The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AFCON

  • FULL LIST: 25 viewing centres in Lagos for AFCON matches

    FULL LIST: 25 viewing centres in Lagos for AFCON matches

    The Lagos State Government has set up a mega viewing centre at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan ahead of the Super Eagles African Cup of Nations semi-finals clash with South Africa on Wednesday.

    The Onikan viewing centre is one of the 25 centres set up by government across the State to encourage residents to enjoy the best African football showpiece since it started on January 13 in Cote’D’Ivoire.

    Here is a full list of the 25 viewing centres in Lagos

    1. Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan
    2. Agege Stadium,
    3. Abesan Sports Centre,

    Read Also: AFCON semi-final: South Africa denies threatening Nigerians

    4. Alimosho LGA Secretariat,
    5. Agbado-Oke Odo, Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Secretariat,
    6. L.A. Primary School,
    7. Layeni, Ajeromi-Ifelodun,
    8. Anglican Primary School, Aradagun, Badagry.
    9. New Road Primary School, Ajegunle,
    10. Femi Gbajabiamila Mini Stadium, Coker-Aguda, Surulere,
    11. Epe Recreation Centre, Sprite Court, Festac,
    12. Igando-Ikotun LCDA Secretariat,
    13. Onisabe of Igbobi’s Palace, Jibowu,
    14.Alajede’s Palace, Ijede,
    15. Oba’s Palace, Ijegun,
    16. Ikorodu Town Hall,
    17. APC Party Secretariat, Ketu.
    18. Campos Mini Stadium, Lagos,
    19. Lagos House Car Park, Marina,
    20. Mushin Public Library,
    21. YMD Garden, Ojo,
    22. Olera Football Pitch, Ojokoro Housing Estate,
    23. Afolabi Primary School, Oshodi,
    24. Papa Playing Field, Oworonsoki and
    25. Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba.

  • AFCON 2023: Egyptian Omar to officiate Nigeria, South Africa clash

    AFCON 2023: Egyptian Omar to officiate Nigeria, South Africa clash

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF), has appointed Egyptian, Amin  Omar as referee for Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final encounter, between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and  Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

    Ademola Olajire, Director of Communications at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), stated this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said Omar’s compatriots; Mahmoud Abouelregal and Ahmed Ibrahim would play the roles of assistant referee 1, and assistant referee 2, while Sudanese Mahmood Ismail will serve as fourth official

    Olajire said that Attia Amsaaed from Libya will be the reserve assistant referee, with Yacoub  Elmi from Djibouti as commissioner and Aboubacar Doumbouya from Guinea as referee assessor.

    “Three-time champions Nigeria and 1996 champions South Africa face off in their second-ever Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash at the Stade de la Paix.

    “Their only previous meeting at the same stage, at the National Stadium in Lagos when Nigeria co-hosted the 2000 finals with Ghana, ended 2-0 in favour of Nigeria.

    “Wednesday’s clash is being billed as the more potentially-explosive of the two semi-finals, hosts Cote d’Ivoire will be up against Democratic Republic of Congo, given the pedigree, rivalry and ambition of the two teams,“he said.

    Read Also: Nigeria, South Africa tie is AFCON dream semi-finals, says Rohr

    South Africa only defeated Nigeria twice in 14 previous meetings at full senior level, though Nigeria edged an African Nations Championship clash by beating the hosts 3-1 in Cape Town in 2014.

    The Eagles are presently ranked 42nd in the world by FIFA, 6th in Africa, while the Bafana Bafana are 66th in the world and 12th in Africa.

    In 2019, both teams met at the quarter-final stage, with the Eagles beating South Africa  at the Cairo International Stadium 2-1, the goals came from Samuel Chukwueze and William Ekong.

    Both players are in the present squad and likely to be part of Wednesday’s battle. (NAN)

  • AFCON 2023: History favours Super Eagles against South Africa’s Boys

    AFCON 2023: History favours Super Eagles against South Africa’s Boys

    With their defence having been breached only once after five matches in this tournament, and considering their vast superiority in the record of previous encounters, Nigeria’s Super Eagles have the favourite tag going into Wednesday’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final against South Africa in Bouake.

    Tomorrow’s game will be the 15th  clash between both countries at full international level. Nigeria have won seven of the previous 14 matches, with five of those matches drawn and two won by South Africa.

