AFCON
Karma Caning Cameroon –
BY EMEKA OBASI
Of the three times Cameroon defeated Nigeria to lift the African Nations Cup trophy, two will fail today’s VAR test. Only their first cup victory makes sense, the others were fraudulently assisted by the referee.
Ever since the Indomitable Lions stole the cup in Lagos 24 years ago, they have been unable to defeat the Super Eagles in any African Nations Cup duel. Their 2-0 loss on Saturday January 27, should send them to their creator asking for forgiveness of sins committed by Idrissa Sarr and Mourad Daami.
On March 18, 1984 Cameroon beat Nigeria 3-1 in the grande finale at the Felix Houphouet – Boigny Stadium, Abidjan. Muda Lawal scored first, in the 10th minute. Rene N’Djeya equalised in the 32nd. Theophile Abega increased the tally late in the second half. Ernest Ebongue made it three six minutes to time.
Nearly 40 years later, both teams met again. Nigeria struck nearly at the time Muda got the opener in 1984. Scorer, Semi Ajayi, is Yoruba, like Muda. VAR canceled the goal. The Eagles scored two more goals to win 2-0. It was at the same stadium.
And the match referees were North Africans. In 1984, a Tunisian was in charge. In 2024, the man at the centre was a Moroccan. Ali Bennaceur, the Tunisian, later became infamous for Diego Maradona’s hand of God goal in 1986.
Issa Hayatou, a Cameroonian, emerged as CAF President in 1988. One of his first assignments was to watch the Maroc 1988 Afcon grand finale between the Indomitable Lions and Eagles. Mauritanian referee, Idrissa Sarr, was in charge.
A beautiful goal by Henry Nwosu was ruled offside. Then a penalty was dubiously given to Cameroon for Emmanuel Kunde to convert. If there was VAR in 1988, the Super Eagles could have won the cup. Sarr was out to impress Hayatou.
In 2021, Sarr told CAF Online : ” In our days, there were less monitoring and supervision and the referees were almost left to themselves”. He was rewarded with appearance in many championships and encouraged his son, Babacar, to join in 2016.
Sarr’s bad record continued to spread. Mariem Chedad was playing soccer, running marathon like Hayatou and a martial artist until Sarr lured her into refereeing. She was one of the Assistant Referees in a FIFA Under 17 qualifying match on June 24, 2022.
Ghana had beaten Morocco in the Accra first leg. The second leg in Rabat ended 2-0 in favour of the hosts. The visitors lost 4-2, during penalty shoot out. Ghana lodged a strong protest against the Mauritanian match officials.
In 2000, it was Tunisian referee, Mourad Daami that gifted Cameroon the cup, in Lagos. After a 2-2 draw at full and extra time, penalty kicks followed. Victor Ikpeba’s crossed the line but Daami failed to record it. That was how Nigeria lost again.
Karma did not spare the Tunisian. Later in the year, CAF banned him for 12 months for trying to influence South African referee, Robbie Williams. It was in the Accra final leg of the CAF Champions League between Hearts of Oak and Esperance.
Karma has continued to deal with the Indomitable Lions since their undeserved victory in Lagos, 24 years ago. Eagles beat them at Tunisia 2004, scattered them at Egypt 2019 and bullied them at Cote d’Ivoire 2024.
Many Nigerian laughed as Milla, Samuel Eto’o and Rigobert Song cried after the 2-0 outcome in Abidjan. Old fox, Milla, caused the controversial penalty in 1988. Eto’o is his country’s football federation ( FECAFOOT) boss and scored in Lagos in 2000.
Coach Song captained the Lions to tainted cup victory in Eko. In Abidjan, Jay Jay Okocha whose goal in 2000 made it 2-2 was having fun as Nigerians sang a new song – ‘ as e dey sweet us, e go dey pain them’. Rigobert is singing songs of sorrow.
Finidi George is part of the Super Eagles’ technical crew. He played against the Indomitable Lions. Another squad member, Garba Lawal is also in Abidjan, like Nwankwo Kanu who missed a penalty. Segun Odegbami’s younger brother, Wole, was in the team that Sarr robbed in 1988.
Ademola Lookman, the man whose brace bruised Cameroon was just three in 2000. In January 2023, he scored twice, three times, for Atalanta. And this young man rejected Nigeria three times before switching nationality in 2022.
Lookman’s goals mean Milla and Eto’o are looking at Abidjan through the window of the flight taking them back to Yaounde. The Super Eagles are also gaining altitude, flying higher and singing more songs of triumph. Rigobert is in the ring, encircled by wounded lions from a diminished nation.
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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