The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CAF

  • Rexona, Axe, Dove join as official sponsors of CAF Africa Cup of Nations

    Rexona, Axe, Dove join as official sponsors of CAF Africa Cup of Nations

    In a game-changing partnership, Unilever Personal Care brands Rexona, Axe and Dove have been announced as the official sponsors of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 and TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024.

    The partnership with CAF was spearheaded by Unilever International, Unilever’s Global Business Unit and Unilever’s Personal Care Business Group.

    Read Also: CAF names Okocha, Diouf, Gyan, Hassan as Ambassadors

    This association makes Unilever the exclusive Personal Care Consumer Goods partner for the two tournaments, with the company working closely with CAF on a range of football initiatives across a selection of African countries over the duration of the agreement.

    The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023 will kick off on 13 January and is expected to be watched by over 800 million people worldwide, tuning in to catch the unique flavour of Africa’s biggest footballing celebration.

  • CAF names Okocha, Diouf, Gyan, Hassan as Ambassadors

    CAF names Okocha, Diouf, Gyan, Hassan as Ambassadors

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF)  has listed former  Super Eagles captain, Austine ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha along with El Hadji Diouf, Asamoah Gyan and Ahmed Hassan  as the first African football legends to be signed up in the newly-established CAF Ambassadors program.

    Football Legends, community role models and other popular personalities will form part of the CAF Ambassadors Programme. Their role will include promoting CAF and African Football, as well as playing an important role in other activities including tournaments, charity initiatives, commercial and social events amongst others.

    The criteria for selecting the four legends who are well-known public figures, according to CAF,  include but not limited to sporting and career achievement, social impact and commercial value.

    Nigeria’s iconic midfielder Okocha was a delight to watch during his hey days. He won the Africa Cup of Nations with the Super Eagles in 1994 and also Olympic gold two years later in Atlanta, USA.

    Diouf, a two-time CAF Player of the Year, is fondly remembered for his exploits with the Teranga Lions of Senegal which reached the final of the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations and also the quarters of the FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan.

    Read Also: Aregbesola sued for creating factions in APC

    On the other hand, Gyan had a remarkable career rising to captain of Ghana’s Black Stars, and featuring in seven Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the final in 2010 and 2015. His six goals from three FIFA World Cups makes him the African with the most goals in the history of the Mundial.

    On his part, Hassan remains one of the most decorated players in the history of African football, winning four Africa Cup of Nations titles with the Pharaohs of Egypt – 1998, 2006, 2008 and 2010.

    The Ambassadors Program is expected to open CAF and its activities to new frontiers with the inclusion of personalities from other fields, and also commercial benefits and social impact across the continent.

    Through the continuous connection with legends and celebrities, the program will open up new revenue streams for CAF and also enhance engagement with fans and other stakeholders globally.

    Meanwhile, CAF will announce more names that will form part of the Ambassadors Programme in due course.

  • CAF jacks up AFCON prize money to $7m

    CAF jacks up AFCON prize money to $7m

    · Super Eagles to get owed allowances

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a 40 per cent increase in the prize money for the Winner of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

    CAF said on its official website that the winner of the TotalEnergies AFCON will receive seven million dollars.

    It said the runner-up will now get 4 million dollars while each of the two Semi-finalists will receive 2.5 million dollars and each of the four Quarter-finalists will get 1. 3 million dollars.

    The President of CAF, Patrice Motsepe said: “CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the prize money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions.

    “We have increased the prize money of the AFCON Winner to seven million dollars which is a 40 per cent increase from the previous prize money.

    Read Also: Oil theft: Tinubu receives two Hi-Tech unmanned vessels from US

    “I am confident that a portion of the prize money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our member associations with their administrations, ”he said.

    In a related development, NFF will reportedly deliver a massive cash boost for the Super Eagles by clearing all bonuses and allowances of the team’s 26 matches that have been outstanding since 2021.

    These bonuses and allowances date back over three years covering 2022 World Cup and 2023 AFCON qualifiers and include a long list of friendly matches involving the Super Eagles.

