AFCON
SUPER EAGLES ON REDEMPTION MISSION IN FREETOWN
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
NIGERIA’S PAST OUTINGS IN SIERRA LEONE
P W D L F A
Nigeria 11 4 5 2 11 8
Sierra Leone 11 2 5 4 8 11
- 8 October 1949 (F) – Sierra Leone 0-2 Nigeria
- 22 April 1961 (F) Sierra Leone 2-4 Nigeria
- 14 October 1967 (F) Sierra Leone 1-1 Nigeria
- 4 December 1971 (F) Sierra Leone 0-0 Nigeria
- 22 November 1972 (F) Sierra Leone 0-1 Nigeria
- 16 October 1976 (WCq) Sierra Leone 1-1 Nigeria
- 12 March 1977 (AfconQ) Sierra Leone 1-1 Nigeria
- 27 October 1979 (F) Sierra Leone 0-0 Nigeria
- 18 July 1987 (AfconQ) Sierra Leone 2-0 Nigeria
- 21 April 2001 (WCq) Sierra Leone 1-0 Nigeria
- 7 June 2008 (WCq) Sierra Leone 0-1 Nigeria
The Super Eagles have everything to play for when they meet Sierra Leone in the reverse fixture of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
They have had their ego badly bruised in the first leg fixture in Benin on Friday.
What was predictable viewed as easy fixture has now turned to a Greek puzzle. Only a win can take them out of a situation that will necessitate the use of calculator to determine their qualification for Cameroon 2022.
When Nigeria’s Super Eagles engage the Sierra Leonean Leone Stars in the Match Day 4 of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series on Tuesday, it will be the 12th time they will be playing in Freetown.
In the previous 11 occasions, the Nigerians were victorious four times and drew five times. Only twice have the Sierra Leoneans prevailed.
The manner that they got an amazing comeback from being four goals down will no doubt be a tonic to them that they can achieve their third ever victory over Nigeria as they press for a third appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations.
A Sierra Leone online publication, Football Sierra Leone has cautioned the Leone Stars not to be complacent in the rematch after their amazing comeback performance in Benin.
“John Keister’s men must be brewing with confidence going into matchday four of the African Cup of Nations qualifier at the Siaka Steven Stadium on Tuesday.
“Leone Stars must replicate a reverse performance of the second half first leg if they are to combat a rejuvenated Super Eagles, who will be coming to write-off the wrongs of the meeting in Nigeria.
“The group top scorer Napoli’s hitman Victor Osimhen has been ruled out. Regardless, German coach Gernot Rohr still have a host of strikers to call upon”, the publication cautioned.
Continuing, Football Sierra Leone wrote: “A win for the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone will surely pave a new direction and improve their chances to reach their third African Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon 2022.
“However, a defeat or draw depending on the result in Lesotho will leave the Leone Stars with a slim hope which will not be good for a side that exhibited passion and resilient at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on Friday.
“Having come from four-goal down to draw 4-4 sharing of the spoils against one of Africa’s footballing powerhouse, self-assurance must be brewing within the Leone Stars camp, but they must not be complacent in Freetown.
“History can repeat itself as in 2001 when big names like centre back Taribo West, midfield maestro Jay-jay Okocha, enforcer Sunday Oliseh, winger Finidi George, present assistant coach Joseph Yobo were all part of a strong Eagles first team when local hero Sidique Mansaray under the supervision of Sam Obi Metzger trampled the Eagles wings to a 1-0 victory.
“Coach John Keister was in the Leone Stars side during the FIFA World Cup Africa group B April 2001. On that day, he was a destroyer in the middle of the pack for Sierra Leone.
“It’s not an exaggeration to say Nigeria can win in Freetown because they are proving soccer power in our continent, but Tuesday’s tie can go either way.
“The three-time African Champions faced an embarrassing score-line to their West African counterparts’ 88th places below then in the global ranking which led to the President of the Nigerian Football Federation Amaju Pinnick to immediately summoned coach Gernot Roh, his technical crew and players to a stressful meeting just to command a four-goal victory without a reply from the host.
“A strong message many have described as a possible team talk for the Leone Stars technical team.
Sierra Leone last Cup of Nations finals was South Africa 1996 some 26 years ago.”
By Kunle Solaja.
The CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb has stated that the tribunal is prepared to handle the Senegal case against CAF and Morocco efficiently.
