AFCON
12 amazing facts ahead of Nigeria – Sudan AFCON Match
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
The Super Eagles will be attempting to pick qualification ticket for the knock-out stage of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations as they face Sudan on Saturday. A win for the Nigerian side not only retain for the Super Eagles the top spot in Group D, it confirms their place in the second round of the competition.
Sudan on the other hand will hope for a win to remain in contention for qualification for the knock out stage.
As usual, www.sportsvillagesquare.com takes an insightful look at the match and comes out with the following points of interest.
- It was in a match against Sudan that Nigeria became the first African country to reach the 100 goal mark in the World Cup qualifiers when Victor Agali scored the second in a 3-0 win in 2001.
- Sudan have won the African title only once in 1970 as against the three titles by Nigeria in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
- Sudan and Nigeria first met in the framework of the Africa Cup of Nations. Both were in Pool 2 of the 1963 edition of Africa Cup of Nations in Kumasi, Ghana.
- In their first ever encounter, Sudan, then one of the African powerhouses, beat Nigeria 4-0.
- This Saturday’s match will be Nigeria’s 95th Africa Cup of Nations match since the 1963 debut in Kumasi, Ghana.
- This match will be Sudan’s 26st match in the Africa Cup of Nations’ history since being one of the pioneers of the competition in 1957.
- Nigeria are currently ranked by FIFA as world’s number 36th, Sudan are ranked 125th.
- Nigeria used Sudan as launchpad to qualify for the football event of the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico after winning by a toss of coin following a 2-2 aggregate draw. Nigeria went ahead to beat Ethiopia to pick the ticket to the Olympics.
- When Port Harcourt became the 10th home ground for the Super Eagles in a competitive match, a World Cup qualifier, it was in a duel against Sudan.
- The revival mission that led to Super Eagles’ qualification for the 2002 World Cup started with a 4-0 defeat of Sudan in Ombdurman. It remains Nigeria’s biggest away win in a competitive match.
- When Nigeria missed out from the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations following a last minute goal conceded in the six minute of added time in their home game with Guinea, the Sudanese who had six minutes earlier been eliminated were the beneficiaries, fortuitously picking the ticket as lucky second-place qualifier. This is their next qualification since the 2012 edition.
- In head-to-head confrontations, Nigeria has the edge over Sudan having won eight of 16 encounters while Sudan won four.
P W D L F A
Nigeria 16 8 4 4 28 16
Sudan 16 4 4 8 16 28
- 28 Nov. 1963 (CAN) Sudan 4 -0 Nigeria
- 5 Nov. 1967 (OQ.) Nigeria 1-0 Sudan
- 19 Nov. 1967 (OQ) Sudan 2-1 Nigeria
- 25 April 1993 (ACNq) Nigeria 4-0 Sudan
- 10 Nov. 1967 (OQ.) Sudan 2-1 Nigeria
- 13 Sept. 1969 (WCq) Nigeria 2-2 Sudan
- 2 Oct. 1969 (WCq) Sudan 3-3 Nigeria
- 13 Apr. 1973 (ACNq) Sudan 1-1 Nigeria
- 21 Apr. 1973 (ACNq) Nigeria 2-1 Sudan
- 4 Mar. 1976 (ACN) Sudan 0 -1 Nigeria
- 16 Aug. 1992 (ACNq) Sudan 0-0 Nigeria
- 27 Jan 2001 (WCq) Nigeria 3-0 Sudan
- 1 July 2001 (WCq) Sudan 0-4 Nigeria
- 9 Jan. 2008 (F) Sudan 0-2 Nigeria
- 11 Oct 2014 (ACNq) Sudan 1-0 Nigeria
- 15 Oct. 2014 (ACNq) Nigeria 3-1 Sudan
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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