AFCON
Super Eagles Renew Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau Rivalry in Tricky AFCON Draw
By Kunle Solaja.
Nigeria will renew familiar rivalries with Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, and also with Tanzania, after the Super Eagles were drawn in a potentially tricky Group L of the African qualifiers, while continental heavyweights across the continent face a mixture of political tension, regional derbies and dangerous underdogs on the road to the next major tournament.
The draw, which produced 12 groups spread across the continent, immediately highlighted several intriguing subplots beyond the traditional favourites expected to dominate qualification.
In Group L, three-time African champions Nigeria will confront Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau in what appears, on paper, a favourable section. Yet the Super Eagles have painful memories of Madagascar, who stunned Nigeria 2-0 at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, while Guinea-Bissau have become increasingly competitive in recent years.
Both Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau were in the same qualifying group for the 2023 edition, with Guinea-Bissau stunning the Super Eagles with a 1-0 defeat in Abuja, and it took a penalty kick for Nigeria to avenge the defeat a week later in Bissau.
When both met again in the final competition two years ago, Cote d’Ivoire and Nigeria only profited from an own goal to overcome the slippery Guinea-Bissau.
Tanzania, boosted by regular continental exposure, could also prove difficult opponents, especially at home. The last time both teams met at the 2017 qualifiers, they played goalless in Dar-es-Salaam while Nigeria scraped a 1-0 win in Uyo in what was Gernot Rohr’s first outing with Nigeria.
The group nevertheless offers Nigeria an opportunity to reassert continental authority after inconsistent qualification campaigns in recent years. Much may depend on whether the Super Eagles can avoid the away-day struggles that have often complicated seemingly straightforward African qualifying fixtures.
Defending African champions Morocco national football team headline Group A alongside Gabon, Niger and Lesotho. Morocco will be overwhelming favourites, particularly after their historic FIFA World Cup semi-final run elevated expectations around the Atlas Lions. However, Gabon’s experience and the physical difficulty of away matches in Central Africa could still provide occasional resistance.
Group C has emerged as one of the draw’s most explosive sections, pitting the continental giants Côte d’Ivoire national football team against the Ghana national football team. The rivalry between the West African neighbours has produced some of Africa’s fiercest modern contests, and with Gambia and Somalia also involved, every dropped point could become decisive.
Another heavyweight confrontation lies in Group D where the South Africa national football team face Guinea, Kenya and Eritrea. South Africa’s growing confidence under recent rebuilding efforts will be tested by a Guinea side blessed with technical quality and physical strength.
Group G may prove one of the most unpredictable. The Cameroon national football team must navigate encounters with Comoros, Namibia and Congo. Cameroon’s pedigree makes them favourites, but Comoros are no longer continental newcomers after their impressive AFCON rise, while Namibia continue to show tactical discipline and organisation.
The North African powers also received challenging assignments. Tunisia national football team were paired with Uganda, Libya and Botswana in Group H, while Algeria national football team will battle Zambia, Togo and Burundi in Group I. Zambia’s resurgence could make that section one of the most competitive in the draw.
Perhaps the toughest-looking group overall is Group J, where African champions Senegal national football team meet Mozambique, Sudan and Ethiopia. Sudan’s recent rise on the continental stage and Ethiopia’s difficult home conditions mean Senegal cannot afford complacency.
Elsewhere, Egypt headlines Group B against Angola, Malawi and South Sudan, while Mali, Cape Verde, Rwanda and Liberia make up an evenly balanced Group K that could produce surprise outcomes.
Beyond the football itself, the draw again underlines Africa’s growing competitive depth. Smaller nations that were once regarded as mere participants — including Comoros, Botswana, Namibia and Madagascar — now possess the structure and tactical organisation capable of disrupting established powers.
The qualification campaign is therefore unlikely to be a straightforward procession for Africa’s traditional giants. Instead, it promises another chapter in the continent’s increasingly unpredictable football evolution, where reputation alone no longer guarantees safe passage.
Visit the Sports Village Square Channel:
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially opened the bidding process for countries interested in hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2028, 2032 and 2036, with several member associations already submitting proposals.
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe disclosed that the bidding exercise is progressing smoothly and described the level of interest from prospective hosts as encouraging.
“The bidding process is progressing very well, and numerous exciting bids have been submitted by potential host countries,” CAF said, adding that announcements on successful hosts will be made in due course.
Meanwhile, CAF confirmed that its 48th Ordinary General Assembly will be held in Abuja, Nigeria, on November 21, 2026.
The continental governing body expressed appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for their cooperation in preparations for the event.
CAF said the General Assembly is expected to attract football leaders from across the continent and will play a significant role in shaping policies aimed at accelerating the development and growth of African football.
The organisation added that the Abuja gathering is expected to be one of its most significant assemblies in recent years as CAF continues implementing reforms across competitions, infrastructure development, youth football and governance.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja
Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso have taken the first step towards jointly hosting the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations after submitting an expression of interest to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Nigerien Football Federation announced that CAF had accepted the joint declaration submitted by the three West African nations, marking the opening phase of the bidding process.
However, the acceptance of the expression of interest does not amount to an award of the hosting rights, as the countries must still undergo CAF’s comprehensive evaluation process before a final decision is made.
