AFCON
Afcon 2021 draw renews Egypt -Nigeria rivalry
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
If there was any team Nigeria had wished to avoid in the pre draw Pot 2, it is Egypt, the most successful team in the Africa Cup of Nations history.
Egypt have played the final matches eight times and have won seven times, losing the final match only ones, to Cameroon in 2017.
Nigeria too have impressive record at the competition, playing the final matches seven times, but winning thrice and losing four times.
Three of the final match loses were to Cameroon in 1984, 1988 and 2000. The fourth loss was to Algeria in 1990.
The Nigeria and Egypt clash in Garoua will be star match of the Group D and could be destiny shaping regarding the leadership of the group.
Sports Village Square recalls that the Egyptians are the first team to ever beat Nigeria on home soil.
That was in the qualifying match for the football event of Rome 1960 Olympics. A combined force of Egypt and Syria named as United Arab Republic beat Nigeria 6-2 at the then Lagos City Stadium, Onikan which is today’s Mobolaji Johnson Arena.
It is also the heaviest home defeat Nigeria ever suffered as well as heaviest number of goals conceded at home. The nearest to it is the four Sierra Leone scored last year in Benin City in the 4-4 draw.
Even though Godwin Odiye is famously known to have scored an own goal against Nigeria, yet he was not the first culprit.
The first own goal by Nigeria was scored for Egypt by John Onyeador in the 6-2 loss at home in 1959.
The game was barely two minutes old when an Egyptian corner kick by Hamdi Mohammed was head into Nigeria’s net by Onyeador while he was being challenged by Raffat Attia.
Traditionally, Nigeria’s home colour is green, an adoption from the national flag. But Egypt played a role in adoption of green as Nigeria’s home colour.
In the return leg match of the 6-2 home loss by Nigeria played in Cairo on 1 January 1960, Nigeria (then known as Red Devils) were obliged to wear green instead of their customary red.
It was the first time Nigeria put on green shirt for an international match and moved towards substituting the sobriquet “Red Devils” with “Green Eagles” and since 29 March 1988 “Super Eagles”.
Nigeria too have dealt heavy blows on Egyptian football. Nigeria’s first podium appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations was at the expense of Egypt in 1976.
In the third place match, Nigeria won 3-2 to win the bronze medal. Of note is the thrid goal by Nigeria, a Muda Lawal performance that could go for a television exhibition even in the present age.
It was a magnificent solo effort and back-breaking exploit in the battle for the third place position.
In the 85th minute of the game, score-line stood at 2-2 and there was intense Egyptian pressure on Nigeria for a possible winning goal.
Apparently to douse tension on his defence, Joseph Eric, the Nigerian goalkeeper, sent a long kick to Muda Lawal who was lurking half way near the left line.
Like lightening, the wing half –turned attacker tapped the ball over a challenging Egypt’s Ibrahim Youssef and raced away.
Exhibiting superb ball control, coolness and magnificent footwork, Muda set the on-rushing Egyptian goalkeeper, El-Sharet Sharaf, to the wrong way, and not losing a step, he outwitted the left half-back, Ali Hassan and finally slotted the ball beyond the desperate stretched legs of right back, Sallah Sallah who was then guarding the goal mouth.
Another great win by Nigeria over Egypt was a 1978 World Cup qualifier in Lagos. Nigeria won 4-0. It remained Egypt’s biggest loss in a World Cup qualifying duel till the last stage of Brazil 2014 qualifiers.
When Nigeria and Egypt meet on 11 January, it will be the teams’ 22nd clash. Egypt have the edge having won eight times and lost to Nigeria six times.
Nigeria won the last encounter played two years ago in Asaba when a Paul Onuachu’s record setting eight-second goal was the decider. It was Nigeria’s first defeat of Egypt in 19 years.
Nigeria – Egypt Head-to-Head
P W D L F A
Egypt 21 8 7 6 36 29
Nigeria 21 6 7 8 29 36
13 Dec. 1959 (OQ.) Nigeria 2-6 Egypt
1 Jan. 1960 (OQ.) Egypt 3-0 Nigeria
29 Nov. 1960 (F) Nigeria 1-2 Egypt
24 Nov. 1963 (ACN) Egypt 6-3 Nigeria
14 Jan. 1973 (2AAG) Nigeria 4-2 Egypt
14 Mar. 1976 (ACN) Nigeria 3-2 Egypt
8 Oct. 1977 (WCq) Nigeria 4-0 Egypt
21 Oct. 1977 (WCq) Egypt 3-1 Nigeria
15 Mar. 1980 (ACN) Nigeria 1-0 Egypt
18 Feb. 1983 (F) Nigeria 0-0 Egypt
20 Feb. 1983 (F) Nigeria 1-1 Egypt
14 Mar. 1984 (ACN) Egypt 2-2 Nigeria
*(7 – 8 penalty shoot-out).
