AFCON
SUPER EAGLES’ 2019 AFCON DREAM-KILLER, RIYAD MAHREZ, IS MATCH WINNER FOR CITY
A moment of brilliance from Riyad Mahrez ensured City emerged as 2-1 victors in an enthralling, end-to-end clash with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium.
The Algerian was largely responsible for the semi-final ouster of the Nigeria Super Eagles at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
First, it was his cross from the right flank that Williams Ekong deflected into the Nigerian net for the Algerian first half goal. Then at the dot of added time in the match, Mahrez took the back-breaking free-kick that got Nigeria eliminated.
On Saturday, the Algerian won the crunchy Premiership game for Manchester City with a move that has become his trademark, cutting inside onto his favoured left foot and picking out the bottom corner after Kevin De Bruyne’s deflected effort had cancelled out N’Golo Kante’s opener.
His performance easily made him the Man of the Match. The result means that Manchester City leapfrogs Chelsea into third place in the Premier League, one point behind Leicester City and nine behind leaders Liverpool, who snatched a late win at Crystal Palace before we got under way at the Etihad
Much was expected before kick-off, as City, the league’s best exponents of fluid attacking football came up against Frank Lampard’s free-scoring youngsters and the two teams certainly delivered.
Chance after chance was created, but the defending champions arguably carved the better opportunities to secure the Club’s 400th Premier League victory and move up to third in the table.
Pep Guardiola had expressed his appreciation for Chelsea’s style of play beforehand and both sides played their part in what was an entertaining game from the get-go.
De Bruyne was a whisker away from opening the scoring after Sergio Aguero freed him on the right, and in a carbon copy move with Abraham, Willian went just as close with the game barely 10 minutes old.
It was a frantic start, but the visitors hit their stride earlier than City.
Fikayo Tomori drilled wide when Ederson looked to be beaten after the hosts failed to clear a corner, before a Willian-inspired counter-attack saw Emerson fire straight at the keeper.
Chelsea looked dangerous running in behind and when Mateo Kovacic picked out Kante’s burst forward, the Frenchman held off Benjamin Mendy and squeezed the ball between the defender and Ederson to deservedly give his side the lead.
From there City were largely on top.
De Bruyne levelled within 10 minutes, his low effort deflecting off Kurt Zouma to wrong-foot Kepa after a sharp turn had left Jorginho on the seat of his pants, before Mahrez again proved his ability to create something out of nothing.
Shadowed by Kovacic and Emerson, the visitors looked to have things under control, but the Algerian slalomed inside the pair and arrowed through Zouma’s legs to put City ahead.
There were further stomach-churning moments for Lampard’s men as Atkinson waved away penalty protests after Aguero tumbled under Tomori’s attention and then on the stroke of half-time the Argentine was denied by the crossbar when Kepa miscued straight to his feet 20-yards from goal.
The game continued to ebb and flow after the break, with City just edging proceedings as both sides continued to attack with vigour.
Mahrez twice went close, firing wide following another mazy dribble and forcing Kepa into a fingertip save from a corner, while Chelsea were grateful for Cesar Azpilicueta, who denied Joao Cancelo inches from the goal line.
But Lampard’s team were never truly out of the game and continued to ask questions of the City defence.
Fernandinho made a crucial near post block from Kante and it was heart in mouth stuff when Ederson stuck out a hand to tip Willian’s dipping effort away.
That was repeated in the dying seconds, when Mason Mount stood over a free-kick, but the Etihad breathed a collective sigh of relief as Ederson watched it fly past his post.
Raheem Sterling had the ball in the back of the net before the whistle sounded, but was adjudged to be offside after Atkinson consulted VAR.
This wasn’t vintage City.
We weren’t at our mesmerising best throughout, though the visitors may also feel like they failed to reach their top level, but it was a contest you couldn’t take your eyes off.
It pitched players who love to commit defenders and stretch back lines against each other and both teams willingness to attack made for a thoroughly enjoyable watch.
Crucially, City won. Against an in-form team unbeaten in their last seven away games. It was a great game and a great result to get us back to winning ways.
The Confederation of African Football has announced a major overhaul of its flagship competition, with the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to expand from 24 to 28 teams.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe disclosed the decision on Sunday following an executive committee meeting, describing it as part of the body’s commitment to elevating African football to global standards.
Motsepe said the expansion would create more opportunities for countries across the continent while ensuring that top African players worldwide return home to compete at the highest level.
“This is about our commitment to world-class football, bringing together the best African players from across the globe to compete on the continent,” he stated.