The three football federations unveiled their joint project following a meeting with CAF President Patrice Motsepe in the United States during the closing stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The proposed bid brings together the three members of the Alliance of Sahel States, reflecting their ambition to co-host one of Africa’s biggest sporting events and strengthen regional cooperation through football.
Earlier this month, CAF officially opened the bidding process for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 editions of the Africa Cup of Nations, inviting all 54 member associations to submit expressions of interest. The continental governing body said all bids would be assessed based on strict technical, financial and legal criteria.
As the next stage of the process, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso must prepare a comprehensive bid dossier outlining the proposed host cities, stadiums, training facilities, transport infrastructure, accommodation capacity and security arrangements.
CAF has yet to announce the timetable for selecting the 2032 host nation(s) or reveal the full list of countries expected to compete for the hosting rights.
Should the joint bid eventually succeed, the tournament would return to Mali for the first time since it staged the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations. It would also mark a historic first for both Niger and Burkina Faso, neither of which has previously hosted the continent’s flagship football championship.
The bid underscores the growing trend of joint hosting arrangements for major football tournaments, allowing neighbouring countries to pool infrastructure and resources while expanding the reach of the competition across multiple nations.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, Brooklyn, NY
A document circulating widely on social media claiming that the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has stripped Morocco of its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and declared Senegal champions appears to be fabricated, with official CAS records showing no evidence that a final ruling has been issued.
The claim emerged months after the Senegalese Football Federation appealed a decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to award Morocco a 3-0 victory in the controversial AFCON final. While Senegal’s appeal is genuine, the latest official information indicates that the case remains unresolved.
One of the clearest indications that the viral document is not authentic is its case number. The circulating image bears the reference CAS 2026/A/10857, whereas CAS officially confirmed that Senegal’s appeal was registered under CAS 2026/A/12295. Such a discrepancy would not be expected in a genuine final award.
The document also incorrectly identifies the dispute as being solely between the Senegalese Football Federation and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. CAS has officially stated that the appeal was lodged against both CAF and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, since the challenged decision originated from CAF’s Appeals Board.
The purported ruling further claims that CAS issued its verdict on June 10, 2026, accepting Senegal’s appeal, overturning CAF’s decision and restoring the result achieved on the field, effectively awarding the continental title to Senegal.
However, a review of CAS’s official communications reveals no statement, judgment or announcement issued on that date regarding the AFCON final dispute.
The latest public update from CAS remains the statement released on March 25, 2026, in which the court confirmed only that Senegal’s appeal had been registered and that an arbitration panel had been appointed. CAS also stated that it was too early to determine a hearing date or indicate when a final decision might be delivered.
In the same communication, CAS disclosed that Senegal had requested an extension to file its appeal brief until it received the full written reasons behind CAF’s ruling. The court also reiterated that arbitration proceedings remain confidential while ongoing.
That timeline directly contradicts the claims contained in the viral document.
Further doubts about the document’s authenticity stem from the fact that it does not appear in CAS’s official database of published decisions. The image circulating online also excludes CAF from the list of respondents and exists only as a low-quality graphic featuring signatures, stamps and an Arabic translation without any verifiable official source.
CAS typically publishes non-confidential rulings through its official database or recent decisions section. No ruling relating to the AFCON final dispute has been published.
Until CAS announces otherwise, CAF’s Appeals Board decision remains the only valid and enforceable ruling in the matter.
On March 17, 2026, CAF’s Appeals Board ruled that Senegal had forfeited the AFCON final after its players left the field during the match. Invoking Articles 82 and 84 of the competition regulations, the board awarded Morocco a 3-0 victory, overturned an earlier disciplinary decision and upheld Morocco’s protest.
Senegal subsequently challenged that ruling before CAS, but the appeal has yet to produce a publicly announced outcome.
As things stand, there is no official evidence that CAS has revoked Morocco’s AFCON 2025 title or declared Senegal champions. Unless and until the Lausanne-based court issues a formal decision, CAF’s ruling remains in force, making the viral document misleading and highly likely to be fake.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
World Public Summit Africa to Bring Global Leaders Together in Addis Ababa
CAF Hails Africa’s Historic FIFA World Cup 2026 Performance, Targets Greater Success in 2030
CAF Doubles WAFCON Winners’ Prize to $2 Million in Landmark Boost for Women’s Football
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
- World Cup1 week ago
Potential World Cup expansion to be discussed after 2026 edition Says Infantino
- World Cup2 days ago
How a 64-team World Cup could transform soccer’s economics
- World Cup3 days ago
Reuters: 10 Key Takeaways from the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- World Cup1 week ago
Norway turn World Cup heartbreak into celebration as huge crowds pack capital
- World Cup4 days ago
The economic goal that never came: World Cup falls short of boosting Mexico
- World Cup6 days ago
Argentina’s coach, Scaloni faces former tutor, Spain’s De la Fuente In World Cup final
- World Cup6 days ago
Spain’s Sanchez to attend World Cup final alongside Trump amid tensions
- World Cup3 days ago
FIFA Salutes Kunle Solaja as Historic World Cup 2026 Draws to a Close