The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)

  • Rohr laments Mikel, Ighalo exit from Super Eagles

    Super Eagles Coach Gernot Rohr has described the retirement of Captain Mikel Obi and striker Odion Ighalo from international football after the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a bitter pill to swallow.

    He however commended both players for their meritorious services to the Super Eagles.

    While Mikel called it quit with the Super Eagles after the national team claimed the AFCON bronze medal following Ighalo’s solitary winner in the third place match on Wednesday, Ighalo amidst wide speculations formally announced his retirement on Friday after what he described as ‘an amazing five-year journey.’

    But speaking on the developments, Rohr said both players did exceptionally well during their spells with the Super Eagles:

    “I think the retirement of both  players (Mikel and Ighalo) means at first to recognise all what they have done for Nigerian football; Ighalo’s decision is very hard because he brought us with his goals to AFCON and bronze medal giving a good answer to all the critics.”

    Read Also: Eagles lost to a better team, says Rohr

    Super Eagles’ Team Media Officer (TMO), Toyin Ibitoye, said the retirement of the duo has presented fresh challenges to the coaching crew, noting Mikel and Ighalo would be sorely missed within the rank and file of the national team.

    “We will definitely miss both of them but that is just the reality of life; there is a time to start and a time to stop,” Ibitoye waxed philosophically.

    “The coaches now have their jobs cut out to fill the void left by these players with talents of almost same quality. It will not be easy but it is not also impossible.”

    Ibitoye further praised Ighalo for overcoming initial fears to be crowned as the 2019 AFCON Golden Boot winner after his five goals helped the Super Eagles to win the bronze medal.

    He said: “I am happy for Ighalo; his hard work has paid off. Hampered by hamstring worries at the start of the tournament and at the end, he still emerged as the top scorer. The Super Eagles will miss his (Ighalo) power play.”

  • AFCON: European to handle VAR as Nigeria vs Algeria gets underway

    A FiFA accredited referee has been assigned for tonight’s Africa Nations Cup showdown between Nigeria and Algeria in Cairo.

    The match will kick-off 8:00 pm Nigeria time.

    Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that Pol van Boekel – a Dutch ref will tahe charge of the Video Assistant Referee(VAR) system for the semi-final match.

    The Dutch started his international referee at the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, beginning with the match between Moldova and England. Van Boekel became a FIFA referee in 2008.

    Line-ups for : 

    Unchanged XI • 4-2-3-1 formation

    Kanu Nwankwo ahead remain upbeat on victory for Nigeria. The former Super Eagles forward said, “This game is important cos I believe if we get to the final, we are going to do it. “Against Algeria, all hands will be on deck and we are going to win. “The spirit is too strong and the Nigerian spirit is there with them.”

    Sportinglife.ng also understand that Man City manager Pep Guardiola has phoned Riyad Mahrez today and wished him the best of luck to win the whole competition.
                                       ALGERIA – NIGERIA LINE-UP
     

  • #AFCON2019: Nigeria vs South Africa head-to-head stats

    The past days have been filled with intense build-up to what could easily pass as one of the most important games ever between South Africa and Nigeria at the ongoing AFCON 2019 tournament in Egypt.

    Both teams will battle for a place in the semi finals today in Cairo.

    Here are interesting heads-to-head stats ahead of the game at the stadium of horror.

    • Nigeria are three-time African champions while Bafana Bafana won the tournament as hosts in 1996.
    • South Africa beat Nigeria away in their opening match of the AFCON qualifiers in June 2017 and were held 1-1 in the return fixture.
    • Nigeria have not won South Africa in their last five meetings.
    • The last time Nigeria defeated the South African national team was in a CHAN group stage game on August 19 ,2014 where Super Eagles won by 3-1 in Cape Town.
    • Ahmed Musa was the last Nigerian player to score against South Africa. it was in an international friendly in 2015 which ended in a 1-1 draw at Nelspruit.
    • South Africa have only managed to beat the Super Eagles twice in all and only once in a competitive game.
    • Nigeria’s first defeat against South Africa came in 2004. The 2-1 loss in 2004 was in friendly game used to mark Nelson Mandela’s birthday.
    • In 1992, Nigeria thumped South Africa 4-0 in Lagos on their return to international football after years of being banned owing to apartheid rule back. It was their first head-to-head meeting.
    • The most recent head-to-head meeting between the two sides was in August 2013 for the Nelson Mandela Challenge at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. Again Nigeria proved too much for South Africa by winning two-nil through Uche Nwofor’s brace of goals.

