AFCON
Milestone Goal Awaits Super Eagles In Their 100th AFCON Match –
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Super Eagles need to win their Monday match for a realistic chance of topping Group A and remain in Abidjan where their Round of 16 opponent will be any of the third placed teams in groups C, D or E.
Their last group match against Guinea Bissau is their 100th match since their debut in 1963.
The century match is not the only milestone ahead. Winning the match entails scoring of goals. Super Eagles first goal on Monday will be the team’s 140th since their 1963 debut.
Therefore, who ever opens scoring for the Super Eagles will be registering the team’s 140th goal in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria’s haul is currently 139. When Asuquo Ekpe scored against Egypt in Kumasi in 1963 to bring scoreline to 3-1 in an eventual 6-3 loss, he became the first Nigerian to score at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Obinna Nsofor scored Nigeria’s 100th goal when he found the net in the sixth minute of a quarter-final match with Tunisia on 6 February 2006 in Port Said in Egypt. The match ended 1-1 and Nigeria went ahead 5-6 penalties.
Nwankwo Kanu’s spot kick, which was he hesitatingly took as the only person who had not taken partook in the penalty shootout, happened to be the last of the kicks.
It was the only time the former African Footballer of the Year found the net in five editions of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Austin Jay Jay Okocha scored the milestone 1,000th goal in the Africa Cup of Nations history when he converted from the penalty spot in the 4-0 defeat of South Africa in 2004 in Tunisia.
Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations milestone goals
| No. | Scorer | Match | Goal | Date |
| 1st | Asuquo Ekpe | Egypt 6-3 Nigeria | 1-3 | Nov. 24, 1963 |
| 10th | Muda Lawal | Guinea1-1 Nigeria | 0-1 | Mar. 9, 1976 |
| 20th | Eyo Martins | Uganda 2-1 Nigeria | 1-1 | Mar. 14, 1978 |
| 30th | Stephen Keshi | Ethiopia 3-0 Nigeria | 1-0 | Mar. 7, 1982 |
| 40th | Muda Lawal | Cameroon 3-1 Nigeria | 0-1 | Mar. 18,1984 |
| 50th | Rashidi Yekini | Zambia 0-2 Nigeria | 2-0 | Mar. 12, 1990 |
| 60th | Rashidi Yekini | Gabon 0-3 Nigeria | 3-0 | Mar. 26, 1994 |
| 70th | Victor Ikpeba | Tunisia 2-4 Nigeria | 1-3 | Jan. 23, 2000 |
| 80th | Julius Aghahowa | Algeria 0-1 Nigeria | 1-0 | Jan 21, 2002 |
| 90th | John Utaka | Benin 1-2 Nigeria | 1-2 | Feb. 4, 2004 |
| 100th | Obinna Nsofor | Tunisia 1-1 Nigeria | 0-1 | Feb. 4, 2006 |
| 110th | Obinna Nsofor | Algeria 0-1 Nigeria | 1-0 | Jan. 30, 2010 |
| 120th | Ahmed Musa | Mali 1-4 Nigeria | 1-4 | Feb. 6, 2013 |
| 130th | Odion Ighalo | Tunisia 0-1 Nigeria | 0-1 | Jul. 17, 2019 |
| 140th | ???? | Guinea Bissau v. Nigeria | ???? | Jan. 22, 2024 |
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.
JOIN THE SPORTS VILLAGE SQUARE CHANNEL ON:
https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Pepe Fires Côte d’Ivoire into Historic World Cup Knockout Stage
Ecuador Seal Last-32 Place After Stunning Comeback Against Germany
Côte d’Ivoire Ring Changes as Curaçao Keep Faith for Crucial Group E Clash
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup7 days ago
‘Most Oppressed Team’: Iran Set for FIFA Showdown Over Travel Rules
- World Cup5 days ago
U.S. defends Iran World Cup travel restrictions, says discussions ongoing
- World Cup5 days ago
Victory on the Pitch, Respect in the Stands: Japan Fans Clean Up After Tunisia Rout
- World Cup1 week ago
South Africa’s Zwane Banned for Three Matches After World Cup Red Card
- World Cup1 week ago
Hakimi Poised to Set New African World Cup Appearance Record
- World Cup1 week ago
Iran’s 2-2 Draw With New Zealand Means Asians Remain Unbeaten at World Cup 2026
- World Cup1 week ago
Morocco Seek to Rekindle 1998 Magic Against Scotland as Hakimi Eyes African World Cup Record
- World Cup5 days ago
Historic Night for Japan, Heartbreak for Tunisia in Monterrey In World Cup’s 1,000th Match