AFCON

Gambia and Mali in top of the table clash at AFCON’s Group F

Published

4 years ago

January 16, 2022

It is a big football irony that in a group where Tunisia, one of the powerhouses of African football are domiciled, The Gambia and Mali are the teams struggling to top the table.

The situation arose as favourites and seeded side, Tunisia lost their opening match to Mali while The Gambia who are debutants got the better part of Mauritania in their very first Africa Cup of Nations match last week, winning 1-0.

Today’s duel is The Gambia’s second Africa Cup of Nations match. After two identical 1-0 victories in the opening match day, Gambia and Mali enter the second round of Group F matches with high hopes of another win that could see them paving the way towards the next round in style.

Both Group F teams meet at the Limbe Stadium to decide which side, at least momentarily, takes the top spot. Time: 14:00 local time (13:00 GMT)

For The Gambia, it could be a continuation of a fairytale as they are still celebrating an opening win in their AFCON debut. Ablie Jallow strike gave the Scorpions a 1-0 win over Mauritania to start their first Africa Cup of Nations appearance on high skies.

Another positive result today will mean that Tom Saintfiet men are on their way not just for a historic debut but also for a fairytale second round appearance.

Their Belgian coach, Tom Saintfiet who handled Namibia against Nigeria in the race for Brazil 2014 World Cup is optimistic of a good result.

“We had a party to celebrate the country’s first victory. Now we are going to prepare the match against a big Malian team. We have 3 points, it’s already fantastic, but we have to continue. We will do everything to advance to the second round, and to give more light and promotion to The Gambia, the smallest country in Africa.”

So also is Gambia player, Omar Colley highly expectant. “Proud to be in this group, I play in Italy, but this is something else, it is indescribable to live what we are living. With the offensive armada that we have, we will seek points against Mali and Tunisia to bring joy to the Gambian people. Our goal is to win, match by match.”

Mali Eagles defeated Tunisia 1-0 in what was one of the opening match day surprises. Mohamed Magassouba men secured a famous victory over Carthage Eagles to boast their hopes of a historic AFCON campaign this year.

Another win over fellow West African side Gambia might see The Eagles through, but they have to beware the Scorpions’ sting this time.

Hear the coach’s timely warning: “We have started a construction phase and we are preparing for the future. Collective value is important to me, we aim to shine tomorrow against this ambitious Gambian.”, remarked Mali’s coach, Mohamed Magassouba.

Continuing, he remarked: “This generation can write its story, a happy story, I hope. Mali is on the quest for the supreme title. We are responsible for producing the show and winning, the rest does not concern us.”

His player, Diadie Samassekou a midfielder added his voice: “The morale of the team is at its highest, it’s very important to win your first game. we give everything with an irreproachable state of mind. We don’t play according to the opponent; we have a game philosophy. Our only objective is to do everything to win, our people deserve a consecration.”

AFCON

A Goal with Weight: How Paul Onuachu Etched His Name into Nigeria’s AFCON History

Published

11 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Paul Onuachu's goal is Nigeria's 150th in the Africa Cup of Nations history since Asuquo Ekpe's goal in 1963.

By Kunle Solaja.

Towering striker Paul Onuachu may not rank among Nigeria’s most prolific forwards by sheer numbers, but when he scores, history often follows.

In Nigeria’s Group C Africa Cup of Nations clash against Uganda national football team on Tuesday evening in Fes, Onuachu rose to meet the moment — and the ball.

His goal was more than just a contribution in a crucial group match. It was his first-ever Africa Cup of Nations goal, and more significantly, it became Nigeria’s 150th goal in the history of the competition.

For a player who has scored just four goals in 27 appearances for the Nigeria national footballteam, the strike carried a familiar Onuachu signature: timing, consequence, and quiet drama.

Onuachu’s goals for Nigeria have developed a pattern — they arrive when they matter most.

Four years ago, his second international goal came deep into added time against Benin in an AFCON qualifier. That late header sealed a 1–0 victory that did far more than deliver three points. It ended Nigeria’s 497-day winless run, extended the Super Eagles’ unbeaten streak against Benin to 21 matches, and inflicted the Benin Republic’s first home defeat since June 2013.

The timing was ruthless. Scored just seconds before the end of three minutes of added time, it denied Benin a place in the AFCON group stage and stood as one of the latest goals Nigeria have scored in recent international history.

