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AFCON

AFCON 2019: CAN NIGERIA REPEAT 2013 ACT?

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BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE

The Super Eagles appear set to repeat 2013. In the build-up to that year’s AFCON finals in South Africa, Nigerian fans had little confidence in their team, as it is in 2019.

Flashback to 2013: The Eagles missed qualifications for two episodes immediately preceding that year, while the team had experienced several overhauls prior to the tournament in the Rainbow nation.

There were also doubts in an indigenous manager as internal and external stakeholders of Nigerian football mounted pressure on Stephen Keshi and his squad.

In South Africa, Nigeria started in a not-so-assuring manner with two back-to-back draws in their group matches, conceding equaliser to Burkina Faso and Zambia in the closing moments of those seemingly easy fixtures.

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Even when they triumphed over Ethiopia in the final group game, the criticism never ebb particularly as the goals came in the last 10 minutes of the encounter.

Nigeria again managed to scrape through to the quarterfinal beating the Ivorien Elephants 2-1 and then played their easiest match in the last four by putting four goals past Mali in 60 minutes with a consolation goal for the other Eagles in the 75th minute.

And so it was that the Nigerian Eagles that gave little hope at the beginning landed in the final against their first opponents in that tournament, Burkina Faso.

Nigerians recalled Algeria 1990 when their team met the same team in both their opening fixture and in the showpiece match. Then the hosts triumphed on both occasions – 5-1 in the group match and 1-0 to lift the cup.

But Keshi’s Eagles kept their nerves against the Burkinabe as Sunday Mba banged in the lone goal in the 40th minute.

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Back to Egypt 2019: Nigerian fans were not impressed as their team struggled to beat debutante Burundi and Guinea by just a solitary goal in their first two games, only to be humiliated by another new comers Madagascar in the closing match of the first round.

They then surrendered an early lead to go behind their eternal rivals Cameroon in the Round of 16. But two goals within three minutes restored their lead and eventually saw to the crash of the defending champions.

South Africa were meant to be easy opposition in the quarterfinal. But the Bafana Bafana arrived that match on the heels of a heroic performance. They had just played arguably their best match ever – the lone goal defeat of hosts Egypt in the second round.

Nigeria again went ahead and, this time, kept the advantage into the second half. But they were to allow the South African level up before a closing stage rally delivered the winning strike through centre back William Troost-Ekong, his first competitive international goal.

Except in 2008 when they lost at the quarterfinal 1-2 to hosts Ghana, Nigeria have been among the top four in all AFCON editions they featured in since 1984. Champions in 1994 and 2013, runners-up in 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000, they picked bronze medals in 1992 and in three straight editions between 2002 and 2006 as well as in 2010.

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On their part, Algeria’s AFCON record is not so impressive. Before winning the competition on home soil in 1990, the Desert Foxes had lost in the final to Nigeria in Lagos in 1980, placed third in 1984 and 1988 and fourth at Libya 1982.

Post-1990, Algeria’s best performance was fourth in Angola 2010. They either exited in the quarterfinals or crashed out at the first round in the other nine editions they qualified for.

Egypt 2019 draw placed Algeria in Group C alongside Senegal, Kenya and Tanzania. But they beat all comers, including the topmost rated Senegal to ease into the knockout stages without conceding a goal while scoring six.

Against Guinea in the Round of 16, Algeria kept their defence well protected as they scored three unreplied goals to set up quarterfinal final clash versus Côte d’Ivoire.

Aston Villa’s striker Jonathan Kodjia would eventually breach Algeria’s defence in the 62nd minute to bring the Ivorien Elephants level. The deadlock endured to the end and also in extra time. But Algeria triumphed via penalties. 

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Facing a mean defence requires being clinical in front of goal, which is the task before the Super Eagles as they file out at the Cairo International Stadium tonight. 

Nigeria contributed to Algeria’s failure to feature in Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup. The Super Eagles won at home 3-1 and drew the second leg 1-1. But having been found guilty of fielding suspended defender Abdullahi Shehu in that match in Constantine, Algeria were awarded the fixture 3-0.

In the last 29 years, Algeria have not beaten Nigeria on the field of play. 

In AFCON history, this will be the ninth time both sides will face themselves, making it the most head-to-head clash in the competition. The statistics read 3-2-3 representing wins, draws and losses.

At this stage of the tournament however, there has been only one fixture involving both teams. And that was in Morocco 1988 when Rachid Maâtar’s goal in the 86th minute cancelled an own goal by Abdelrazak Belgharbi (36th minute) to drag the first semi-final into extra time and penalty shootouts which Nigeria won 9-8. But Cameroon, for the second time, stopped Nigeria from lifting the trophy as they won the final 1-0.

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In the earlier match of the day, Senegal will strive to reach the final for the second time, while Tunisia will like to play the showpiece match for the fourth time.

Both sides were runners-up in their respective groups in the ongoing AFCON, Tunisia not even winning any match to reach the knockout rounds as the Eagles of Carthage shared honours with Angola (1-1), Mali (1-1) and Mauritania (0-0) to queue behind Mali in Group E.

Then they allowed the Black Stars of Ghana to cancel their 73rd minute advantage in the first minute of added time in the Round of 16. But they held on in extra time to eventually pull through to the last eight via 5-4 penalties.

Against the Madagascar, the revelation of Egypt 2019 in the quarterfinal, Tunisia could not break the debutante until the 52nd minute but won in the end 3-0 to set up the semifinal clash against Seneral.

