AFCON
Goldberg Brings Festival of Drums and Lights Back for Super Eagles–Algeria Clash
As excitement builds ahead of Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final showdown with Algeria, Goldberg Lager Beer is once again putting fans at the centre of the football experience with the return of its vibrant Festival of Drums and Lights, powered by the Our Beat, Our Gold campaign.
The Super Eagles will take on the Desert Foxes on Saturday, 10 January, and Goldberg is set to host a major fan activation at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development (PAKO Field), Awe Close, Dopemu, Lagos. The venue will open from 3:00 p.m., ahead of the 5:00 p.m. kick-off, giving supporters ample time to immerse themselves in the pre-match atmosphere.
While the Super Eagles prepare for what promises to be a demanding quarter-final against the Algeria, Goldberg’s focus remains on creating a space where Nigerians can gather, connect and express their shared passion for football.
Following the electric response from fans during Nigeria’s emphatic victory over Mozambique, the brand is bringing back the Festival of Drums and Lights — a celebration that fuses football, music, culture and community spirit. The experience is designed to mirror the rhythm, colour and emotion that define Super Eagles match days.
“Our Beat, Our Gold is about how Nigerians live football,” said Kunle Aroyehun, Senior Brand Manager, Goldberg. “It’s in the sounds, the drums, the lights, the conversations and the belief we share. With the Festival of Drums and Lights, we’re creating the right environment for fans to feel that connection as the Super Eagles push for a fourth AFCON title.”
The Dopemu venue will come alive with colour, rhythm and live performances, offering fans more than just a place to watch the match. Music stars Mavo, Zlatan Ibile and Segun Johnson will perform live, adding energy to the build-up and sustaining the celebratory mood throughout the evening.
“Get ready to feel the heat,” Aroyehun added. “This isn’t just about ninety or 120 minutes of football. It’s about celebrating the journey, the culture and the fans who stand behind the team every step of the way.”
Goldberg’s Festival of Drums and Lights forms part of a broader strategy to deepen fan engagement throughout Africa Cup of Nations. As the Official Beer and Sponsor of the Super Eagles, the brand has activated viewing centres and match-day experiences across Lagos and beyond, providing safe, welcoming spaces for supporters to watch games together with ice-cold Goldberg Lager Beer.
Backed by Nigerian Breweries Plc since 2018, Goldberg has established a strong footprint in Nigerian football, playing a significant role in expanding Super Eagles followership nationwide.
As Nigeria brace for a stern test against one of Africa’s traditional powerhouses, the Super Eagles will rely on discipline, belief and collective strength in their quest for a semi-final place. For Goldberg, however, the message remains constant: the fans are the heartbeat of the game.
“Football has a special power to unite us,” Aroyehun said. “As the Super Eagles step onto the pitch, we want Nigerians to feel proud, connected and fully part of the moment. That is what Our Beat, Our Gold stands for.”
This Saturday in Dopemu, Goldberg will bring drums, lights and fans together — transforming match day into a full-blown celebration of football, culture and Nigerian spirit.
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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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