    Head to Head record:

    • Nigeria 2-0 South Africa, semi-final in 2000
    • Nigeria 4-0 South Africa, group stage in 2004

    Total head-to-head matches played: 13

    • Nigeria wins: 6
    • South Africa wins: 2
    • Draws: 5

    See Breakdown below:

    1. 10 Oct 1992 Nigeria vs South Africa            4-0      FIFA World Cup
    2. 16 Jan 1993 South Africa vs Nigeria            0-0      FIFA World Cup
    3. 10 Feb 2000 Nigeria vs South Africa            2-0     Africa Cup of Nations
    4. 31 Jan 2004 Nigeria vs South Africa            4-0      Africa Cup of Nations
    5. 17 Nov 2004 South Africa vs Nigeria           2-1      International Friendly
    6. 01 Jun 2008 Nigeria vs South Africa            2-0      FIFA World Cup
    7. 06 Sep 2008 South Africa vs Nigeria            0-1      FIFA World Cup
    8. 14 Aug 2013 South Africa vs Nigeria           0-2       International Friendly
    9. 10 Sep 2014 South Africa vs Nigeria           0-0       Africa Cup of Nations
    10. 19 Nov 2014 Nigeria vs South Africa          2-2       Africa Cup of Nations
    11. 29 Mar 2015 South Africa vs Nigeria          1-1        International Friendly
    12. 10 Jun 2017 Nigeria vs South Africa L        0-2        Africa Cup of Nations
    13. 17 Nov 2018 South Africa vs Nigeria         1-1        Africa Cup of Nations

  • AFCON 2019: Zaha sends Cote d’Ivoire into last eight

    Wilfried Zaha gave the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire a 1-0 win over Mali in their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) round of 16 match on Monday in Suez.

    Mali dominated most of the game however and missed a flurry of chances.

    Zaha, who had barely featured in the match until that point, took advantage as Mali got into a terrible mess from a Cote d’Ivoire goal kick in the 76th minute.

    Read Also: UPDATED: AFCON 2019: South Africa sends Egypt packing

    That was enough to earn his side a barely deserved win and quarter-final tie against Algeria.

    Mali, unbeaten in the group stage, had played with verve and skill as they took their southern neighbours apart in the first half.

    Moussa Djenepo and Abdoulaye Diaby caused all sorts of trouble down the flanks and Moussa Marega was a constant threat in attack.

    But, as they began to tire after around an hour, Cote d’Ivoire came back into the game.

    Jonathan Kodjia missed gilt-edged chance when he was one-on-one with goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, but Zaha was not so forgiving minutes later.

    NAN

  • UPDATED: Morocco beat Ivory Coast 1-0 to reach AFCON Round of 16

    Morocco reached the knockout stage of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after beating Ivory Coast 1-0 on Friday to serve notice that they are one of the sides to beat at the tournament in Egypt.

    Youssef En-Nesyri’s 23rd-minute goal ensured a second win in Group D for Morocco, who move onto six points and join fellow heavyweights Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria with a 100 per cent record.

    Read Also: Mali expel player from 2019 AFCON

    The win came after a polished performance by the North African side, one of the pre-tournament favourites but whose only success in the continental championship came 43 years ago.

    The goal was brilliantly crafted by Noureddine Amrabat’s mazy run as he eliminated four players, before a short ‘no-look’ pass set up En-Nesyri for a left-footed finish.

