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

Senegal coach Thiaw jeered by journalists, walks out of press conference

Published

2 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw gestures for his players to leave the pitch after a penalty is awarded to Morocco REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw was roundly jeered and then walked out of his scheduled post-match press conference as the drama of Sunday’s contentious Africa Cup of Nations final continued well after the final whistle.

Thiaw ordered his players off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them before they returned to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time and win the trophy.

Thiaw had been expected to explain his decision at the post-match press conference, but when he entered the room, the coach was jeered by Moroccan journalists while their Senegalese counterparts clapped.

Failure by officials to quieten a rowdy room led to Thiaw leave.

The Senegal coach was central to the farcical scenes that clouded the final and could face heavy sanctions from the Confederation of African Football.

The penalty was awarded following a VAR check by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala after Brahim Diaz had been tugged to the ground by Senegal full back El Hadji Malick Diouf while defending a corner five minutes into stoppage time.

But Senegal reacted angrily to the decision and walked off, some players going down the tunnel and into their changing room. It took 14 minutes before they returned and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy saved Diaz’s poorly taken Panenka-style chipped spot kick.

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AFCON

Blow for Africa Cup of Nations after farcical final

Published

3 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Senegal coach Pape Thiaw calls for his players to leave the pitch after a penalty is awarded to Morocco REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

African football would have been hoping for a thrilling end to a slick and competitive Cup of Nations tournament, but will wake up on Monday with a major headache after the final between Senegal and hosts Morocco descended into farce.

Senegal, who won 1-0 after extra time, staged a walk-out after they had a penalty awarded against them deep in stoppage time at the end of the match.

They were ordered off the field by their coach, Pape Bouna Thiaw, with some players going back to the dressing room, and it was only after Sadio Mane cajoled them back that the game continued.

“What did we say to each other? That’s between us. We did it together, and we came back together, that’s all that matters,” said goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, one of those involved in ugly scenes of jostling and arguing between the players.

A 14-minute delay between the awarding of the penalty, after a lengthy VAR review, and the taking of the kick was followed by a tame effort from Morocco’s Brahim Diaz, who had been their star performer as they reached the final for the first time in 22 years.

His Panenka-style chipped effort floated into Mendy’s arms, leaving the game goalless and having to go into extra time.

“He attempted the Panenka, but I stayed on my feet. We kept the team in the game, and I helped my team at that moment,” Mendy added

Morocco coach Walid Regragui said the delay did not help Diaz.

“But that doesn’t excuse Brahim for the way he hit the penalty. He hit it like that and we have to accept it. We were one minute from being African champions. That’s football. It’s often cruel. We missed what for some was the opportunity of a lifetime,” he said.

SUPERB WINNING GOAL

Pape Gueye won the trophy for Senegal with a superb strike four minutes into extra time, handing his country their second trophy in the last three editions and extending Morocco’s poor record in the tournament, which they have won once previously, 50 years ago.

But Senegal’s success will be overshadowed by the controversy of the walk-off, blemishing the image of the African game, which only days earlier had boasted of record worldwide revenue for its showpiece tournaments as interest spread worldwide.

“The image we’ve given of Africa is shameful,” added Regragui.

“A coach who asks his players to leave the field … What Pape did does not honour Africa. He wasn’t classy. But he is a champion, so he can say whatever he wants”

His Senegal counterpart, Thiaw, could face sanctions for his actions.

However, he missed the chance to discuss the controversy when his post-match press conference was called off after he was jeered by Moroccan journalists when he entered the room, while their Senegalese counterparts applauded him.

-Reuters

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AFCON

Disappointment for Morocco fans after Africa Cup of Nations final defeat

Published

3 hours ago

January 19, 2026

Kunle Solaja

Morocco fans look dejected after the match REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Moroccan fans were left crestfallen on Sunday after their team lost the Africa Cup of Nations final 1-0 to Senegal after extra time in a tense encounter at Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Senegal had stormed off the field in protest at a penalty awarded against them before returning to beat the hosts amid farcical scenes in the final, where nearly 67,000 home supporters had gathered hoping to see the Atlas Lions lift their first continental trophy since 1976.

Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye netted the 94th-minute winner after Morocco’s star player Brahim Diaz had squandered the chance to win it for the home side by fluffing a last-gasp penalty in normal time following a 14-minute delay.

As the referee blew the final whistle, most Moroccan fans filed out of the stadium without waiting for the trophy ceremony.

“I am so sad, and at the same time proud of our national team,” said supporter Ousama Ouaddich, his voice hoarse after cheering throughout the game.

“All we needed was an Africa Cup of Nations before going to the World Cup in June,” he said.

The defeat prolongs World Cup 2022 semi-finalists Morocco’s long wait for a second continental title despite the team being Africa’s top‑ranked side in FIFA’s standings. “It was a hard and intense game … Morocco did their best under pressure and Senegal was more composed in key moments and prevailed,” said Moroccan fan Imane Lahrich in rainy Rabat.

King Mohammed VI congratulated the Atlas Lions for their “memorable run” in a message after the game and thanked Moroccan fans for their support, while praising the organisation of the tournament.

The country’s infrastructure, the King said, had demonstrated “resilience and world‑class level of readiness ahead of hosting the 2030 World Cup.”

Despite the defeat, it has been a successful period in Morocco’s football history.

The Atlas Lions became the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals at Qatar 2022 after eliminating Spain and Portugal en route to the last four.

The country’s U‑20 team won the World Cup in October after beating Argentina, and Morocco also claimed the bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Moroccan clubs and national teams across men’s, women’s and youth levels have been among the continent’s strongest performers in recent years.

This year’s Cup of Nations set records for goals scored, stadium attendance and commercial revenue, according to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

CAF said in its annual report last year that the tournament in Morocco was expected to generate a net profit of $114 million.

-Reuters

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