AFCON.
Although Nigeria have beaten South Africa six times in all of 13 competitive and friendly games, Bafana Bafana have closed the gap in recent encounters. They shocked Nigeria on Matchday 1 of the qualifiers for Egypt 2019 winning 2-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on June 10, 2017.
That set the Super Eagles on the back foot in Group E and they had to redeem themselves quickly to eventually win the ticket for the finals before the last group matches.
Nigeria’s recent encounter with South Africa ended 1-1 in Johannesburg. It was the return leg of the AFCON 2019 qualifiers.
Nigeria will have to go back to seven matches ago to recall when last they beat South Africa in a competitive game. That was in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Jo’burg on September 6, 2008.
In the earlier fixture, surprise package Benin Republic engage the continent’s topmost rated side Senegal at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
No one gave Benin Republic a chance of coming out of the group stage for the first time in four AFCON editions. But with three straight draws at the group stage, they landed in the last 16 as one of four best third placed sides.
Then the Squirrels confronted the Atlas Lions of Morocco and surprised even themselves to reach the quarterfinals.
Senegal have a not-so-impressive run so far with two wins and defeat to Algeria at the group stage, and a lone goal victory over Uganda in their last fixture.
If they are to banish the status of underperformers, the Lions of Teranga will have to overcome the Squirrels. Senegal’s last three AFCONs have ended in group stage exits, and their best performance was as runners-up to Cameroon in Mali 2002.
It’s the first time both sides meet in AFCON.
Today’s fixtures: Senegal v Benin Republic (5pm), Nigeria v South Africa (8pm)
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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