  • AFCON 2019: Mali vs Tunisia: match ends in a 1-1 draw

    Mali vs Tunisia ended 1-1 at the Suez Stadium at the Africa Cup of Nations Group E clash on Friday, June 28.

    The Eagles were the first to get a goal in the 60th minute after Wajdi Kechrida played a corner kick which was pushed into the net by the Tunisian goal keeper, Mouez Hassen. The Carthage Eagles got an equalising goal from a free kick which deflected and went straight in the net.

    This result keeps the Eagles of Mali on top of the group with 4points.

    Also Read: Mali expel player from 2019 AFCON

     

    Details shortly…..

  • Lagos to open viewing centres for 2019 AFCON

    In fulfillment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to engendering community engagement, Lagos For-All and Unity among Lagosians regardless of ethnic and religion background, Lagos State Government has concluded plans to beam live matches of the 32nd edition of the 2019 Africa cup of Nations (AFCON) at designated viewing centres across the city of Lagos through ‘LAGOS ISSA GOAL’ initiative.

    Put together by the Lagos State Government through Lagos State Sports Commission in partnership with Slimburg Ltd (the official partner/agent), Egypt 2019 Live in Lagos underscore the influence of sports in community engagement and nation-building.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu has continued to thank and appreciate Lagosians for their overwhelming support and unwavering steadfastness during the last general elections and has pledged to uplift the fortune and impact of sports “For a Greater Lagos”

    With twenty-four (24) Africa nations and best of African players on parade, 2019 AFCON Live in the city of Lagos promises to be a 29-day of unforgettable football experience, full of maximum fun, comradeship and entertainment.

    Read Also: 2019 AFCON: Eagles’ll do well – Nwafor

    The 2019 Total Africa Cup of Nations will hold in four Egyptian cities – Ismailia, Alexandria, Suez and Cairo from June 21 to July 19th.

    Being the biggest soccer fiesta in Africa, the initiative by State Government will give those who cannot afford Pay TV the opportunity to watch all 52 live matches at Epe Recreation Centre, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Mushin Youth Centre, Abesan Playing Ground, Campos Mini The stadium, Naval Barrack Ajegunle, Epe Recreation Centre, Badagry Ikorodu among others.

    Adequate security, safety and traffic management will be in place before and during the 52 live games across the city of Lagos.

  • AFCON Qualifier: Ighalo, Iwobi, Ajayi early birds in Eagles’ camp

    Odion Ighalo, Alex Iwobi, and Semi Ajayi were among the first arrivals in the Super Eagles’ camp in Asaba on Monday ahead of Friday’s 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying match against Seychelles.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that three-time African champions, Nigeria, have already booked a place in the AFCON holding in Egypt in July, with the encounter against Seychelles hardly more than an academic exercise.

    But the Eagles have spoken of the need to end the qualification series on a high and maintain their reputation while using the game to kick-start preparations for the continental competition.

    They take on the Pirates of Seychelles at the Stephen Keshi Stadium from 4p.m. on Friday.

    A statement by Ademola Olajire NFF’s Director of Communications said that nine players including forward Ighalo, and midfielders Iwobi and Ajayi were among first arrivals at the team’s camp in Asaba.

    “Goalkeepers Francis Uzoho, Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Daniel Akpeyi are all in town, as well as home –based professionals Ikouwem Utin, Ndifreke Effiong and Valentine Ozornwafor.

    Read Also: Ighalo: Eagles need to prepare well for 2019 AFCON

    “The bulk of the invited group of 23 will come in on Tuesday, with the international friendly against the Pharaohs of Egypt on Tuesday next week also in mind,” Olajire said.

    NAN also reports that Technical Adviser Gernor Rohr called up 23 players for the two matches, with Ikouwem Utin and Effiong leaping onto the list as a result of injuries to Samuel Kalu and Ola Aina.

    NAN