AFCON
Jinxed Abiola National Stadium, vandalised two weeks ago is 19 today
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
It is 19 years today since the now renamed National Stadium in Abuja was commissioned by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The stadium which from 8 October 2011 when it hosted the 2-2 draw 2012 Africa Cup of Nations drawn match of Nigeria and Guinea, slumped to an abject state of disrepair was only recently resuscitated.
Parts of the installations on the pitch, especially the pitch panels, goal post nets and dug-outs were vandalised by irate fans protesting the Super Eagles’ loss of World Cup ticket to Ghana.
Incidentally, it was the third time the national team has failed to pick qualification ticket for major tournament and the youth side even failed to lift trophy.
First on 8 October 2005, despite massive 5-1 defeat of Zimbabwe at the stadium, Nigeria failed in the bid to pick the 2006 World Cup ticket, technically losing on head-to-head rule to Angola who won their own away game, 1-0 against Rwanda.
Like it happened last month in Abuja, Austin Eguavoen was also the Nigerian team handler. In the second instance of losing qualification ticket at the now 19-year old Abuja Stadium, Samson Siasia led the Super Eagles that conceded a goal in the last minute of the added time to end their encounter with Guinea 2-2 and lost out in the bid to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, the last official even-year edition.
The circle of not picking a qualification ticket at the stadium was completed last month in the World Cup playoff with Ghana. Before then, the Golden Eaglets, against all odds lost 0-1 to Switzerland in 15 November 2009 final match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup to cast speculations of possible jinx around the stadium that is fashioned after the Gottlieb Daimler Stadium, Stuttgart, one of the arenas for the Germany 2006 World Cup.
Also, at the 2003 African Games, Nigeria lost the gold medal match, 2-0 to Cameroon at the Abuja Stadium on 16 October 2003 to set the tone of missed tickets and trophies at the sumptuous arena.
However, on 12 December 2004, Enyimba picked the last of their two Champions League wins at the arena after winning 5-3 through penalty shootout against Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel.
When the Abuja Stadium was opened on 8 April 2003, the first match was between Shooting Stars of Ibadan and Sunshine Stars of Akure. Both teams are perennial strugglers in the Nigerian domestic league.
Shooting Stars’ Sikiru Lawal who scored the first goal at the stadium soon got relegated into anonymity. The same happened to Ghana’s Patrick Agyemany scorer of the first goal in the first international match at the stadium when Nigeria beat Ghana 3-1 on 30 May 2003.
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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