AFCON
OSIMHEN, CHUKWUEZE TO SLUG IT OUT FOR AFRICAN YOUTH PLAYER AWARD
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
If there is any of the eight major categories of the CAF Awards, which Nigeria is certain to win next month, it is the African Youth Player of the Year.
Two key Nigerian players made the final cut of three, which highly increases the chances of Nigeria getting the award.
Achraf Hakimi of Morocco and Bundesliga’s Borussia Dortmund will be contesting against the powerful duo of Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, the new goal-scoring machines of Super Eagles and Ligue I’s Lille and Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze.
Both, who only this year entrenched themselves into the mainstream Super Eagles were teammates in the World Cup winning Golden Eaglets of 2015.
Achraf Hakimi plays mainly at the right back and switches also to the left back. In most awards, strikers are often more favoured than defenders, a situation that could aid either Osimhen or Chukwueze winning the award.
At the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Chukwueze waltzed through a packed South African defence to open scoring in the quarterfinals clash.
He did the same in securing the winner for Nigeria in a 2-1 defeat of Benin Republic in the opening game of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
His proficiency is further amplified by the recent interest that Chelsea is showing in the power-packed Nigerian striker.
He was the only African in the 10-man shortlist of 2019 Ballon D’Or award for best U21.
Since Osimhen moved from Belgian side, R. Charleroi S.C. to French side, Lille, his form hit a superlative dimesion.
At the weekend, he grabbed his 10th league goal of the season and his first away from home.
His current form has seen Chelsea, Jose Mourinho’s Spurs and Liverpool showing interests in him as the January Transfer Window beckons.
He is at the moment the lead scorer for the Super Eagles since the close of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt. He has scored five goals for the team since taking over from Odion Ighalo in the centre forward position.
The CAF Award Ceremony will hold in three weeks time at the Albatros Citadel Sahl Hasheesh, Hurghada, Egypt.
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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