    A top sports ministry official informed SCORENigeria that these outstanding payments were covered in the budget approved by the Federal Government for the forthcoming AFCON.

    “All the bonuses and allowances pending for the team will now be cleared after this budget approval,” he reportedly said.“This will be a big incentive for the team leading up to the AFCON.”

    The Super Eagles bonuses and allowances at the 2023 AFCON are guaranteed on account of this budget approval.

    The 2023 AFCON will kick off on Jan. 13 to Feb. 11 in Cote d’ Ivoire with 24 nations participating.

  • Super Eagles: CAF confirms Nwoke, Obasogie, 38 others in AFCON provisional list

    Super Eagles: CAF confirms Nwoke, Obasogie, 38 others in AFCON provisional list

    The Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro’s provisional squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has been publicised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

    CAF revealed the list on its website yesterday with uncapped Sporting Lagos Goalkeeper, Christian Nwoke, Bendel Insurance’s Amas Obasogie and Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp) all making the 40 man list.

    The Portuguese stuck with almost all the players that took part in the previous games with the exception of Yusuf who plays for Royal Antwerp; Bendel Insurance’s Obasogie and Sporting Lagos’ Nwoke.

    Peseiro picked six goalkeepers with erratic Francis Uzoho and Adebayo Adeleye leading the pack along with Ojo Olorunleke, and Stanley Nwabili who the Eagles coach reported went to South Africa to scout.

    There are 13 defenders in the list submitted to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) by Peseiro without any surprise inclusion. Ola Aina, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Tyrone Ebuehi, Jamilu Collins, Zaidu Sanusi, Bruno Onyemaechi, and Semi Ajayi.

    Read Also; ‘Lanrewaju Adepoju; a tribute

    Others are Calvin Bassey, Kenneth Omeruo, Kevin Akpoguma, Chidozie Awaziem, Jordan Torunarigha and William Troost Ekong who makes a return to the team after recent snubs by the Eagles coaches.

    Peseiro picked eight midfielders with Kelechi Nwakali who last played for the Super Eagles during the last AFCON in Cameroon. Regular suspects Frank Onyeka, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika Nwadike, Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi and Alhassan Yusuf.

    Victor Osimhen topped the list of attackers whose list was submitted to CAF. Victor Boniface, Ademola Lookman and Kelechi Iheanacho are other Eagles attackers who are making waves in Europe.

    Umar Sadiq, Ahmed Musa, Paul Onuachu, Cyriel Dessers, Nathan Tella, Moses Simon, Nathan Tella, Emmanuel Dennis, Terem Moffi and Samuel Chukwueze are also included by Peseiro.

    Peseiro is expected to make his final squad submission to the CAF before the January 3 deadline expires.

    NIGERIA’S 40-MAN PROVISIONAL SQUAD:

    1. Francis Uzoho (Omonia Nicosia)
    2. Ola Aina ( Nottingham Forest)
    3. Jamilu Collins (Cardiff City)
    4. Ndidi Wilfred (Leicester City)
    5. William Ekong (PAOK Thesaloniki)
    6. Semilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion)
    7. Ahmed Musa (Sivasspor)
    8. Ogochukwu Onyeka (Brentford FC)
    9. Victor Osimhen (Napoli)
    10. Ayodele-Aribo Oluwaseyi (Southampton)
    11. Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
    12. Ademola Lookman (Atalanta)
    13. Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto)
    14. Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City)
    15. Moses Simon (Nantes FC)
    16. Adebayo Adeleye (Hapoel Jerusalem)
    17. Calvin Ughelumba (Fulham FC)
    18. Alexander Iwobi (Fulham FC)
    19. Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad)
    20. Awaziem Collins (Boavista FC)
    21. Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC)
    22. Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa)
    23. Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba)
    24. Kevin Akpoguma (Hoffenheim)
    25. Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen)
    26. Onyemaechi Bruno (Boavista)
    27. Samuel Bright (Fenerbahce)
    28. Bonaventure Dennis (Istanbul Basaksehir)
    29. Ebere Onuachu (Trabzonspor)
    30. Terem Moffi (OGC Nice)
    31. Dessers Cyriel (Rangers FC)
    32. Tella Temitayo (Bayer Leverkusen)
    33. Nwadike Onyedika (Club Brugge)
    34. Oluwafisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor)
    35. Torunarigha Jordan (KAA Gent)
    36. Alhassan Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp)
    37. Kelechi Nwakali (CD Chaves)
    38. Christian Nwoke (Sporting Lagos)
    39. Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United)
    40. Obasogie Amas (Bendel Insurance)
  • FULL LIST: CAF confirms Super Eagles provisional list for AFCON

