AFCON

Egypt seeks eighth title in Cote d’Ivoire

Published

9 months ago

December 26, 2023

Egypt is set to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations for the 26th time making it the team with the highest number of appearances.

Egypt will participate in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations for the 26th time in its history
The Pharaohs are in Group B alongside Mozambique, Ghana, and Cape Verde.
Egypt holds the record for the most titles won with SEVEN trophies in its cabinet

The Pharaohs hold the record for the most titles won in Africa’s flagship football cxompetition with seven final triumphs.

Egypt also holds the record for hosting the tournament more times than any other country, having staged the event five times, with the latest being in 2019.

The Egyptian national team, the runner-up in the last edition in 2021, aims to reclaim continental glory and return to the winner’s podium, which it hasn’t reached since the 2010 edition in Angola.

The seven-time winners have been placed in Grpup B to face Mozambique, Ghana, and Cape Verde.

Egypt’s Group B matches

January 14, 2024
– Egypt vs. Mozambique at 17:00 GMT, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.

January 18, 2024
– Egypt vs. Ghana at 20:00 GMT, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.

January 22, 2024
– Cape Verde vs. Egypt at 20:00 GMT, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.

How Egypt Qualified

The Egyptian national team finished top of Group D of the qualifiers, accumulating 15 points from winning 5 matches and losing one match. The defeat occurred in the away match against Ethiopia in the second round. Egypt’s attack scored a total of 10 goals, while its defence conceded only three goals.

Player to Watch: Omar Marmoush

Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga, is one of the key players to watch in Cote d’Ivoire. The 24-year-old, known for his versatility as a left-winger and a striker, possesses speed, excellent dribbling skills, and the ability to easily penetrate the opponent’s defence. Marmoush aims to showcase his technical abilities during the competition and demonstrate his goal-scoring prowess.

Coach: Rui Vitoria

The Egyptian Football Association appointed Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria as the head coach of the national team in July 2022. The 53-year-old coach seeks to lead the Egyptian team to its eighth continental title, especially after reaching the final as the runner-up in the previous edition in 2021. Vitoria’s coaching style emphasises intense pressure and direct attacking play, particularly in the first half, while focusing on defensive solidity and counter-attacks in the second half.

Egypt’s Record in Africa Cup of Nations

– 1957: Champion
– 1959: Champion
– 1962: Runner-up
– 1963: Bronze Medal
– 1970: Bronze Medal
– 1972: Did not qualify
– 1974: Bronze Medal
– 1980: Fourth Place
– 1984: Fourth Place
– 1986: Champion
– 1988: Group Stage
– 1990: Group Stage
– 1992: Group Stage
– 1994: Quarter-finals
– 1996: Quarter-finals
– 1998: Champion
– 2000: Quarter-finals
– 2002: Quarter-finals
– 2004: Group Stage
– 2006: Champion
– 2008: Champion
– 2010: Champion
– 2012: Did not qualify
– 2013: Did not qualify
– 2015: Did not qualify
– 2017: Runner-up
– 2019: Round of 16
– 2021: Runner-up

AFCON

Hurray, Super Eagles back to winning ways!

Published

6 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

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.

AFCON

‘Oh Come All Ye Faithful!’, Rev Ikpea calls on football fans to rally round Super Eagles

Published

13 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

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.

AFCON

Will Super Eagles regain their winning mentality?

Published

15 hours ago

September 7, 2024

Kunle Solaja

The Super Eagles have not won a qualifying match for any competition since their 6-0 defeat of Principe & Sao Tome on 10^th 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.