AFCON
CAF fines Nigeria and Algeria for match-fixing
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
On this day, 40 years ago Nigeria and Algeria played their last Group B match in the Africa Cup of Nations in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire. It remains one of the most controversial matches in the tournament’s history.
Nigeria won just one match in the series and yet came back with a silver medal.
Nigeria and Algeria played spinelessly to end tie at 0-0 fuelling allegations that both teams had agreed on an accord to eliminate defending champions, Ghana.
With players just knocking the ball about in the midfield and strikers even refusing to aim at goal, opting to kick the ball back into their territory, no one was left in doubt about the intentions of the 22 players on the pitch.
The ticket holding spectators were enraged.
So dismaying was the play that the Guinean referee, Karim Camara issued a yellow card to skippers Stephen Keshi of Nigeria and Ali Feghani of Algeria. The gesture was actually a general caution to both teams for ‘unsporting’ behaviour.
After three hours of deliberation, CAF fined Algeria and Nigeria $6,000. At the time, it was initially a subject of speculations on whether both team conspired. Sports Village Square can confirm that there were strong elements indicating match fixing.
A member of the squad, now deceased during a social gathering actually confessed to be at the centre of the deal after a chance meeting with Algeria’s captain, Ali Feghani whom he had known before.
The deal: “Nigeria-Algeria play 0-0; Ghana, Malawi go home”. Weeks later, Henry Nwosu, a member of the Nigerian squad granted an interview to the evening newspaper of The Guardian, Guardian Express, confirming the conspiracy.
From Algeria later came another confirmation.
A former Algeria midfielder Mohammed Shoaib revealed there was a connivance to get the defending champions, Ghana eliminated.
Going into the last match, Ghana, defeated in the opening match by Nigeria, needed to beat Malawi in their last group match in addition to expecting Nigeria to be beaten by Algeria.
Nigeria needed a draw to advance to the semi-final along with Algeria.
The Algerians recalled their own fate in the World Cup two years earlier in what was globally called the ‘Gijon Swindle’. At the time, West Germany and Austria, neighbours conspired to eliminate Algeria in a Spain ‘82 duel at Gijon.
Owing to the the tiebreaker rules in the group stage, a West German win by one or two goals would ensure that both Austria and West Germany advanced to the next round. West Germany scored the only goal in the first 10 minutes of the match, which progressively deteriorated to a virtual standstill in the second half.
Despite widespread condemnation and a formal complaint lodged by Algeria who bore the consequences, FIFA did not take any action.
Later, an Austrian player Reinhold Hintermaier admitted the match was fixed. That is the reason why group stage now ensures that the final two games in each group would be played simultaneously.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe would welcome an investigation into corruption at the organisation, saying they have nothing to hide following a meeting with Senegalese officials in Dakar on Wednesday.
Senegal’s government last month demanded an investigation into corruption after the country was stripped of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title by the CAF Appeal Board, and the trophy was awarded to the final opponents, Morocco.
It follows unruly scenes in the January 18 decider in Rabat that Senegal won 1-0, but during which they left the field for several minutes in protest at a late refereeing decision.
Motsepe met with officials from the Senegalese Football Federation and Senegal president Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Wednesday, where he urged unity following the fallout from the final. He will be in Morocco on Thursday for a similar set of meetings.
“I would welcome any investigation into corruption at CAF, be it by a government or any institution,” Motsepe told reporters. “In fact, I would encourage it. We will give them our full cooperation.
“I have been told there were problems in the past and we intervened. It is not just in football, but in business and politics too. We cannot give our children the perception that if you want to succeed in life, be corrupt. There has to be zero tolerance (for corruption).
“That’s the best gift we can give football in Africa. Not just talking about corruption, but intervene, put the necessary laws in place) and implement them.”
Motsepe would not be drawn on the matter between Senegal and Morocco, which is now before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“There is nothing I can tell you that I haven’t said already 10, 15, 20 times. You can ask me the same question 100 times, I’ll give you the same answer 100 times. I have an obligation to respect that the matter is now in front of the highest (sports) court in the world.”
