AFCON
Rohrs’ biggest test as Benin hold champions Senegal in CAF AFCON qualifier
Benin managed to hold reigning African champions, Senegal, to a 1-1 draw in a highly anticipated clash at the Stade de l’Amitié in Cotonou in their CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 qualifier on Saturday night.
It was a big test for Gernot Rohr, the former Nigeria manager now handling Benin.
A revamped Teranga Lions took to the pitch with Nicolas Jackson, Abdoulaye Seck, and Seny Dieng in the starting line-up but they were held in check by Cheetahs.
Defender Abdoulaye Seck put the visitors, who had all all their matches in the group prior Saturday’s match, into the lead before Abdoul Rachid Moumini piledriver restored parity.
In the absence of Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mané donned the captain’s armband, while Koulibaly provided support from the substitutes’ bench.
On the other side, Benin sought to secure victory to bolster their qualification hopes under the guidance of coach Gernot Rohr.
Having already secured their place in the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal displayed their determination from the 4th minute, as ackson’s powerful strike narrowly missed the target.
The Teranga Lions unleashed a series of offensive assaults, testing the resilience of the Benin defense, only to be denied by the upright or the outstanding goalkeeping skills of Saturnin Allagbe, the Cheetahs’ goalkeeper.
It was in the 44th minute that Senegal broke the deadlock. Sadio Mané’s perfectly placed cross found Jackson, whose header was met with an overzealous challenge by Abdoulaye Seck. The defender made no mistake, finding the back of the net and propelling Senegal into the lead.
However, the second half witnessed a shift in momentum as the Senegalese gradually lost their grip on the match, allowing Benin to capitalize on the situation.
In the 78th minute, Abdoul Rachid Moumini unleashed a thunderous strike that soared into the top corner of the net, leaving Seny Dieng, the Senegal goalkeeper, helpless.
Benin’s equalizer not only secured them a valuable point but also marked a notable achievement, as no team had managed to snatch points from the African champions in this group of qualifiers.
With the final matchday on the horizon, Benin’s qualification hopes now rest on their performance against Mozambique at the Estádio da Machava.
Post-Match Reactions:
“Both teams displayed exceptional football. One team showcased the qualities of the reigning African champion, while the other, our Benin team, demonstrated character by responding to Senegal’s challenge. We grew stronger throughout the match; although we were dominated in the first half, we managed to break free and impose our game in the second half. I was truly impressed by the fighting spirit of my team, and we must continue in this manner.” – Gernot Rohr, Benin coach.
“Compared to our training sessions, I witnessed some intriguing developments tonight. I am extremely satisfied with the performance that my team displayed. It was a well-contested match, although we didn’t emerge as victors. Our objective was to win all our matches in this qualifying campaign, but this time, a magnificent goal from the opposition prevented us from achieving that. I must admit, that goal took me by surprise; it happened in the blink of an eye.” – Aliou Cissé, Senegal coach.
-Cafonline
Kenya goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has been provisionally suspended from all football activity in the country for 90 days amid an investigation into allegations of match manipulation.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) took the decision on Thursday evening, hours after the governing body announced it had launched an investigation into the 37-year-old.
The case arose after a video posted online appeared to show the keeper agreeing to a deal to influence the outcome of a game.
The BBC has not been able to verify the video, which is undated.
Matasi plays for Kenyan Premier League club Kakamega Homeboyz and has won over 30 international caps.
He has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
The owner of Kakamega Homeboyz, Cleophas Shimanyula, said that Matasi denied the allegations.
“He was shocked at what he was seeing in the video and he told me he doesn’t know about match-fixing,” Shimanyula told BBC Sport Africa.
“Kakamega Homeboyz is against any form of match manipulation.”
Matasi’s most recent appearance for Kenya came in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Cameroon last October.
The Harambee Stars lost the game 4-1.
The FKF said it would work with world governing body FIFA, the Confederation of African Football and other “relevant authorities” during its investigation.
-BBC
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The Kenya Football Federation (KFF) has decided to investigate suspicions of match-fixing by the national team against Cameroon in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers
The FKF has confirmed that it is aware of videos circulating online involving Kenyan goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, raising suspicions of possible match manipulation.
Prime suspect, Patrick Matasi, the Kenyan goalkeeper.
This amateur video, filmed in secret and viewed by AFP, shows a man discussing with Matasi a plan to fix a match in exchange for money.
Press statement by Football Kenya Federation.
” The FKF defends the integrity of football and has launched an official investigation, in collaboration with FIFA, CAF and other relevant authorities,” the federation said in a statement.
” We reaffirm our policy of tolerance regarding match manipulation and we are committed to preserving the credibility of our competition,” she insisted.
The match in question was lost 4-1 by Kenya to Cameroon in Yaoundé last October, destroying the Harambee Stars’ chances of qualifying for the finals in Morocco next December-January and leading to the resignation of the then coach, Engin Firat.
Matasi has since been omitted from the squad by new coach Benni McCarthy for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon in Group F on March 20 and 23.
-Le360 / AFP
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It is 45 years since Nigeria first tasted victory in the Africa Cup of Nations in Lagos.
That was March 22, 1980, when Nigeria beat Algeria 3-0 in the final match to lift an Organization of African Unity (OAU)-donated trophy which was the replacement of the original trophy that Ghana had won for keeps after three victories.
The new trophy was tagged the ‘Unity Cup’. Christian Chukwu, Nigeria’s skipper, later voted as the best player of the tournament, became the first footballer to lift the trophy.
It was Nigeria’s biggest achievement in football at the time.
The feat of the 1980 class of Nigeria’s national football team opened a new chapter for Nigerian football and inspired generations of younger players to excel on the field of play.
It was the first time Nigeria featured in the title match. Nigeria went on to play seven more final matches and succeeded in two of such in 1994 and 2013.
Sadly, some of the heroes of 1980 are no more. Those who have passed on include Best Ogedegbe who was in goal, Muda Lawal, the scorer of the final goal, Okey Isima, Tunde Bamidele, Aloysius Atuegbu and Martin Eyo.
Thus only 14 of the 20 heroes of 1980 are alive. Even the coach, Brazil’s Professor Otto Gloria, has passed on.
That probably prompted one of the heroes, Felix Owolabi, whose solitary goal against Morocco in the semi-final launched Nigeria into the title match, to express gratitude to God for keeping him alive.
In a message to Sports Village Square, Owolabi who clocked 70 last September 24, remarked: “Today is exactly 45 years since Nigeria won the African Cup of Nations for the first time.
“The National Team at that time “Green Eagles” made Nigeria proud. Thank God today I am celebrating this day with a special prayer because I belong to that historic team.
“Kindly help me thank God.1980, became the real tonic for my football career as also an undergraduate at the University of Lagos
They not only arrested the attention of world football, but they also opened opportunities for others to pursue professional football.
“A big congratulations to all members of that great team for winning the Nations Cup for the first time on home soil. Their achievement brings fond memories to us about the never-say-die Nigerian spirit.”
The 22-man squad of 1980 are: Best Ogedegbe, David Adiele, Okey Isima, Muda Lawal, Christian Chukwu, Tunde Bamidele, Segun Odegbami, Aloysius Atuegbu, Ifeanyi Onyeadika, John Orlando, Felix Owolabi, Adokie Amiesimaka, Godwin Odiye, Sylvanus Okpala, Emmanuel Okala, Martins Eyo, Moses Effiong, Sheffiu Mohammed, Charles Bassey, Frank Onwuachi, Henry Nwosu and Kadiri Ikhana.
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