AFCON
ONIGBINDE GOES DOWN MEMORY LANE ON NIGERIA’S OUTING AT 1984 AFCON
Record-setting Chief Adegboye Onigbinde became the first indigenous coach to take the Super Eagles, then known as the Green Eagles, to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when he led the West African country to the finals in 1984 in Cote d’Ivoire.
Undoubtedly one of the greatest coaches to come out of the continent, Onigbinde, now 82, reminisces with fond memories his journey with the Eagles in 1984 where they reached the final in Cote d’Ivoire, before losing 3-1 to rivals Cameroon.
The loss to the Indomitable Lions notwithstanding, the experienced Nigerian tactician remains proud of his achievements.
“I would have love to come back from Cote d’Ivoire with the gold medal, but there was so much that happened behind the scenes right away from Nigeria. Despite that, it was a memorable occasion for me,” the teacher-turned coach states.
“I did not disgrace Nigeria and that was then, our best effort at the AFCON outside Nigeria”
“Being the first Nigerian to lead the national team to the AFCON and coming second on the continent at the first attempt was a personal achievement. I did not disgrace Nigeria and that was then, our best effort at the AFCON outside Nigeria. As such, I see myself as an achiever.”
The veteran coach is a synonymous figure in Nigerian football and remains a point of reference not only in his country but the entire continent as well.
He was the fourth Nigerian coach to handle the national team after Dan Anyiam, Peter ‘Eto’ Amaechina and Carl O’Dwyer, but he ensured the hand of history rested on his shoulder when he led the team to the continental showpiece event.
“Being the first Nigerian to lead the national team to the AFCON and coming second on the continent at the first attempt was a personal achievement,”
Onigbinde started his coaching career in the 1960’s and was reportedly trained by then national team coach, Berti haLevi from Israel. He rose to the role of assistant when British Allan Hawks led Shooting Stars of Ibadan to Nigeria’s first club continental victory when they clinched the 1976 CAF Cup the African Winners’ Cup, now CAF Confederation Cup.
He stepped up to the head coach role when he took charge of the defunct Water Corporation Football Club of Ibadan and guided them to the quarter finals of the African Cup of Champion Clubs, now CAF Champions League, where they lost 5-4 on aggregate to eventual winners Hafia FC of Guinea.
With his work getting noticed from all corners of Nigeria, he took over the national team job after Brazilian Otto Gloria who guided Nigeria to their maiden AFCON title on home soil in 1980, was fired for failing to qualify for the 1982 FIFA World Cup as well as the defence of the AFCON title at the 1982 finals in Libya.
Known for his ultra-defensive style, Onigbinde in his two spells with Nigeria, had a relatively impressive records and picked up 13 wins, 17 draws and seven losses out of the 37 matches he took charge of.
But among his victories, one against eternal rivals Ghana remains the most memorable.
“In October 1983, Nigeria beat Ghana in Accra and that was the first time a Nigerian team defeated Ghana away from home. But what was impressive about my team was the fact that some of the players came from nowhere when I discovered them and gave them national team debuts,”
Some of these players include the late African Player of the Year Rashidi Yekini, Chibuzor Ehilegu, Tarila Okorowanta, Ademola Adesina among others,” he notes.
Onigbinde is also best remembered for his formidable Shooting Stars squad that narrowly lost to Egyptian side Zamalek in the final of the 1984 African Cup of Champions Clubs.
The tactician was also called upon on short notice to guide the Super Eagles squad to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea and Japan after the previous technical bench led by the late Shaibu Amodu was sent packing following what was considered a dismal performance at the 2002 AFCON in Mali.
His experiences working around the continent for over four decades has affirmed the belief in him that more faith should be shown on African tacticians, arguing that given time and resources, they can be successful.
“Africans are intelligent but how we use and improve upon the intelligence of African coaches should be the most important thing to the African football administrators.
“To improve the standard of the game in Nigeria and in Africa as a whole, we have to develop the instructors and coaches so that they can impact meaningfully to the upcoming players, something that will in turn improve the general playing standards,” he noted.
-Cafonline
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.
JOIN THE SPORTS VILLAGE SQUARE CHANNEL ON:
https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Morocco’s Saibari Joins World Cup Fast-Goal Elite with Scotland Winner
Koeman Gets Revenge as Netherlands Thrash Sweden 5-1 at World Cup
BET9ja FACT FILE
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup2 days ago
‘Most Oppressed Team’: Iran Set for FIFA Showdown Over Travel Rules
- World Cup5 days ago
Back in Canada After 39 Years: A Return to Where the Journey Began
- World Cup1 week ago
Atlas Lions Roar Again: Morocco Hold Five-Time Champions, Brazil In Another World Cup Statement
- World Cup6 days ago
Doku Faces World Cup-or-Fatherhood Dilemma as Belgium Star Awaits First Child
- World Cup6 days ago
Tunisia Become Second African Casualty as Sweden Hit Five in World Cup Rout
- World Cup6 days ago
Salah Eyes Birthday Gift as Egypt Seek Historic World Cup Breakthrough Against Belgium
- World Cup1 week ago
Ghana Protests Canada’s Visa Denial to Thomas Partey Ahead of World Cup Clash
- World Cup7 days ago
Advocaat Set to Make World Cup History as Curaçao Face Germany