Africa Cup Of Nations Qualifying: Five Talking Points

Published

2 years ago

June 21, 2023

Five-time champions Cameroon will be among 16 teams chasing nine finals places in the last round of 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying during September.

While only Egypt, with a record seven titles, have been more successful in the continental showpiece, Cameroon must win at home against Burundi to be certain of qualifying.

A draw would leave Cameroon, Burundi and Namibia level on points and goal difference in Group C and tie-breakers would come into play to decide which two countries go to the Ivory Coast.

Cameroon had a bye this month as Kenya were disqualified by FIFA before the first matchday last June due to government interference in the sport.

AFP highlights five talking points after the latest matchday, with 22 qualifiers delivering 52 goals and the number of qualifiers rising from seven to 15.

– Osimhen sparkles –

Napoli star Victor Osimhen is the leading scorer in qualifying with seven goals, and there is the prospect of more to come from him when Nigeria host Sao Tome e Principe in the final round.

The leading scorer in the Serie A season with 26 goals as Napoli ended a three-decade title drought netted four times in a 10-0 away triumph over Sao Tome last June.

Sao Tome are ranked 184 in the world and have the worst defensive record in 2023 qualifying, conceding 20 goals.

– ‘Homeless’ struggle –

Playing home matches on foreign soil was not a rewarding experience for the 11 countries that had to do so in matchday five due to sub-standard stadiums or civil war.

Only Burundi, who do not have an international-quality venue and played in Tanzania, won, Ethiopia drew in Mozambique, and the other nine teams were beaten.

Explaining why stadiums are banned, senior Confederation of African Football official Lux September said “pitches, dressing rooms and spectator facilities are among areas looked at”.

– Guinea-Bissau transformed –

Guinea-Bissau, for decades one of the weakest teams in the continent, have booked a fourth consecutive appearance at the biennial African football showcase.

After an unsuccessful first spell in charge of the ‘Wild Dogs’, local Baciro Cande returned as head coach in 2016 and transformed a side lacking any stars into consistent qualifiers.

The best known Guinea-Bissau footballer of the modern era is 20-year-old Barcelona forward Ansu Fati, but he chose to represent Spain after gaining citizenship.

– Beasts’ tall order –

The Central African Republic could qualify for the first time despite a 2-1 loss to Angola after having goalkeeper Dominique Youfeigane sent off midway through the second half.

But the ‘Wild Beasts’ must win their final-round match in Ghana to reach the finals — a tall order given the star-laden ‘Black Stars’ boast a 100 percent home record in 2023 qualifying.

Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Lesotho, Sao Tome, Seychelles, Somalia and South Sudan are the other nations that have never played at the Cup of Nations.

– Perfect Algeria –

Two-time champions Algeria are the only team boasting five victories heading into matchday six, and with a home match against Tanzania to come they are set to maintain a perfect record.

The Desert Foxes are seeking a second title in three Cup of Nations after edging Senegal 1-0 in the 2019 final in Cairo, before bowing out after the first round in the following edition.

Senegal have the second most impressive record with four wins and a draw and Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Nigeria and Zambia have all won four matches and lost one.

Deputy Gov Pledges Support For Edo Queens

Published

5 hours ago

October 28, 2025

Editor

Edo state deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has pledged continued government support to the victorious Edo Queens FC.

The deputy governor made this pledge when he received the team in government house following their impressive third-place finish at the 2025 1st Governor Douye Diri Women’s Preseason Football Tournament in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Friday Aghedo, Idahosa was presented with the team’s third-place trophy during the visit to the state government house.

He praised the players for their determination and exceptional performance throughout the week long football fiesta, which ran from October 18 to 25, 2025.

He said the government led by Sen. Monday Okpebholo will continue to do all that is necessary to encourage the team for greater success.

“We are here as a government to always encourage you, and we appreciate this cup you have presented to me on behalf of my principal,” Idahosa stated.

The Deputy Governor also lauded the Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Desmond Amadin Enabulele, along with the board members, civil servants, technical crew, and Head Coach Mr. Moses Aduku, for their tireless efforts behind the scenes.

