The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • CAF Confirms Ghana’s Laryea for Morocco, Nigeria semi-finals

    CAF Confirms Ghana’s Laryea for Morocco, Nigeria semi-finals

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed Ghana’s Daniel Nii Laryea as  the centre when Nigeria and Morocco clash in their  semi-final  match  at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tonight.

    The encounter will hold at the Prince Moulay Abdallah Stadium, Rabat.

    Laryea was the VAR official for Morocco’s 2-0  quarter-final win against Cameroon.

    Earlier, he demonstrated his on-field authority as centre referee when Algeria faced Burkina Faso in the group stage.

    Read Also: Chelle hints at tactical shift ahead of Super Eagles’ clash against Morocco

    The 39-year-old is recognized as one of Africa’s top referees.

    He has officiated in multiple AFCON editions, CAF Champions League, and Confederation Cup fixtures, consistently commanding respect for his fairness and ability to manage tense matches.

    The game will kick-off at 9pm Nigeria time.

  • Egypt vs. Senegal: Salah-Mane rivalry renewed in AFCON semi-finals

    Egypt vs. Senegal: Salah-Mane rivalry renewed in AFCON semi-finals

    When Mohamed Salah leads out Egypt in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final against Senegal, he will feel both the weight of expectation from his nation and his own personal pressure to deliver a place in the final.

    The North Africans are record seven-time continental champions but the most recent of those successes came in 2010, a year before the Liverpool forward’s international debut.

    The 33-year-old was a losing finalist at the 2017 and 2021 editions – with those defeats sandwiching a last-16 exit in 2019 on home soil – and he was then injured as Egypt suffered an early exit at the 2023 finals.

    Read Also: FULL LIST: What to know ahead of Super Eagles Clash against Morocco

    “Nobody, even in Egypt, wants to win this trophy more than me,” Salah said after helping his team beat Cote d’Ivoire  in the quarter-finals. “I have won almost every prize. This is the title I am waiting for.”

    The prospect of revenge will also hang heavy in the Tangier air this evening  as the Pharaohs captain will come up against former Reds team-mate Sadio Mane, who got the better of Salah on two of their past three international meetings.

    With both players aged 33, and AFCON to become a quadrennial tournament from 2028, this could prove to be Salah’s last chance to bring the trophy back to Cairo after several disappointments.

    And, for all his silverware with Liverpool and personal honours, the feeling persists among many across Africa that a player cannot be classed as truly great until they have an AFCON title to their name.

  • Morocco coach slams refereeing conspiracy theorists

    Morocco coach slams refereeing conspiracy theorists

    Morocco coach Walid Regragui has poured cold water on conspiracy theorists who suggest referees have been favouring the home team at the Africa Cup of Nations.

    Some broadcast pundits and supporters online have bemoaned a perceived leniency towards Morocco from the tournament officials. Regragui dismissed the claims out of hand.

    “It’s always a shame to go down this path,” he told  his press conference as Morocco prepared to take on Nigeria in their semi-final in Rabat today.

    “They want to make people believe that matches are always won this way. Let’s not kid ourselves, it’s always been the case on the African continent to sow doubts and controversies.

    “You journalists need to do your job,” he added. “A penalty can be given one way in one match and not in another. A handball is called in one match and not in another. I watch a lot of matches because we have many players in Europe, and the controversies are the same everywhere, in Africa or in Europe.”

    Regragui said he believed referees at the tournament were seeking to do their best, but also gave example of incidents in matches where he felt the whistle did not favour Morocco.

    He cited two incidents from their impressive 2-0 win over Cameroon in their quarter-final on Friday to illustrate his argument.

    Read Also: Chelle hints at tactical shift ahead of Super Eagles’ clash against Morocco

    “One of their defenders puts his foot on Abde (Ezzalzouli)’s ankle, and if VAR reviews the play, it’s a penalty,” he said. “The goalkeeper comes out to challenge (Ismael) Saibari and puts both hands in his head, that’s a penalty. But neither were given.”

    Regragui said he had told his players to ignore any refereeing controversy.

    “The only way to win is on the pitch, by winning our matches. You’ve never heard me talk about the refereeing after a match,” he said.

    “We take responsibility, we move forward, and we work hard. That’s the goal. We need to support the referees, the players, and stop always feeling like we’re being wronged.

