AFCON
Côte D’Ivoire Players Pay Tribute To Morocco Following AFCON Title Win –
The tournament saw an unexpected turn of events as Côte d’Ivoire, once on the brink of elimination, rose from the dead and ultimately secured the AFCON title.
Côte d’Ivoire players paid tribute to Morocco and waved its flag high after clinching the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium last night. The hosts, Côte d’Ivoire, secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Nigeria in the tournament’s final.
The reason behind this gesture of gratitude lies in the remarkable journey of the Ivorian team throughout the tournament. Despite facing the prospect of a humiliating elimination from the group stage, Côte d’Ivoire found a lifeline thanks to the Moroccan national team.
Morocco’s 1-0 victory over Zambia in the final group match granted Côte d’Ivoire a spot in the round of 16. While the win allowed the Moroccan Atlas Lion to top Group F, it ensured the Ivorians’ qualification to the next round as one of the four third-placed teams.
But the tournament went on to witness a dramatic turn of events in the knockout stages as Côte d’Ivoire, once on the brink of elimination, rose from the dead and ultimately secured the AFCON title.
At the final whistle of the Elephant’s impressive 2-1 win over Nigeria in the AFCON final, the scoreboards in the stadium displayed the Moroccan flag.
The scoreboard also flashed the message “See you in Morocco” in Arabic and English, in anticipation of the next AFCON that is set to be held in Morocco in 2025.
In addition, Ivorian players waved the Moroccan flag as they ran across the stadium to celebrate their victory. Winger Max-Alain Gradel also held the Moroccan flag while receiving his medal during the post-match ceremony.
In expressing such gratitude to Morocco, the Ivorian players appeared to acknowledge what both their fans and critics had rushed to point out after the host nation qualified for the round of 16: The Elephants’ redemption and eventual triumph would not have been possible without Moroccan generosity.
Off the pitch, meanwhile, Ivorian fans were also quick to join their players in expressing their joy and gratitude. Many took to social media to celebrate the victory and extend heartfelt thanks to Morocco. “Thank you, Morocco … Côte d’Ivoire is the champion of Africa,” one Ivorian fan commented on X, formerly Twitter.
Throughout the competition, both Ivorians and Moroccans shared many moments of cultural harmony and joy.
The Ivorian Minister of Tourism honored several Moroccan influencers and vloggers for their efforts in bringing the two countries closer and fostering cultural exchange.
Among those celebrated were Saber Chawni and Zouber who shared a series of videos documenting their adventures in Côte d’Ivoire and sharing Ivorian culture, including the country’s cuisine, music, and dances.
-Morocco World News
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.
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.
The Super Eagles have not won a qualifying match for any competition since their 6-0 defeat of Principe & Sao Tome on 10th 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.
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