AFCON final qualifiers: Five matches to keep an eye on

Published

2 years ago

September 6, 2023

The Black Stars, leaders of the group, have nine points but could be eliminated on goal difference if Angola beat Madagascar and the Ghanaians lose in their home match in Kumasi.

There are only nine places left in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 and the slots will be filled in this week’s final round of qualifiers.

At the end of the sixth and final day of the qualifiers this week, all 24 African nations qualified for Africa’s biggest football spectacle will be officially confirmed.

CAFOnline takes a look at five key fixtures where the stakes are at an all-time high.

GROUP C

Cameroon – Burundi

Two teams with a contrasting record when it comes to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroon are five-time winners of the tournament while Burundi are dreaming of a second appearance at the competition.

Closely tied on 4 points, any loser between this tie will automatically lose out on a trip to Cote d’Ivoire.

The Indomitable Lions will count on the goalkeeping presence of André Onana. The Cameroonian shot-stopper, who has come out of international retirement to bolster Rigobert Song’s squad.

Veteran striker, Vincent Aboubakar will also draw confidence from playing in front of his home crowd Garoua.

Looking at into the nest of the Swallows, Étienne Ndayiragije will be counting on dangerman, Bon Fils Caleb and Saido Berahino to get the result for the east African side.

GROUP I

DR Congo – Sudan

The Democratic of Congo were languishing at the bottom of Group I with 0 points after their first two games of the qualifiers.

This prompted emergency changes for the Leopards which saw Hector Cuper being replaced by Sebastien Desarbre.

The change immediately brought results with the Leopards getting a 3-0 win over Mauritania and 2-0 win over Gabon.

Facing Sudan will not be easy for the west Africans but will be hoping that home ground advantage plays to their favour in Kinshasa.

Mauritania-Gabon

Another crucial fixture is in Group I that will be closely contested by two sides.

Equal on points and just separated by goal difference, Mauritania and Gabon will leave everything on the field when they meet in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

The Panthers will be relying on the experience of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but will be without the services of Andre Poko as well as Lloyd Palun.

GROUP E

Ghana – Central African Republic

A tricky assignment awaits the Black Stars. Even though Ghana top Group E with nine points, Chris Hughton’s men face a Central African Republic (CAR) side that is just two points behind them.

CAR will be gunning for a full haul of points to secure their first ever CAF AFCON appearance while the four-time champions Black Stars need just a draw at home in Kumasi to advance.

Angola – Madagascar

One of the key fixtures of the group decider will be Angola against Madagascar. With the islanders already out of contention, Angola could spoil the party for the Black Stars.

The Palancas Negras are a point behind Ghana and should they win and the Black Stars lose to CAR, it could spell disaster for the west Africans in what would be a huge upset in the group.

-Cafonline

Kenya keeper suspended amid match-fixing investigation

Published

7 days ago

March 29, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Patrick Matasi made his international debut in 2017 but has not played for Kenya since last year

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

Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Kenyan Federation opens investigation into suspected match-fixing in AFCON 2025 Qualifiers

Published

1 week ago

March 28, 2025

Kunle Solaja

Eyebrows are being raised after Cameroon ran riot with goals against Kenya on home soil.

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

Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

AFCON

How time flies? It’s 45 years since Nigeria’s first AFCON glory

Published

2 weeks ago

March 22, 2025

Kunle Solaja

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.

Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H