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
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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