    “We hope the referee will be fair to both teams tomorrow, as he has been since the start of the competition,” the coach added.

  • Eritrea set for international comeback with AFCON 2027 Prelims 

    Eritrea set for international comeback with AFCON 2027 Prelims 

    Eritrea is set to play its first football international in more than six years after entering the preliminaries for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations finals, to be played in March.

    The isolated state on ​the Red Sea was drawn on Tuesday to take on Eswatini over two legs in the preliminary round in March, in what would be their first ‌outing since a friendly loss to Sudan in January 2020.

    Eritrea has not participated ‌in any internationals since eschewing the opportunity to compete in World Cup and Cup of Nations qualification after players consistently defected while on away trips.

    Read Also: Chelle hints at tactical shift ahead of Super Eagles’ clash against Morocco

    Eritrea has been ruled by President Isaias Afwerki since gaining independence from Ethiopia in ⁠1993, and human rights groups consistently describe his rule as highly repressive.

    Players and other ‌team members defected after matches or tournaments in Angola in 2007, Kenya in 2009,​Tanzania in 2011, Uganda in 2012, Botswana in 2015, following a World Cup qualifier, and Uganda again in 2019.

    It is estimated that some 80 footballers have defected while playing for the national team abroad, none of them going on to pursue their football careers in exile.

    Eritrea has not allowed teams ‌to travel outside the country since members of its under-20 side fled to Uganda in 2019, but now seems to have had a change of heart.

    Eritrea did, however, enter the last Cup of Nations preliminaries only to ⁠later withdraw.

    If they play in the 2027 qualifiers, it will be the first-ever Cup of Nations where every one of the 54 countries on the continent has competed.

    The bottom 12 teams in the rankings were drawn yesterday  into six knockout round ties, to be played home and away in March, to get the 2027 qualifiers underway.

    The winners will advance to the group stage, along with Africa’s 42 top-ranked teams, to be divided into 12 groups of four teams each.

    The top two in each group then qualify for the finals, except in those groups ⁠where already-qualified co-hosts Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda are drawn to play.

    Eritrea ‌has no FIFA ranking because it has not played a fixture within world football’s governing body’s parameters of 48 months.

    2027 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary round draw:

    Djibouti vs. South Sudan

    Chad vs. Burundi

    Somalia vs. Mauritius

    Seychelles vs. Lesotho

    Eritrea vs. Eswatini

    Sao Tome and Principe vs. Ethiopia

    The team ⁠mentioned first plays at home in the first leg. The ties will be played between March 25th and 31st.

  • Egypt boss Hassan hails standard of ‘ferocious’ AFCON

    Egypt boss Hassan hails standard of ‘ferocious’ AFCON

    Egypt coach Hossam Hassan hailed the quality on display at the Africa Cup of Nations as his side readied to play in today’s semi-final, calling the month-long event ​in Morocco a “ferocious tournament”.

    The 59-year-old former striker should know better than most, winning three tournaments as a player and making the ‌last of his seven tournament appearances at the age of 39.

    He ‌is now coaching at the event for the first time, taking Egypt to the last four as they search for their first title since 2010.

    Read Also: Chelle hints at tactical shift ahead of Super Eagles’ clash against Morocco

     “The standard of African football has increased markedly ⁠with the quality of players in each team being very impressive,” he ‌said on Tuesday.

     “There have been so many teams here with world​class players, not only the experienced players but also youngsters, who have match-winning ability and an incredible skill set.”

    Egypt have won the tournament a record seven times, but they start as underdogs for the semi-final against Senegal in Tangiers.

     “Every side has ‌its weaknesses, and we have studied Senegal in depth as we have planned for this game. We are sure they will be analysing our approach, too, so this could be decided ⁠on the small details,” Hassan predicted.

    Hassan has come in for some criticism after Egypt needed extra time to overcome Benin in the round of 16. They were then on the back foot for most of the quarter-final against Cote d’Ivoire .

     “I don’t give a damn about that,” Hassan told reporters at his  pre-match conference. “There are those who have confidence in what we are trying to achieve and those who are sceptical. I pay it no attention.”

    Much has been made ⁠of this possibly being a last chance for 33-year-old ‌Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah to win a trophy with the national team.

    Egypt teammate Mahmoud Trezeguet, like Salah, has lost in two previous Cup of Nations finals, but he has no doubt that Salah still has the quality ⁠to finish the job.

