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

Teenage quartet included in Zambia squad

Published

3 hours ago

December 10, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Serie A - Cagliari v Inter Milan - Unipol Domus, Cagliari, Italy - September 27, 2025 Cagliari's Joseph Liteta REUTERS/Ciro De Luca

Zambia included four teenagers in their 28-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations as coach Moses Sichone announced his selection on Wednesday.

Centre back David Hamansenya, who made his debut in a friendly against South Africa last month, was named for the tournament in Morocco along with fellow 18-year-old Eliya Mandanji who won a first cap against Angola last month.

The 19-year-old pair of Joseph Liteta, who has yet to win a cap but made his Serie A debut for Cagliari in October, and Israeli-based midfielder Joseph Sabobo Banda are also included.

There are 14 players who remain from the last Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast two years ago when Zambia did not make it past the first round after collecting two points in their three group games.

Sichone was appointed coach last month after a woeful World Cup qualifying campaign led to the departure of Avram Grant.

Zambia open their Cup of Nations campaign against Mali on December 22 in Casablanca and also meet Comoros and Morocco in Group A.

They departed Lusaka on Wednesday for a training camp in Murcia, Spain before heading to Morocco.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Mulenga (Power Dynamos), Francis Mwansa (Zanaco), Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos)

Defenders: Mathews Banda (Nkana), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Obino Chisala (Al Merrikh), Kabaso Chongo (Zesco United), David Hamansenya (Leganes), Gift Mphande (Zesco United), Frankie Musonda (Bahrain SC), Benson Sakala (Bohemians), Stoppila Sunzu (Changchun Yatai)

Midfielders: Joseph Sabobo Banda (Hapoel Be’er Sheva), Lameck Banda (Lecce), Miguel Chaiwa (Hibernian), Wilson Chisala (Zanaco), Given Kalusa (FC Muza), Kings Kangwa (Hapoel Be’er Sheva), Joseph Liteta (Cagliari), Lubambo Musonda (FC Magdeburg), Pascal Phiri (Zesco United), Fashion Sakala (Al Fayha), David Simukonda (Zesco United), Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos)

Strikers: Patson Daka (Leicester City), Jack Lahne Kalichi (Austria Lustenau), Eliya Mandanji (Zanaco), Kennedy Musonda (Hapoel Ramat Gan).

-Reuters

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AFCON

Pan-African Road Trip Heads from Benin to Morocco Ahead of 2025 AFCON

Published

9 hours ago

December 10, 2025

Kunle Solaja

A van carrying a group of football enthusiasts has begun a remarkable cross-continental road trip through eight African countries in celebration of the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The initiative, titled “Destination Morocco 2025 – Land of Football,” departed Cotonou, Benin, last week and is scheduled to travel thousands of kilometres across Togo, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal and Mauritania before reaching Morocco in time for the tournament, which runs from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.

Organisers say the journey is aimed at uniting African fans and building excitement toward the continent’s biggest football competition.

“The objective is simple: reach the Kingdom and celebrate Africa’s greatest football festival,” organisers said, noting that the caravan also intends to highlight pan-African identity and shared passion for the game.

The month-long adventure is expected to generate media attention along the route, with planned fan interactions and promotional activities in several cities before the convoy arrives in Morocco shortly before the tournament kicks off.

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AFCON

Nigeria’s first AFCON opponents, Tanzania’s Taifa Stars unveil squad

Published

23 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Tanzania coach Miguel Gamondi has unveiled his final 28-man squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations – a list that Nigeria will study closely with the Taifa Stars billed as the Super Eagles’ opening opponents at Morocco 2025.

The East Africans, making only their fourth appearance at the continental finals, are drawn in a tricky Group A alongside Nigeria, Tunisia and neighbours Uganda. Their ambition is clear: qualify for the knockout stage for the first time in their history.

For Nigeria, who face Tanzania on 23 December in Casablanca, the announcement provides an early read on a team determined to prove they can compete at the highest level.

Samatta Back as Tanzania’s Big Hope

The biggest headline from Gamondi’s list is the return of captain Mbwana Samatta, now enjoying a career revival with French Ligue 1 side Le Havre. Experienced forward Simon Msuva, who plies his trade in Iraq, also makes the cut after initially appearing in the provisional squad.

Gamondi has stuck to his earlier promise of building a “strong, well-balanced side” with a clear reliance on domestic talent. The squad features standout performers from leading Tanzanian clubs such as Simba SC, Young Africans and Azam FC.

Continuity and Youth

Several home-based regulars – including Feisal Salum, Pascal Msindo, Yakoub Suleiman and Mohammed Hussein – have been retained, while promising youngsters like Kelvin Nashon and Novatus Dismas are also listed.
Another notable name is defender Haji Mnoga of English side Salford City, who adds valuable experience from the 2023 AFCON campaign.

Quiet Confidence from Gamondi

Tanzania collected their highest-ever points total in the 2023 AFCON despite exiting at the group stage, and Gamondi believes his men can go a step further.
“We need to push to get results in every game,” the Argentine said during the squad process, emphasising belief in the identity and discipline of local players.

Nigeria First

Nigeria will be expected to take maximum points from the opening game, but the Taifa Stars are arriving with quiet confidence and continuity. Their defensive unit, which looked better during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, will be tested immediately by the Super Eagles’ firepower.

After facing Nigeria, Tanzania meet Uganda on 27 December before closing the group phase against Tunisia on 30 December.

With Group A shaping up as one of the most unpredictable in Morocco, Nigeria’s first opponents are signalling they are ready for a real fight.

Tanzania’s final 28-man squad for AFCON 2025

Goalkeepers
Yakoub Suleiman (Simba SC)
Hussein Masalanga (Singida BS)
Zuberi Foba (Azam FC)

Defenders
Bakari Mwamnyeto (Young Africans)
Shomari Kapombe (Simba SC)
Lusajo Mwaikenda (Azam FC)
Mohamed Hussein (Young Africans)
Nickson Kibabage (Simba SC)
Alphonse Mkabule (Shamakhi, Azerbaijan)
Wilson Nnang (Simba SC)
Novatus Dismas (Göztepe FC, Turkey)
Kelvin Nashon (Tanda Jiji)
Pascal Msindo (Azam FC)
Haji Mnoga (Salford City, England)
Dickson Job (Young Africans)

Midfielders / Forwards
Ibrahim Abdulla (Young Africans)
Habibu Iddi (Singida BS)
Tarrryn Allouche (Rochdale AFC, England)
Charles Mombwa (Floriana FC, Malta)
Morice Abraham (Simba SC)
Feisal Salum (Azam FC)
Ahmed Pipino (Azam FC)
Abdul Suleiman (Azam FC)
Iddi Selemani (Azam FC)
Mbwana Samatta (Le Havre, France)
Elias Maguli (Azam FC / Ufaransa)
Shomari Lawi (Aalborg BK, Denmark)
Simon Msuva (Al-Talaba, Iraq)

Coach: Miguel Gamondi

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