AFCON
A Goal with Weight: How Paul Onuachu Etched His Name into Nigeria’s AFCON History
By Kunle Solaja.
Towering striker Paul Onuachu may not rank among Nigeria’s most prolific forwards by sheer numbers, but when he scores, history often follows.
In Nigeria’s Group C Africa Cup of Nations clash against Uganda national football team on Tuesday evening in Fes, Onuachu rose to meet the moment — and the ball.
His goal was more than just a contribution in a crucial group match. It was his first-ever Africa Cup of Nations goal, and more significantly, it became Nigeria’s 150th goal in the history of the competition.
For a player who has scored just four goals in 27 appearances for the Nigeria national footballteam, the strike carried a familiar Onuachu signature: timing, consequence, and quiet drama.
Onuachu’s goals for Nigeria have developed a pattern — they arrive when they matter most.
Four years ago, his second international goal came deep into added time against Benin in an AFCON qualifier. That late header sealed a 1–0 victory that did far more than deliver three points. It ended Nigeria’s 497-day winless run, extended the Super Eagles’ unbeaten streak against Benin to 21 matches, and inflicted the Benin Republic’s first home defeat since June 2013.
The timing was ruthless. Scored just seconds before the end of three minutes of added time, it denied Benin a place in the AFCON group stage and stood as one of the latest goals Nigeria have scored in recent international history.
That sense of dramatic punctuality was present again in Fes. Uganda resisted for long spells, but when the opening came, Onuachu — built more like a basketball power forward than a classic striker — provided the decisive touch.
Speed, Shock and a Record in Asaba
Ironically, the man known for aerial dominance also owns one of the fastest goals in Nigerian football history.
On 26 March 2019, in a friendly match in Asaba, Onuachu stunned Egypt just eight seconds after kick-off. Fans had barely settled into their seats when he unleashed a thunderous strike that decided the match.
The goal ended Nigeria’s 29-year wait for a victory over Egypt and placed Onuachu in the global record books. His strike was recognised as the second-fastest goal in international football, surpassed only by Lukas Podolski, who scored after six seconds for Germany against Ecuador in 2013.
More Than Numbers
Onuachu may never dominate Nigeria’s all-time scoring charts, but his goals continue to carry weight far beyond statistics. From record-breaking speed to last-gasp heartbreakers, and now a landmark AFCON strike against Uganda, each finish seems stitched into a larger story.
In Fes, his name joined a significant chapter of Nigerian football history — not just as a scorer, but as the man whose boot delivered Nigeria’s 150th Africa Cup of Nations goal. For Paul Onuachu, that is becoming something of a trademark.
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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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