AFCON
AMAZING FACTS: 16 TAKE AWAYS AHEAD OF BENIN –NIGERIA AFCON QUALIFYING MATCH
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Neighbours, Benin Republic and Nigeria will be engaged in an Africa Cup of Nations qualification match this Saturday. Sports Village Square hereby presents some amazing facts ahead of the encounter.
- The Nigerian national team travelled by sea to Benin Republic for the match. It was the first time in 72 years that a Nigerian team made a sea voyage for a match. The first was on 16 August 1949 when the then UK Tourists boarded the RMSS Apapa to Liverpool and played their first international match in Sierra Leone on 8 October 1949 on their return sea voyage.
- The Super Eagles will be seeking their first victory in 497 days since they beat Lesotho 4-2 in Maseru in 2019. They have since gone four matches without a win, including throwing away a four-goal first have lead against Sierra Leone at home.
- Nigeria were the opponents of Benin Republic (then called Dahomey) when they played their first ever international match on 8 November 1959.
- Porto Novo, the venue of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on Saturday was also the venue of the first ever Benin versus Nigeria match on 8 November 1959.
- Saturday’s match will be 21st encounter of both teams.
- Benin Republic have never beaten the Super Eagles of Nigeria. In 20 preceding matches, Nigeria won 15 and drew five.
- In total, Nigeria have scored 55 goals against Benin Republic. The scorer of the very first of the goals is Albert Onyeawuna in a Nigerian 1-0 triumph in Porto Novo in 1959.
- Both teams will qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, even before firing any shot if Sierra Leone fail to win the corresponding Group L match against Lesotho in Maseru. That match kicks off three hours to that of Benin versus Nigeria and would certainly be concluded except other factors creep in.
- Nigeria will be attempting their 19th appearance at the African premier football competition as against Benin Republic who have had just four appearances.
- It was against Benin Republic (then Dahomey) that Nigeria recorded their biggest win, a 10-1 victory on 29 November 1959.
- Nigeria’s first ever scorer of a hat trick is Abudu Buraimoh and it was in the 29 November 1959 match against Benin Republic. Elkanah Onyeali followed up in that same match by scoring four goals in the Nigerian 10-1 triumph.
- Nigeria have on Valentine date (14 February) beaten Benin Republic with magical 7-0 win. That was in 1977. They followed up with another 7-0 win on 14 January 1978.
- Retired Nigeria mesmerizing left winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka made his international debut while still being an undergraduate at the University of Lagos in a match against Benin Republic on 14 February 1977.
- Nigeria Professional League first top scorer, Ishaya Jatau scored his only international goal in a 1990 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Benin Republic in Cotonou on 30 September 1990.
- It was a Benin versus Nigeria match that ended the unbroken field appearances of Joseph Yobo in the Africa Cup of Nations matches from 2002 to 2010. Before the match of 16 January 2010 in Benguela, Angola, Yobo had played every of Nigeria’s 23 consecutive AFCON matches. It was in the 24th match which was against Benin Republic that he got injured in the 55th minute and had to be replaced by Onyekachi Apam.
- Over a decade ago, there existed ‘the other Super Eagles’ in Benin Republic as scores of their internationals were actually Nigerians. They included Muri Ogunbiyi, a native of Otta in Ogun State, Jonas Oketola, Emmanuel Fabiyi, Razak Omotoyossi, Babatounde Bello, Moussa Latounji and Wasiou Oladikpikpo among others.
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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