20 Mar. 1988 (ACN) Egypt 0-0 Nigeria
5 Mar. 1990 (ACN) Egypt 0-1 Nigeria
30 Mar. 1994 (ACN) Egypt 0-0 Nigeria
25 Nov. 2002 (F) Nigeria 1- 1 Egypt
12 Jan. 2010(ACN) Egypt 3-1 Nigeria
12 Apr. 2012 (F) Egypt 3-2 Nigeria
25 Mar. 2016 (Afconq) Nigeria 1-1 Egypt
29 Mar. 2016 (Afconq) Egypt 1-0 Nigeria
26 Mar. 2019 (F) Nigeria 1-0 Egypt
AFCON
Nigerians, other nationals can apply, as CAF and Morocco Launch Volunteer Programme for AFCON 2025
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in Morocco have launched the official Volunteer Programme for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, billed to run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
According to CAF, more than 4,000 volunteers will be recruited to play a central role in ensuring the success of Africa’s most prestigious football tournament, which will be staged across six cities and nine stadiums in Morocco.
Applications are now open at volunteers.cafonline.com and will close on 8 October 2025. The opportunity is open to anyone above the age of 18.
Volunteers will be deployed across multiple functional areas, including media operations, spectator services, accreditation, hospitality, and fan engagement. Selected individuals will receive professional training ahead of the competition and work behind the scenes to deliver a memorable AFCON.
CAF stated that the programme is designed not only to support tournament operations but also to create an alumni network of skilled Africans who can contribute to future sporting events across the continent. Successful applicants will benefit from:
- Training and skill development.
- Official uniforms and certificates of participation.
- Networking opportunities with peers and professionals.
- The chance to contribute to Africa’s football legacy.
Volunteer registration opened on 17 September 2025. Selection and training will take place in October and November, with operations commencing in mid-December through to the tournament’s conclusion on 18 January 2026.
CAF described the initiative as an “exciting opportunity” for Africans to contribute to the growth of the continent’s flagship sporting event, which is expected to draw millions of visitors to Morocco.
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AFCON
CAF Security Chief, Nigeria’s Emeruwa, Leads Inspection of Tangier Stadium Ahead of Major Tournaments
Nigeria’s Dr. Christian Emeruwa, President of the Security and Safety Division of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), on Thursday, September 18, led an inspection visit to the Grand Stade de Tangier as preparations intensify for upcoming continental and global football events.
Emeruwa, who heads CAF’s continental security architecture, was joined by CAF Secretary General Véron Mosengo-Omba, senior Moroccan officials, and executives of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
The delegation also included managers of operational companies at the Grand Stade and SONARGES executives.
According to Le 360, the Nigerian official expressed satisfaction with the stadium’s facilities after touring key operational areas, including the main control room with its giant surveillance screen, as well as spectator, player, and VIP access zones.
The inspection was bolstered by the presence of Morocco’s top security and administrative officers—the regional commander of the Royal Gendarmerie, officials of the Auxiliary Forces and Civil Protection, the Wali of Security, the governor in charge of Internal Affairs, and representatives of the National Agency for Public Equipment (ANEP).
A technical meeting followed the tour, where engineers presented recent safety and security upgrades. Among the highlights was the planned installation of a FIFA-standard tarpaulin roof to enhance the venue’s compliance with global hosting requirements.
For Nigeria, the spotlight on Dr. Emeruwa underscores the country’s growing influence in African football administration, particularly in the critical areas of safety and security management for CAF competitions.
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Morocco has received 723 high-end buses from Chinese manufacturer Yutong as part of preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off on December 21.
Yutong said on social media that the fleet “has officially rolled off the production line” and will provide “comprehensive transport services and reliable operational support” during the tournament.
An official handover ceremony was held on Friday at the company’s facility in Zhengzhou, Henan province, attended by Moroccan representatives and Yutong executives.
The buses were designed to cope with Morocco’s terrain and climate, including steep slopes, heat and sandstorms. They feature an independent front axle suspension to navigate narrow city streets and Yutong’s in-house “Blue Core System” for fuel efficiency.
The delivery is the largest single order of Chinese buses in Africa. Yutong will station more than 100 technicians in Morocco to provide training, maintenance and round-the-clock support during AFCON.
The deal is part of Morocco’s broader transport strategy, which includes plans to purchase 7,000 new buses by 2030—half of them electric—as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
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