AFCON
Five major misses Nigeria record at the Abuja Stadium
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
On account of its official commissioning on 8 April 2003, the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja is 19 years old this Friday. Built as the first of its kind in Nigeria, it is all-covered and with individual seats.
It has however have a colouration of certain jinx surrounding it. Only twice had champions emerged for Nigeria at the beautiful arena which stands as the easily the first major edifice in the city of Abuja after the crossing of the city gate from the airport.
The only occasion international champions were crowned at the arena were when the Super Falcons won the gold medal match of the 2003 African games, and Enyimba emerging victorious after penalty shoot-out in the 2004 CAF Chmapions League.
Outside those two instances it has been catalogue of major misses by Nigerian teams. Sports Village Square recalls five instances:
Football final of 2003 All Africa Games
Despite being rated as an overwhelming favourites to pick the gold medal of the football event event of the All Africa Games as it had happened on home soil 30 years earlier in Lagos, the Nigerian team surprisingly crumbled 2-0 against Cameroon at the Abuja stadium on 16 October 2003.
The gold medal has since been elusive to Nigeria which again lost at the final match of 2019 games in Rabat, Morocco.
World Cup dreams evaporate in Abuja, despite massive win
On 8 October 2005, Nigeria beat Zimbabwe 5-1 in their last match for the 2006 World Cup.
But the massive win proved a pyrrhic victory as result elsewhere meant Nigeria had missed the flight to Germany 2006.
Angola beat Rwanda 1-0 away from home to peak the ticket.
Swiss sensation as Golden Eaglets lose U17 World Cup
With elimination of big teams such as Germany and Brazil, the Nigerian Golden Eaglets, then three time world champions were overwhelming favourites to beat unrated Switzerland at the final match of the 2009 U17 World Cup.
Result did not match expectation in the 16 November 2009 match in Abuja. Switzerland won 1-0 to claim their only title till date.
At the time Nigeria lost in Abuja to Switzerland, the thoughts were that host nations of the tournaments were jinxed as no past host nation had won.
But such claims have since been dismissed as Mexico as the hosts of the next edition in 2011 won. So also, Brazil as 2019 hosts also won.
Last minute goal by Guinea denies Nigeria AFCON qualification
On the sixth anniversary of missing the qualification for the Germany 2006 World Cup, another qualification miss was recorded in Abuja by Nigeria on 8 October 2011.
Ignorantly thinking they need a two-goal margin to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and while leading 2-1 against Guinea, the Super Eagles went for all-outfield player offensive in the closing minute of the added time.
Alas! The Guineans in a counter attack slotted in an equaliser that ended the international goalkeeping career of Dele Aiyenugba. But for the equaliser, Nigeria could have still qualified as one of the lucky second-placed teams.
The equaliser gave an already eliminated Sudan an entrance through the back doors.
Troubled Black Stars get succour in Abuja
When the Black Stars blacked out Nigeria’s qualifying hopes for the 2022 World Cup in Abuja, it came on the sixth anniversary of Nigeria missing out in the qualification for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations .
Egypt had on 29 March 2016 beating Nigeria 1-0 to eliminate the country from the continental tournament.
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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