     “Salah is, for me, the best ​player out there,” Trezeguet said.

  • AFN partners  Roster Athletics to end age cheating scourge

    AFN partners  Roster Athletics to end age cheating scourge

    The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has fired a decisive shot at age falsification and poor athlete data management with the launch of a ground-breaking partnership with Roster Athletics.

    Under the leadership of AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, the federation announced the collaboration as a major turning point aimed at restoring credibility, transparency and global confidence in Nigerian athletics.

    Brokered by AFN Secretary General, Israel Inwang, the deal will see the immediate deployment of the Roster Athletics competition management platform across all AFN Championships—introducing a secure, verifiable and tamper-proof system that permanently addresses long-standing age discrepancy concerns.

     “This partnership is not just about technology, it’s about restoring confidence and ensuring fairness,” Inwang said. “We are taking concrete action to eliminate any doubt about our athletes’ credentials and our commitment to clean sport.”

    Beyond national championships, the platform will be rolled out to state associations, clubs and competition organisers nationwide, including road race organisers.

    Read Also: Chelle hints at tactical shift ahead of Super Eagles’ clash against Morocco

    Features include secure online registration, automated seeding, real-time results integration, live competition tracking and professional meet management tools.

    Chief Okowa described the move as a bold step to protect athletes and silence critics.

     “For too long, negative narratives have overshadowed the achievements of our athletes,” he said.  “This partnership provides irrefutable documentation and international-standard verification that will showcase Nigerian athletics with the credibility it deserves.”

    In a further reform push, AFN is introducing a compulsory athlete licensing system.

    Every registered athlete will now carry a unique AFN license number throughout their career, renewed annually and fully integrated into international athletics databases.

    The new system guarantees permanent athlete identification, transparent age documentation, complete career tracking and zero room for identity manipulation.

     “We are moving from defense to offense,” Inwang added. “Instead of reacting to criticism, we are building systems that make such criticism obsolete.”

    With training and support already in place, AFN says all affiliated bodies can begin using the platform immediately, signaling the start of a new chapter defined by integrity, modernization and accountability in Nigerian athletics.

  • Ex-NPFL Star Suleiman moves to  RB Leipzig

    Ex-NPFL Star Suleiman moves to  RB Leipzig

    Nigerian winger Sani Suleiman has completed his switch to German Bundesliga side RB Leipzig and has been officially unveiled by the club.

    The 19-year-old Nigeria U-20 international joins Leipzig from Slovakian club AS Trenčín after the two clubs reached an agreement. The deal is reported to be worth around €6.5 million, following the successful completion of his medical in Germany.

    Suleiman had attracted interest from several European clubs, including Brentford, Tottenham Hotspur, Rangers and Bayer Leverkusen. However, RB Leipzig moved quickly to secure his signature and won the race for the highly rated winger.

    Read Also: Chelle hints at tactical shift ahead of Super Eagles’ clash against Morocco

    The young forward first rose to prominence at Akwa United, where he won the Nigeria Premier Football League Rookie of the Season award. His performances earned him a move to AS Trenčín, where he continued to impress in Europe.

    With this transfer, Suleiman becomes the second Nigerian to play for RB Leipzig after Ademola Lookman. His unveiling marks another major step in his career as he prepares to test himself at the highest level of German football.

  • Okowa upbeat as AFN sets the pace for a blockbuster season

    Okowa upbeat as AFN sets the pace for a blockbuster season

    The gun has gone off early, and Nigerian athletics is already sprinting into a defining year.

    With a packed 2026 calendar that stretches across continents and competitions, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has boldly set the tone for what promises to be one of its most ambitious and eventful seasons in recent history.

    From grassroots development to elite global showdowns, the message is crystal clear, Nigerian athletics is back on the front foot.

    The season roars to life with registration and affiliation activities before flowing seamlessly into major domestic events like the AFN/Agroterra 10km Cross Country Race, the AFN Golden League, national championships, kids’ athletics series, and elite relays across Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Uyo, Benin City and beyond.

    It is a calendar designed not just to compete but to set a definite path to improve, restore lost glory and conquer.

    Internationally, Nigerian athletes will test themselves against the world, featuring at the World Relays, Diamond League meetings, World Junior Championships, World Athletics Ultimate Championships and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

    The exposure is deliberate. The ambition is unmistakable.

