AFCON
Flashback: When CAF Fined Nigeria and Algeria Over Match-Fixing in AFCON
By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca
As Nigeria and Algeria prepare to renew their rivalry in Saturday’s quarter-final of the Africa Cup of Nations in Marrakesh, memories of one of the tournament’s most controversial episodes have resurfaced.
Forty-two years ago, the two nations met in their final Group B match in Bouaké, Côte d’Ivoire, in a game that descended into infamy.
The goalless draw ensured progression for both teams while condemning defending champions Ghana to elimination, despite Nigeria winning only one match en route to an eventual silver medal.
The Bouaké encounter was marked by a conspicuous absence of competitive intent. Players exchanged harmless passes in midfield, while forwards repeatedly declined shooting opportunities, opting instead to recycle possession backwards.
The spectacle enraged ticket-holding spectators and left little doubt about the intentions on the pitch.
So blatant was the lack of sportsmanship that Guinean referee Karim Camara cautioned both captains—Stephen Keshi of Nigeria and Ali Feghani—a rare, symbolic yellow card that served as a collective warning for “unsporting behaviour” to the two teams.
After prolonged deliberations lasting three hours, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) fined both Nigeria and Algeria $6,000 each. At the time, speculation swirled over whether the draw was pre-arranged. Subsequent revelations suggested there were indeed strong indications of collusion.
Investigations by Sports Village Square later uncovered confessions pointing to an agreement between the teams. One Nigerian squad member—now deceased—reportedly admitted his central role in brokering the deal after a chance meeting with Algeria’s captain, Feghani, whom he knew previously.
Weeks later, Henry Nwosu, a member of the Nigerian squad, granted an interview to Guardian Express—the evening edition of The Guardian—openly confirming the conspiracy. From Algeria, a similar admission followed years later when former midfielder Mohammed Shoaib acknowledged that there was a pact to eliminate Ghana.
The context was clear. Going into the final round of matches, Ghana—having lost their opener to Nigeria—needed a victory over Malawi and a Nigerian defeat by Algeria to advance. Nigeria, however, required only a draw to progress alongside Algeria.
Ironically, the Algerians were drawing from bitter personal experience. Just two years earlier at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain, they had fallen victim to what became known globally as the Gijón Disgrace.
In that match, West Germany’s early goal against Austria produced a mutually beneficial result that eliminated Algeria, after which the game descended into a second-half stalemate.
Despite international condemnation and a formal protest from Algeria, FIFA took no punitive action at the time. Years later, Austrian player Reinhold Hintermaier admitted the match had been fixed. The scandal ultimately forced a rule change, ensuring that final group-stage matches at major tournaments are played simultaneously.
As Nigeria and Algeria meet again—this time with a place in the AFCON semi-finals at stake—the echoes of Bouaké serve as a stark reminder of a chapter both teams would rather leave behind. In Marrakesh, the expectation is simple: football decided by honest competition, not history’s shadows.
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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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