AFCON
London Comes Alive as Nigerian Stars, Iwobi and Odumodublvck Shine at CAF AFCON 2025 Diaspora Tour
London’s iconic Piccadilly Circus was transformed into a celebration of African pride and Nigerian flair as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) launched the Diaspora Tour for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025.
The high-energy event drew African football legends, global fans and celebrities, with Nigeria’s own Alex Iwobi and music sensation Odumodublvck taking centre stage in a gathering designed to connect Africa’s football heritage with its vast diaspora.
The London stop is the first leg of a two-city tour that continues next week in Paris. The French capital will host events on December 3 and 4, including an opening ceremony at Palais de Tokyo, Yoyo, where the original AFCON Trophy will be on full display before returning to Morocco for the official Trophy Tour.
Nigeria’s Influence Felt Throughout the Event
Iwobi, one of the Premier League’s most prominent African players, was widely cheered as he mingled with fans at Piccadilly Circus, embodying the pride of the Super Eagles ahead of AFCON 2025.
Odumodublvck, riding the wave of his global hit “Declan Rice,” represented Nigeria on the cultural front, adding to the festival-like atmosphere that blended music, football and diaspora identity.
Former Arsenal Vice-Chairman David Dein, a long-time supporter of African football and a close friend of several Nigerian players, described the AFCON Morocco 2025 era as “a special moment” for the continent.
“African football is special; it is full of passion because Africans are full of passion,” Dein said. “This event here in London has been a great success and a good advertisement for African football.”
Cameroon legend Alex Song, who enjoyed a cult following among Arsenal’s Nigerian fans during his playing days, said seeing Africans gather in London to celebrate the continent’s game was inspiring.
“We have always known African football is amazing, but now we are exporting this to the rest of the world to see,” he said.
A Celebration of Diaspora Identity
Ghanaian superstar Stonebwoyelectrified Thursday night’s reception with a performance that lit up the venue packed with international media, CAF partners and sponsors. Alongside Odumodublvck, his presence underscored the growing influence of African music in global culture.
CAF officials say the Tour is more than a promotional effort — it is a tribute to the unbreakable bond between African football and its global diaspora. Each stop reinforces the shared pride that spans continents, from Lagos to London, Accra to Paris.
With Nigeria expected to be one of the headline contenders when AFCON kicks off in Morocco next December, the Diaspora Tour has offered a timely reminder of the continent’s unity and the Nigerians abroad who continue to fly the flag proudly.
The road now leads to Paris — before the AFCON Trophy returns to Africa, where the dreams of millions of fans, especially Nigerians, are already building toward 2025.
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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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