AFCON
Nigeria’s World Cup qualification contender, Ghana still in turmoil over Ayew brothers
Just as it appears the Super Ealges have put behind them the dissappointment of early elimination from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations and now focus on picking a valuable World Cup ticket, their contenders, Ghana Black Stars are still in tumoil
Nigeria and Ghana are due to go head to head in a two legged World Cup playoff in two months time.
Apart from the sack of ther coach, there had been speculations that their insipartional players, the Ayew brothers – Andre and Jordan may have voluntarily resigned from the Black Stars.
But a family spokesman, according to information Sports Village Square gathered from some Ghanaian sources, denied the stories.
According to Ghanaweb, a former Black Stars midfielder who is related to the Ayew brothers has waded into the issue.
Sola Ayew an uncle to Andre and Jordan has dared management of the Black Stars to drop his nephews if they are unfit for the senior national team.
The Ayew brothers in recent times have come under huge criticisms from a section of Ghanaians for their performance in the national team especially Jordan Ayew who has not scored for the Black Stars in a long while.
The brothers were part of the Black Stars squad that finished bottom of Group C with just a point from three matches in a group featuring Morocco, Gabon, and debutantes Comoros at the AFCON 2021.
Ghana recorded their worst performance in history as they went in search of their fifth African title.
Following Ghana’s exit from the AFCON 2021, a section of Ghanaians have called for the expulsion of the Ayews from the national team.
But speaking in an interview, Sola Ayew called on management of the Black Stars to exclude the Ayew brothers from the national team if they don’t merit a call-up.
“If you ask me whether the national team is not a reserve of the Ayews, then drop them [from the national team]. It’s not me or Abedi Pele or the boys who pushed for their invitation Adikanfo FM.
He added, “you can’t say the Ayews are like this, the Ayews are like that. The Ayews we know eat football, drink football, sleep football and we want to be there. So if we cannot do it then you drop us, period.”
According to him if there are better players than the Ayews, they deserve to be given the opportunity. He explained also that being tagged as ‘owning the Black Stars as a family property’ is not a bother.
“We hear those rumours but it does not disturb us because it’s part of football. If those who criticize the Ayews do not exist, football will not be complete. When we are not doing well and there are players who are better, drop them,” Sola Ayew added.
Sola [Kwame] Ayew who is a former Ghanaian footballer played as a striker and spent most of his time in Portugal where he appeared for four teams in the 90s, amassing 131 appearances with 51 goals for six seasons
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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