AFCON
POINTS OF INTEREST AS NIGERIA, SOUTH AFRICA RENEW FOOTBALL RIVALRY
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
From the original 24 teams, the field now narrows to eight as the Africa Cup of Nations hits the quarterfinals stage. All the teams in Group, A that comprises the hosts, Egypt as well as Zimbabwe, DR Congo and Uganda, have since kissed the competition good bye.
Madagascar still remains the mysterious entity in the pack and the sole survivor among the trio of debutants. But the point of interest here now is the Nigeria-South Africa fixture. It is a match of familiar opponents who have even met twice in the qualifying series.
As usual, www.sportsvillagesquare.com takes an insightful look at the match and comes out with the following points of interest.
- Sports Village Square records that this will be Nigeria’s 91st match in Africa Cup of Nations’ history since the 6-3 loss to United Arab Republic, now Egypt on 24 November 1963 in Kumasi, Ghana.
- The encounter marks South Africa’s 43rd match in the Africa Cup of Nations since making debut on home soil in 1996.
- Both Nigeria and South Africa scuttled the reenactment of the 2017, 2008 and 1986 final matches of Egypt versus Cameroon. While Nigeria eliminated Cameroon, South Africa sent out Egypt in the Round of 16.
- Nigeria and South Africa are meeting in the Africa Cup of Nations for the third time. They first met in 2000 in Lagos and later in Monastir, Tunisia. Nigeria won 2-0, 4-0 respectively.
- Nigerian legend, Austin Okocha scored the milestone 1000th goal of the Africa Cup of Nations in the 2004 Nigeria’s encounter with South Africa.
- South Africa progressively declined in performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, winning in 1996, runners-up in 1998, third-place in 2000, quarter finals in 2002, group stage in 2004 where they were ranked 11th among 16 team; and group stage again in 2006, raking 16th among 16 teams.
- Nigeria’s Ayodele Makinwa was a scoring debutant in Nigeria’s 2-1 loss to South Africa at the 2004 Nelson Mandela Challenge match.
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- South Africa’s 2-1 win over Nigeria in 2004 was the country’s first ever. It was followed up with another 2-0 win in Uyo, making South Africa’s current Scot coach, Stuart Baxter, the only one to have led South Africa to beat Nigeria.
- Leon Balogun, if fielded, will be playing against his club teammate at Brighton & Hove Albion, Pacy Tau who is South Africa most accomplished striker.
- This is South Africa’s first quarterfinal match in four of their previous participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.
- South Africa have qualified for the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations only thrice in past – 1996, 1998 and 2000.
- Nigeria have got to semi-final stage or further in 14 of their 17 appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations including 11 of the last 12.
- Wednesday’s match will be the 25th clash of both Nigeria and South Africa. These include their clash in the 2014 Africa Cup of Nations Championship (CHAN). Nigeria won seven times as against two victories by South Africa. The remaining five were drawn.
Nigeria vs. South Africa: Head-to-Head
P W D L F A GD
Nigeria 14 7 5 2 23 9 +14
S/Africa 14 2 5 7 9 23 -14
10 Oct.1992 (WCq) Nigeria 4-0 S/Africa
16 Jan 1993 (WCq) S/Africa 0-0 Nigeria
10 Feb.2000 (AFCON) Nigeria 2-0 S/ Africa
31 Jan.2004 (AFCON) S/ Africa 0-4 Nigeria
17 Nov. 2004 (F) South Africa 2-1 Nigeria
1 Jun 2008 (WCq) Nigeria 2-0 S/Africa
6 Sep 2008 (WCq) S/Africa 0-1 Nigeria
14 Aug 2013 (F) S/Africa 0-2 Nigeria
14 Jan 2014 (CHAN) S/Africa 3-1 Nigeria
10 Sep 2014 (AFCON q) S/Africa 0-0 Nigeria
19 Nov 2014 (AFCON q) Nigeria 2-2 S/Africa
29 Mar 2015 (F) S/Africa 1-1 Nigeria
10 Jun 2017 (AFCON q) Nigeria 0-2 South Africa
17 Nov 2018 (AFCON q) S/Africa 1-1 Nigeria
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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