AFCON
‘MAN OF THE MATCH’ AWARD AWAITS BEST SUPER EAGLES’ PLAYER AGAINST LESOTHO
The ‘Operation 33’ theme established for the Super Eagles in the countdown to their last two matches in the home stretch of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series got on course with the three points obtained in Porto Novo on Saturday.
Another three- point exploit is the target of the team as they host the Crocodiles of Lesotho on Tuesday as an icing on their ticket to the 33rd edition of the African premier football tournament.
Charged by “33” Export Lager to aim for a perfect finish in the qualifiers, the Super Eagles rose up to the occasion over the weekend in Porto Novo; defeating the Squirrels of Benin Republic by a lone goal thereby ending their hosts’ eight-year unbeaten run at home just as Nigeria’s 497-day winless run since November 17th 2019 also came to an end.
No doubt the urge from the official lager beer to the team was the psychological boost that ended the winless run for the team.
On arrival back to the country on Sunday morning, the team was received by top echelon from corporate world and high profile celebrities in the entertainment industry, a platform provided by “33” Export lager at Heineken Beach House, Ilashe, up-scale in Lagos.
The Eagles will now be gunning for another double as they take on the Crocodiles who they defeated 4-2 in the first leg. The return match, which is potentially a celebration, comes up on Tuesday at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.
Even though the AFCON ticket is already in the kitty, passionate football fans and consumers of “33” Export Lager are keen to see the Super Eagles go full throttle against the already eliminated southern African opponents.
“33” Export Lager’s football campaign slogan “Let’s Go Naija” captures the brand’s full support for the Super Eagles and a reminder to the millions of football fans to come out and cheer Super Eagles to victory.
In what will be the Super Eagles’ first official game in Lagos in 20 years, “33” Export will be giving the “Man of the Match” award during the last qualifying match on Tuesday.
33” Export Lager, the quality beer brand, the official beer of the Super Eagles and known for nurturing friendships among Nigerians will also be giving free match tickets to lucky consumers to access the main bowl of Teslim Balogun Stadium and watch Tuesday’s match live.
Loyal consumers will also be able to win quality prizes in the predict and win contest via the brand’s social media platforms (@33exportnigeria)
Meanwhile, 33” Export Lager beer through its Brand Manager, Rex Anieke, has urged passionate football fans and consumers to stay solid behind the team as they prepare for the final qualifying match in Lagos and the main tournament next year in Cameroon.
“The brand’s partnership with Super Eagles is a unique one and “33” Export Lager is passionate at building a solid fan base for the team in something similar to what is obtained among top European clubs in Europe.
“The campaign slogan, “Let’s Go Naija” is to enable passionate fans to stand behind and cheer the team to glorious success at all matches played by the national team within and outside the country,” he remarked.
With the 19th AFCON ticket already in the bag, the three-time African champions are among the contenders for glory at the next tournament and for more details, follow @33exportnigeria on all social media platforms
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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