NIGERIA/MADAGASCAR: AFCON 2027 QUALIFIERS - SUPER EAGLES TO FACE MADAGASCAR, TANZANIA, G-BISSAU

Nigeria's quest to qualify for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations received a major boost yesterday after the Super Eagles were drawn against familiar foes Madagascar, Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau in the qualifying series for the continental tournament.

The draw ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association in Cairo, Egypt, where the continent's national teams discovered their opponents for the qualification campaign.

The Nigeria national football team, now under the guidance of head coach Éric Chelle, were placed among the seeded teams for the draw following their strong standing in African football rankings. Their seeded status ensured they avoided several of the continent's traditional heavyweights in the preliminary phase.

On paper, the group appears favourable for the three-time African champions, with many Nigerian football observers expecting the Super Eagles to secure qualification without major difficulty. However, the draw also presents potentially tricky encounters against opponents capable of causing surprises.

Guinea-Bissau, in particular, has become a familiar foe for Nigeria in recent years. The West Africans have faced the Super Eagles in previous AFCON qualifying campaigns and earned a reputation as a disciplined and difficult side to break down.

Tanzania, one of the co-hosts of the 2027 tournament, will also be eager to impress despite already being assured of participation in the finals as hosts. Their growing football profile and home support could make them dangerous opponents during the qualifiers.

Madagascar, meanwhile, remain one of African football's unpredictable sides. The island nation stunned the continent during the 2019 AFCON in Egypt when they reached the quarter-finals in their maiden appearance at the tournament, defeating more fancied teams along the way.

Only the top two teams from the group will qualify automatically for the 2027 AFCON finals, increasing the importance of every fixture in the round-robin campaign.

The qualification series will be played across three FIFA international windows. Matchdays one and two are scheduled to hold between September 21 and October 6, 2026, while matchdays three and four will take place from November 9 to 17, 2026.

The final round of fixtures, comprising matchdays five and six, will be played between March 22 and 30, 2027, bringing the qualification race to a close.

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations itself will make history as the first edition of the tournament to be jointly hosted by three countries -- Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

The tournament is scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

For Nigeria, the objective remains clear: qualify convincingly and mount a serious challenge for a fourth AFCON title after falling short in recent editions. With a squad packed with established internationals and emerging talents, expectations will be high for the Super Eagles to dominate the group and head to East Africa as one of the favourites for the continental crown.

- Affa Acho

CAF AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS | KENYA 🇰🇪, TANZANIA 🇹🇿. , UGANDA 🇺🇬 | GROUP L

 

CAF SECRETARY GENERAL RESIGNS AMID AFCON FINAL FALLOUT

 

AFP via Getty Images

The general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has resigned amid a chaotic time for football on the continent.

Veron Mosengo-Omba said in a statement he was retiring, but his departure comes during the fallout over decisions to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title and postpone the women's tournament at the last minute.

These incidents have left CAF, the governing body for African football, battling a crisis of confidence.

Mosengo-Omba alluded to controversies faced during his tenure in his statement on Sunday.

"Now that I have been able to dispel the suspicions that some people have gone to great lengths to cast on me, I can retire with peace of mind and without constraint, leaving the CAF more prosperous than ever," Mosengo-Omba, deputy to Caf president Patrice Motsepe, wrote.

The 66-year-old has been criticised for staying on as general secretary past the organisation's mandatory retirement age of 63.

He has also been accused by some employees of creating a toxic atmosphere in the workplace, although an investigation after staff complaints cleared him of any wrongdoing.

Mosengo-Omba, who hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo but also holds Swiss nationality, was appointed general secretary in March 2021.

According to news agency Reuters, Caf's competitions director, Samson Adamu, will take over as acting general secretary.

The governing body is awaiting a decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Senegal's appeal against being stripped of the Afcon title.

Senegal is challenging CAF's appeals body for overturning their 1-0 win over hosts Morocco in January's Afcon final.

During the game, Senegal's players left the field in protest when, with the score at 0-0, hosts Morocco were awarded a stoppage-time penalty.

When they returned after a delay of about 17 minutes, Morocco subsequently failed to score the spot-kick and Senegal netted an extra-time winner.

Following an appeal by the Moroccan FA (FRMF), Caf later ruled that Senegal had forfeited the match and Morocco were awarded a 3-0 victory.

- Wedaeli Chibelushi

FORMER AFCON-WINNING COACH TAKES AIM AT MOTSEPE OVER AFCON DECISION

 Veteran coach Claude Le Roy has criticised Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe following the decision to strip Senegal of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

Motsepe 'Attacked' Over 2025 AFCON Decision. Photo: Gallo Images

CAF confirmed that the 2025 AFCON title would be awarded to Morocco after Senegal were deemed to have forfeited the final by walking off the pitch in protest over a penalty awarded to the Atlas Lions.

