AFCON
SUPER EAGLES WOULD HAVE BEEN LEAST AFRICAN TEAM AFFECTED IF EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE HAD LIVED
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
With a possible FIFA worldwide ban on clubs and their players involved in the now crumbling European Super League, Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be the least affected among the football powers of Africa.
FIFA had threatened the players of the proposed Super League with bans, not just from the World Cup, but also from their respective national teams. The players would have been excluded from the qualifying series of World Cup which begin in June and also the Africa Cup of Nations which holds in January 2022.
Thirteen African players would have had their international career in jeopardy.
Only one fringe player of the Super Eagles, Taiwo Awoniyi who is a Liverpool player serving long term loan spell would have been affected.
At the moment, Awoniyi is on loan at German sides, Union Berlin. The other Nigerian player who would have been affected, Victor Moses of Chelsea who is on loan at Spartak Moscow has long retired from the Super Eagles.
In contrast to the possible effect on Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire would have been the worst hit in Africa.
The West African sides have at least five regular players spread among the clubs behind the European Super League.
The players are Sergie Aurier of Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United pair of Eric Bailly and Amad Diallo, Nicolas Pepe of Arsenal and Franck Kessie of AC Milan.
Senegal, Africa’s number one in FIFA ranking would have lost three players owing to the potential ban. These include Liverpool forward Sadio Mane, first-choice goalkeeper Edouard Mendy of Chelsea, and Moussa Wague – on the books at Barcelona, though currently on loan at Greek side PAOK Salonika.
Other African players that would have been affected are Egypt’s Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City as well as Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal.
Others who would have been affected include Guinea’s Naby Keita of Liverpool and clubmate, Cameroon’s Joel Matip. Real Madrid, among the initial 12 Super League clubs, is the only one without an African player.
The lineup of players on danger list are:
Liverpool:
- Mohamed Salah – Egypt
- Sadio Mane – Senegal
- Naby Keita – Guinea
- Joel Matip – Cameroon
- (Taiwo Awoniyi – Nigeria – on loan at Union Berlin)
Chelsea:
- Edouard Mendy – Senegal
- Hakim Ziyech – Morocco
- (Baba Rahman – Ghana – on loan at PAOK Salonika)
- (Victor Moses – Nigeria – on loan at Spartak Moscow)
Manchester City:
- Riyad Mahrez – Algeria
Manchester United:
- Eric Bailly – Cote d’Ivoire
- Amad Diallo – Cote d’Ivoire
Tottenham Hotspur:
- Serge Aurier – Cote d’Ivoire
Arsenal:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Gabon
- Thomas Partey – Ghana
- Nicolas Pepe – Cote d’Ivoire
- Mohamed El Neny – Egypt
AC Milan:
- Ismael Bennacer – Algeria
- Franck Kessie – Cote d’Ivoire
Atletico Madrid:
- Geoffrey Kondogbia – Central African Republic
Barcelona:
(Moussa Wague – Senegal – on loan at PAOK Salonika)
Inter Milan:
- Achraf Hakimi – Morocco
Juventus:
- Hamza Rafia – Tunisia (in Juve’s junior side)
Real Madrid:
- None
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.
JOIN THE SPORTS VILLAGE SQUARE CHANNEL ON:
https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Canadian Court Rejects Partey’s Appeal Ahead of Ghana-Panama Clash
Haaland Leads Norway’s Three-Pronged Attack Against Iraq
Mbappe Becomes France’s All-Time Leading Scorer at World Cup
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- International Football1 week ago
Eriksen Suffers Fresh Collapse During Denmark Friendly, Reviving Memories of Euro 2020 Ordeal
- World Cup1 week ago
Pelé’s 1970 World Cup Hideaway Becomes Tourist Attraction as Mexico Hosts Tournament for Record Third Time
- World Cup1 week ago
Iran’s World Cup team arrive in Tijuana with US tensions high
- International Football1 week ago
Iwobi Salutes Nigerians Ahead of Landmark 100th Super Eagles Appearance
- World Cup1 week ago
Nine injured in shooting near England’s World Cup base camp
- World Cup1 day ago
Back in Canada After 39 Years: A Return to Where the Journey Began
- WAFCON1 week ago
Falcons Truly Super in 3-0 Defeat of Senegal in Ikenne
- World Cup3 days ago
Atlas Lions Roar Again: Morocco Hold Five-Time Champions, Brazil In Another World Cup Statement