Flying Eagles boss Bosso eyes bronze medal against Tunisia

Published

3 years ago

March 10, 2023

Ladan Bosso

Nigeria coach Ladan Bosso has set his sights on clinching the bronze medal of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2023.

The Flying Eagles will face Tunisia in the third place match on Friday at the Cairo International Stadium at 16:00 local time (14:00 GMT).

Nigeria lost 1-0 in the semi-finals to The Gambia at the Cairo International Stadium on Monday night.

Steve Biko forward Adama Bojang scored the lone goal to send the Young Scorpions to their first ever TotalEnergies U-20 AFCON final.

“It was unfortunate we lost the semifinals and now we will play the third place match,” Bosso told journalists at his pre-match press conference.

“The third place is as good as the final. We believe if we get it right we will take something home and I believe we can put smiles on the faces of football loving Nigerians.

“Nevertheless it is always believed that second best is not good enough but we have to fight for third place.”

The record champions of the tournament have secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia later this year alongside The Gambia, Senegal and Tunisia.

“The most important thing is the target given to us was to first qualify the team to the World Cup which we achieved,” said Bosso.

“We wanted to get something additional but fortunately we didn’t get it right.

“We had our mistakes but I understand the feelings of some sections of Nigerians will not be comfortable with it.

“We lost to The Gambia not that they were better than us because we should have sealed that game in the beginning.

“Nevertheless the way we prepared for the Gambian team is the same way we will prepare for Tunisia with some adjustments to get the win,” he added.

Abel Ogwuche was named the Man of the Match in the quarter-final victory over Uganda in Ismailia and he reiterated that the Flying Eagles will be playing to secure a podium finish.

“We are a hundred percent prepared to take something back to Nigeria. We lost the last game but in football there can only be three outcomes,” Abel said.

“Tomorrow we will be coming out to win the game and take something back home and put a smile to our fans back home.

“This tournament is a great opportunity for us the players to be seen and showcase our talent and we will do our best.”

Seven-A-Side Football Governing Body, AFC7 Appoints Cameroon Legend Jean II Makoun as Ambassador

Published

2 weeks ago

November 25, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Former Cameroon international Jean II Makoun

The African Football Confederation 7 (AFC7), which oversees the seven-a-side version of football, has taken a major leap in its mission to expand the visibility and growth of Football 7 on the continent with the appointment of former Cameroon international Jean II Makoun as its new ambassador.

According to reports from Cameroon’s Kick442, the decision brings into the fold one of the most technically accomplished midfielders of his generation—an ideal fit for a football discipline built on skill, intelligence, close control and quick execution.

Makoun enjoyed a distinguished career spanning nearly 20 years, turning out for top European clubs including Lille, Olympique Lyonnais, Aston Villa and Olympiacos.

He earned over 60 caps for the Indomitable Lions, becoming widely respected for his exceptional ball mastery, vision, tactical awareness and ability to dictate tempo under pressure.

These qualities mirror the demands of Football 7, where agility, creativity in tight spaces and rapid transitions define the game.

AFC7 President Bamnga Jacques expressed strong optimism about the impact Makoun will bring to the sport’s development.
“We welcome Mr. Makoun and are confident in his ability to drive the growth of Football 7 across the continent,” he said.

Makoun’s first assignment as ambassador will take him to Morocco this week, where he will participate in a high-profile seven-aside exhibition match aimed at showcasing the dynamism, flair and fast-paced appeal of the sport.

Football 7—also known as seven-aside—is a compact, high-tempo variation of association football played on smaller pitches with shorter halves. Its emphasis on technique, fluid attacking play and swift decision-making has fueled rapid global growth, and AFC7 is determined to position Africa at the forefront of this evolution.

With Makoun joining the team, AFC7 plans to deepen its development programmes, strengthen community engagement, and create competitive platforms that will accelerate the rise of Football 7 across the continent.

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International Football

Morocco extends record run of successive victories

Published

3 weeks ago

November 19, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Morocco extended their record-breaking run of successive victories to 18 as they beat Uganda 4-0 in a friendly international in Tangier on Tuesday.

The match was part of their preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations finals, which they host next month.

Uganda scored an own goal through defender Herbert Achai in the fourth minute, with Ismael Saibari adding Morocco’s second in the 33rd.

Substitute Soufiane Rahimi converted a penalty in the 79th minute and another substitute, Bilal El Khannouss, made it 4-0 with two minutes remaining.

Morocco went past the previous record of 15, which Spain set between June 2008-2009, in October.

Morocco open the Cup of Nations finals against Comoros in Rabat on December 21.

-Reuters

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International Football

FIFA Unites 2025 Kicks Off in Morocco, Marks Historic Debut for Afghan Refugee Women’s Team

Published

1 month ago

October 25, 2025

Kunle Solaja

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has announced that the inaugural FIFA Unites 2025 women’s competition will take place in Morocco, beginning Sunday, October 26.

According to FIFA, the friendly tournament will feature several women’s national teams and will serve as a landmark event for women’s football, notably marking the first-ever international appearance of the Afghan refugee women’s team.

The side, officially named “Afghan Women United,” was named by the players themselves after consultations with FIFA.

In addition to Afghanistan’s historic participation, the tournament will also see the Libyan and Chadian women’s teams expected to enter the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking for the first time after the event.

FIFA expressed appreciation to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) for its cooperation and logistical support in hosting the competition, highlighting Morocco’s growing role as a major hub for women’s football development on the African continent.

The global football governing body also reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s football and gender inclusion, emphasizing that the competition is part of its Action Strategy for Afghan Women’s Football, approved by the FIFA Council in May 2025.

The strategy encompasses the organization of competitive opportunities, ongoing technical assistance, and support for Afghan players during the selection and preparation stages.

Through FIFA Unites 2025, the organization aims to promote solidarity, inclusion, and empowerment through sport — underscoring football’s unique role in providing hope and opportunity, particularly for women in challenging circumstances.

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