AFCON
AFCON HISTORY BECKONS ON CRANES OF UGANDA
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Surprise team of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Cranes of Uganda may pick qualification for the Round of 16 on Wednesday if they overcome Zimbabwe.
Such a result means the team qualifies for the next round of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 41 years since beating Morocco 3-0 in Kumasi, Ghana on March 11, 1978 to top Group B of the competition.
Beating Zimbabwe may also means the ouster of the Southern African country.
Uganda’s coach has his eyes on the game. “It’s a very important game for us. We are focused to have a good game and forget the first game result.
“We top the table now but we need to have a minimum of four points to qualify, Zimbabwe is a very good team and it’s not easy for us to play against them. We’re ready to give our best and I hope we can win.
“We respect Zimbabwe so much but we are focused on our team. We need to correct some mistakes from the first game, we played a good game but not a perfect one and we need to improve them.
I don’t like to speak about one player, we are a united team.
“I respect Zimbabwe so much, they are a good team and have a good coach. It’s always difficult to play against them.”
The captain of the side, Denis Onyango, spoke in similar vein. “We are playing against a very good team and to be honest and I know 90% of their players and they are very good as we saw them against Egypt.
“Our target is to go through and we just think of the next game. We want to get maximum points and fight very hard to get the result we need.
“We are not thinking of Egypt game because we are playing Zimbabwe now. We don’t want to overlook that because we are taking the match very serious so as to enter our last game knowing our fate.
Zimbabwe have some very good players that I know very well and that’s good for us.”
The Zimbabweans know too well that they have their fate in their hand. Coach Sunday Chidzambwa admitted that the Ugandans are a good side. “They defeated DR Congo and I think we have to fight hard for the entire game and I just hope we will be at our best to get a good result that will revive our qualification hopes.
“Against Egypt we didn’t have many chances but we will try to do better this time. We lost against the home team and I think we had a good game. I told the players to forget about this match and start to correct our mistakes. We are not here to add numbers but we came to compete.”
Ovidy Karuru, a player anticipates a difficult match. “We need to win this game at any cost because this can determine our future in the tournament. We expect a good game and I promise we will do our best and fight hard to win because we want to go to the next round. To lose our first match happens and we are focused on our next match.
“Denis Onyango of Uganda is Africa’s number 1 goalkeeper, he knows us well but we also know him as well.”
The Confederation of African Football has announced a major overhaul of its flagship competition, with the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to expand from 24 to 28 teams.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe disclosed the decision on Sunday following an executive committee meeting, describing it as part of the body’s commitment to elevating African football to global standards.
Motsepe said the expansion would create more opportunities for countries across the continent while ensuring that top African players worldwide return home to compete at the highest level.
“This is about our commitment to world-class football, bringing together the best African players from across the globe to compete on the continent,” he stated.
However, the CAF boss did not provide details on how the new 28-team format would be structured or when the expansion would take effect, leaving questions over qualification pathways and tournament scheduling.
Continuity for 2027, New Cycle from 2028
Motsepe confirmed that the 2027 AFCON will proceed as planned with co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, maintaining the current 24-team format for that edition.
In a significant shift, CAF also announced that another AFCON tournament will be staged in 2028, after which the competition will move to a four-year cycle—aligning more closely with other major international tournaments.
CAF Nations League Introduced
In addition to AFCON reforms, CAF revealed plans to introduce an African Nations League starting from 2029. The new competition will be held annually, with a 16-team final tournament staged every two years.
The initiative is aimed at improving the competitiveness, structure and commercial value of the African national team football.
“We have to stop this situation where African fixtures are not predictable, consistent and reliable,” Motsepe said. “We must also focus on developing football in regions like East Africa, which has enormous potential.”
A New Era for African Football
The proposed changes mark one of the most ambitious restructurings of African football competitions in recent years, with CAF seeking to expand participation, enhance organisation and create a more predictable football calendar.
While details are still emerging, the decisions are expected to have far-reaching implications for national teams, qualification formats and the overall growth of the game across the continent.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
The Confederation of African Football said it would implement changes and improvements to its statutes and regulations that would ensure that the farcical scenes at January’s Africa Cup of Nations final do not happen again.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe said the changes would strengthen trust and confidence in its referees, VAR operators and judicial bodies, but did not give concrete details.
