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

Nigerian-born Ikpeazu rescues Uganda, sets up must-win clash with Super Eagles

Published

19 minutes ago

December 27, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Uganda’s Nigerian-born striker, Uche Ikpeazu celebrates his goal with defender, Toby Sibbick. PHOTO: AFP

Nigerian heritage took centre stage in Group C of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday as Nigerian-born Uche Ikpeazu struck late to earn Uganda a 1–1 draw against Tanzania, a result that now puts Nigeria firmly in the qualification equation.

Ikpeazu, born to a Nigerian father and Ugandan mother, came off the bench to head home the equaliser and hand the Cranes their first point of the tournament in Morocco. The outcome leaves both Uganda and Tanzania needing victories on the final day, with the Cranes set for a decisive showdown against Nigeria.

It also means that the winless streak of Tanzania continues. They had looked on course for a crucial win after Simon Msuva converted from the penalty spot shortly after the hour mark. The spot kick was awarded following a handball by Uganda midfielder Baba Alhassan, and Msuva sent his effort into the top corner beyond veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango, making his first start of the tournament.

Uganda, however, refused to fold. Playing with urgency as heavy rain began to fall, the Cranes pushed forward and were rewarded when Ikpeazu rose highest to meet a Denis Omedi cross, powering a header past Tanzania goalkeeper Zuberi Foba to restore parity.

The dramatic finale could have tilted fully in Uganda’s favour. Substitute James Bogere was dragged down in the box, earning a second penalty, but Allan Okello blazed his kick over the bar, sparing Tanzania and ensuring the spoils were shared. Tanzania nearly snatched a winner moments later, but Onyango’s scare ended with the final shot drifting just wide.

For Nigeria, the draw sharpens the stakes. With Uganda now buoyed by Ikpeazu’s impact and Tanzania still alive, Group C remains wide open. The Super Eagles will face Uganda in a must-win encounter on Tuesday, knowing that a victory would not only settle qualification matters but also end the hopes of a side inspired by a striker with Nigerian roots.

Tanzania, meanwhile, must overcome Tunisia to keep their own Round of 16 ambitions alive, setting up a tense final day in a group where Nigerian influence has already left a decisive mark.

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AFCON

Benin Break New Ground with First AFCON Win

Published

3 hours ago

December 27, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Yohan Roche fired Benin to history on Saturday. His deflected strike sealed a 1-0 win over Botswana in Group D at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The breakthrough came in the 28th minute. Roche exchanged passes with captain Steve Mounié, then shot from close range. A defender’s touch wrong-footed the keeper and sent Benin into dreamland.

It was their first victory at the finals after 16 attempts since debuting in 2004. They had five draws and 10 defeats before this moment, despite reaching the quarter-finals in 2019.

Botswana offered little threat. Mothusi Johnson clipped the bar with a curling free-kick, their best chance of the night. Benin could have added more, but Goitseone Phoko denied Tamimou Ouorou with a sharp low save. Dodo Dokou wasted a golden chance in stoppage time, blasting over from 12 yards.

The win lifts Benin to three points, level with Senegal and DR Congo. Those two sides met later in Tangier.

Botswana remain winless in the competition. They have now lost all five of their Cup of Nations matches, stretching back to their debut in 2012.

Next up: Benin face Senegal on Tuesday. Botswana take on DR Congo. The top two teams in each group, plus four best third-placed sides, advance to the Round of 16.

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AFCON

Morocco held to a draw by Mali to end record winning run

Published

13 hours ago

December 27, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Mali's Abdoulaye Diaby and Mali's Ousmane Camara in action with Morocco's Ayoub El Kaabi and Morocco's Nayef Aguerd REUTERS/Stringer

Summary

Morocco’s 19-match winning streak ends with a 1-1 draw against Mali
VAR reviews lead to penalties for both teams in the match
Morocco lead Group A, but progress to next stage not secured yet

Hosts Morocco were held to a 1-1 draw by Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations on Friday, ending their world record run of wins and leaving them still to make sure of progress to the next stage.

Midfielder Brahim Diaz tucked away a penalty in stoppage time at the end of the first half but Mali equalised from the spot midway through the second half through Lassine Sinayoko.

Both penalties were awarded after VAR reviews in a tempestuous clash at the end of a busy day of action at the tournament.

Morocco top the Group A standings with four points while Zambia, who they meet next on Monday, have two points along with Mali while the Comoros are bottom of the group on a single point.

Comoros and Zambia drew 0-0 in Casablanca earlier on Friday.

Morocco had won a record 19 successive internationals ahead of the Boxing Day clash, but the draw brings that to an end and leaves them still looking unconvincing despite their status as runaway favourites.

They had come into the tournament under heavy expectation, and even if they did win their first game, they still looked nervy and were fortunate to win their penalty as the ball brushed the hand of defender Nathan Gassama as he was trying to get to his feet after Diaz’s dribbling had him tumble over.

The kick was only awarded after Cameroonian referee Abdou Mefire went to the pitchside screen, as was the case with Mali’s equaliser in the 64th minute, which Lassine Sinayoko tucked away under the diving body of Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

MALI STRIKER HACKED DOWN

Sinayoko had been hacked down by Morocco centre back Jawad El Yamiq, but the referee initially waved play on.

It was the first goal Morocco had conceded in their last 11 internationals.

The home side could have won it in the 78th minute when substitute Youssef En-Nesyri had time to turn and shoot, but his effort was well saved.

Mali goalkeeper Djigui Diarra made an even better stop from his own defender Woyo Coulibaly’s backward header in the final action of the game.

Mali captain Yves Bissouma started the match for his second appearance of the season after having had ankle surgery two months ago and lasted 57 minutes before being substituted, but there was no game time for African Footballer of the Year Achraf Hakimi, whose return from injury is much anticipated in Morocco.

Earlier on Friday, Egypt became the first side into the last 16 when they defeated South Africa 1-0 in Agadir while the other Group B clash between Angola and Zimbabwe in Marrakech ended in a 1-1 draw.

-Reuters

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