However, the CAF boss did not provide details on how the new 28-team format would be structured or when the expansion would take effect, leaving questions over qualification pathways and tournament scheduling.
Continuity for 2027, New Cycle from 2028
Motsepe confirmed that the 2027 AFCON will proceed as planned with co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, maintaining the current 24-team format for that edition.
In a significant shift, CAF also announced that another AFCON tournament will be staged in 2028, after which the competition will move to a four-year cycle—aligning more closely with other major international tournaments.
CAF Nations League Introduced
In addition to AFCON reforms, CAF revealed plans to introduce an African Nations League starting from 2029. The new competition will be held annually, with a 16-team final tournament staged every two years.
The initiative is aimed at improving the competitiveness, structure and commercial value of the African national team football.
“We have to stop this situation where African fixtures are not predictable, consistent and reliable,” Motsepe said. “We must also focus on developing football in regions like East Africa, which has enormous potential.”
A New Era for African Football
The proposed changes mark one of the most ambitious restructurings of African football competitions in recent years, with CAF seeking to expand participation, enhance organisation and create a more predictable football calendar.
While details are still emerging, the decisions are expected to have far-reaching implications for national teams, qualification formats and the overall growth of the game across the continent.
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The Confederation of African Football said it would implement changes and improvements to its statutes and regulations that would ensure that the farcical scenes at January’s Africa Cup of Nations final do not happen again.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe said the changes would strengthen trust and confidence in its referees, VAR operators and judicial bodies, but did not give concrete details.
The announcement followed a meeting of CAF’s executive committee in Cairo on Sunday and came on a tumultuous day for the organisation as its general secretary resigned.
African football’s governing body has been battling a crisis of confidence after its Appeal Board stripped Senegal of the Cup of Nations title in a decision that has been met with widespread derision.
Senegal were ruled to have forfeited the final in Rabat on January 18 after walking off the pitch in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded to Morocco. They returned and scored a goal in extra time to win the game 1-0.
The decision is being challenged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and if Senegal win back their title it will be a further blow to CAF’s credibility.
“CAF has taken extensive legal advice from top African and international football lawyers and experts, to ensure that the CAF statutes and regulations adhere to and implement global football best practices, on and off the field,” Motsepe said in a statement on Sunday.
“This is important for the respect, integrity and credibility of African referees, VAR operators and the CAF Disciplinary Board and Appeal Board.
“CAF is working with FIFA for the ongoing training of African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners so that they are as good as the best in the world… CAF has made significant progress over the past five years in implementing governance, ethics, transparency and managerial best practices,” the CAF president added.
More precise details on the changes and how they would avoid a repeat of the Cup of Nations final controversy were not given by Motsepe, who earlier this month admitted his organisation was struggling with perceptions about its integrity.
-Reuters
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By Kunle Solaja
The Confederation of African Football may be considering possible disciplinary measures against Senegal following reports that the country’s national team has continued to parade the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy despite being stripped of the title.
The development has triggered fresh debate within African football circles, with CAF understood to be treating the matter as a potential breach of its statutes and disciplinary code.
Sources close to the continental body indicate that Senegal’s actions could be interpreted as defiance of an official ruling, raising concerns about respect for regulatory authority and the precedent such conduct may set for other member associations.
CAF is believed to be weighing a range of sanctions, which could include financial penalties, formal reprimands, or restrictions on the country’s participation in certain CAF programmes and competitions.
While no final decision has been announced, insiders suggest that the governing body is keen to send a strong message on compliance and institutional discipline.
There are also indications that CAF’s disciplinary committee may be tasked with reviewing the circumstances surrounding the continued public display of the trophy, including whether the act constitutes misconduct under its regulations.
The issue is seen as more than a symbolic dispute over silverware. Analysts argue that how CAF handles the situation will reflect its ability to enforce decisions and maintain order among its 54 member associations.
“CAF cannot afford to appear weak on matters of discipline,” a source familiar with the situation said. “If a federation openly disregards a ruling, it undermines the entire governance structure.”
CAF is expected to provide clarity on the issue during an upcoming press engagement, where its president may outline the organisation’s position and any disciplinary steps to be taken.
For Senegal, the situation presents a delicate balancing act between national pride and compliance with continental football authority. For CAF, it represents a critical test of leadership and regulatory enforcement at a time when the credibility of African football governance remains under close watch.
The coming days are likely to determine whether the matter escalates into a full disciplinary case or is resolved through diplomatic engagement behind the scenes.
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