AFCON
BIG TEAM, SOUTH AFRICA, SENEGAL BARE THEIR FANGS!
South Africa responded to their opening day 2-0 loss away to Ghana with a 1-0 victory at home against Sudan as the Bafana Bafana got their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign breathing.
Lebogang Phiri got the lone goal at the stroke of halftime as the home side got their three points with a clean sheet to top the cherry. Phiri struck a superb goal with a left footed shot into the box after Thulani Serero’s cross was deflected into his path.
The South Africans had bossed the game, limiting the Sudanese to play in their own half. As early as the first minute, Bafana had knocked on the door with Thapelo Morena’s shot from the six yard box going just wide.
In the third minute, Serero was denied by the keeper after picking out a Phiri cross before the former came knocking once again with a shot from range that went just over.
Lebo Mothiba should have given South Africa the lead on the quarter hour mark when he was picked out by a superb Percy Tau defense splitting pass, but the striker’s nifty touch at the edge of the six yard box was superbly kept out by the Sudanese keeper.
Kamohelo Mokotjo had another chance in the 25th minute off another Tau delivery but his shot from inside the box flew straight to the keeper’s arms.
In the second half, Sudan came back determined to have a way back into the game and their attacking decision pushed South Africa back.
They had chances to score with Atahir El Tahir striking a scorcher from distance inches over while Ramadan Agab had an effort from inside the box go wide.
Meanwhile in Mbabane, AFCON 2019 finalists Senegal defied a storm that halted the game to thrash hosts eSwatini 4-1 and move top of Group I with a 100pc record.
The game was stopped midway for a while due to a storm, but continued later after the match officials gave the game a go ahead.
Having missed a 10th minute penalty, Famara Diedhiou responded with a second half hattrick to send Senegal’s Teranga Lions roaring. Diedhiou broke the deadlock after 59 minutes before doubling the tally in the 66th.
Just two minutes later, he claimed the match ball with a third goal to give Senegal a comfortable hold of the game in difficult conditions. Fanelo Mamba pulled one back for the hosts in the 71st minute but just two minutes later, he moved from hero to villain after being sent off.
With a one-man advantage and the game long wrapped up, Senegal were cruising but added one for comfort 13 minutes to time through Papa Ndiaye.
With the opening day 2-0 victory over Congo, the Senegalese are now comfortably riding on the road to Cameroon ahead of the third qualification match day next year.
-CAF
Egyptian national team will face Nigeria on 14 December at Cairo Stadium as part of their preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA)said on Sunday.
The friendly was arranged at the request of Egypt coach Hossam Hassan, who wanted to test his side against one of the continent’s heavyweights ahead of the tournament.
The Pharaohs will compete in the UAE International Tournament, where they will meet Uzbekistan on 14 November.
The competition also features Cape Verde and Iran, who will play a day earlier.
The winners of both matches will face each other in the final on 18 November.
Senegal were initially scheduled to take part in the tournament but withdrew, paving the way for Cape Verde to join.
Egypt have been drawn in Group B for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe
-Ahram
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Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong says Nigeria will head to Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations determined to go one step further after the heartbreak of losing the last final to Côte d’Ivoire.
In an exclusive chat with CAFOnline.com, the Al-Kholood defender said the experience of falling short in Abidjan has made the team tougher and more united.
“Last AFCON left a lasting impression on all of us,” Troost-Ekong said. “This group is excited to have another chance to try and win the trophy. We learned so much from that final—this time we’ll be calmer and play our football better.”
The Saudi Arabia-based centre-back downplayed talk of Nigeria being clear favourites, noting that hosts Morocco, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal are equally strong contenders.
“There’s no such thing as a clear favourite at AFCON,” he warned. “You can’t win a tournament with expectations. AFCON is difficult and full of surprises.”
Troost-Ekong, who has appeared in multiple AFCON campaigns, said the key to winning lies in “heart, togetherness and consistency.”
“Momentum has to grow through the tournament. Don’t panic when things go wrong, and don’t get carried away when they go right,” he added.
On Nigeria’s group opponents—Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania—the skipper admitted the road to the knockout stages won’t be easy.
“Tunisia knocked us out in 2021. Uganda and Tanzania are improving fast. There’s no easy game at AFCON,” he said.
Troost-Ekong also saluted Nigerian fans for their support and promised the team would give everything to bring home the title.
“When all of Nigeria stands together, that’s our power,” he declared. “Hopefully, the headline this time will read: Nigeria crowns the special generation with an AFCON title.”
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Super Eagles for their impressive performance in the 4–0 victory over Benin Republic, praising the team for keeping Nigeria’s qualification hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Adebayo Onanuga, the President lauded the players for their “hunger, passion, and determination” during the crucial qualifier in Uyo, describing their display as one that has “reignited Nigerians’ football pride.”
“While the job is not yet complete, I join millions of Nigerian football fans in wishing our team every success in the playoffs,” Tinubu said. “The mood across the country reflects a shared belief that Nigeria deserves a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada, Mexico, and the United States will host.”
Reaffirming the government’s backing, President Tinubu assured the players and coaching crew of full Federal Government support as they prepare for the decisive play-off stage.
“Nigerians everywhere believe in you, and I do too,” he said. “We look forward to seeing you fly our flag proudly on the world stage.”
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