    Apart from having to deal with the incredible energy, effervescence and pace of Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, another major problem that the Bafana Bafana will be up against early, in-game and at the latter stages is the intractability of wing-terrors Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon.

    Lookman, with three goals in the tournament so far (all coming in the knockout rounds), plus assisting Osimhen to score the equalizer against Equatorial Guinea, and Simon (with two assists) can be fleeting and entirely unpredictable for any defence, with both switching wings at will.

     A stingy rearguard, marshalled by on-field captain William Ekong, has been able to provide all the answers to a number of tricky questions by the opposition in their last four matches, and looks as solid as the Berlin Wall at the height of its glory.

    Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who plays his club football in South Africa, and who was thrown into the forefront as number one at this competition despite only one previous cap, said he would have a sweet day stopping all efforts by the Bafana Bafana and then seeing them shunted to the third-place match.

    “I know them and they know me. It will be an interesting evening in Bouake.”

    Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Zaidu Sanusi and Olaoluwa Aina are the other pegs in that rearguard, and the attack-minded Aina offers even more problems for the 1996 champions. 

    Ranked 42nd in the world and 6th  in Africa (as against South Africa’s global ranking of 66th in the world (and 12th in  Africa ), the Super Eagles are unbeaten in 10 competitive matches over the past 10 months, and even achieved a rare win in a friendly game when they edged Mozambique in Portugal in October 2023.

    As far as the Africa Cup of Nations go, Nigeria is aiming for a fourth star on its crest, while the Bafana (Boys) are only aiming for a second triumph, following their win on home soil 28 years ago.

    Read Also: AFCON: Avenge Nigerian artists’ loss to Tyla, Teni begs Super Eagles to defeat South Africa

    Even that win has always been downplayed by Nigerians as it happened in the absence of Cup holders Nigeria, who were stopped from travelling to the Rainbow Nation by military strongman Sani Abacha following a spat with President Nelson Mandela over the execution of environmental rights activist Ken Saro Wiwa and some others in November 1995.

    The first meeting between both countries was on 10th  October 1992, when Richard Owubokiri opened the floodgates of goals in a 4-0 win for Nigeria at the National Stadium, Lagos. Rashidi Yekini scored a brace. It was a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifying match. The return leg at the FBN Stadium in Johannesburg ended scoreless.

    Nigeria spanked South Africa 2-0 in the semi-finals of the 2000 AFCON they co-hosted with Ghana, with Tijani Babangida scoring both goals, and four years later, an Eagles’ team wounded by Morocco in its first match descended heavily on the Bafana, beating the latter 4-0 in a group phase match in Monastir, Tunisia.

    Four years ago, in the AFCON quarter-finals, the Eagles edged the Bafana 2-1 in Cairo, with the goals scored by Samuel Chukwueze and William Ekong. Both players will be in Bouake with Ekong to lead the squad on the field and Chukwueze likely to play some part in the proceedings.

    NIGERIA vs.  SOUTH AFRICA  PAST ENCOUNTERS

    10 Oct 1992: Nigeria 4 South Africa 0 (1994 WCQ, Lagos)

    16 Jan 1993: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0 (1994 WCQ, Johannesburg)

    10 Feb 2000: Nigeria 2 South Africa 0 (AFCON semi-final, Lagos)

    31 Jan 2004: Nigeria 4 South Africa 0 (AFCON finals, Monastir, Tunisia)

    17 Nov 2004: South Africa 2 Nigeria 1 (International Friendly, Durban)

    1 June 2008: Nigeria 2 South Africa 0 (2010 FIFA WCQ, Abuja)

    6 Sept 2008: South Africa 0 Nigeria 1 (2010 FIFA WCQ, Port Elizabeth)

    14 Aug 2013: South Africa 0 Nigeria 2 (International Friendly, Johannesburg)

    10 Sept 2014: South Africa 0 Nigeria 0 (2015 AFCON qualifier, Johannesburg)

    19 Nov 2014: Nigeria 2 South Africa 2 (2015 AFCON qualifier, Uyo)

    29 Mar 2015: South Africa 1 Nigeria 1 (International Friendly, Durban)

    10 June 2017: Nigeria 0 South Africa 2 (2019 AFCON qualifier, Uyo)

    17 Nov 2018: South Africa 1 Nigeria 1 (2019 AFCON qualifier, Johannesburg)

    10 July 2019: Nigeria 2 South Africa 1 (2019 AFCON Q-final, Cairo)

  • Mikel expects Eagles, Elephants AFCON finale

    Mikel expects Eagles, Elephants AFCON finale

    Nigerian football legend John Obi Mikel has predicated the two teams that will reach the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final.

