AFCON
Nigeria on the Brink of Historic 150th AFCON Goal
By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s next strike at the Africa Cup of Nations will carry historic significance, as the Super Eagles stand on the threshold of their 150th goal in the tournament’s history.
The landmark moment narrowly eluded the three-time African champions in their dramatic 3–2 victory over Tunisia on Saturday in Fez. Ademola Lookman’s third goal of the night briefly appeared to be the milestone strike, but historical records show that an earlier encounter between Nigeria and Tunisia 47 years ago was officially awarded 2–0 to Nigeria following a Tunisian walkout, despite ending 1–1 on the pitch. That adjustment means Nigeria currently sit on 149 AFCON goals.
As a result, the Super Eagles’ first goal in their next Group C match on Tuesday will officially become Nigeria’s 150th at the continental finals — a journey that began in 1963.
That trail was first blazed by Asuquo Ekpe, who scored Nigeria’s maiden AFCON goal against Egypt in Kumasi on November 24, 1963, reducing the deficit to 3–1 in a match Nigeria eventually lost 6–3. Ekpe’s effort marked the country’s entry onto Africa’s biggest football stage.
Several iconic moments have since defined Nigeria’s scoring milestones. The 50th and 60th goals were both scored by legendary striker Rashidi Yekini, while Obinna Nsofor netted the 100th goal in a tense quarter-final against Tunisia at Port Said in 2006 — a match Nigeria won on penalties.
The most recent chapter was written again by Lookman, whose strike against Tunisia in Fez last Saturday became Nigeria’s 149th AFCON goal. Earlier in the same match, newly appointed captain Wilfred Ndidi found the net for the first time in Super Eagles colours, consolidating Nigeria’s lead and underlining his growing leadership role.
Also on target was Victor Osimhen, who opened the scoring and took his international tally to 32 goals in 47 appearances. The Napoli forward now needs just five more goals to equal Yekini’s long-standing national record of 37.
Beyond the numbers, Nigeria still have important business to settle in Group C. Although the Super Eagles have already secured qualification for the Round of 16 — becoming the second team at the tournament to do so after Egypt — they must avoid defeat in their final group match to guarantee top spot. A loss to Uganda, combined with a heavy Tunisia win over Tanzania, could still see Nigeria drop to second place.
Finishing first would allow Nigeria to remain in Fez for the Round of 16, where they would face one of the third-placed teams from Groups A, B or F — a logistical and tactical advantage.
When the Super Eagles next score, it will not only push them closer to another AFCON title challenge but also etch a new milestone into Nigeria’s rich continental football history.
Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations Milestone Goals
NO SCORER MATCH/VENUE GOAL DATE 1 Asuqo Ekpe UAR (Egypt) 6-3 Nigeria; Kumasi Ghana. 1-3 November 24, 1963 10th Muda Lawal Guinea 1-1 Nigeria; Addis Ababa 0-1 March 9, 1976 20th Eyo Martins Uganda 2-1 Nigeria, Kumasi Ghana 1-1 March 14, 1978 30th Stephen Keshi Ethiopia 0-3 Nigeria; Benghazi Libya. 1-0 March 7, 1982 40th Muda Lawal Cameroon 3-1 Nigeria; Abidjan 0-1 March 18, 1984 50th Rashidi Yekini Zambia 0-2 Nigeria; Annaba, Algeria 2-0 March 12, 1990 60th Rashidi Yekini Gabon 0-3 Nigeria, Tunis 1-0 March 26, 1994 70th Victor Ikpeba Nigeria 4-2 Tunisia, Lagos 3-1 January 23, 2000 80th Julius Aghahowa Algeria 0-1 Nigeria; Bamako 0-1 January 21, 2002 90th John Utaka Benin 1-2 Nigeria; Sfax, Tunisia 1-2 February 4, 2004 100th Obinna Nsofor Tunisia 1-1 Nigeria; Port Said, Egypt 0-1 February 4, 2006 110th Obinna Nsofor Algeria 0-1 Nigeria; Benguela, Angola 0-1 January 30, 2010 120th Ahmed Musa Mali 1-4 Nigeria, Durban, South Africa 1-4 February 6, 2013 130th Odion Ighalo Tunisia 0-1 Nigeria, Cairo Egypt 0-1 July 17, 2019 140th Ademola Lookman Cameroon 0-2 Nigeria, Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire 0-1 January 22, 2024 149th Ademola Lookman Tunisia 2-3 Nigeria, Fez Morocco 3-0 December 27, 2025 150th ??? ??? ??? ???
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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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