AFCON

Facts ahead of Cameroon versus Burkina Faso Afcon opener

Published

3 years ago

January 9, 2022

The 33^rd edition of Africa’s premier sports competition kicks off this Sunday afternoon. Below are some points of interests for a global audience.

This is the second time that Cameroon will be hosting the competition as the 1972 edition was in that country.

It at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon that a Nigerian first became an executive committee member of CAF when Oyo Orok Oyo won a seat at the General Assembly.

Both Cameroon and Burkina Faso playing the opening match have also played the final match in the past. Cameroon played the final matches in 1984, 1988, 2000, 2002, 2008 and 2017. Burkina Faso were losing finalists to Nigeria in 2013.

● This will be Cameroon and Burkina Faso’s third encounter in the Africa Cup of Nations. Both previous meetings came in the group phase: Cameroon won 1-0 in the 1998 before a 1-1 draw in 2017.

● Cameroon are making their 20th appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations, a tally only bettered by Egypt (25), Cote d’Ivoire (24) and Ghana (23). Egypt (7) are the only team to have won the tournament on more occasions than The Indomitable Lions (5).

● Cameroon are hosting the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time, 50 years after it was first held in the country, in 1972 – they finished third. Egypt are the last team to win the AFCON as hosts, it was in 2006.

● This is Burkina Faso’s 12th appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations. In their previous 11 participations, they have either been eliminated in the group stages (8 times) or at least reached the semi-finals (3 times), including the final in 2013 (0-1 v Nigeria).

● Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar has scored only one goal in his eight AFCON appearances (18 shots), although that was the winning goal in the 2017 final against Egypt (2-1).

AFCON

Points of Interest as Nigeria Hosts Libya in AFCON Qualifier

Published

23 mins ago

October 11, 2024

Kunle Solaja

BY KUNLE SOLAJA

Nigeria Super Eagles hope to consolidate their lead in Group D of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series which enters matchday 3.

Sports Village Square brings you some points of interest in the encounter that will take place at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo.

AUGUSTINE EGUAVOEN

Nigeria’s head coach, Augustine Eguavoen, debuted as senior national team manager in a Super Eagles match with Libya. That was a friendly match played on 17 August 2005. Nigeria won 1-0 in Tripoli.

MILESTONE

The match in Uyo will be Eguavoen’s 25^{^th} match as Nigeria’s head coach in the four periods he has had to manage the team. His first tenure ran from 22 June 2005 to 6 February 2007. His second tenure was 22 July to 4 November 2010. He was called up again for the third time and was in charge of Nigeria’s matches from 11 January 2022 to 29 March 2022. His current tenure began with the Nigeria versus Benin Republic match on 7 September 2024.

MIKEL OBI

Nigeria’s former captain, Mikel Obi made his international debut in a friendly match with Libya. That was when Eguavoen handed him his first Super Eagles shirt in the 63^{^rd} minute as a substitute for Nwankwo Kanu. Mikel had previously played under Eguavoen at the U-17 World Cup in Finland in 2003.

TARIBO WEST

Former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West played his last international match when he was featured in a friendly duel with Libya in 2005. When he was substituted in the 67^{^th} minute of the match by Obinna Nwanneri, he took his final exit from the Super Eagles.

AFCON

Ghana’s problems complicated after goalless draw with Sudan

Published

8 hours ago

October 10, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign stuttered again as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Sudan at Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday.

Despite dominating possession and creating several chances, Ghana could not find a breakthrough.

The Black Stars now sit third in Group F with just two points from three matches, while Sudan’s point lifts them to second with four points.

Angola leads the group with six points from two games, while Niger is bottom with one point. Angola will face Niger on Friday.

In a frustrating match for Ghana, Mohammed Kudus and Iñaki Williams came closest to scoring, but Sudan’s defence, marshalled by goalkeeper Mohamed Al Mustafa, stood firm.

Ghana’s attacking players struggled to break down a resolute Sudanese side that managed to keep the game scoreless despite intense late pressure.

AFCON

DR Congo edge Tanzania in Group H

Published

9 hours ago

October 10, 2024

Kunle Solaja

DR Congo maintained their perfect record in Group H of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with a narrow 1-0 victory over Tanzania at Stade des Martyrs, thanks to a second-half own goal by Clement Mzize.

The mishap occurred in the 53rd minute when Mzize inadvertently deflected a Congo cross into his own net, giving the hosts a crucial lead.

This win propels DR Congo to nine points from three matches, firmly establishing them at the top of the group.

Tanzania, meanwhile, remains in second place with four points, while Ethiopia and Guinea, both yet to win a game, sit in third and fourth, respectively, ahead of their upcoming clash on Saturday.

The match was a tense affair, with Tanzania creating chances but failing to convert.

Mbwana Samatta and Feisal Salum tested the DR Congo defense, but the hosts stood strong, while Arthur Masuaku nearly doubled the lead for Congo, hitting the bar from a free-kick late in the second half.

The result leaves Tanzania needing a positive result in their next match to keep their qualification hopes alive.