    The Super Eagles will take on South Africa in the first semi-final match tomorrow before tournament hosts, Cote d’Ivoire , lock horns with DR Congo later on the same day.

    Asked if Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire  will reach the final on The Obi One podcast, Mikel said, “I think so.

    “I was thinking about it the other day and I was thinking that we managed to beat them in the group stage and they were on the verge of leaving, the tournament, and all of a sudden you know, they are back in it, and now.

     “They have got a wind with them and now are playing prettily okay but not so well, but they have started to win games, and now if they can manage to get to the final, who knows?”

    In a 14-year international career between 2005 and 2019, Mikel played 91 times for Nigeria, scoring six goals and he retired from professional football in 2022.

    At the 2013 AFCON finals in South Africa, Mikel was a key player for Nigeria as they went on to win their third continental title.

  • AFCON Semi-finals: Nigerians in South Africa warned on wild celebration

    AFCON Semi-finals: Nigerians in South Africa warned on wild celebration

    Nigerians in South Africa have been warned against wild celebration should Super Eagles defeat Bafana Bafana tomorrow for a place in the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations going on in Cote d’Ivoire.  

    The Nigeria’s High Commission in South Africa warned yesterday in advisory to Nigerians  in the Nelson Mandela’s country  titled: ‘Advisory on Safe Conduct for Nigerians in South Africa Before, During and After 2024 AFCON Match Between Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana’.

    It read: “The attention of the Nigeria High Commission Pretoria has been drawn to potentially inflammatory online comments made by a section of South African citizens against Nigerians living in host country, largely influenced by the upcoming 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday, 7th  February 2024.

     “Most of the comments consist of veiled threats against “Nigerians cooking jollof rice” before the match, and “showing pepper to Nigerians if the Bafana Bafana lose to Super Eagles”, among others.

     “In this regard, the High Commission hereby advises the Nigerian community to be watchful of their utterances, be mindful of where they choose to watch the match especially in public places, and refrain from engaging in loud, riotous or provocative celebrations should the Super Eagles win the match.

    Read Also: AFCON: Avoid wild celebration, Nigerians in South Africa warned

     “Additionally, Nigerians should maintain the good conduct they are known for, and be law abiding before, during and after the match. Should any provocations arise, they should not be reciprocated but reported to the appropriate authorities.”

    Conforming receipt of the advisory, the President of Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa, (NICASA)  Frank Onyekwelu said it was a timely warning to Nigerians in South Africa to be cautious even in celebration. 

    Onyekwure said: “It is just to sensitize our people against sudden occurrence of things after the match on Wednesday.

    “You are aware that Nigeria and South Africa have a match on Wednesday evening and it is always a do or die affairs for them. 

    “And we anticipate that should Nigeria win them, the locals may take it out of proportion to either fight Nigerians or cause mayhem or try to retaliate in a xenophobic way. 

    “You know our people and our loudness; they may try to rub it in their face, which they may react to. 

    “So we are trying to create awareness that our people should be careful especially where they are watching the match and the next day or two.”

  • AFCON: Avoid wild celebration, Nigerians in South Africa warned

    AFCON: Avoid wild celebration, Nigerians in South Africa warned

    Nigerians in South Africa have been warned against wild celebration should Super Eagles defeat Bafana Bafana on Wednesday.

    Nigeria is clashing with the South African football team for a place in the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations going on in Cote d’Ivoire.  

    The Nigeria’s High Commission in South Africa issued the warning on Monday in advisory to Nigerians in the Nelson Mandela country  

    The advisory was titled: “Advisory on safe conduct for Nigerians in South Africa before, during and after 2024 AFCON match between Super Eagles and Bafana Bafana” . 

    It reads: “The attention of the Nigeria High Commission Pretoria has been drawn to potentially inflammatory online comments made by a section of Siuth African citizens against Nigerians living in host country, largely influenced by the upcoming 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday 7th February 2024.

    “Most of the comments consist of veiled threats against “Nigerians cooking jollof rice” before the match, and “showing pepper to Nigerians if the Bafana Bafana lose to Super Eagles”, among others.

