AFCON
Calm After the Storm as Nigeria’s Triple Strike Force Targets Algeria
By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca
Calm has returned to the Super Eagles camp following the brief storm that trailed Nigeria’s emphatic Round of 16 victory over Mozambique, as attention now firmly shifts to Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash with Algeria.
With internal issues resolved, Nigeria’s attacking trident of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and in-form newcomer Akor Adams are brimming with confidence and motivation ahead of the showdown against the 1990 and 2019 champions.
Osimhen and Lookman, Nigeria’s twin terrors, were central to the Super Eagles’ runner-up finish at the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire two years ago and have again underlined their importance at this tournament.
Both forwards have scored three goals apiece so far, with Lookman also providing five assists, while Osimhen has added one. Adams, meanwhile, is buoyed by his maiden AFCON goal against Mozambique and the encouraging recovery of his mother, factors that have further sharpened his focus.
Despite Nigeria’s attacking firepower, the Super Eagles are under no illusions about the threat posed by the Fennecs, who boast a deep pool of proven match-winners capable of producing decisive moments when least expected.
Veteran striker Baghdad Bounedjah, scorer of the lone goal in Algeria’s 2019 final triumph over Senegal in Cairo, remains one of the most lethal forwards in the nation’s history.
Captain Riyad Mahrez continues to deliver with ruthless efficiency, drawing comparisons with past Algerian greats such as Rabah Madjer, Lakhdar Belloumi and Abdelhafid Tasfaout.
Midfielder Ismael Bennacer adds guile and control, while defender Ramy Bensebaini remains a familiar threat, having scored the winner when Algeria edged Nigeria in a friendly in Austria in October 2020.
Rising talents Adil Boulbina, Ibrahim Maza, Hicham Boudaoui and AnisHadj-Moussa further underline the depth of the North Africans’ squad.
Nonetheless, Nigeria have looked composed and purposeful throughout the championship, playing with grit, pride and cohesion. Captain Wilfred Ndidi has anchored the midfield with authority, while Alex Iwobi has added creativity and energy in the engine room.
Osimhen’s brace against Mozambique moved him within three goals of Nigeria’s all-time record of 37 international goals, while Lookman now has six AFCON goals to his name, having also scored twice against Cameroon and once against Angola in the knockout stages of the previous edition. Both forwards will be eager to extend their tallies.
Striker Paul Onuachu is also pushing for a role after his group-stage strike against Uganda became Nigeria’s 150th AFCON goal, adding further depth to the Super Eagles’ attacking options.
The winner of Saturday’s encounter will advance to face the victor of the other semi-final between Cameroon and Morocco, scheduled for Friday in Rabat.
With distractions firmly behind them, Nigeria head into the quarter-final focused, united and determined — intent on letting their football do the talking.
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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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