AFCON
Algeria’s unbeaten run ends, but Remo Stars still unbeaten in Nigeria
On the night when tears were flowing from the eyes of players and followers of African champions, Algeria whose nearly two-year unbeaten streak was terminated by unlikely heroes, Equatorial Guinea, returnee to the Nigerian elite football, Remo Stars continued their strong hold of the Nigeria Professional Football League.
They opened the season and have led ever since. On Sunday, they picked another full point on the road as they beat Wikki Tourists 2-1 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi in one of matchday 6 fixtures.
Head Coach of Remo Stars, Gbenga Ogunbote bestowed faith in his starting eleven that got a 1-0 victory over Plateau United in the emerging football town of Ikenne last weekend.
The coach made only two changes to his bench as Shuji Oshobe and Sunday Williams replaced Kamal Sikiru and Tolulope Ojo.
Wikki Tourists started the game like a house on fire after they had clear chance to put themselves in front, Kayode Bankole denied them their early attempts on goal.
The first opportunity for the visitors surfaced and Dayo Ojo converted the opportunity so well after he met up with a beautiful pass from Andy Okpe, he dribbled his marker to give the Sky Blue Stars the lead at first attempt.
Minutes later, the Giant Elephants got an opportunity to level up after the referee gave them a freekick in a promising area but the kick went into the skies.
The host continued to mount pressure on the visitors and it nearly favoured them in the 32nd minute after Idris Moffid’s attempt hit the woodwork.
Former Sunshine Stars forward, Fuad Ekelejuoti got his own chance to put his team at per with the visitors but Kayode Bankole stood tall to deny.
In the 58th minute, the hosts felt they had equalised but Stanley Okorom’s brilliant clearance tackle denied Abdulrasaq Aliyu from putting the ball at the back of the net.
Abdullahi Oyedele doubled the lead for the Sky Blue Stars in the 62nd minute after Andy Okpe found his way upfront from the midfield to give him an assist.
The host began the mission to reduce the deficit with numerous chances but Kayode Bankole did a lot of justice to those attempts.
Salisu Adama reduced the deficit for his side from Mustapha Abdullahi’s corner, it deflected towards him, and he calmly slotted in for the Giant Elephants.
In the closing minutes of the game, the referee gifted the host a spot kick and Salam Ibrahim took the kick and it hit the woodwork before the ball rolled out.
The pressure continued from the host and the Sky Blue Stars did well to deny their attempts before the referee blew the final whistle.
With the win for the visitors, the Sky Blue Stars maintain their position on the top of the league, their second away victory this season, and they remain unbeaten in the NPFL alongside Rivers United.
Next for the Sky Blue Stars is a home against Abia Warriors at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
NPFL STATS AFTER MATCHDAY 6
- Top Team: Remo Stars: 14 points, +9goals, -2 goals
- Total No. of Matches Played: 59
- Total No. of Matches won: 43
- Total No. of Matches won Away: 5
- Total No. of Matches Drawn: 16
- Total No. of Goals Scored: 114
- Average Goals/match: 1.9
- Total No. of Home Goals: 88
- Total No. of Away Goals: 26
- Total No. of Own Goals: 3
- Total No. of Penalties Awarded: 13
- Total No. of Penalties Scored: 11
- Total No. of Penalties missed: 2
- Highest Goals Scorer: Rafiu Ishaq (Rivers United) 5 goals
- Total No. of Yellow Cards: 217
- Total No. of Red Cards: 7
- Most Goals Conceded: Dakkada , 11 goals
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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