    “In this regard, the High Commission hereby advises the Nigerian community to be watchful of their utterances, be mindful of where they choose to watch the match especially in public places, and refrain from engaging in loud, riotous or provocative celebrations should the Super Eagles win the match.

    “Additionally, Nigerians should maintain the good conduct they are known for, and be law abiding before, during and after the match. Should any provocations arise, they should not be reciprocated but reported to the appropriate authorities.”

    Read Also: AFCON: Avenge Nigerian artists’ loss to Tyla, Teni begs Super Eagles to defeat South Africa

    Conforming receipt of the advisory, the President of Nigerian Citizens Association  in South Africa, NICASA,  Frank Onyekwelu said it was a timely warning to Nigerians in South Africa to be cautious even in celebration. 

    Onyekwure said, “It is just to sensitise our people against sudden occurrence of things after the match on Wednesday.

    “You are aware that Nigeria and South Africa have a match on Wdnesday evening and it is always a do or die affairs for them. 

    “And we anticipate that should Nigeria win them, the locals may take it out of proportion to either fight Nigerians or cause mayhem or try to retaliate in a xenophobic way. 

    “You know our people and our loudnes, they may try to rub it in their face, which they may react to. 

    “So we are trying to create awareness that our people should be careful.especaiily where they are watching the match and the next day or two.”

  • FULL LIST: Five Nigerian strikers with most AFCON goals

    FULL LIST: Five Nigerian strikers with most AFCON goals

    Nigeria is one of the best teams with the most success in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) history, winning the trophy three times and qualifying to the semi finals over 15 times.

    This success has largely been due to the flurry of attackers the nation has had.

    Here are five Nigerian attackers with the most AFCON goals:

    1. Rashidi Yekini – 13 goals: 

    Nigerian Rashidi Yekini screams 21 June 1994 through the net after scoring the first goal at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas during their World Cup match against Bulgaria. (FILM)

    Nigeria’s all-time highest goalscorer is also the man with the most goals at the African championships.

    Thirteen of Yekini’s 37 goals for the Eagles came at four Nations Cup tournaments.

    His last Afcon was his most glorious as Yekini scored five goals and reclaimed the highest goalscorer helping Nigeria emerge as champions at Tunisia ’94.

    2. Jay-Jay Okocha – Seven goals

    Okocha was also a member of that victorious squad at Tunisia ’94 but the midfielder did not score his first AFCON goal until Ghana/Nigeria 2000.

    The playmaker scored twice in the 4-2 defeat of Tunisia in the opening match before smashing a goal-of-the-tournament contender in the final against Cameroon.

    Okocha then sealed his place among Africa’s greats when he scored four times, finished joint-top scorer, and was named the Best Player of Tournament at Tunisia 2004.

    3. Segun Odegbami – Six goals

    Ghana hosted and won the 11th edition of the Afcon in 1978 but Segun Odegbami left his imprint on that tournament.

    Deployed mainly as a winger, the Shooting Stars of Ibadan ace contributed three goals in his first-ever appearance at the showpiece to help Nigeria secure the bronze medal.

    Two years later, Odegbami repeated his three-goal feat, and this time it was enough to seal the Eagles’ first-ever Afcon triumph and elevate him onto this exclusive list.

    4. Julius Aghahowa – Six goals

    Nigeria’s squad at Ghana/Nigeria 2000 had experienced and accomplished strikers in Arsenal’s Nwankwo Kanu, Wolfsburg’s Jonathan Akpoborie, Borussia Dortmund’s Victor Ikpeba, and Grazer AK’s Benedict Akwuegbu.

    Read Also: AFCON: Eagles goalkeeper Nwabali breaks 44-year record after clean sheet against Angola

    But it was Esperance’s teenage forward Julius Aghahowa who lit up that tournament with three spectacular goals, including the late, late brace that shot down Senegal in the quarterfinals.

    Nigeria finished a disappointing third yet again at Mali 2002 but it was a fantastic tournament on an individual level for Aghahowa. He netted another three goals to share the highest goalscorer award with two others – Patrick Mboma and Salomon Olembé – and made the Team of the Tournament.

    5. Odion Ighalo – Five goals

     Ighalo made his Afcon debut at Egypt 2019, but he showed he was no newbie in front of goal as he hit the target five times to claim the top scorer award even if the Super Eagles only stumbled to a third-place finish.

