AFCON
How Goldberg’s Festival of Drums and Light Lifted Super Eagles into AFCON Semi-final
The usually quiet roads leading to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Social Development ground at Awe Close, Dopemu, Lagos, came alive early on Saturday as fans streamed in for Goldberg’s Festival of Drums and Light, staged alongside the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final clash against Algeria.
Long before kick-off, traffic thickened and music filled the air, signalling that this was more than a routine match viewing. From the entrance, it was clear the atmosphere was firmly in Goldberg’s hands, with fans arriving in numbers for a match-day experience built around football, music and shared moments.
Inside the PAKO Field, the venue wore a carnival look, bathed in Goldberg’s signature gold colours.
Branded activity zones dotted the grounds, including a photo booth, dressing room experience and the popular Shoot for Gold stand, where fans tested their shooting accuracy and picked up branded items.
The evening opened on a note of national pride as Yinka Davies, backed by the Ayo Bankole Orchestra, delivered a stirring rendition of Nigeria, We Hail Thee. Supporters’ songs and familiar tunes followed, reinforcing the emotional bond between football and culture.
As anticipation grew, the tempo rose sharply. One hundred drummers led by Kaakaki rolled out deep, rhythmic beats, joined by the energetic Dance Na the Main Thing group.
Ball jugglers and freestyle performers kept the crowd engaged, while host Tolu Daniels guided proceedings and whipped up chants of “Up Super Eagles… Go for Gold,” which quickly echoed across the venue.
Fan engagement remained central to the experience. Predict-and-Win games delivered prizes and laughter, DJ Flame sustained the early mood, and a short screening of Nigeria’s famous 3–0 AFCON 1994 victory over Gabon stirred memories of past glory.
When the match kicked off, the Super Eagles responded with intent, backed by steady encouragement from the crowd. With the score still level at half-time, Hypeman Advantage and DJ Flame ensured belief remained high.
That belief paid off after the break. Victor Osimhen broke the deadlock to spark wild celebrations across the PAKO Field, before Akor Adams sealed a 2–0 victory over Algeria, confirming Nigeria’s place in the AFCON semi-finals.
At the final whistle, the Festival of Drums and Light shifted fully into celebration mode. Zlatan Ibile thrilled fans with Overthinking, fire dancers lit up the night, and DJ KhoDeD kept the energy flowing.
Mavo’s grand entrance lifted the tempo further before Segun Johnson closed the live performances. DJs then took over as fans danced late into the night, many with ice-cold Goldberg Lager Beer in hand.
Speaking on the experience, Laolu Babalola, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager Brands at Nigerian Breweries Plc, said the night captured the essence of the brand’s Our Beat, Our Gold campaign.
“This is how Nigerians experience football,” Babalola said. “It’s not just about the match. It’s about the rhythm, the togetherness and the belief. Our Beat, Our Gold is about creating spaces where fans can feel that connection, especially at moments like this.”
Also commenting, Kunle Aroyehun, Senior Brand Manager for Goldberg Lager Beer, described the festival as a celebration of shared identity.
“Football has a special place in Nigeria,” he said. “What we saw here shows how culture and football come together to unite people, and how Goldberg continues to support those moments.”
The Festival of Drums and Light forms part of Goldberg’s wider Our Beat, Our Gold campaign, which has followed the Super Eagles through AFCON 2025 with viewing centres and fan activations across Lagos and beyond.
As one of the longest-standing sponsors of Nigerian football, the brand says it remains committed to placing fans at the heart of the Super Eagles’ journey.
With Nigeria now through to the semi-finals and still chasing a fourth AFCON title, Goldberg has pledged to keep standing with the team and the fans, celebrating every step of the way.
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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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