AFCON
Iwobi says Osimhen’s attitude gives Nigeria extra AFCON motivation –
Nigeria midfielder Alex Iwobi says the attitude shown by team-mate Victor Osimhen is being used as a source of motivation at the Africa Cup of Nations.
The Super Eagles were held to a 1-1 draw by Equatorial Guinea in their group stage opener, a result which adds extra importance to tomorrow’s match against host nation Ivory Coast.
Osimhen, 25, scored Nigeria’s goal — his 21st in 29 international appearances — and Iwobi says the rest of the squad can take inspiration from the Napoli marksman’s hunger.
The Fulham ace told LiveScore: “Everyone has the opinion that he’s a great striker and the reason why he’s such a great striker is because he’s someone that is hungry.
“I’ve seen him grow from a youngster. Without that hunger and passion for football, he wouldn’t be where he is now.
“It’s something we also use as inspiration. When we see our striker pressing and hungry to get goals, it gives us that motivation to do the same and go win the ball to create chances.
Boniface blow
Osimhen’s importance to Nigeria’s AFCON hopes was further increased by Victor Boniface’s withdrawal from the squad. The 23-year-old suffered a serious groin injury in training which required surgery.
The Bayer Leverkusen star has scored 10 goals and assisted seven more in the Bundesliga this term — and Super Eagles centre-back Calvin Bassey recognises his absence is a significant blow.
He said: “A big loss. Everyone could see his quality from what he’s been doing in the Bundesliga. We wish him well.
“Of course, it wasn’t nice for us regardless of who it was. You don’t want to see anyone get injured and have to undergo surgery.”
Iwobi added: “When it happened, it was so sad. We were doing a finishing drill and he hurt his groin.
“The way he went down was so sad because someone of his quality is something we needed.
“But at the same time, it’s Nigeria. If one person goes down there’s another one coming in. So we can’t dwell on it.
“He [Boniface] wished us well. Hopefully we can do our best for him.”
Nigeria are among the favourites to win this year’s AFCON and add to their previous three triumphs in 1980, 1994 and 2013.
Iwobi is confident of lifting the trophy at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe on February 11, calling on his team-mates to simply prove their quality.
The 27-year-old said: “Of course I believe in us [to win the trophy]. Because I feel we have one of the best teams, player for player, in Africa.
“We just have to prove it.”
Speaking positively about the Super Eagles’ chances, Fulham team-mate Bassey added: “All of us are very grounded.
“We know we’re going to need to work hard, be more prepared than the opposition regardless of the quality we have.”
-LiveScore
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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