The Teranga Lions went into AFCON 2019 as one of the favourites to lift the title being in fine form and as Africa’s No 1 team going by FIFA ranking. But they laboured to beat Tanzania 2-0 in their opening match and then lost 0-1 to Algeria despite their inspirational striker Sadio Mané returning from a match ban. The Lions stepped up to wallop Kenya 3-0 and qualify for the Round of 16 as runners-up behind Algeria.

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Senegal again weren’t exciting as Uganda fell 0-1 in the second round, while they struck just once to stop the historic run of Benin Republic in the quarterfinal.

Runners-up in 1965 and 1996 and bronze medalists in 1962 with two fourth placed finish in 1978 and 2000, this is the first time Tunisia will be among the last four since lifting the trophy at home in 2004.

Senegal, on their part, lost their only best opportunity so far to win the title in 2002 when they lost the final on penalties to Cameroon in Bamako. Their previous venture into the semifinals in 1965, 1990 and 2006 ended in defeat in those matches as well in the third placed fixtures that followed.

Tunisia have beaten Senegal once in AFCON finals, the same with the Lions, while both sides have recorded three draws.

Semifinal fixtures:

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  • Senegal v Tunisia (5pm)
  •  Algeria v Nigeria (8pm)

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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AFCON

Eguavoen Dismisses Rumours Linking Him to Super Eagles Coaching Role

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Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Coach Augustine Eguavoen, has strongly condemned media reports suggesting that he is being considered to take over as Super Eagles Head Coach ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) should current handler Eric Chelle fail to secure qualification for next year’s FIFA World Cup.

Speaking on Wednesday, the former Super Eagles captain described the reports as false, misleading, and damaging, insisting that he maintains a cordial and professional relationship with Coach Chelle.

“I feel very hurt by these baseless rumours because I really have no idea where they are coming from,” Eguavoen said. “I have a very good working relationship with Coach Eric Chelle, and I have absolutely no interest in taking over the squad. I am praying for him to succeed.”

Eguavoen, who has previously served as interim head coach of the national team, expressed frustration that such speculation was resurfacing, warning that it could undermine team unity ahead of major assignments.

“This was how the same speculators created schism and disaffection between myself and Gernot Rohr, and later José Peseiro, when they coached the Super Eagles at different periods,” he recalled. “It is uncalled-for. We all need to work together to see the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup and win the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.”

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The NFF Technical Director reiterated his commitment to supporting the technical crew and fostering a collaborative atmosphere that will enable Nigeria’s senior team to achieve its set goals.

“Our collective focus should be on progress, not distractions,” he added. “Everyone in the system is working towards one goal — success for Nigeria.”

The Super Eagles are currently deep in preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, while their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign resumes later this year.

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AFCON

Nigerians, other nationals can apply, as CAF and Morocco Launch Volunteer Programme for AFCON 2025

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in Morocco have launched the official Volunteer Programme for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, billed to run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.

According to CAF, more than 4,000 volunteers will be recruited to play a central role in ensuring the success of Africa’s most prestigious football tournament, which will be staged across six cities and nine stadiums in Morocco.

Applications are now open at volunteers.cafonline.com and will close on 8 October 2025. The opportunity is open to anyone above the age of 18.

Volunteers will be deployed across multiple functional areas, including media operations, spectator services, accreditation, hospitality, and fan engagement. Selected individuals will receive professional training ahead of the competition and work behind the scenes to deliver a memorable AFCON.

CAF stated that the programme is designed not only to support tournament operations but also to create an alumni network of skilled Africans who can contribute to future sporting events across the continent. Successful applicants will benefit from:

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  • Training and skill development.
  • Official uniforms and certificates of participation.
  • Networking opportunities with peers and professionals.
  • The chance to contribute to Africa’s football legacy.

Volunteer registration opened on 17 September 2025. Selection and training will take place in October and November, with operations commencing in mid-December through to the tournament’s conclusion on 18 January 2026.

CAF described the initiative as an “exciting opportunity” for Africans to contribute to the growth of the continent’s flagship sporting event, which is expected to draw millions of visitors to Morocco.

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AFCON

CAF Security Chief, Nigeria’s Emeruwa, Leads Inspection of Tangier Stadium Ahead of Major Tournaments

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Nigeria’s Dr. Christian Emeruwa, President of the Security and Safety Division of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), on Thursday, September 18, led an inspection visit to the Grand Stade de Tangier as preparations intensify for upcoming continental and global football events.

Emeruwa, who heads CAF’s continental security architecture, was joined by CAF Secretary General Véron Mosengo-Omba, senior Moroccan officials, and executives of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).

The delegation also included managers of operational companies at the Grand Stade and SONARGES executives.

According to Le 360, the Nigerian official expressed satisfaction with the stadium’s facilities after touring key operational areas, including the main control room with its giant surveillance screen, as well as spectator, player, and VIP access zones.

The inspection was bolstered by the presence of Morocco’s top security and administrative officers—the regional commander of the Royal Gendarmerie, officials of the Auxiliary Forces and Civil Protection, the Wali of Security, the governor in charge of Internal Affairs, and representatives of the National Agency for Public Equipment (ANEP).

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A technical meeting followed the tour, where engineers presented recent safety and security upgrades. Among the highlights was the planned installation of a FIFA-standard tarpaulin roof to enhance the venue’s compliance with global hosting requirements.

For Nigeria, the spotlight on Dr. Emeruwa underscores the country’s growing influence in African football administration, particularly in the critical areas of safety and security management for CAF competitions.

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