AFCON
Nigeria Breweries brands; Goldberg, Life, and Zagg energy drink lend support to Super Eagles’ comeback bid
The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been assured total support from Nigerian Breweries Plc brands Goldberg, Life Continental, and Zagg Energy Drink, as they seek to bounce back after their surprising defeat to Guinea-Bissau in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The Super Eagles’ perfect run in the qualifiers was halted last Friday at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja where they were beaten 1-0 by Guinea Bissau’s Wild Dogs.
Mama Balde scored the solitary goal that condemned the three-time African Champions to defeat on home soil.
Though that defeat suffered by coach Jose Peseiro’s men left a bitter taste in the mouths of many, the Nigerian Breweries brands have expressed their commitment to the team and the belief that they will bounce back stronger and more determined in Monday’s second leg billed for Morocco.
Goldberg, a high-quality lager beer with a smooth and appealing taste, has long been associated with fostering unity and celebrating the shared values of its customers.
The premium beer aims to inspire the Eagles to achieve great things again that will re-enact the golden moments that the team has always been synonymous with.
“Nothing spoil, we’ll bounce back! We keep cheering till the final whistle and let’s go @NGSuper Eagles #OmoluabiFC,” said in a post on Goldberg’s Instagram page after the match and ahead of the Match-day four duel in Bissau on Monday.
In another post just before the team left the country for the crunch encounter, “not the result we wanted on Friday but nothing spoil, come on @ng-supereagleslet’s bounce back come Monday #OmoluabiFC,” it stated.
The posts generated a lot of conversation on the brand’s handle with many of the fans and consumers ready to stand with the team as quest to hit back the top of the table but some of the fans are yet to come to term with the result of the match.
And a follow up to the brand’s motivation, the Super Eagles’ players in unison said; “Please don’t give up on us, we know you deserve more and we’re very much on course to make you happy.
The final training concluded before jetting out to Guinea Bissau #SoarSuperEagles #AFCON2023Q.
Life, a fine-quality continental lager beer known for its deep connection to Nigeria’s culture and history, is made for celebrations of progress in every phase of one’s life.
By backing the Super Eagles, Life emphasizes its commitment to the nation’s progress and its belief in the power of resilience and hard work to overcome challenges.
Zagg Energy Drink, a recent addition to the Nigerian Breweries portfolio, is focused on providing its consumers with a boost of energy and mental focus.
The Energy Drink aims to energize the team and the Nigerian fans, fuelling their passion and drive for success.
The three Nigerian Breweries brands have joined forces to bolster the team’s confidence and encourage fans to rally behind the team, seeking to get back on track.
The Senior Brand Manager, Life Continental Beer, Francis Obiajulu, reiterated that support for the Super Eagles and the other national teams is for all seasons and not just when the going is good.
“As a responsible brand, our support is through thick and thin, not just when the going is good. I can assure you we are still solidly behind the Super Eagles and we are backing them to soar high in Monday’s second leg.” Obiajulu declared.
“With the right attitude, hard work, and determination, the Super Eagles can rise above their recent setback and soar to new heights,” he added.
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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