    FULL LIST: CAF confirms Super Eagles provisional list for AFCON

    The Super Eagles coach Jose Peseiro’s preliminary squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations has been made public by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

    CAF revealed the list on its website on Wednesday, December 20.

    Peseiro is expected to make his final squad submission to the CAF before the January 3 deadline expires.

    Here’s the full list of Nigeria’s provisional squad:

    1. Francis Uzoho

    2. Temitayo Aina

    3. Jamilu Collins

    4. Ndidi Wilfred

    5. William Ekong

    6. Ajayi Adesewo

    7. Ahmed Musa

    8. Ogochukwu Onyeka

    9. Victor Osimhen

    10. Ayodele-aribo Oluwaseyi

    11. Samuel Chukwueze

    12. Ademola Lookman

    13. Zaidu Sanusi

    14. Kelechi Iheanacho

    15. Moses Simon

    16. Adebayo Adeleye

    17. Calvin Ughelumba

    18. Alexander Iwobi

    19. Sadiq Umar

    20. Awaziem Collins

    21. Tyronne Ebuehi

    22. Kenneth Omeruo

    23. Ojo Oluwasegun

    24. Akpoguma Ufuoma

    25. Victor Boniface

    26. Onyemaechi Bruno

    27. Samuel Bright

    28. Bonaventure Dennis

    29. Ebere Onuachu

    30. Terem Moffi

    31. Dessers Cyriel

    Read Also: Super Eagles Tracker: Boniface scores, Nwakali shines

    32. Tella Temitayo

    33. Nwadike Onyedika

    34. Oluwafisayo Dele-Bashiru

    35. Torunarigha Jordan

    36. Alhassan Abdullahi

    37. Kelechi Nwakali’

    38. Christain Nwoke

    39. Stanley Nwabali

    40. Obasogie Amas

  •  CAF Confederation Cup Rivers United  ready for ‘hostile’  Club Africain, says Nwagua

     CAF Confederation Cup Rivers United  ready for ‘hostile’  Club Africain, says Nwagua

    Rivers United skipper, Nyima Nwagua , has urged  his teammates to strive to consolidate on their first leg result against Club Africain of Tunisia whom they meet on Wednesday in a CAF Confederation Cup Matchday Four tie in Tunis.

    Nwagua’s 40th  minute strike was enough to hand the three points to the Pride of Rivers in the first leg played in Uyo on December 10th .

    Speaking on their arrival in Tunis, Nwagua noted that with the situation around Group C, Rivers United cannot afford to miss out on any chance to pick more points that will boost their quarter final chances.

    “Our mission here is to try and consolidate on the result we got at home. With the way the group is going, every point will be important,” Nwagua reportedly said. “We are in a very good state of mind and the players are focused. We have played against them and we now know them. We know what is at stake and by the grace of God we will come out victorious.

    “The fans will be hostile to us but we know we shall be 11 vs 11 players on the pitch.’

    Read Also: Champions League last-16 draw: Arsenal play Porto, Man City to face Copenhagen

    “We were excited about the presence of the Nigerian Embassy officials in Tunis to welcome us. We know we have their support and with that, we know it will count for us.

    Meanwhile, Rivers United contingent consisting players and officials arrived Tunis yesterday ahead of tomorrow’s CAF Confederation’s Cup Group C Matchday Four tie against Club Africain

    The Pride of Rivers contingent arrived at the Tunis International Airport at about 11:16am (11:16am Nigeria time) via EgyptAir flight and was received by top officials of the Nigeria Embassy in Tunisia.

    The Stanley Eguma-tutored side go into the matchday four clash on a high after a well -deserved 1-0 win over Club Africain in Uyo.