The decision has sparked widespread backlash, and with the controversy ongoing, Le Roy has now voiced his strong opposition.⁸

According to WiW Sport, the Frenchman described the ruling as “incomprehensible” and was particularly critical of Motsepe.

"I couldn't imagine for a second that the CAF could go so far down this path of absurdity," Le Roy said.

"But when you see how the CAF is run today by Patrice Motsepe, who is essentially Gianni Infantino's lackey, you understand certain things better. From the start, some were determined to give the cup to Morocco. Yet, even though Morocco had a very good AFCON and deserved to go far in the competition, in the final, it was clearly Senegal who were the better team. No one could have imagined that we would hear such a decision two months later," he added.

The 78-year-old suggested the matter is far from resolved and believes further developments are likely, including the possibility of Senegal being reinstated as champions.

"We're in the middle of an election period, so we can imagine all sorts of things happening, only to ultimately decide that Morocco is the champion," Le Roy explained.

"I think this isn't over yet, and Senegal will eventually have its rights restored. But, once again, it's a disgrace to the image of the Confederation of African Football. I think that, initially, there will be an appeals committee, since this is a preliminary ruling," the former Ghana national football team coach continued.

"Then, depending on the outcome, the case could be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. But I fear that this decision, unfortunately for a continent with so much potential, will be a laughingstock for the entire football world," he concluded.

- Matthew Petersen

SENEGAL STRIPPED OF AFCON TITLE, MOROCCO DECLARED CHAMPIONS

Senegal say they will appeal after they were sensationally stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) instead declared Morocco champions

Senegal stripped of AFCON title
AFP

Senegal say they will appeal after they were sensationally stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) instead declared Morocco champions, two months after their chaotic final. Several Senegalese players controversially walked off the pitch in Rabat during the final on January 18 in protest when the hosts were awarded a penalty late in second-half stoppage time. After Senegal's players eventually returned having been coaxed back onto the pitch by captain Sadio Mane, Morocco missed the penalty and Pape Gueye went on to score the goal in extra time that gave his team a 1-0 victory.

CAF said that having studied Morocco's appeal, "the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match" and the result was "officially recorded as 3-0" in favour of Morocco.

The CAF Appeals Committee justified its decision by applying Articles 82 and 84 of the AFCON Regulations, which state that if a team "refuses to play or leaves the ground before the regular end of the match without the authorisation of the referee, it shall be considered (loser) and shall be eliminated for good from the current competition".

The articles add that the team contravening the regulations "will lose its match by 3-0".

The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) said in a statement its appeal "was never intended to contest the sporting performance of the teams participating in this competition, but solely to request the application of the competition regulations".

"The Federation reaffirms its commitment to respecting the rules, to the clarity of the competitive framework, and to the stability of African competitions," the statement added.

Senegal's football authorities said they will appeal "as soon as possible" to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"The Senegalese Football Federation condemns this unjust, unprecedented and unacceptable decision, which brings African football into disrepute," it said in a statement.

Chaotic scenes

Minutes before the end of the match, some Senegalese supporters attempted a pitch invasion, while Senegal's players halted the game for nearly 20 minutes to protest the late penalty awarded to Morocco.

The controversial spot-kick was awarded by Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala right at the end of the allotted eight added minutes in normal time following a VAR check for a challenge on Brahim Diaz by El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The game was goalless at the time and Diaz could have won the trophy for Morocco with the spot-kick in the 24th minute of added time at the end of normal time.

But Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy easily saved the weak attempted 'Panenka' chip by the Real Madrid winger, who was clearly distracted by the long delay that followed the penalty award.

The game at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium then went to extra time, and Gueye's brilliant 94th-minute strike won it for Senegal. 

Several of the team's players posted on social media after the announcement that they had been stripped of the title.

Defender Moussa Niakhate, who plays for French club Lyon, posted a picture of himself lifting the Africa Cup of Nations trophy with a message that said "they're mad", in an apparent reference to CAF.

In the immediate aftermath of the final, FIFA president Gianni Infantino had condemned "some Senegal players" for the "unacceptable scenes".

"It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right," Infantino, who attended the match, said.

In late January, CAF imposed a series of disciplinary sanctions, including fines amounting to several hundred thousand euros, on the federations of both countries for unsportsmanlike conduct and violations of fair play principles.

The appeal trial of 18 Senegalese supporters, imprisoned since the final and sentenced to prison terms ranging from three months to one year for "hooliganism," which was scheduled to take place on Monday, has been postponed until March 30.

