AFCON
Fire Brand Afcon Sharp Shooter, Nsue Set Equatorial Guinea FA Ablaze –
The Equatorial Guinea sanctioning of the lead scorer at the just concluded Africa Cup of Nations, Emilio Nsue Lopez has opened another crisis.
The player who scored five goals in four matches at Cote d’Ivoire 2023 was slammed with indefinite suspension by the Equatorial Guinea football federation which alleged indiscipline on the part of the player.
Nsue has reacted, alleging corruption on the part of the football federation officials.
He has launched a scathing attack on the country’s football authorities, exposing a series of distressing incidents that he claimed led to his suspension and that of Ivan Edu Salvador who scored the goal against Nigeria in their opening match.
Nsue has brought to light financial mismanagement within the football federation.
According to Pulse Kenya, Nsue alleged that over €1 million from the tournament’s earnings remains unaccounted for, painting a grim picture of neglect and exploitation.
The striker recounted how players were forced to pay for their own equipment and detailed the federation’s failure to clear debts with service providers, including a hotel.
In a heartfelt live Instagram broadcast, Nsue did not mince words as he criticised the lack of support from Equatorial Guinea’s football leaders, particularly during his top scorer award presentation.
“Before the match against Nigeria, the players did not have any outfits ready. The equipment used in the national team is paid by the players and not the federation,” Nsue revealed.
Nsue’s revelations extend beyond just financial mismanagement. He expressed his dismay at the federation’s treatment of players and their apparent indifference to the team’s needs.
“The FA threatened certain local players and taking money from them but I said, no and this is unfair and they humiliated me and thrown me out. The national team is above everything and everyone,“ he stated.
The Equatoguinean striker also voiced his frustration over plans to overhaul the national team’s sporting project, which includes introducing Brazilian players to the squad.
“They want to change the sports project and bring in Brazilians. You are shameless, we are the tenth best team on the African continent. They take money everywhere, they owe us money and they are stealing it,“ he accused.
Nsue’s criticism of the football administration in Equatorial Guinea is a damning indictment of the systemic issues plaguing the sport in the country.
“These cancerous and corrupt people who manage football in Equatorial Guinea took 1 million euros for themselves by leaving the national team in bad conditions,” he remarked, emphasising the depth of the corruption within the federation.
Despite his achievements on the field, Nsue feels a lack of appreciation from his home country.
“The only congratulations I received when I got my top scorer award came from the Ivorian authorities. My country has been ungrateful to me,“ he lamented, indicating a sense of betrayal and disappointment.
He also spoke out against Equatorial Guinea’s plans to introduce Brazilian players to the national team, calling it a shameful move that would undermine the country’s football development.
“They want to change the sports project and bring in Brazilians. You are shameless, we are the tenth-best team on the African continent. They take money everywhere, they owe us money and they are stealing it,” he accused.
Sports Village Square recalls that due to fielding of a certain Jade Boho from Spain without completing her one-time switch, Equatorial Guinea was disqualified from the Women’s Football event of the 2012 Olympics in London.
Equatorial Guinea has always had problems with naturalised players, mainly from Brazil and that also caused a ban from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic tournament and the 2019 World Cup.
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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