AFCON
Burundi keep qualifying hopes alive with narrow victory over Namibia
Burundi kept their CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 hopes of qualification alive after a narrow 3-2 victory over Namibia in a Group C encounter on Tuesday.
The Swallows were in desperate need of the victory which now puts them level on four points with second-placed Cameroon in the three-team group following the exclusion of Kenya.
The result also puts them just a point behind leaders Namibia going into their final round of qualifier against the Indomitable Lions in September.
The hosts wasted no time in finding the opener after Abed Bigirimana fired his side into the lead as early as the first minute of the game to help settle the nerves.
Caleb Bimenyimana then doubled the lead minutes later after some poor marking in the Namibian box concluded with the target man easily volleying the ball into the net.
The striker remained a nuisance for the Namibians, who’s defense was in disarray when long ball was flicked into space by Bimenyimana for Hussein Shaban to send it past the advancing Edward Maova and make it three for his side.
The Brave Warriors did manage to find their rhythm before the break, with Mamelodi Sundowns hitman, Peter Shalulile pulling one back in the 41st minute as they headed for the break.
Coming back from the recess, Namibia looked more structured in their defense, which allowed for a much-improved attack by their forwards.
Jwaneng Galaxy forward, Rudath Wendell was then brought on for the more defensive Joslin Kamatuka to bolster the Warriors’ attack.
Wendell, who was a constant threat to the Burundian defense eventually reduced the deficit with a strike in the 85th minute.
With pressure mounting for the hosts, the scoreline was almost levelled in the 89th minute when Abedi Bigirimana’s shot narrowly went off target for Burundi to secure the three points ahead of their crucial encounter with Cameroon later this year.
What a turn-around! After four previous competitive matches without a win, the Super Eagles have regained their winning mentality after a 3-0 defeat of Benin Republic in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.
The win also put the Super Eagles at the top of the Group D after both Libya and Rwanda played 1-1 draw last Thursday.
It is also the biggest win by the Super Eagles since their 2023 6-0 win over Sao Tome & Principe last year September.
Great man Ademola Lookman, he put in two goals straightening the possibility of his emerging as 2024 African Footballer of the Year.
The current title holder, Victor Osimhen proved his mettle coming off the bench in the second half to double Nigeria’s lead after Lookman’s late first half goal.
The Super Eagles will now honour their next fixture against Rwanda on Tuesday with the hope of consolidating their lead.
Benin Republic with no points and a deficit of three goals are rooted at the bottom of the log.
BY JOSEPH ODOEKWU
The National Chairman of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Rev. Samuel Ikpea has called on all Nigerians to rally round and pray for the Super Eagles ahead of Saturday’s Morocco 2025 AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic in Uyo.
Ikpea who is mobilizing support for the Super Eagles ahead of the clash in Uyo said that whatever Benin Republic come with both spiritually and physically in the game, we will surely overcome them.
“In the NFSC we have Christians, Muslims as well as those who believe in traditional worship and we respect the rights of freedom of worship of every member and all Nigerians.
“When we are faced with this kind of crucial game, we call on everyone to pray through their various believes because we foresee that Benin Republic are most likely coming to fall back on ‘black magic’ to enable them perfect a back-to-back victory over our Super Eagles after beating us 2-1 in our last meeting in a World Cup qualifier”
“We cannot underestimate the efficacy of the black magic” Ikpea further stressed, “but we believe that when we come together we can neutralize it’s efficacy.
“This is no time to sleep, we all have to rally round and do our best to support our Super Eagles because they cannot do it alone without the prayers and support of all Nigerians.
“While charging Nigerians to be positive with the team, we at the NFSC have done everything positive to overturn whatever plans they are coming with and we enjoin everyone to toe that path through prayers”.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles camp is bubbling with training in Uyo, as team Coach Austin Eguavoen, has been working hard to perfect tactics with the boys and ensure the Super Eagles soar on Saturday.
The Super Eagles have not won a qualifying match for any competition since their 6-0 defeat of Principe & Sao Tome on 10th September 2023 in Uyo. That was their last qualifying match for Cote d’Ivoire 2023 played in 2024.
Since then, they have played four World Cup qualifying matches without a win despite being the overwhelming favourites at those matches.
A forensic analysis of their World Cup qualifying since that of Qatar 2022 will reveal they had played seven consecutive matches without a win starting from their 1-1 home draw with Cape Verde in Lagos which qualified them for the play off. In the play off with Ghana, the Super Eagles drew the two matches.
In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, they have gone four matches, getting three draws and a loss. The prospect of their getting a straight qualification from the group is doubtful as they have a mountain to climb by winning the remaining six matches, three of which are away duels of which are most likely to be played in South Africa, the home ground of their main rivals.
Zimbabwe and Lesotho play their home matches in South Africa and Nigeria also still have an away duel with Bafana Bafana.
The qualification series of AFCON 2025 presents the Super Eagles a new beginning. Starting from the semi-finals of the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, the team has won none of their four competitive matches in regulation time. The players have a date with destiny in Uyo this Saturday to wipe off the sagging image they have had in recent time.
A win will give the team the confidence expected in anticipation for future fixtures.
What a goal-laden day for Nigeria; Falconets also win with wide margin!
Hurray, Super Eagles back to winning ways!
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