Motsepe quashed any suggestion that Morocco had been treated favourably in the appeal process.
“Under no circumstances will any single country in Africa be treated more preferentially or more favourably than any other. That will never happen,” he said.
“We are confident we will come out of these challenges more united amongst the 54 nations in Africa.”
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
Patrice Motsepe has intensified his diplomatic shuttle across African football corridors with a crucial visit to Morocco scheduled for Thursday, as the fallout from the controversial AFCON 2025 Final continues to reverberate across the continent.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that Motsepe will meet with Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), alongside other key stakeholders within Morocco’s football ecosystem.
Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)
The high-level engagement in Rabat comes barely 24 hours after Motsepe’s crisis-management visit to Senegal, underlining CAF’s urgency in addressing the tensions and conflicting reports that have trailed the AFCON final.
Thursday’s meeting is expected to focus on fact-finding, reconciliation, and institutional alignment following the chaotic circumstances that marred the tournament’s climax. The Moroccan FA has been central to the unfolding controversy, with administrative and refereeing decisions from the final still under scrutiny.
CAF disclosed that the visit will conclude with a press conference in Rabat at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT), where Motsepe is expected to address the media and possibly provide updates on CAF’s ongoing review of the final.
While details of the agenda remain closely guarded, the visit signals a continuation of Motsepe’s hands-on approach to crisis resolution, engaging directly with national federations in a bid to preserve the integrity of African football competitions.
CAF and the FRMF have indicated that further details regarding the outcomes of the visit will be communicated in due course, as stakeholders across the continent await clarity on one of the most contentious finals in recent AFCON history.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
CAF President Patrice Motsepe is set to visit Senegal on Wednesday for high-level talks with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the leadership of the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football, in what is widely seen as a crucial diplomatic move amid lingering controversy over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final.
The visit comes against the backdrop of the chaotic and disputed AFCON 2025 final in Rabat, a match marred by heavy rainfall, administrative confusion, and conflicting official reports from within CAF and its committees.
The uncertainty surrounding the outcome of that final has cast a shadow over African football governance, prompting urgent calls for clarity and institutional accountability.
Sources indicate that Motsepe’s meeting with President Faye will extend beyond routine courtesy, touching on broader issues of football governance, tournament integrity, and the role of national associations in safeguarding the credibility of continental competitions.
Senegal, a major stakeholder in African football and one of the continent’s most influential football nations, is expected to play a key role in shaping the narrative going forward.
Motsepe will also hold discussions with Abdoulaye Fall, focusing on collaboration between CAF and its member associations, as well as mechanisms to prevent a recurrence of the controversies that plagued the AFCON final.
While CAF has yet to officially outline the agenda, observers believe the visit signals an attempt by the continental body to consolidate support among key football nations and manage the fallout from the final’s unresolved issues.
The optics of engaging directly with political leadership further underline the seriousness of the situation.
CAF and the Senegalese Football Federation have both stated that more details regarding the visit will be released in due course, leaving stakeholders across the continent watching closely for signals on how African football’s governing body intends to restore confidence in its competitions.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- AFCON4 days ago
Motsepe in Dakar: CAF Intensifies Diplomatic Push After AFCON Final Dispute
- World Cup1 week ago
Italy federation chief resigns after another World Cup failure
- Governing Bodies1 week ago
The Building of Another Sports Dynasty: From Fahmy to Adamu
- Nigerian Football5 days ago
A Battle at Both Ends as NPFL Heads Into Home Stretch
- Boxing6 days ago
Wilder edges retiring Chisora in chaotic heavyweight boxing fight
- World Cup1 week ago
Seven Nations End Long World Cup Droughts Ahead of 2026 Tournament
- UEFA Champions League4 days ago
‘Fans More Friends’- Heineken Takes UEFA Champions League Fever Nationwide with Multi-City Fan Experience
- Golf4 days ago
Thai Golfer Named After FIFA, Fifa Laopakdee Set for Masters Debut in FIFA World Cup Year