AFCON

NIGERIA AND LAST MINUTE GOALS AT AFCON

Published

6 years ago

July 15, 2019

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Sunday’s last minute goal for Algeria was not the first of such to be conceded by Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, even though, Super Eagles have also profited from the cliff-hanging situations as the clock ticked down.

It is well known that it was the last minute goal against South Africa that shut them into the semi finals. Also in 2008, it was the late minute goal that Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored against Benin Republic that earned Nigeria a passage into the knockout stage on goal difference over Mali.

Two years earlier in Egypt, even though Nigeria had won their two group games against Zimbabwe and Ghana, the Super Eagles were at the risk of possible elimination going into the third match with Senegal.

Senegal had beaten Zimbabwe 2-0 before losing 1-0 to Ghana. With that scenario, all possibilities were open for Zimbabwe to advance, should they beat Ghana and if Nigeria beat Senegal silly.

Similarly, Nigeria’s advancement was at risk had they lost to Senegal by at least two goals and also Ghana beating Zimbabwe by the same margin or more. The three tops teams would have ended with six points apiece.

Nigeria would have been eliminated on goal difference. Zimbabwe did the unexpected beating Ghana 2-1 in Ismalia. With the match and that of Nigeria and Senegal going on simultaneously, Senegal took an early lead before Nigeria leveled up 11 minutes to regulation time.

But a win was needed for Nigeria to advance. The needed goal only came two minutes to end the game. That was not the first time Nigeria had a late goal against Senegal.

On their home soil in Dakar, Stephen Keshi fired a long range shot that enabled Nigeria get a 89^th minute goal with which the host team was defeated in the opening game of 1992 Africa Cup of Nations.

Was it history repeating itself at the semifinals when a dying minute robbed Nigeria a place in the final on Sunday? It was also so in 1976 when Guinea’s Papa Camara’s last minute goal confined Nigeria to struggle for third a third=place match with Guinea.

AFCON

Confirmed! Super Eagles to Face Mozambique in AFCON Round of 16

Published

5 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Kunle Solaja

By Kunle Solaja

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will take on Mozambique in the Round of 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday in Fez, following the conclusion of the group stage on Tuesday night.

Mozambique booked their place in the knockout phase after finishing third in Group F and emerging as one of the four best third-placed teams across the six groups.

The Mambas’ progression was confirmed despite a 2–1 defeat to Cameroon in their final Group F match. Results elsewhere worked in their favour, allowing them to advance under the tournament’s best third-placed teams rule.

Elsewhere, dramatic late twists characterised the final day of group action. Côte d’Ivoire produced a stirring comeback, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Gabon 3–2 and keep their own tournament hopes alive.

Nigeria, who completed the group stage with a perfect record, will head into the Fez encounter as one of the form teams of the competition, while Mozambique will be hoping to extend their fairytale run against one of Africa’s traditional heavyweights.

The Round of 16 clash sets the stage for another high-stakes knockout battle as the race for continental glory intensifies in Morocco.

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AFCON

Bakambu blames Iberia Airlines for missing luggage

Published

7 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Kunle Solaja

DR Congo striker Cédric Bakambu has publicly called out Iberia Airlines over the loss of his luggage at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The Moroccan authorities bear no responsibility for his predicament.

Bakambu, on x (formerly Twitter) revealed that nearly two weeks after arriving in Morocco for the continental tournament, he is still without his personal belongings despite being fully involved in matches and team activities at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Congolese forward said he had received three separate confirmations from Moroccan authorities that his luggage had been located, yet nothing has been delivered to him.

“I find myself having to compete in the AFCON deprived of all my personal belongings,” Bakambu lamented, describing the situation as frustrating and professionally disruptive at a time when players are expected to be fully focused on performance.

The striker was emphatic in absolving the host nation of any blame, stating that the issue lies solely with Iberia Airlines, which handled his travel.

Morocco has earned widespread praise for its organisation, infrastructure and logistics at the tournament, with teams and officials commending the host country for smooth operations since the start of the competition.

Bakambu’s comments highlight the often unseen travel and logistical challenges faced by players at major international tournaments, even as the football action continues on the pitch.

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AFCON

Two Equatorial Guinea players banned for insulting referee at Africa Cup of Nations

Published

7 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Two Equatorial Guinea players have been banned for insulting a referee at the Africa Cup of Nations and Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore was fined for post-match remarks, the respective football federations said on Wednesday.

Equatorial Guinea captain Carlos Akakpo and midfielder Josete Miranda have each been banned for four games for swearing at referee Messie Nkounou of Congo after their 1-0 loss to Sudan in Casablanca on Sunday, which left them bottom of Group E. Two of the matches have been suspended for a period of one year, the federation said.

The suspensions begin on Wednesday when Equatorial Guinea face Algeria in their last group match in Rabat.

Traore, who plays for Sunderland, was fined $10,000 for “offensive remarks” he made in an interview after Algeria’s 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in Rabat on Sunday.

“It’s a shame, we lost 1-0 to a penalty. I think there was a penalty on me in the very first action of the match,” Traore said. “The referees are ruining the game. And then, at the end, the referee (swear word) me.”

Traore expressed regret after being charged by the Confederation of African Football, the Burkinabe federation said.

-Reuters

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