AFCON
The Super Eagles Have Landed! –
Three-time champions Nigeria have arrived in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan for the 34th Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The chartered aircraft that conveyed players and officials of the Super Eagles touched down at 11.23am Cote d’Ivoire time (12.23pm Nigeria time), with the contingent dressed in Nigeria traditional kaftan attire with cap to match.
Their colour and pomp matched the ambience and flavour of the Send Forth ceremony organized for the team by the Lagos State Government on Tuesday night, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as chief host.
Also present were Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and members of NFF Executive Committee, FIFA Council Member Amaju Pinnick, NFF General Secretary Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, First Lady of Lagos State Dr. Ibironke Sanwo-Olu, top officials of the Lagos State Government, Chairman and Board Members of the Lagos State Football Association, representatives of NFF Partners and Sponsors, some other corporate chieftains, some members of the NFF Management, former Nigeria captain Segun Odegbami, former Super Eagles’ star Ogenyi Onazi, former international and Chairman of Anambra State FA Chikelue Iloenyosi, leading artistes, top celebrities and influencers.
Group photograph of players and officials on arrival in Abidjan.
President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau told the audience that he has the assurance of the Head Coach, Jose Peseiro, and the top players that they are going on an onslaught for a fourth continental title in Cote d’Ivoire.
“I have spoken to the Head Coach and the Captain, and also a good number of the players, and they have assured me of their determination to push strongly for triumph in Cote d’Ivoire, thereby winning the trophy for a fourth time.” He added that the NFF is very grateful to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for approving funds for the team’s preparation and participation at the continental finals.
Sanwo-Olu harped on the fact that football is Nigeria’s biggest unifying factor, reiterating that “our peoples from different regions and religion, cultures, norms and social and economic backgrounds come together to cheer our National Teams whenever they are playing. Football brings us all together.
“I am making a pledge to be personally present at the Africa Cup of Nations to support you. We know you are all geared to perform at the AFCON and make our country proud. We will give you all the support and encouragement that you require.”
Senator Enoh charged the players to approach each of their matches with the fabled Nigerian Spirit, with which they can always surmount obstacles, odds and hurdles and achieve glory. “With over 200 million Nigerians eagerly watching and supporting, your performance holds the hopes and dreams of our entire nation.
“Take the fight to your opponents and show the Naija Spirit that you carry.”
Captain Ahmed Musa acknowledged the power of football and stated that even though he knows the joy of winning the Africa Cup trophy, having been part of the squad that triumphed in South Africa in 2013, he is eagerly anticipating another touch of the coveted trophy.
“We are ambitious and we will do our best. The AFCON is an important tournament for every African player, and we are all looking forward to giving our best to do the nation proud.”
The Confederation of African Football has scheduled a photo shoot for the Super Eagles for Wednesday afternoon.
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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