The announcement followed a meeting of CAF’s executive committee in Cairo on Sunday and came on a tumultuous day for the organisation as its general secretary resigned.
African football’s governing body has been battling a crisis of confidence after its Appeal Board stripped Senegal of the Cup of Nations title in a decision that has been met with widespread derision.
Senegal were ruled to have forfeited the final in Rabat on January 18 after walking off the pitch in protest at a potentially decisive penalty awarded to Morocco. They returned and scored a goal in extra time to win the game 1-0.
The decision is being challenged at the Court of Arbitration for Sport and if Senegal win back their title it will be a further blow to CAF’s credibility.
“CAF has taken extensive legal advice from top African and international football lawyers and experts, to ensure that the CAF statutes and regulations adhere to and implement global football best practices, on and off the field,” Motsepe said in a statement on Sunday.
“This is important for the respect, integrity and credibility of African referees, VAR operators and the CAF Disciplinary Board and Appeal Board.
“CAF is working with FIFA for the ongoing training of African referees, VAR operators and match commissioners so that they are as good as the best in the world… CAF has made significant progress over the past five years in implementing governance, ethics, transparency and managerial best practices,” the CAF president added.
More precise details on the changes and how they would avoid a repeat of the Cup of Nations final controversy were not given by Motsepe, who earlier this month admitted his organisation was struggling with perceptions about its integrity.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja
The Confederation of African Football may be considering possible disciplinary measures against Senegal following reports that the country’s national team has continued to parade the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) trophy despite being stripped of the title.
The development has triggered fresh debate within African football circles, with CAF understood to be treating the matter as a potential breach of its statutes and disciplinary code.
Sources close to the continental body indicate that Senegal’s actions could be interpreted as defiance of an official ruling, raising concerns about respect for regulatory authority and the precedent such conduct may set for other member associations.
CAF is believed to be weighing a range of sanctions, which could include financial penalties, formal reprimands, or restrictions on the country’s participation in certain CAF programmes and competitions.
While no final decision has been announced, insiders suggest that the governing body is keen to send a strong message on compliance and institutional discipline.
There are also indications that CAF’s disciplinary committee may be tasked with reviewing the circumstances surrounding the continued public display of the trophy, including whether the act constitutes misconduct under its regulations.
The issue is seen as more than a symbolic dispute over silverware. Analysts argue that how CAF handles the situation will reflect its ability to enforce decisions and maintain order among its 54 member associations.
“CAF cannot afford to appear weak on matters of discipline,” a source familiar with the situation said. “If a federation openly disregards a ruling, it undermines the entire governance structure.”
CAF is expected to provide clarity on the issue during an upcoming press engagement, where its president may outline the organisation’s position and any disciplinary steps to be taken.
For Senegal, the situation presents a delicate balancing act between national pride and compliance with continental football authority. For CAF, it represents a critical test of leadership and regulatory enforcement at a time when the credibility of African football governance remains under close watch.
The coming days are likely to determine whether the matter escalates into a full disciplinary case or is resolved through diplomatic engagement behind the scenes.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup7 days ago
World Cup Fans, Players And Officials Face $15,000 Visa Bonds to Enter U.S.
- AFCON4 days ago
AFCON to Expand to 28 Teams as CAF Unveils New Competition Calendar
- CAF Champions League1 week ago
Ten-man Zamalek hold on in dramatic Otoho clash to reach semi-finals
- World Cup1 week ago
Absent Giants: Big Football Nations Missing from the 2026 World Cup
- World Cup1 day ago
Infantino promises FIFA backing for Iran to play at World Cup
- AFCON4 days ago
CAF May Sanction Senegal Over AFCON Trophy Parade
- World Cup6 days ago
Jamaica Edge New Caledonia to Set Up Decisive World Cup Showdown with DR Congo
- Governing Bodies4 days ago
BREAKING! Nigeria’s Samson Adamu Appointed Acting CAF General Secretary