AFCON
THE BOYS ARE SEPARATED FROM MEN IN AFCON GROUP C
The Match Day 3 of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations witnessed the big teams coming out to assert authorities. After Senegal had beaten Tanzania 2-0 in Cairo, it was the turn of Algeria to confirm superiority over Kenya in Group C.
With both Senegal and Algeria winning their respective matches by the same margin, they become joint leaders of Group C in matches played at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo.
A Baghdad Bounedjah penalty and Riyad Mahrez’s deflected strike handed separated the boys from the men as Algeria confirmed their ratings over Kenya who are now joint bottom-placed with Tanzania.
Algeria played better in the first half forcing Kenya to play in their own half and were limited to only two efforts at goal, both going wide.
Bounedjah showed his potent as early as the second minute of the game when he raced onto a long pass inside the box but his shot on the volley went over. In the 13th minute, Bounedjah was axed at the edge of the box by Abud Omar.
Mahrez stepped over the resultant freekick and his effort went inches
wide. Algeria came close in the 24th minute when Kenya keeper Patrick Matasi
spilled YoucefBellaili’s shot after he was played through by SofianeFeghouli.
Four minutes later, Mahrez had another effort with a freekick from range that went agonizingly wide with keeper Matasi found flat footed.
The Algerians were finally rewarded for their pressure after 32 minutes off the penalty spot after Dennis Odhiambo axed YoucefAtal inside the box. Bounedjah stepped forward and made no mistake from 12 yards out.
Kenya’s chances at goal came late in the first half with AyubTimbe and Eric Johannah trying shots from the right, both going wide.
Bounedjah could have doubled the tally three minutes to the break but is header after Matasi missed the ball off his line was over.
Algeria though went to the break 2-0 up when Mahrez’s shot from inside the box was deflected by Omar, taking it away from his keeper Matasi.
In the second half, Kenya was better and limited Algeria from playing the ball.
The change to bring out Francis Kahata for Erick Ouma proved decisive for Sebastien Migne’s boys, but scoring was a problem. The Harambee Stars next play Tanzania in the East Africa derby next Thursday while Algeria will face Senegal.
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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