- Agence-France Presse

VICTOR WANYAMA EXPLAINS HOW BENNI MCCARTHY CAN LEAD HARAMBEE STARS TO AFCON 2027 GLORY

Victor Wanyama feels Harambee Stars can surprise at AFCON 2027.

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama is backing Kenya to surprise at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations due to a number of factors.

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has shared what gives him confidence of a successful 2027 Africa Cup of Nations for Kenya.

Kenya will be one of the co-hosts for AFCON 2027 alongside neighbours Kenya and Uganda and there is pressure to impress on home soil.

However, history suggests it might be a struggle to get out of their group given they have never gone past that level at all their previous six AFCON appearances.

Wanyama, however, feels Kenya do have enough quality and can spring a surprise when heavily motivated and pushed on by fans as seen during the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024).

What is Wanyama Banking on For AFCON Success?

“We hosted CHAN, and nobody expected the local players to perform the way they did. That showed that with fans behind them at home, anything is possible,” Wanyama said on the Obi One Podcast.

“I believe in the boys; they have quality, and with proper training and preparation, they can beat any team on home soil.

The former Southampton and Tottenham midfielder is calling on early and proper preparation for the national team ahead of the continental tournament if Kenya have to post positive results.

“With good preparation and the same spirit they showed during CHAN, coupled with the support they received then, we have the potential to be the best,” he further said.

CHAN Experience Will Be Vital For Kenya

“We need to invest in infrastructure, give young players opportunities, focus on grassroots football, establish strong and well-structured youth leagues, and support academies. That is how we can develop many quality players.”

Kenya had an impressive run at CHAN 2024, when they finished top of a group that had Morocco, eventual winners of the competition, DR Congo, Angola and Zambia, making it to the quarter-final where they lost to Madagascar on post-match penalties.

Identical 1-0 wins against DR Congo, Morocco and Zambia, coupled with a 1-1 draw with Angola saw Benni McCarthy’s team finish top of a ‘Group of Death’ that few gave them a chance of getting out of.

- Joel Omotto 

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS | ALL-TIME TOP SCORERS

 

WHEN AFRICAN SOCCER STAR EL HADJI DIOUF & MUSIC STAR AKON MET | AFCON 2025

 

MOROCCO AFCON MEME 😂

 

MOROCCO AFCON MEME 😂

 

AFCON MEME 🤣 | BRAHIM DIAZ MEME 😂

 

AFCON 2025 | PRIZE MONEY

 

'FAIR PLAY' MAN OF THE TOURNAMENT | PEPE THIAW | SALUTE 🫡

 

CAF needs to be accountable for the poor officiating of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Morocco 25 was one of the best AFCON displays of amazing and high level soccer talent only to be stained by 'bias' and poor officiating. 

One man made a bold statement for the injustices that have pegged the tournament. 

Salute 🫡  Pepe Thiaw for standing up! 

Kudos Senegal 🇸🇳 

MOROCCO BEHAVED LIKE 'CLOWNS' DESPITE BEING 'PAMPERD' BY AFCON REFS WITHOUT ANY SHAME THOUGH OUT THE TOURNAMENT 🫠

 

'SHAMEFUL': HOW CONTROVERSIAL AFCON FINAL DESCENDED INTO TOTAL CHAOS

Senegal players stormed off the pitch after last-gasp penalty award before returning to beat Morocco in extra time

MAYHEM: THE AFCON FINAL BETWEEN MOROCCO AND SENEGAL WILL LIVE LONG IN THE MEMORY - FOR THE WRONG REASONS
AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

A missed Panenka in the 24th minute of stoppage time, a team storming off the pitch and ultimately a second Africa Cup of Nations title for Senegal.

That, though, barely scratches the surface in telling the story of a truly extraordinary AFCON final on Sunday night.

Pape Gueye scored a brilliant extra-time winner to leave Morocco devastated in front of their home fans in Rabat.

Either side of that strike, total chaos ensued. Here’s what happened - and all the fallout.

Senegal goal ruled out

For 90 minutes, it had been a typical cagey, tense final. It remained goalless heading into eight minutes of stoppage time, at which point the mayhem began.

Senegal thought they had won it when Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr nodded into the net on the rebound after Abdoulaye Seck's header had hit the woodwork.

However, the whistle had already gone as the referee deemed Seck to have fouled Achraf Hakimi.

Replays showed that to be a harsh decision, with Hakimi going down under minimal contact, but the quick whistle meant that VAR could not intervene.

