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AFCON

NIGERIA’S ODION IGHALO IS CONFIRMED AS GOLDEN BOOT WINNER

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Published

7 years ago

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The failure of star players in Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations’ final match to score has benefited Nigeria’s lead striker, Odion Ighalo.

Neither Senegal’s Sadio Mane nor the duo of Algeria’s Riyad Mahreb and Adam Ounas, who were on three goals each, scored in the final match.

Thus, CAF has confirmed Ighalo who had five goals as the Golden Boot winner.


It is the best tally for a Nations Cup top scorer since Egyptian striker Mohamed “Gedo” Nagy scored five goals in 2010.

Also, Algeria midfielder Ismail Bennacer was awarded the best player prize of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on Friday.

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The 22-year-old tireless midfielder produced a string of outstanding performances, breaking up most of the opponents’ attacks but also remarkably providing three assists upfront, including the one from which Baghdad Bounedjah scored the winner in a 1-0 final victory over Senegal.

The Empoli midfielder is the only player to feature in Algeria’s entire seven games. He was only substituted once in injury time against Senegal in the group stage.


Algeria’s Rais M’Bolhi was also named the tournament’s best keeper, thanks to some superb displays between the sticks. 

List of leading scorers at African Nations Cup finals tournaments:

  • 1957- Ad El Diba (Egypt) 5 goals.
  • 1959– Mahmoud Al Gohari (Egypt) 3 goals.
  • 1962– Mohamed Al Badawi (Egypt) and Worku Mengistu (Ethiopia) 3 goals.
  • 1963– Ahmed Al Chazli (Egypt) 6 goals.
  • 1965– Abbrey Osei Kofi (Ghana) and Eustace Mangli (Cote d’Ivoire) 3 goals.
  • 1968– Laurent Pokou (Cote d’Ivoire) 6 goals.
  • 1970– Laurent Pokou (Cote d’Ivoire) 8 goals.
  • 1972- Salif Keita (Mali), 5 goals.
  • 1974- Mulamba Ndaye (Zaire) 9 goals.
  • 1976- William Njo Lea (Guinea) 4 goals.
  • 1978– Phillip Omondi (Uganda) 4 goals.
  • 1980– Segun Odegbami (Nigeria) 3 goals.
  • 1982– George Al Hassan (Ghana) 4 goals.
  • 1984– Taher Abou Zeid (Egypt) 4 goals.
  • 1986– Roger Milla (Cameroon), Abdoulaye Traore (Cote d’Ivoire) 4 goals.
  • 1988– Lakhdar Belloumi (Algeria), Roger Milla (Cameroon), Gamal Abdelhamid (Egypt) and Abdoulaye Traore (Cote d’Ivoire) 4 goals.
  • 1990– Djamel Menad (Algeria) 4 goals.
  • 1992– Rachidi Yekini (Nigeria) 4 goals.
  • 1994– Rachidi Yekini (Nigeria) 5 goals.
  • 1996– Kalusha Bwalya (Zambia) 5 goals.
  • 1998– Hossam Hassan (Egypt) and Benni McCarthy (South Africa) 7 goals.
  • 2000– Shaun Bartlett (South Africa) 5 goals.
  • 2002– Patrick Mboma, Salomon Olembe (both Cameroon) and Julius Aghahowa (Nigeria) 3 goals.
  • 2004– Patrick Mboma (Cameroon), Frederic Kanoute (Mali), Austin Okocha (Nigeria), Youssef Mokhtari (Morocco) and Francileudo dos Santos (Tunisia) 4 goals.
  • 2006- Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon), Ahmed Hassan (Egypt) and Francileudo dos Santos (Tunisia) 4 goals.
  • 2008– Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) 5 goals.
  • 2010– Mohamed Nagui (Egypt) 5 goals.
  • 2012- Manucho (Angola), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast), Cheick Tidiane Diabate (Mali), Houcine Kharja (Morocco) Chris Katongo, Emmanuel Mayuka (both Zambia) 3 goals.
  • 2013: Emmanuel Emenike (Nigeria), Mubarak Wakaso (Ghana), 4 goals.
  • 2015: Ahmed Akaichi (Tunisia), Andre Ayew (Ghana), Dieumerci Mbokani (DR Congo), Javier Balboa (Equatorial Guinea), Thievy Biffouma (Congo) – 3 goals.
  • 2017: Junior Kabananga (DR Congo) – 3 goals
  • 2019: Odion Ighalo (Nigeria) – 5 goals
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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

Motsepe Hails King Mohammed VI Over Royal Pardon of Jailed Senegalese Fans

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Published

3 weeks ago

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May 24, 2026

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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.

“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.

The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.

“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.

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“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”

Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.

“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.

The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.

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Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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AFCON

Group I: Algeria Face Tough Challenge from Zambia in AFCON 2027 Qualifiers

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Published

4 weeks ago

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May 20, 2026

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By Kunle Solaja.

Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.

The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.

Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.

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The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.

Group I Fixtures

Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026

  • Algeria vs Zambia
  • Togo vs Burundi

Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026

  • Zambia vs Togo
  • Burundi vs Algeria

Matchday 3 — October 2026

  • Algeria vs Togo
  • Zambia vs Burundi

Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026

  • Togo vs Algeria
  • Burundi vs Zambia

Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027

  • Zambia vs Algeria
  • Burundi vs Togo

Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027

  • Togo vs Zambia
  • Algeria vs Burundi

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AFCON

Group J: Senegal Begin AFCON 2027 Campaign Against Mozambique

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Published

4 weeks ago

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May 20, 2026

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By Kunle Solaja.

African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.

Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.

Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.

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The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.

Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.

Group J Fixtures

Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026

  • Senegal vs Mozambique
  • Sudan vs Ethiopia

Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026

  • Mozambique vs Sudan
  • Ethiopia vs Senegal

Matchday 3 — October 2026

  • Senegal vs Sudan
  • Mozambique vs Ethiopia

Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026

  • Sudan vs Senegal
  • Ethiopia vs Mozambique

Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027

  • Mozambique vs Senegal
  • Ethiopia vs Sudan

Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027

  • Sudan vs Mozambique
  • Senegal vs Ethiopia

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