  • Nigeria will lose to Cape Verde in AFCON semis, fan predicts

    Nigeria will lose to Cape Verde in AFCON semis, fan predicts

    The Super Eagles will lose to Cape Verde in AFCON semi-finals, a football fan Amadu Raheem Komba Gbandeh has predicted. 

    Gbandeh shocked fans and pundits by accurately predicting the results of seven of the eight Round of 16 Africa cup of Nations games.

    Gbandeh’s prophetic pronouncements weren’t limited to safe bets. He boldly declared Senegal’s penalty-shootout defeat to Ivory Coast, Nigeria’s triumph over Cameroon and Cape Verde’s unexpected victory against Mauritania. 

    He became an overnight AFCON oracle when his Facebook post revealing his pre-match predictions went viral.

    “Just as I predicted, Cameroon, Namibia E. Guinea, and Egypt have all been knocked out of the AFCON,” Gbandeh proclaimed on social media. “What makes it even more interesting is that Egypt got ousted on penalties, just like I said a few days ago.”

    Read Also: AFCON: Eagles goalkeeper Nwabali breaks 44-year record after clean sheet against Angola

    His streak of AFCON prescience hasn’t been flawless though with South Africa’s 2-0 win over favorites  Morocco proving one prediction off the mark. But Gbandeh remains unmoved.

    He confidently predicted a Guinea vs. Cape Verde final with Guinea emerging victorious after extra time. But Guinea lost 3-1 to DR Congo yesterday night.

    He predicted Nigeria reaching the semi finals before succumbing to Cape Verde’s dominance, Cape Verde face South Africa later today in the a quarter finals match. 

  • Moses Simon bags second AFCON Man of Match

    Moses Simon bags second AFCON Man of Match

    Super Eagles winger Moses Simon emerged as the Man-of-the-match for his excellent display in today’s Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals clash against Angola.

    Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 to progress to the semi-finals stage of the competition.

    The Nante of France winger set up Ademola Lookman to score the only goal that gave Nigeria victory over Palancas Negras this evening at Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny, Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire.

    Read Also: ‘AFCON quarter-final not new to Bafana Bafana’

    Simon won the award for the second time in the tournament. He first won the award in the last group game against Guinea-Bissau.

    Speaking to journalists after the game, Simon said Nigeria’s victory over Angola is more important than individual awards.

    “I’m happy that I won the award again but I want to say that the most important is the victory against Angola today,” Moses said.

  • Razzl rewards partners, consumers with AFCON 2023 trips

    Razzl rewards partners, consumers with AFCON 2023 trips

    Razzl, the esteemed beverage brand and official soft drink of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has offered an exclusive opportunity for both trade partners and consumers to experience the thrill of 2023 AFCON live in Cote d’Ivoire. This is coming shortly after similar opportunities were earlier extended to the first batch of select fans, trade partners, and media partners in the opening stages of the tournament.

    In a unique and exciting twist, select consumers were chosen through a mystery shopping initiative, adding an element of surprise and anticipation to the selection process.

    Razzl provided its select trade partners and consumers with exclusive access to one of the most anticipated matches of 2023 AFCON – Nigeria vs. Cameroon at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan. The experience allowed attendees to witness the intensity of the game up close, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

    The activity commenced at the prestigious Sofitel Abidjan Hotel, where trade partners and consumers were enveloped in an atmosphere of luxury, setting the stage for an unforgettable journey that celebrated sophistication and cultural richness.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Super Eagles pick AFCON Semi-Finals ticket

    Participants also embarked on a thrilling speed boat ride to Rosa Beach, a picturesque coastal retreat. The rhythmic sounds of the waves became a melody as the idyllic beachfront set the stage for an exquisite lunch. The sea breeze and the soothing ambiance created a moment of sheer bliss, etching memories that would linger.

    The expedition reached its zenith at the bustling African market, a vibrant hub where consumers and trade partners immersed themselves in the tapestry of the Ivorian  rich heritage.

    Austin Ufomba, Chief Executive Officer of Ultimum Limited, stated that the AFCON is not just a football tournament but a celebration of unity, passion, and shared experiences.

    “Being the official soft drink of 2023 AFCON, we wanted to extend the joy of this celebration to our trade partners and consumers who have been integral to our success. The AFCON experience in the Ivory Coast is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we are excited to share this journey with those who have made Razzl their preferred choice,” he stated

    In the course of the tournament, Razzl has been at the forefront of enhancing the fan experience as well as creating memorable moments that celebrate the passion, unity, and excitement of African football.