AFCON

NIGERIA AND LAST MINUTE GOALS AT AFCON

Published

7 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

Nigeria Quarter-Final Clash Leaves Zidane’s Son Sidelined as CAF Sanctions Algeria

Published

13 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Luca Zidane was at the heart of a mass brawl as Algeria lost to Nigeria at AfconCredit: AFP

According to Egyptian news outlet Ahram, quoting the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has handed a two-match suspension to Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of French football icon Zinedine Zidane, following the chaotic aftermath of Algeria’s quarter-final defeat to Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The suspension of Luca Zidane is the most high-profile punishment among a raft of sanctions imposed by CAF’s disciplinary committee after Nigeria’s 2–0 victory, which sent the Super Eagles into the semi-finals and sparked disorder involving Algerian players, officials, and supporters at the final whistle.

In addition to Zidane’s ban, defender Rafik Belghali has been hit with a four-match suspension, with two of those games suspended. CAF also fined the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) a total of $100,000 for what it described as misconduct by the national team and the inappropriate behaviour of certain players, officials, and fans.

CAF clarified that all player suspensions will be served during the 2027 AFCON qualifying matches. As a result, Luca Zidane and Belghali will remain eligible to feature for Algeria at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, avoiding a ban from the global showpiece.

Reacting to the verdict, the Algerian Football Federation confirmed it would appeal the sanctions, insisting it would pursue all available institutional channels to defend the interests and reputation of Algerian football.

The suspension of Zidane, however, underscores CAF’s firm stance on post-match indiscipline and ensures that the fallout from Algeria’s AFCON exit will extend well beyond the final whistle in Rabat.

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AFCON

Senegal Players to get bonuses, land for Africa Cup of Nations win

Published

13 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Senegal Victory Parade - Dakar, Senegal - January 20, 2026 Senegal players and staff celebrate with the trophy on the bus during the victory parade. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has offered bonuses of more than $130,000 as well as plots of coastal land to each member of the country’s soccer team following their victory in Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations final against Morocco.

He spoke at a ceremony in the capital, Dakar, on Tuesday night,t during which thousands of jubilant supporters took to the streets to welcome the victorious Lions of Teranga home.

Senegal beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time, having staged a walk-off after they had a penalty awarded against them deep in stoppage time at the end of 90 minutes.

After the Senegal players returned to the pitch, Morocco missed the spot kick, and Pape Gueye then won the trophy with a superb strike four minutes into extra time.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Senegal players rode atop a bus emblazoned with the words “African champions” along Dakar’s corniche towards the presidential palace.

The bonuses of 75 million CFA francs ($134,892.09) for each of the squad’s 28 players total 2.1 billion CFA francs or $3.7 million. The players will also receive 1,500 square-metre plots of land.

In addition, Faye said members of Senegal’s soccer federation would receive 50 million CFA francs and 1,000 square-metre plots, while members of the Senegalese delegation to Morocco would receive 20 million CFA francs and 500 square-metre plots.

He said sports ministry staff would receive 305 million CFA francs in bonuses.

SENEGAL FACES DEBT WOES

The pledges come as Senegal grapples with debts that the International Monetary Fund said hit 132% of GDP at the end of 2024 after the current leadership uncovered billions in debts that were not reported by the previous administration.

The IMF froze a $1.8 billion lending programme over the controversy, forcing Senegal to rely heavily on regional debt auctions to meet its financing needs.

The new IMF mission chief travelled to Senegal for an introductory visit this week.

“Dear Lions, you have honoured the flag entrusted to you. You have honoured Senegal. You have shown by example that when Senegalese people move forward together with discipline and confidence, no challenge is beyond their reach,” Faye said on Tuesday while speaking on a stage in front of the presidential palace.

Senegal won the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 2021, beating Egypt in the final. Back then, players were awarded bonuses worth 50 million CFA francs and 200 square-metre plots of land.

Patrice Motsepe, president of the Confederation of African Football, said in December that the winners of the 35th edition in Morocco would receive $10 million in prize money

-Reuters

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AFCON

Senegal Coach Pape Thiaw Faces Possible World Cup Absence After CAF Disciplinary Case

Published

1 day ago

January 21, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Pape Thiaw beckoning on his players to leave the pitch.

Multiple sources have informed that Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw could miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) opened disciplinary proceedings against him over controversial conduct during the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat.

CAF confirmed that it is reviewing incidents from the final between the Senegal national football team and the Morocco national football team, with potential sanctions that could include a lengthy suspension.

Such a penalty would likely rule Thiaw out of leading Senegal at the World Cup, which will be staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.

The case stems from events late in stoppage time when referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a penalty following a VAR review. In protest, Thiaw instructed his players to leave the pitch and return to the dressing room, causing a delay of approximately 17 minutes before play resumed.

Morocco’s Brahim Díaz later missed the penalty, and Senegal went on to win the match 1–0 after extra time to claim the continental title. However, the dramatic walk-off overshadowed the victory and has now placed Thiaw’s international future in doubt.

In a statement, CAF condemned the conduct, warning that actions perceived as undermining match officials and organisers violate the values of the game. “CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour during matches, especially those targeting referees or match organizers,” the statement said.

CAF added that all available video footage from the final is being examined and that the matter will be referred to its disciplinary committees, which have the authority to impose suspensions, fines or bans.

The incident also drew criticism from Gianni Infantino, who described the scenes as “ugly” and called for accountability.

While Senegal’s World Cup preparations are expected to continue as planned, uncertainty now surrounds whether Thiaw will be on the touchline when the tournament kicks off in June, pending the outcome of CAF’s disciplinary process.

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