AFCON
Amazing Connections Of Cote D’Ivoire And Nigeria Football –
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
It is just few hours to the kick-off of the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations.
With enhanced prize money, it promises the biggest purse so far in the 67 year history of the continental premier sports competition.
Holding in Cote’d’Ivoire, this edition is a milestone one for Nigeria as it marks the 20th time the Super Eagles will feature. There are even more significant marks. Sports Village Square presents some of them.
- Austin Jay Jay Okocha: Nigeria’s mercurial midfielder, Okocha made his Super Eagles’debut in Cote d’Ivoire when he played for60 minutes in a 2 May World Cup qualifiers. He was substituted in the by Isaac Semitoje.
- Before him, another Super Eagles’ iconic skipper, Christian Chukwu also had his international debut, featuring against Cote d’Ivoire on 14 July 1974 , just as did, Alloysius Atuegbu who captained Nigeria in their opening match of AFCON 1976. Yet another Super Eagles captain that has his debut against Cote d’Ivoire is Uche Okechukwu who had his international debut on 25 January 1990.
- Cote d’Ivoire as Nigeria’s springboard to victory: Nigeria have won the Africa Cup of Nations three times. On each of the occasions, they avoided defeat to Cote d’Ivoire. They played 0-0 in Lagos in 1980, 2-2 draw in Tunis in 1994 and a 2-1 win in Rustenburg, South Africa in 2013. Conversely, the Super Eagles lose the title chase in any edition they lost to Cote d’Ivoire. Such instances include: 2006 in Egypt and 2008 in Ghana.
- First silver medal:Nigeria have placed second in the Africa Cup of Nations four times in 1984, 1988, 1990 and 2000. Their first runners-up position was achieved in Cote d’Ivoire in 1994 when they lost to Cameroon, 3-1 in the final. It was the first time ever, Cameroon defeated Nigeria either at home, away or on a neutral ground.
- First time an indigenous coach led Nigeria to AFCON:The Africa Cup of Nation finals in Cote d’Ivoire in 1984 was the first time that Nigeria team was led by an indigenous coach. Adegboye Onigbinde took the then Green Eagles to the championship.
Facing the same opponent in both qualifying and final tournament: Never before have the Super Eagles been grouped with the same team they faced at the qualifying tournament of the Africa Cup of Nations. Cote d’Ivoire 2023 has presented a departure from the norm as the Super Eagles in Group A will face Guinea Bissau, the same team they struggled for qualification with at the preliminary competition.
Nigeria’s transit camp: Some years back, Cote d’Ivoire offered the transit camp for Nigerian players to go to Europe. Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, Gabriel Okolosi and Ben Iroha are some of the players that went to Europe through playing for Ivorian clubs.
The hopes of Libya securing a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ticket seem to have gone up in smoke. This is the sequel to the 2-1 defeat that Rwanda inflicted on the Benin Republic on Tuesday evening.
With the result, Libya’s position is further cemented at the bottom of the table. Nigeria, even with an outstanding match, still leads with seven points.
They are followed by Benin Republic who have six points. Rwanda followed with five points.
The star men were Innocent Nshuti and Djihad Bizimana who scored in the space of two minutes as Rwanda came from behind to defeat Benin 2-1 at Amahoro Stadium on Tuesday, October 15.
Rwanda’s defeat of Benin Republic is not just their first win in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series, the victory terminates a 12-year winless streak against the Cheetah of Benin.
It is also a renewal of their hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. But they still have two more games to play.
The German made two changes from the side that started against Benin last week as Samuel Gueulette and Emmanuel Imanishimwe came in for Kevin Muhire and Claude Niyomugabo respectively.
The press release on Tuesday by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) may have lifted a burden off Nigeria as the match with Libya is considered postponed rather than the Super Eagles refusing to play.
The continental body remarked that the matter would be referred to the competent CAF bodies.
NFF Communication director unfolds 20 Points of a 20-hour ordeal on Libyan soil
African football legends, Adebayor and Aubameyang condemn Libya’s treatment of Super Eagles
BREAKING! CAF wades into the Libya-Nigeria Airport episode
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
AIU releases its report on Tobi Amusan
-
Uncategorized1 week ago
Players boycott Libyan national team
-
AFCON6 days ago
Billiat’s penalty seals Zimbabwe’s 1-0 win over Namibia
-
AFCON1 week ago
Facts & Figures as AFCON 2025 qualifiers enter Matchday 3
-
AFCON7 days ago
AFCON 2025 in Morocco: Everything you need to know
-
AFCON6 days ago
Libya’s captain, Faisal Al-Badri alleges poor treatment in Nigeria
-
Uncategorized1 week ago
CAF compels Kwasi Appiah to step down from Ghana FA
-
AFCON2 days ago
BREAKING! CAF wades into the Libya-Nigeria Airport episode
-
Uncategorized1 week ago
Fastest World Cup final scorer is dead!