AFCON
INEXPERIENCE AND INDIVIDUAL MISTAKES COST YOUNG NIGERIAN SIDE – REUTERS REPORT
On the eve of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against Algeria, defender Kenneth Omeruo warned his team mates not to give away free kicks on the edge of the penalty area.
Four minutes into stoppage time of Sunday’s match, with the score at 1-1 and Nigeria looking in better shape to face extra-time, they did exactly that, giving Riyad Mahrez a pot at goal from his favourite position just to the right of the centre.
There was a sense of inevitability as the winger curled the ball around the wall and into the net to give Algeria a 2-1 win and end Nigeria’s dream of a fourth title.
Throughout the tournament, Nigeria’s inexperienced team have been plagued by individual mistakes and carelessness.
They nearly gifted minnows Burundi the lead in their opening match, lost their final group game to Madagascar 2-0 after an awful mix-up in their defence gave their opponents an early goal and had to come from behind to beat Cameroon after more mishaps.
“We have to avoid these mistakes,” said coach Gernot Rohr ahead of the quarter-final against South Africa.
Even so, there are plenty of reasons for optimism. Rohr has brought stability to a team which, after winning AFCON in 2013, astonishingly failed to qualify for the subsequent two tournaments in 2015 and 2017.
The team which started Sunday’s match had an average age of only 24.7 and they have shown impressive powers of recovery throughout the finals.
“We have to work much more, we are young, our midfield is the youngest one, and (Wilfred) Ndidi, (Oghenekaro) Etebo and (Alex) Iwobi, they have to learn tactically, they have to make a better communication,” said the German. “But they will do it.”
Much could depend on how the club careers of the players progress.
Some, such as Arsenal’s Iwobi and Leicester City’s Ndidi are established in the English Premier League while Samuel Chukwueze, 20, has won a first team place with La Liga’s Villarreal.
Others have found themselves shunted around on loan to various clubs such as central defender Omeruo, who is a Chelsea player but in the last four seasons has played on loan at Kasimpasa, Alanyaspor, Kasimpasa again and then Leganes in Spain.
Another is goalkeeper Francis Uzoho who was first choice at last year’s World Cup in Russia.
Owned by Deportivo La Coruna, the 20-year-old’s inability to get regular first-team football during loan spells at Elche and then Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta forced Rohr to turn to Daniel Akpeyi who performed erratically throughout the finals.
Meanwhile, strikers Odion Ighalo and Ahmed Musa are playing in the less competitive leagues of China and Saudi Arabia respectively.
In another example of lack of experience, Rohr conceded that his team relaxed towards the end of the 90 minutes of Sunday’s game, thinking they could win in extra-time.
“I think the players wanted it to go to extra time, thinking Algeria were more tired,” he said. It proved to be a fatal miscalculation.
– Reuters
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 Cup6 days ago
World Cup Fans, Players And Officials Face $15,000 Visa Bonds to Enter U.S.
- AFCON3 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 Cup1 week ago
Absent Giants: Big Football Nations Missing from the 2026 World Cup
- World Cup1 day ago
Infantino promises FIFA backing for Iran to play at World Cup
- AFCON3 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 Bodies3 days ago
BREAKING! Nigeria’s Samson Adamu Appointed Acting CAF General Secretary