“CAS is perfectly equipped to resolve this type of dispute, with the assistance of expert and independent arbitrators,” he said.
“We understand that teams and fans are eager to know the final decision, and we will ensure that arbitration proceedings are conducted as swiftly as possible, while respecting the right of all parties to a fair hearing.”
CAS noted that proceedings will remain confidential while ongoing, with further updates to be provided only when key milestones, such as a hearing date, are confirmed.
The case now sets the stage for a potentially landmark legal battle over the outcome of one of Africa’s biggest football competitions, with the final status of the AFCON 2025 title hanging in the balance.
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Decision By CAF
By Kunle Solaja.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has confirmed receipt of an appeal from the Senegalese Football Federation challenging the outcome of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final.
In a statement issued in Lausanne on 25 March 2026, CAS said the appeal is directed against both the Confederation of African Football and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
The dispute stems from a CAF ruling on 17 March 2026, which declared that Senegal forfeited the AFCON final, awarding the match to Morocco with a 3-0 scoreline.
In its appeal, Senegal is asking CAS to set aside the CAF decision and declare Senegal the rightful winners of the tournament.
The federation has also requested a suspension of the deadline for submitting its full appeal brief, arguing that the CAF decision has so far been issued without detailed grounds.
CAS confirmed that the appeal was officially registered on 25 March and that an arbitral panel will be constituted to hear the case.
Legal Process Underway
Under CAS procedures, the appellant has 20 days to submit a detailed appeal brief, while the respondents, CAF and Morocco, will then have another 20 days to respond
However, due to Senegal’s request to suspend deadlines pending full documentation of the CAF ruling, no clear procedural timeline has yet been established.
As a result, it remains uncertain when hearings will take place or when a final verdict may be delivered.
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By Kunle Solaja.
The Guinean Football Federation (FGF) has strongly refuted circulating claims that Moroccan players walked off the pitch during their decisive 1976 Africa Cup of Nations encounter with Guinea, describing the reports as “false” and lacking any official basis.
In a firm statement, the federation also dismissed speculation that it is seeking to challenge the outcome of the historic match, clarifying that no such incident occurred and no legal action has been initiated with either the Confederation of African Football or the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Statement by the Guinean Football Federation regarding the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations
“The Guinean Football Federation informs the national and international public that it has not initiated any procedure either with the Court of Arbitration for Sport or with CAF in relation to the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations,” the statement read, stressing that the reports are “inaccurate and not based on any official foundation.”
Eyewitness and participant Account Rebuts Claims
Further reinforcing the federation’s position, former Guinea international Ismael Sylla—who featured in the match—dismissed the allegations in an interview with TV5MONDE. He affirmed that the game proceeded normally, with Morocco scoring a late equaliser.
His account directly contradicts the viral narrative, particularly given his presence on the pitch during the decisive stages of the encounter.
Historical Records Back Federation’s Position
Independent verification through archival research by Sports Village Square also found no evidence supporting claims of a Moroccan walkout.
Contemporary reports from outlets such as the Daily Times of Nigeria and L’Équipe, as well as a commemorative video released by FIFA in 2007 to mark CAF’s 50th anniversary, contain no reference to any such incident.
According to the FGF, the match was played on 14 March 1976 in Addis Ababa, with Guinea taking the lead through Souleymane Cherif in the 33rd minute before Morocco equalised in the 86th minute via Ahmed Makrouh, popularly known as “Baba.”
The federation also highlighted that the 1976 tournament format differed from the modern AFCON structure, as the winner was determined through a final group stage rather than a single championship match.
“In accordance with the regulations in force at the time, the competition did not include a classic final,” the statement explained. “The qualified teams played a final group, and the ranking directly determined the winner.”
Morocco ultimately topped the standings to secure their first continental title, with Guinea finishing second and Nigeria third.
FGF Urges Responsible Reporting
The federation called on media organisations and football stakeholders to rely on verified historical records and avoid amplifying unsubstantiated claims.
Reaffirming its commitment to “fair play, mutual respect and the unity of African football,” the FGF said the clarification was necessary to prevent misinformation as debates around AFCON history continue to attract renewed attention.
The statement effectively lays to rest claims of a Moroccan walkout and any suggestion of a pending legal dispute, restoring clarity to one of African football’s most frequently debated historical narratives.
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