AFCON
Etafia, Former Nigeria Goalkeeper Now Based In South Africa, Says Advantage Not Totally On Super Eagles’ Side –
Retired Nigerian goalkeeper Greg Etafia who is now based in South Africa has reportedly remarked that the upper hand the Super Eagles have over Bafana Bafana will not give the Nigeria team an edge in their duel on Wednesday.
Etafia had four international appearances with Nigeria in 2003 when he was with Plateau United before joining South Africa’s Moroka Swallows.
According to Sowetan, a South African newspaper, the experience that South African players have gained in CAF Champions League will work in Bafana Bafana’s favour when they face the Super Eagles on Wednesday in a semi-final duel of the Africa Cup of Nations at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké, d’Ivoire.
The South African team is largely composed of players from Mamelodi Sundowns, winners of the inaugural African Football League.
Although in head-to-head clashes, the Super Eagles have the upper hand, the retired Etafia cautioned that the Nigerian side should not rely so much on this.
Etafia believes the experience Bafana players – with the majority of them playing for Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Champions League – will make it difficult for Nigeria.
“Nigeria always has the upper hand in terms of tournaments. The last time I remember South Africa beat them was when Percy Tau scored in 2017 with Stuart Baxter as a coach [2019 Afcon qualifier],” Etafia said on Monday.
“The last time Nigeria won against South Africa was in 2019, so they always have the upper hand in terms of tournament football. I can’t remember SA beating Nigeria in the tournaments, but in football anything can happen.
“This Bafana team, they are looking good. They are organised, more especially the majority of the team are coming from one team that has been doing well in African football, which is very interesting. But it’s going to be a very good game with the best defensive teams playing. We will see how it goes.”
Etafia said the reason Nigeria has always enjoyed playing against Bafana is because most of their players play in big leagues in Europe and face a lot of big games, which helps them.
“The good thing about the SA team now is that the majority of the side have been playing in the Champions League and they have the ability to take the pressure, which is very important. In a tournament like Afcon, you need that calmness. That’s why you saw Ronwen Williams show in the quarterfinal and that’s the only advantage,” he said.
“Both sides have been doing well in the tournament, so you have both sides who have experience in the African Champions League and you have the other side who have experience in European football but now they are back playing in African land. They know how to manage the game. At the end of the day, whoever takes the opportunity will have a chance to win the game.”
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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