Morocco lucky to get penalty

DRAMA: BRAHIM DIAZ’S LAST-GASP PANENKA PENALTY ATTEMPT WAS EASILY SAVED BY EDOUARD MENDY
AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

A few minutes later, Morocco won a corner of their own at the other end.

West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf headed to safety, having beaten Brahim Diaz to the ball. Diaz went down theatrically and appealed for a penalty.

The referee was sent to the pitchside monitor for a VAR review and then gave the penalty, deciding that Diouf had dragged Diaz to the ground before clearing the ball.

Chaos on and off the pitch

The two benches were already clashing as the referee went to the screen and that escalated when he then pointed to the spot.

Ismaila Sarr was booked for dissent and the Senegal players did not leave the penalty area as they continued to protest the decision.

Senegal's supporter group were sat at the other end of the stadium but they began jumping over the hoardings. Others threw chairs at stewards.

SENEGAL FANS CLASH WITH SECURITY DURING THE AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS FINAL
AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Riot police arrived on the scene and dragged several supporters away as clashes continued between fans and security personnel.

Gary Lineker was in the stadium and said it had "all got very horribly violent".

Senegal players walk off

Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw was incensed by the decision to award a penalty and waved at his players to come off the pitch in response.

The match was delayed for around 17 minutes as a result, with Sadio Mane having to go down the tunnel to urge his team-mates to come back on.

It appeared to be in doubt whether Senegal would return, but eventually the decision was made to continue the match.

Mane said after the game: "The referee can sometimes make mistakes, but we don’t know.

“We’re in the game and people judge. It could have been a penalty or not, but that wasn’t the most important thing. The most important thing was the people who were watching.

“I think that would convey a negative image of our football. I think Africa today does not deserve that.”

Diaz fluffs his lines

It was the 114th minute of the match by the time Diaz finally got his chance to step up and take the penalty.

On his return to the pitch, Edouard Mendy was booked for seemingly scuffing the spot. The ex-Chelsea goalkeeper then walked up and stood over the ball as Diaz waited to take the penalty.

Had he converted it, Diaz would have been a Moroccan legend forever. Instead, he attempted a Panenka and watched in horror as Mendy stood still and made the easiest save of his life.

Battle for a towel

Yehvann Diouf had a busy night and did not play a single minute.

The Senegal goalkeeper was tasked with protecting Mendy's towel in wet, slippery conditions. It turned into an extraordinary sequence of events.

The Moroccan ball boys repeatedly tried to snatch the towel away from him. In one incident, Diouf was lying on his stomach with the towel underneath him as a ball boy dragged him by the back of his coat.

SENEGAL COACH PAPE THIAW ORDERED HIS PLAYERS OFF THE PITCH IN REMARKABLE SCENES
AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES

Diouf was eventually chased down the touchline, backpedaling as several people chased after him.

Hakimi threw another one of Mendy's towels over the advertising hoardings, with El Hadji Malick Diouf jumping over the barrier to retrieve it.

How the managers reacted

Morocco boss Walid Regragui was unsurprisingly scathing in his response to Senegal storming off the pitch. He hit out at counterpart Thiaw.

“The image we’ve given of Africa is shameful," Regragui said.

"A coach who asks his players to leave the field... what Pape did does not honour Africa.”

Thiaw walked into his press conference and was met by cheers from Senegalese journalists and boos from the Moroccan press.

Arguments broke out between them as Thiaw sat down waiting, before he decided to walk out without speaking as the confrontations continued.

Elsewhere, Thiaw said sorry for leading his players off the pitch.

"I apologise for the football,” he said. “After reflecting on it I made them come back [on the pitch] - you can react in the heat of the moment. We accept the errors of the referee.

“We shouldn't have done it but it's done and now we present our apologies to football."

What else has been said?

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “It is unacceptable to leave the field of play in this manner, and equally, violence cannot be tolerated in our sport, it is simply not right.”

CAF released a statement on Monday morning in response to the various incidents, with punishments on the way.

It read: "The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) condemns the unacceptable behaviour of some players and officials during the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat last night.

"CAF strongly condemns any inappropriate behaviour which occurs during matches, especially those targeting the refereeing team or match organizers.

"CAF is reviewing all footage and will refer the matter to competent bodies for appropriate action to be taken against those found guilty."

- MATT VERRI

AFCON FINAL HIGHLIGHTS | SENEGAL VS. MOROCCO

 

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ISHOW SPEED SURPRISED FANS AT THE AFCON FINAL IN MOROCCO

IShowSpeed surprised fans at the AFCON final in Morocco dressed as the tournament's mascot 😂

MAN OF THE COMPETITION | SADIO MANE

 

SENEGAL VS. MOROCCO | BRUTAL BLOW TO AFCON FINAL