    At the heart of this renewed momentum is AFN President, Chief Tonobok Okowa, whose vision has injected fresh belief into the sport.

    Read Also: FULL LIST: What to know ahead of Super Eagles Clash against Morocco

    From his first days in office, Okowa has been vocal and consistent about one promise, to bring back the lost glory of Nigerian athletics.

     “This calendar is a statement,” an AFN insider noted. “It shows intent, structure, and belief in our athletes.”

    Okowa’s leadership philosophy is built on rebuilding systems, empowering athletes, supporting coaches, and restoring Nigeria’s reputation as a global athletics force.

    Anti-doping education, coaches’ workshops, regional championships and youth-focused competitions are not side notes but they are pillars of the plan.

    Perhaps most importantly, the calendar reflects balance, nurturing young talent through Kids Athletics R.A.C.E Series, sharpening elites through high-performance meets, and reconnecting fans with the sport through nationwide festivals and championships.

    As the tracks heat up from January to December, one thing is evident, AFN is no longer reacting; it is leading.

    With Chief Tonobok Okowa at the helm with the comprehensive support of the National Sports Commission (NSC), corporate bodies and a clear roadmap in hand, Nigerian athletics is chasing more than medals this season.

    “It is chasing identity, pride, and a return to the top. The season is long. The stakes are high. And for Nigerian athletics, the comeback has officially begun.” Okowa assured.

  • Zubair guides Telecom  to historic Egyptian Cup’s quarter-finals 

    Zubair guides Telecom  to historic Egyptian Cup’s quarter-finals 

    Nigerian coach Aliyu Zubair has continued his remarkable rise in African football, guiding Telecom SC of Egypt to their first-ever quarter-final appearance in the Egyptian Cup.

    Telecom secured the historic feat with a 2–1 victory over Pharco yesterday in a Round of 16 encounter, just three months after Zubair’s appointment as head coach.

    The latest triumph follows an earlier shock result in which Telecom eliminated Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the Round of 32, further underlining the immediate impact of the Nigerian tactician.

    Read Also: Chelle hints at tactical shift ahead of Super Eagles’ clash against Morocco

    Telecom SC dominated early proceedings and took the lead in the 17th  minute through Eid Ahmed. Nigerian forward Nwanna Okechukwu doubled the advantage shortly after the restart in the 46th  minute, before Karim El Tayeb pulled one back for Pharco in the 54th minute. 

    Zubair’s side, however, showed composure and tactical discipline to hold on for the historic win.

    Zubair joined Telecom SC in October 2025, and in just a few months has transformed the team into a fearless, organised unit capable of competing with Egypt’s elite.

    His success in Egypt builds on an impressive résumé that includes winning the Nigerian Federation Cup with El-Kanemi Warriors and securing promotion to the top flight with both Gombe United and El-Kanemi Warriors.

    Beyond club football, Zubair also serves as head coach of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, earning widespread respect for his ability to develop young talents. With Telecom SC now in the quarter-finals, attention continues to focus on a coach whose influence is rapidly extending beyond borders.

  • NNL shifts second stanza’s kick-off to Feb. 14

    NNL shifts second stanza’s kick-off to Feb. 14

    The Nigeria National League (NNL) has officially announced February 14 as the new date for the resumption of the second stanza of the 2025/2026 season.

    The league was initially scheduled to resume on January 31, but the restart has now been shifted by two weeks. The NNL Chief Operating Officer, Mr Danlami Alanana, disclosed the development on Tuesday while addressing journalists in Abuja.

    According to Alanana, the postponement was necessitated by logistics and other emerging circumstances, stressing that the decision was taken in the best interest of the league to guarantee a smooth and well-coordinated restart.

    Read Also: FULL LIST: What to know ahead of Super Eagles Clash against Morocco

    He urged all participating clubs to take advantage of the extended break to resolve outstanding logistical issues ahead of the resumption, adding that all conferences will return to action simultaneously on February 14.

    Meanwhile,  a club owners’ retreat is expected to hold later this month as part of efforts to strengthen league administration.

    At the halfway stage of the season, Inter Lagos, Akwa United FC, Doma United, and Ranchers Bees currently top the standings in their respective conferences. Only the conference winners at the end of the campaign will earn promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).