    Tomorrow’s  match will hold at the 60,000-capacity Stade de Rades, from 8pm (Tunisian time), 8pm (Nigerian time).

  • AFCON 2023: CAF receives over 5,000 accreditation requests

    AFCON 2023: CAF receives over 5,000 accreditation requests

    The Confederation of  African Football (CAF), said it  has received over 5 000 media accreditation applications for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

    CAF said in its official  website on Saturday that the  applications are  90 per cent  more than that revived for Cameroon in 2021.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that media accreditation  closed on  Nov. 24 .

    It said that more than  70 nationalities have applied to cover the Africa’s biggest event.

    “The high demand has necessitated that CAF implement quotas for all the countries due to space demands.

    “CAF remains committed to ensure that fairness is applied across the board in allocation and implementation of quotas.

    “CAF believes in creating access for media and promoting media freedom,”it said.

    Read Also: CAF 2023 Awards: Okumagba Fetes Osimhen, Oshoala, Unveils Big Plan For AFCON

    It said that it will introduce new guidelines for non-rigths holders and enforce restrictions on filming and other activities to protect media (TV) rights holders.

    It said  that priority will be given to the host nation at 30 per cent,  participating countries, 35 per, regional (neighbouring) countries,  10 and rest of the world (countries) 25 per cent.

    “CAF is currently working closely with all the participating member associations to ensure that there is a fair representation in allocating the quotas of each country,”it said.

    It said that priority would  also be  given to Agencies.

    NAN reports that the 2023 AFCON will kick off on Jan. 13 2024 to Feb. 11 in Cote d’ Ivoire with 24 nations participating.
    (NAN)

  • Senate to FG: CAF awards, wake-up call for more investment in sports

    Senate to FG: CAF awards, wake-up call for more investment in sports

    The Senate through its committee on sports development on Wednesday, December 13, told the federal government that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awards given to Nigerian Sports Men and Women in Morocco last Sunday is a wake-up call for more investment in sports.

    The chairman of the committee, Senator Suleiman Kawu Sumaila, in a statement in Abuja, described the awards “as bold and big statements made on behalf of Nigeria by the winners.

    He said: “It is a wake-up call for the government to invest more in Sports and to pull the private sector more into it.”

    In the CAF Awards, Victor Osimhen won the Men African Player of the Year Award, Asisat Oshoala won the Women African Player of the Year Award, Chiamaka Nnadozie won Best Goalkeeper of the Year and Super Falcons won the Best Women National Team Award.

    Read Also: Tinubu celebrates  Osimhen, Oshoala, Nnadozie at CAF

    The committee congratulated President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Sports, Senator John Owan Enoh and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), on the feat recorded by Nigerians from the Awards.

    Senator Sumaila also described the Awards as a new dawn for sports in the country under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu.

    The statement read in part: “By this clean sweep of awards by our son, Victor Osimhen, our daughters Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie and the entire Super Falcons Team, we in the Senate Committee, will leverage on the success for Nation building.

    “We stand to be corrected, no sector has done Nigeria this proud. No sector has brought Nigeria honour and glory more than sports. This is the more reason for the development of the sector in making it one of the strongest pillars for the diversification of the Nation’s economy.

    “We will not encourage the handshake policy of the past to be used for those who have done us the new honours but ensure that those who deserve to be rewarded are handsomely rewarded to serve as an encouragement for others to strive to be the best.”

  • List of CAF Men’s Player of The Year winners since 1992

    List of CAF Men’s Player of The Year winners since 1992

    Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen on Monday, December 11, won the CAF 2023 Men’s Player of The Year award.

    The Napoli striker beat Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Senegal’s Sadio Mane, and Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, among others.

    He had a thunderous form in the last 2022/2023 football season.

    He helped his Italian club side, Napoli, win their third Scudetto 33 years after the era of the late Argentinian legend, Diego Maradona.

