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

Rivals Reunited? Nigeria–DR Congo Quarter-Final Showdown Beckons

Published

7 hours ago

January 1, 2026

Kunle Solaja

By Kunle Solaja

The Africa Cup of Nations could serve up another high-stakes showdown between Nigeria and DR Congo, rekindling a rivalry that recently left Nigerian fans with bitter memories.

Nigeria will take on Mozambique national football team on Monday in Fez, while DR Congo face Algeria national football team on Tuesday in Rabat. Victories for both sides would set up a quarter-final showdown in Marrakech on January 10.

The fixture would echo their tense encounter last November in Rabat during the final CAF playoff for the World Cup. That clash ended 1–1 after extra time, forcing a penalty shootout in which DR Congo triumphed.

Nigeria, however, has not let the matter rest. The Nigerian Football Federation is contesting the eligibility of some DR Congo players from that playoff, a dispute that could add extra spice to any potential rematch.

With both teams carrying the weight of history and national pride, fans across Africa are bracing for what could be another dramatic chapter in this growing rivalry.

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AFCON

Gabon sack Aubameyang and the national team

Published

8 hours ago

January 1, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Gabon’s government have announced the suspension of the national team, the sacking of the coach and kicked Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off the squad in the wake of three defeats at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Gabon’s Minister of Sports announced on television the suspension of the national team after they finished last in their group and were eliminated from the tournament in Morocco.

“Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the coaching staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and exclude players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” said acting sports minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula after Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Cote d’Ivoire in Marrakech.

Gabon, coached by former defender Thierry Mouyouma, had already been eliminated after losing their opening pair of Group F fixtures to Cameroon and Mozambique but in their final outing were 2-0 up over the defending champions before conceding three goals and going down to a second-string Ivorian line-up.

Neither Aubameyang nor veteran defender Ecuele Manga played on Wednesday, with Aubameyang having returned to his French club Olympique de Marseille for treatment on a thigh injury.

The former African Footballer of the Year responded on social media, saying on X, opens new tab: “I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the individual I am.”

Aubameyang, at 36, had likely played his last game for Gabon in their defeat by Mozambique, as was also likely the case with the 37-year-old former Cardiff City defender Ecuele Manga.

Disbanding the national team used to be a common reaction in Africa to disappointing results but since world football’s governing body FIFA have taken a hard stance against government interference in the running of football associations, it has been a rare occurrence.

-Reuters

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AFCON

AFCON 2025: Super Eagles Finish Group Stage with Tournament’s Most Potent Attack

Published

15 hours ago

January 1, 2026

Kunle Solaja

By Kunle Solaja.

Nigeria closed the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations as the competition’s most lethal attacking force, underlining their title credentials with a tournament-high eight goals after three matches.

The Super Eagles not only outscored every other team in the group phase but also matched Algeria as the only sides to record a perfect haul of three wins from three matches, setting a strong benchmark ahead of the knockout rounds.

Nigeria’s attacking output placed them clear at the top of the scoring charts, ahead of Senegal and Algeria, who both finished the group stage with seven goals apiece.

While several teams relied on narrow wins and defensive solidity, Nigeria consistently combined pace, width and directness to overwhelm opponents, producing goals across all three matches.

Algeria, equally impressive in efficiency and control, mirrored Nigeria’s flawless record, winning all three of their group games while also maintaining a strong goal return.

Senegal’s seven goals, meanwhile, reflected their own attacking depth, even though they fell just short of a perfect points tally.

Across the tournament, the expanded 24-team format once again delivered drama. Still, Nigeria’s consistency in front of goal stood out in a group stage often characterised by tight margins and nervy finishes.

While other favourites were occasionally dragged into scrappy encounters, the Super Eagles found ways to score early, respond under pressure and close out matches.

The group phase concluded with traditional heavyweights largely progressing to the Round of 16. Still, Nigeria’s statistical dominance — leading the goals chart and posting maximum points — has marked them out as one of the most convincing performers so far.

As the competition now moves into the knockout stage, the emphasis will shift from accumulation to survival. Yet, if the group stage is any indication, Nigeria’s attacking firepower, allied to their perfect record, makes them one of the teams everyone else will be keen to avoid as AFCON 2025 enters its decisive phase.

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