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.
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.
“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.
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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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.
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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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.
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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