AFCON
GHANA JOINS NIGERIA IN THE WAITING GAME FOR AFCON 2022 TICKET
Like the Nigerian Super Eagles, Ghana Black Stars have had their final qualification for the African Cup of Nations delayed as Sudan scored a last minute winner in a Group C encounter that ended 2-1 on Tuesday.
The result means that Ghana will have to wait to qualify for the finals having started the day knowing a draw would see them progress.
The game at the Al Hilal stadium in Omdurman was a physical affair with both sides picking up two yellow cards each in a goalless first-half.
Ghana were playing without their injured captain Andre Ayew, who scored both the Black Stars goals in the 2-0 win over the same opponents on Thursday, as well as suspended first-choice keeper Richard Ofori.
Their replacements both played their part with Caleb Ekuban causing trouble for the Sudanese defence and Fatua Dauda making some crucial saves at the other end.
With time running out the Black Stars looked happy to play for the draw but Sudan never gave up and scored in the second minute of time added on.
Ramadan Agab swung over a cross from the right which was met by Mohamed Abdelrahman and his firm header gave Dauda no chance.
That result means that Ghana stay on nine points level with South Africa as Sudan move to six points with all three still looking for a place at the finals.
The other team in the group are Sao Tome, who are yet to win a single point after their 4-2 loss to South Africa on Monday.
Central Africa 0-2 Morocco (Group E)
Morocco remained unbeaten in Group E with a 2-0 win over Central African Republic, in a game that was played in the Cameroonian city of Douala because there is not a suitable stadium in Bangui.
Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech scored six minutes before half-time as he floated in a freekick from the right-hand side, Nayef Aguerd rose as if to head the ball but it evaded everyone to end up in the back of the net.
Ziyech then turned provider for the second goal which was scored in injury time, as he squared the ball for Youssef En Neysri to put into an empty net after a ruthlessly fast counter attack by the Atlas Lions.
The result means that Morocco are top of the group with 10 points and need only a draw from their final two games to qualify for the finals.
The other place is wide open with Mauritania on five points after Sunday’s 3-1 loss in Burundi, who have four points and CAR stay on three.
Sierra Leone 0-0 Nigeria; Lesotho 0-0 Benin (Group L)
Tuesday’s two games in Group L failed to produce a single goal as Nigeria were once again held by Sierra Leone.
The Leone Stars had pulled off a remarkable comeback on Friday to come from four goals down to earn a 4-4 draw.
Despite that result the Super Eagles could have clinched a place in the finals with a win in Freetown.
The results mean that Nigeria are still top of the group with eight points, that’s just one ahead of Benin.
Sierra Leone edge into third place on three points and Lesotho are bottom on two, but both of those sides are still in with a chance of reaching the finals in Cameroon.
Togo 1-3 Egypt (Group G)
Egypt moved ahead of Comoros on goal difference thanks to a 3-1 win in Togo, who are now out of contention.
The Pharaohs’ first goal came against the run of play in the 18th minute and came thanks to a touch of class from Mohamed Magdi, as he stole into the area and squared the keeper up before scoring into the right-hand corner.
The second came just after the half-hour mark as debutant Mohamed Sherif pounced on a poor back-header from Djene Dakonam to score.
The win was effectively sealed in the 52nd minute as a free kick from the Egypt left was allowed to bounce all the way over the Togo defence, leaving Trezeguet all the time he needed to connect with it with his right foot.
Togo’s consolation came in injury time from a corner that was not properly cleared allowing Elom Nya-Vedji to slam the ball home.
That result means that Egypt and Comoros both have eight points and look the most likely to reach the finals.
Kenya, who suffered a shock 2-1 loss in Comoros on Sunday have three points and are the only other team who can qualify from the group, with games against Egypt and Togo left to play.
Madagascar 1-1 Ivory Coast; Ethiopia 3-0 Niger (Group K)
The fourth round of matches in Group K have left this one wide open as neither Madagascar nor Ivory Coast could open up a lead at the top and Ethiopia moved closer to the top two.
Ivory Coast took the lead in Madagascar after just 15 minutes as AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie scored from the penalty spot after a handball by Jeremy Morel.
A formidable shot gave Madagascar an equaliser six minutes after half-time as captain Ibrahim Samuel Amada scored with a thundering strike from the left hand corner of the area which found the top right hand corner of the net.
The game in Ethiopia was delayed by half-an-hour with no official reason given but it did not affect the hosts who took the lead against Niger through Amanuel Gebremikael after just 13 minutes.
The goal was created after some good work in the midfield resulted in the unmarked Shemeles Bekele getting the ball inside the box and his pass was met by Gebremikael’s left foot.
The hosts took control of the game just before half-time with Bekele again providing the final pass for Mesud Mohammed to strike into the top corner from 16 metres out.
The win was wrapped up with 20 minutes left to play as a poor pass from Niger keeper Moussa Alzouma hit his own defender giving Getaneh Kabede an easy chance to score.
With two matches left to play Ivory Coast top the pool thanks to a better head-to-head record over Madagascar, both teams have seven points, Ethiopia move to six and Niger stay on three.
Angola 0-1 DR Congo (Group D)
DR Congo moved closer to the top two in this group with a narrow win in neighbouring Angola.
Fulham midfielder Neeskens Kebano scored the only goal of the game just after the hour mark with a well taken effort from well outside the area.
The Gambia top the group ahead of Gabon on goal difference, with both teams on seven points, after the Scorpions 2-1 win over the Panthers on Monday.
DR Congo move to within in a point of the top two while Angola have just one point, but still have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the finals.