That sense of dramatic punctuality was present again in Fes. Uganda resisted for long spells, but when the opening came, Onuachu — built more like a basketball power forward than a classic striker — provided the decisive touch.

Speed, Shock and a Record in Asaba

Ironically, the man known for aerial dominance also owns one of the fastest goals in Nigerian football history.

On 26 March 2019, in a friendly match in Asaba, Onuachu stunned Egypt just eight seconds after kick-off. Fans had barely settled into their seats when he unleashed a thunderous strike that decided the match.

The goal ended Nigeria’s 29-year wait for a victory over Egypt and placed Onuachu in the global record books. His strike was recognised as the second-fastest goal in international football, surpassed only by Lukas Podolski, who scored after six seconds for Germany against Ecuador in 2013.

More Than Numbers

Onuachu may never dominate Nigeria’s all-time scoring charts, but his goals continue to carry weight far beyond statistics. From record-breaking speed to last-gasp heartbreakers, and now a landmark AFCON strike against Uganda, each finish seems stitched into a larger story.

In Fes, his name joined a significant chapter of Nigerian football history — not just as a scorer, but as the man whose boot delivered Nigeria’s 150th Africa Cup of Nations goal. For Paul Onuachu, that is becoming something of a trademark.

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AFCON

DR Congo set up Algeria last-16 showdown

Published

12 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Gael Kakuta scored two goals and laid on another as the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Botswana 3-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations Group D clash in Rabat on Tuesday, and in doing so set up a last 16 clash with Algeria on January 6.

The Congolese finished level on seven points with Senegal at the top of the standings, but their inferior goal difference means they have to settle for second place in the pool and a meeting with the in-form 2019 winners in the knockout round.

Nathanael Mbuku scored the game’s opener, set up by Kakuta’s backheel pass, before the latter netted a penalty and then a third for his side from close range in a comfortable win.

Botswana were already eliminated from the tournament heading into the match and has now lost all six of their Cup of Nations matches following their second appearance at the continental finals.

DR Congo took the lead on the half-hour mark when Mbuku played a neat one-two with Kakuta, the latter returning the ball with a clever backheel, before Mbuku slotted the ball in at the near post.

The Congolese were then awarded a penalty when Botswana defender Thabo Leinanyane handled the ball from Meschack Elia’s cross, and Kakuta converted the spot-kick.

Kakuta netted his second goal in the 60th minute as he controlled Theo Bongonda’s pass and, under no pressure from the Botswana defence, finished from seven yards.

Congo had the ball in the back of the net again when Fiston Mayele rose to deflect the ball in, but a Video Assistant Referee review suggested he used his arm to direct the ball into the net.

-Reuter

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AFCON

Senegal top Cup of Nations Group D as Koulibaly sent off

Published

12 hours ago

December 31, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Ten-man Senegal overcame a gallant Benin 3-0 on Tuesday to finish top of Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.

Central defender Abdoulaye Seck put Senegal ahead at halftime, and Habib Diallo and substitute Cherif Ndiaye scored after the break.

Senegal captain Kalidou Koulibaly was sent off for a clumsy tackle with around 20 minutes left, however, and will be suspended going into the knockout stages.

Senegal finished with seven points, ahead of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who beat Botswana 3-0 in Rabat, on goal difference.

Senegal must now wait to find out the identity of their last-16 opponents who will be either Burkina Faso or Sudan in Tangier on Saturday while Benin, who advance as one of the best third-placed finishers, head to Agadir to face Egypt on Monday.

There was a lengthy VAR check before Seck’s 38th-minute goal was validated, but television replays showed the ball had come off Seck’s elbow rather than his head.

Sadio Mane set up the second for Diallo in the 63rd minute, taking on the Benin defence down the left flank before pulling the ball back for Diallo to sweep home.

Koulibaly was sent off seven minutes later after catching Benin’s Aiyegun Tosin on the back of his heel with a late challenge. Rwandan referee Samuel Uwikunda took several minutes and watched multiple replays on the sideline screen before making the decision to dismiss the Senegal skipper.

Even with the numerical disadvantage, however, Senegal were stronger and 17-year-old substitute Ibrahima Mbaye forced a penalty as he broke away, only to be clipped by Rachid Moumouni. Ndiaye, who had only just come on to the pitch, fired home the spot-kick to make it 3-0.

Benin’s best chance came from a free kick in the last five minutes, which Junior Olaitan struck on target, but Edouard Mendy made a flying save.

Reuters

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