    Here is a list of CAF Men’s Player of The Year winners since 1992

    1. 2023: Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)

    2. 2022: Sadio Mane (Senegal)

    3. 2019: Sadio Mane (Senegal)

    4. 2018: Mohamed (Salah Egypt)

    5. 2017: Mohamed (Salah Egypt)

    6. 2016: Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)

    Read Also: CAF AWARDS: Osimhen, Oshoala rule Africa

    7. 2015: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)

    8. 2014: Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)

    9. 2013: Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)

    10. 2012: Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)

    11. 2011: Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)

    12. 2010: Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon

    13. 2009: Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)

    14. 2008: Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo)

    15. 2007: Frederic Kanoute (Mali)

    16. 2006: Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)

    17. 2005: Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)

    18. 2004: Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)

    19. 2003: Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)

    20. 2002: El Hadji Diouf (Senegal)            

    21. 2001: El Hadji Diouf (Senegal)

    22. 2000: Patrick M’Boma (Cameroon)

    23. 1999: Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)

    24. 1998: Mustapha Hadji (Morocco)

    25. 1997: Victor Ikpeba (Nigeria)

    26. 1996: Nwankwo Kanu (Nigeria)

    27. 1995: George Weah (Liberia)

    28. 1994: Emmanuel Amunike (Nigeria)

    29. 1993: Rashidi Yekini (Nigeria)

    30. 1992: Abedi Pele (Ghana)

  • FULL LIST: CAF releases women’s category shortlist

    FULL LIST: CAF releases women’s category shortlist

    The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the shortlisted players for the Women`s player for CAF award for 2023.

    A statement on the CAF website on Monday, said 10 players remain in the race for the prestigious individual honour.

    It said other categories included Interclub Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year and Club of the Year, have five nominees each.

    “The ultimate winner of each category will be decided after votes from a voting panel consisting of CAF Technical Committee, media professionals from Member Associations, Head Coaches & Captains of Member Associations and clubs involved in the group stages of the Interclub competitions,it said.

    It said the Awards Gala will take place on Monday, 11 Dec. 11 at the Palais des Congrès, Movenpick, Marrakech, Morocco.

    Full List of Nominees

    Player of the Year (Women)

    1. Ajara Nchout Njoya (Cameroon, Internazionale Milano)
    1. Anissa Lahmari (Morocco, Levante Las Planas)
    1. Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)
    1. Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco, AS FAR)
    1. Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona)
    1. Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)
    1. Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
    1. Hilda Magaia (South Africa, Sejong Sportstoto)
    1. Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa, Racing Louisville)
    1. Barbara Banda (Zambia, Shanghai Shengli)

    Goalkeeper of the Year (Women)

    1. Imane Abdelahad (Morocco, SC Casablanca)
    1. Khadija Er-Rmichi (Morocco, AS FAR)
    1. Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)
    1. Andile Dlamini (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
    1. Kaylin Swart (South Africa, JVW)

    Interclub Player of the Year (Women)

    1. Refilwe Tholakele (Botswana, Mamelodi Sundowns)
    1. Comfort Yeboah (Ghana, Ampem Darkoa)
    1. Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)
    1. Ghizlaine Chebbak (Morocco, AS FAR)
    1. Lebohang Ramalepe (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)

    Young Player of the Year (not more than 21 years)

    1. Comfort Yeboah (Ghana, Ampem Darkoa)
    1. Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille)
    1. Deborah Abiodun (Nigeria, Pittsburg Panthers)
    1. Esther Opeyemi Ajakaye (Nigeria, Delta Queens)
    1. Thubelihle Shamase (South Africa, University of Johannesburg FC)

    Coach of the Year (Women)

    1. Mehdi El Qaichouri (SC Casablanca)
    1. Reynald Pedros (Morocco)
    1. Randy Waldrum (Nigeria)
    1. Desiree Ellis (South Africa)
    1. Jerry Tshabalala (Mamelodi Sundowns)

    National Team of the Year (Women)

    Read Also: CAF Awards2023: Osimhen, Salah make Top 10

    1. Morocco
    1. Nigeria
    1. Senegal
    1. South Africa
    1. Zambia

    Club of the Year (Women)

    1. Ampem Darkoa (Ghana)
    1. AS FAR (Morocco)
    1. SC Casablanca (Morocco)
    1. Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
    1. JKT Queens (Tanzania)

    (NAN)