Rwanda 0-0 Cape Verde (Group F)
Rwanda held on for a point against visiting Cape Verde despite playing an hour with 10 men.
Amavubi were at a disadvantage for most of the match after the dismissal of Ally Niyonzima for a second yellow card after 30 minutes.
With only one place up for grabs from the group as Cameroon qualify automatically as hosts the race for the remaining spot is still wide open.
Cape Verde now move level with Mozambique in the group on four points and despite Rwanda having just two so far they are still in with a chance of reaching the finals.
Tuesday’s Afcon 2021 qualifiers:
- Ethiopia 3-0 Niger (Grp K)
- Madagascar 1-1 Ivory Coast (Grp K)
- Lesotho 0-0 Benin (Grp L)
- Rwanda 0-0 Cape Verde (Grp F)
- Sudan 1-0 Ghana (Grp C)
- Central Africa 0-2 Morocco (Grp E)
- Angola 0-1 DR Congo (Grp D)
- Sierra Leone 0-0 Nigeria (Grp L)
- Togo 1-3 Egypt (Grp G)
- 19:00 Namibia v Mali (Grp A)
- 19:00 Tanzania v Tunisia (Grp J)
-BBC
By Kunle Solaja.
The CAS Director General Matthieu Reeb has stated that the tribunal is prepared to handle the Senegal case against CAF and Morocco efficiently.
“CAS is perfectly equipped to resolve this type of dispute, with the assistance of expert and independent arbitrators,” he said.
“We understand that teams and fans are eager to know the final decision, and we will ensure that arbitration proceedings are conducted as swiftly as possible, while respecting the right of all parties to a fair hearing.”
CAS noted that proceedings will remain confidential while ongoing, with further updates to be provided only when key milestones, such as a hearing date, are confirmed.
The case now sets the stage for a potentially landmark legal battle over the outcome of one of Africa’s biggest football competitions, with the final status of the AFCON 2025 title hanging in the balance.
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Decision By CAF
By Kunle Solaja.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has confirmed receipt of an appeal from the Senegalese Football Federation challenging the outcome of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 final.
In a statement issued in Lausanne on 25 March 2026, CAS said the appeal is directed against both the Confederation of African Football and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
The dispute stems from a CAF ruling on 17 March 2026, which declared that Senegal forfeited the AFCON final, awarding the match to Morocco with a 3-0 scoreline.
In its appeal, Senegal is asking CAS to set aside the CAF decision and declare Senegal the rightful winners of the tournament.
The federation has also requested a suspension of the deadline for submitting its full appeal brief, arguing that the CAF decision has so far been issued without detailed grounds.
CAS confirmed that the appeal was officially registered on 25 March and that an arbitral panel will be constituted to hear the case.
Legal Process Underway
Under CAS procedures, the appellant has 20 days to submit a detailed appeal brief, while the respondents, CAF and Morocco, will then have another 20 days to respond
However, due to Senegal’s request to suspend deadlines pending full documentation of the CAF ruling, no clear procedural timeline has yet been established.
As a result, it remains uncertain when hearings will take place or when a final verdict may be delivered.
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By Kunle Solaja.
The Guinean Football Federation (FGF) has strongly refuted circulating claims that Moroccan players walked off the pitch during their decisive 1976 Africa Cup of Nations encounter with Guinea, describing the reports as “false” and lacking any official basis.
In a firm statement, the federation also dismissed speculation that it is seeking to challenge the outcome of the historic match, clarifying that no such incident occurred and no legal action has been initiated with either the Confederation of African Football or the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Statement by the Guinean Football Federation regarding the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations
“The Guinean Football Federation informs the national and international public that it has not initiated any procedure either with the Court of Arbitration for Sport or with CAF in relation to the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations,” the statement read, stressing that the reports are “inaccurate and not based on any official foundation.”
Eyewitness and participant Account Rebuts Claims
Further reinforcing the federation’s position, former Guinea international Ismael Sylla—who featured in the match—dismissed the allegations in an interview with TV5MONDE. He affirmed that the game proceeded normally, with Morocco scoring a late equaliser.
His account directly contradicts the viral narrative, particularly given his presence on the pitch during the decisive stages of the encounter.
Historical Records Back Federation’s Position
Independent verification through archival research by Sports Village Square also found no evidence supporting claims of a Moroccan walkout.
Contemporary reports from outlets such as the Daily Times of Nigeria and L’Équipe, as well as a commemorative video released by FIFA in 2007 to mark CAF’s 50th anniversary, contain no reference to any such incident.
According to the FGF, the match was played on 14 March 1976 in Addis Ababa, with Guinea taking the lead through Souleymane Cherif in the 33rd minute before Morocco equalised in the 86th minute via Ahmed Makrouh, popularly known as “Baba.”
The federation also highlighted that the 1976 tournament format differed from the modern AFCON structure, as the winner was determined through a final group stage rather than a single championship match.
“In accordance with the regulations in force at the time, the competition did not include a classic final,” the statement explained. “The qualified teams played a final group, and the ranking directly determined the winner.”
Morocco ultimately topped the standings to secure their first continental title, with Guinea finishing second and Nigeria third.
FGF Urges Responsible Reporting
The federation called on media organisations and football stakeholders to rely on verified historical records and avoid amplifying unsubstantiated claims.
Reaffirming its commitment to “fair play, mutual respect and the unity of African football,” the FGF said the clarification was necessary to prevent misinformation as debates around AFCON history continue to attract renewed attention.
The statement effectively lays to rest claims of a Moroccan walkout and any suggestion of a pending legal dispute, restoring clarity to one of African football’s most frequently debated historical narratives.
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