AFCON
Two Cameroonian Football Fans To Watch AFCON In Abidjan Prison –
When the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off next weekend, two Cameroonian ladies who entered Cote d’Ivoire will be following the football fiesta from their prison cells.
According to information from Cote d’Ivoire newspaper, Framat Info, the two young girls, aged 28 and 35 had been sentenced to one month imprisonment for hotel fraud.
They occupied a furnished residence without paying. The two ladies, Sophie and N. Salima, reportedly told the court that they left Douala in October 2023, for Abidjan with the aim of attending the Africa Cup of Nations which will officially begin on January 13, 2024.
During their stay, they lived in a furnished residence. Having no more money, they had to leave the first residence for another that costs less, where they were to pay 13,000 FCFA per day.
Unfortunately, from November 21 to 24, 2023, they only paid for one day. Worse, they attacked the manager who asked them to leave the premises. “They insulted me. They tore my shirt and demanded that I delete their passport photos from my phone. Which I categorically refused, since I have to inform my employer.
“And the passports will serve as proof just in case, we have to refer to the Embassy of Cameroon in Ivory Coast,” said KG, manager of the furnished residence in Cocody.
Taken with compassion, he finally withdrew his complaint and no longer wants to sue them even if they have not paid his money.
To the judge’s question as to why they did not wait until the day before the Africa Cup of Nations before flying to Abidjan, especially since they do not have work in Ivory Coast. The Cameroonian women said they relied on their sisters living in Europe to help them pay for the hotel.
The judge reportedly sentenced them to imprisonment at Pole penitentiaire d’Abidjan (Ppa), and that they will follow Africa Cup of Nations on television.
In tears, Sophie and Salima who have been staying at the prison for two weeks begged the investigating judge not to leave them in prison, because they absolutely want to experience the Africa Cup of Nations hospitality.
Handing down the sentence, the judge sentenced them to one month in prison, with a fine of 50,000 FCFA each. “Before travelling, you must prepare yourself_ especially as you are leaving your country
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.
What a goal-laden day for Nigeria; Falconets also win with wide margin!
Hurray, Super Eagles back to winning ways!
‘Oh Come All Ye Faithful!’, Rev Ikpea calls on football fans to rally round Super Eagles
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