AFCON
Cote D’Ivoire -Nigeria Match Ranks Among Top 10 Of AFCON Group Stage –
The anticipated ‘Thunder and Blood’ encounter of Cote d’ivoire and Nigeria on Thursday is among the top 10 matches even CAF expects to be explosive.
Sports Village Square recalls that Nigeria have won the Africa Cup of Nations trophy on three occasions that the Super Eagles avoided defeats to Cote d’Ivoire.
This is a pointer to what is expected when both clash in what is expected to be the most explosive and possibly decisive in Group A leadership.
The opening match this evening of Cote d’Ivoire versus Guinea Bissau has the colouration of a routine encounter for the hosts. But in situations of this nature, nothing is too certain. Below are the 10 matches CAF has designated as top picks
- Senegal – Gambia: 15 January, 14h00 GMT
On paper, the fixture seems unbalanced, but this is without knowing the rivalry between two border countries which are similar in several points. A David against Goliath that will be worth the detour.
- Cote d’Ivoire – Nigeria: 18 January 17h00 GMT
A match of former African champions with five titles between them. Hosts Cote d’Ivoire have lifted the AFCON title twice while the Super Eagles have one so three times, setting up what promises to be an action packed encounter.
- Egypt – Ghana: 18 January, 20h00 GMT
The meetings between these two nations has always been electric. A total of 11 AFCON titles between them, with both sides looking at adding to their collection.
- Senegal – Cameroon: 19 January, 17h00 GMT
The battle of the African lions is definitely one of the marquee fixtures. The Lions of Teranga against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon will certainly be one to look out for.
Algeria – Burkina: 20 January, 14h00 GMT
The last confrontations between these two teams has been full of suspense. They meet again on the 20thhoping to get a confidence boosting win at the start.
- Tunisia – Mali: 20 January, 20h00 GMT
Two teams that never quit. From the World Cup qualifiers to the AFCON, there is always a confrontation between Aigles de Carthage and Aigles that keeps you in suspense.
- Morocco – DR Congo: 21 January, 14h00 GMT
The Atlas Lions face a tricky opponent in DR Congo. While Morocco may be deemed as favourites, both sides have what it takes to clinch what should be an evenly balanced tie.
- South Africa – Namibia: 21 January, 20h00 GMT
A southern derby that is fast growing into a fierce one. Bafana Bafana, winners of the 1996 edition welcome a highly motivated side led by the youngest coach of the tournament in Collin Benjamin (45)
- Guinea – Senegal: 23 January, 17h00 GMT
An exciting duel of a West African derby guaranteed to entertain. Guinea will be hoping to cause an upset against the reigning champions while the Lions of Teranga look to defend their title.
- Tanzania – DR Congo, 24 January 20h00 GMT
With football in full expansion, the Tanzanian championship is full of several Congolese players who make it rain or shine. A derby also for supremacy.
Tanzanian football has been on the rise over the last few years, with a number of Congolese players plying their trade in the East African nation. The two nations clash on 24 January in what should be an interesting tie.
What a turn-around! After four previous competitive matches without a win, the Super Eagles have regained their winning mentality after a 3-0 defeat of Benin Republic in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying series.
The win also put the Super Eagles at the top of the Group D after both Libya and Rwanda played 1-1 draw last Thursday.
It is also the biggest win by the Super Eagles since their 2023 6-0 win over Sao Tome & Principe last year September.
Great man Ademola Lookman, he put in two goals straightening the possibility of his emerging as 2024 African Footballer of the Year.
The current title holder, Victor Osimhen proved his mettle coming off the bench in the second half to double Nigeria’s lead after Lookman’s late first half goal.
The Super Eagles will now honour their next fixture against Rwanda on Tuesday with the hope of consolidating their lead.
Benin Republic with no points and a deficit of three goals are rooted at the bottom of the log.
BY JOSEPH ODOEKWU
The National Chairman of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Rev. Samuel Ikpea has called on all Nigerians to rally round and pray for the Super Eagles ahead of Saturday’s Morocco 2025 AFCON qualifier against Benin Republic in Uyo.
Ikpea who is mobilizing support for the Super Eagles ahead of the clash in Uyo said that whatever Benin Republic come with both spiritually and physically in the game, we will surely overcome them.
“In the NFSC we have Christians, Muslims as well as those who believe in traditional worship and we respect the rights of freedom of worship of every member and all Nigerians.
“When we are faced with this kind of crucial game, we call on everyone to pray through their various believes because we foresee that Benin Republic are most likely coming to fall back on ‘black magic’ to enable them perfect a back-to-back victory over our Super Eagles after beating us 2-1 in our last meeting in a World Cup qualifier”
“We cannot underestimate the efficacy of the black magic” Ikpea further stressed, “but we believe that when we come together we can neutralize it’s efficacy.
“This is no time to sleep, we all have to rally round and do our best to support our Super Eagles because they cannot do it alone without the prayers and support of all Nigerians.
“While charging Nigerians to be positive with the team, we at the NFSC have done everything positive to overturn whatever plans they are coming with and we enjoin everyone to toe that path through prayers”.
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles camp is bubbling with training in Uyo, as team Coach Austin Eguavoen, has been working hard to perfect tactics with the boys and ensure the Super Eagles soar on Saturday.
The Super Eagles have not won a qualifying match for any competition since their 6-0 defeat of Principe & Sao Tome on 10th September 2023 in Uyo. That was their last qualifying match for Cote d’Ivoire 2023 played in 2024.
Since then, they have played four World Cup qualifying matches without a win despite being the overwhelming favourites at those matches.
A forensic analysis of their World Cup qualifying since that of Qatar 2022 will reveal they had played seven consecutive matches without a win starting from their 1-1 home draw with Cape Verde in Lagos which qualified them for the play off. In the play off with Ghana, the Super Eagles drew the two matches.
In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, they have gone four matches, getting three draws and a loss. The prospect of their getting a straight qualification from the group is doubtful as they have a mountain to climb by winning the remaining six matches, three of which are away duels of which are most likely to be played in South Africa, the home ground of their main rivals.
Zimbabwe and Lesotho play their home matches in South Africa and Nigeria also still have an away duel with Bafana Bafana.
The qualification series of AFCON 2025 presents the Super Eagles a new beginning. Starting from the semi-finals of the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, the team has won none of their four competitive matches in regulation time. The players have a date with destiny in Uyo this Saturday to wipe off the sagging image they have had in recent time.
A win will give the team the confidence expected in anticipation for future fixtures.
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