“The Edo Queens FC have made us proud again. On behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo, I congratulate you all. You are great ambassadors of our state,” he added.

Idahosa further applauded Enabulele’s leadership for guiding both Edo Queens and Bendel Insurance FC to prominence, noting Bendel Insurance’s fifth-place finish last season and expressing optimism for even greater achievements in the currentseason.

In his remarks, Enabulele explained that the Bayelsa preseason tournament served as a valuable testing ground to assess and strengthen the squad ahead of the Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) season.

“Team Edo did very well. We were the only side that did not concede a goal throughout the tournament,” he noted.

Edo Queens Head Coach, Moses Aduku, while unveiling the team’s new slogan, said, “Second is not an option.”

He expressed confidence that Edo Queens FC would build on their preseason form to challenge for top honors when the new league season begins.

Sports

[FULL LIST] U-17 W’ World Cup: Nigeria Face Italy As Knockout Stage Begins

Published

3 days ago

October 26, 2025

Editor

The knockout phase of the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is set to kick off in Morocco, with Nigeria’s Flamingos drawn against Italy in one of the standout Round of 16 fixtures.

The match is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, at the Stade Olympique de Rabat, with kickoff at 8:00 p.m. Nigeria.

Their qualification follows an emphatic 4–0 victory over Samoa in Rabat on Saturday.

The Flamingos will now aim to build on their impressive group-stage campaign as they continue their push for a historic first world title.

Host nation Morocco will also be in action the same evening, taking on South Korea at the Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 2 in Sale, where home fans are expected to create a charged atmosphere in support of the Atlas Lionesses.

Earlier on Tuesday, Brazil will battle China PR, while the United States square off against the Netherlands, both matches slated for 4:30 p.m. in Sale.

The game continues on Wednesday, October 29, with Mexico facing Paraguay at 4:30 p.m., while defending champions Spain meet France in a mouthwatering all-European clash at the same time and venue.

Later that night, Canada will take on Zambia, and Japan, one of the tournament’s top contenders, will lock horns with Colombia to round off the Round of 16 fixtures.

All matches will be staged across venues in Rabat and Sale, with global coverage available via major sports networks and FIFA’s digital platforms.

As the competition enters its decisive stage, only four wins now separate the remaining 16 teams from lifting the prestigious U-17 Women’s World Cup trophy.

Eight winning teams in the round of 16 will move to the quarter-final stage starting Saturday, November 1, 2025.

Full Round of 16 Fixtures
Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Brazil U17 vs China PR U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 3, Sale)

United States U17 vs Netherlands U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)

Italy U17 vs Nigeria U17 – 8:00 PM (Stade Olympique de Rabat, Rabat)

South Korea U17 vs Morocco U17 – 8:00 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 2, Sale)

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Mexico U17 vs Paraguay U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy Pitch 3, Sale)

Spain U17 vs France U17 – 4:30 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)

Canada U17 vs Zambia U17 – 8:00 PM (Mohammed VI Football Academy, Sale)

Japan U17 vs Colombia U17 – 8:00 PM (Venue TBC)

Sports

SWAN Kicks Off 60th Anniversary/Awards With Religious Services

Published

6 days ago

October 23, 2025

Editor

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) is set to hold its 60th anniversary with Jumat Prayer and Thanksgiving on Friday October 24, 2025.

A statement by the Media and Publicity Committee of the anniversary said the special prayer and thanksgiving will be held in all the state chapters and FCT at the venues which would be determined by the leadership of the various chapters.

According to the statement, the SWAN Diamond Jubilee and Award Ceremony will also feature the full council which is a meeting of the National Executive Council, zonal vice presidents and secretaries and state chairmen and secretaries.

The committee, while inviting “government functionaries, lovers of sports, members of the association and the general public to join SWAN members at the services to thank God for a successful 60-year journey,” added: “All activities at the event will hold at the National Stadium, Abuja between Oct. 29 and Oct. 31.”

“It will also be an opportunity for us to collectively pray for protection of members, better sports fortuneNigeria’s sports men and women and a more prosperous sports sector,” it said.