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13th Women AFCON: Super Falcons to know group stage opponents on Friday

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Nine-time champions Nigeria will know their opponents for the group phase of next year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations competition when the draw is conducted at the Technic Centre of the Mohamed VI Football Complex in Sale, outside Rabat, Morocco on Friday evening. The field of 12 finalist-teams will be framed into three groups of four teams each, with the top two teams in each group, as well as the best two third-placed teams in the three groups, advancing to the quarter-finals of the competition scheduled for Morocco. Of the 12 previous tournaments held since Nigeria hosted the inaugural in 1998, the Super Falcons have been victorious nine times, with Equatorial Guinea winning twice and South Africa sweeping to victory in the last edition, also hosted by Morocco in July 2022. All the four top-placed teams in that last edition are also in the field of 12 this time, viz Cup holders South Africa, hosts Morocco, Zambia and Nigeria. Also qualified are Ghana, Algeria, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, Senegal, Tanzania and Mali. The 13th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals will take place 5th – 26th July 2025.

Morocco 2025: Osimhen, Ekong, Ndidi, others to battle Benin Republic, Rwanda

CAF AFCON 2025: Nigeria, 23 others confirmed for Morocco finals

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

The full roster of 24 nations set to compete in the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is now confirmed, with Mozambique clinching the final spot after defeating Guinea-Bissau 2-1 on Tuesday.

Sports

FIFA unveils brand new Club World Cup trophy

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago05 mins

Global football’s governing body FIFA have revealed a brand new trophy to accompany the relaunch of the Club World Cup in the summer of 2025. Manchester City will be present at the tournament hosted by the United States next summer following their success in the UEFA Champions League at the tail-end of their historic 2022/23 Treble-winning season. After the single-goal triumph over Inter Milan at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Manchester City would also qualify for the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, in which the club would emerge victorious on both occasions. Success in Saudi Arabia via wins over Urawa Red Diamonds and Fluminense would also mean that Manchester City would retain their status as World Champions for a period of two years, with FIFA opting to put the 2024 edition of the tournament on hold ahead of the expanded edition. 2025 will see the return of the FIFA Club World Cup in a new and expanded format, as a total of 32 teams will take to the stage across multiple stadiums in the United States, in what will also act as a warm-up for the nation ahead of co-hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2026. And alongside the arrival of a revamped tournament comes a revamped trophy, as unveiled by FIFA this week which implements a 24-carat gold-plated finish and multiple laser-engraved inscriptions all over. Those inscriptions also tell the story of football’s history, 13 languages, Braille and a world map, highlighting the spread and inclusivity of the global game, with the unveiling in anticipation of the Club World Cup draw taking place on Thursday 5 December. Manchester City’s involvement at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup opens up the prospect of the club partaking in around 70 matches across competitions this season, in what is becoming an increasingly concerning picture for global football athletes through such demands. Defensive midfield superstar and recently-crowned Ballon d’Or winner Rodri hinted at players from across the game taking matters into their own hands amid the growing fixture schedule, suggesting that strike action may be the only route to take in order for their voices to be heard. This week has seen Rodri’s club teammate Bernardo Silva also weigh in on the matter, as he said, “This break has been very beneficial for us. Let’s not deny it: it was a difficult time for our team.” He continued, “It had never happened to me in my career. At City, I can’t even remember losing two games in a row. “It’s [the break] done us good, because there are players who will be back from injury, and we have fresh heads to get back to our maximum level at this stage of the season.”

WCL: Edo Queens’ Essien, Odoma top CAF Best XI

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

Edo Queens duo of Emem Essien and Cordeila Odoma have been shortlisted as one of the eleven top performers following the conclusion of the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024 group stages. According to CAF’s Technical Study Group (TSG) Odoma alongside AS FAR’s Nouhaila Benzina, Shadia Nankya of FC Masar and Karabo Dhlamini of Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies complete the back four as full-backs. The attacking trio is led by Edo Queens’ lethal Emem Essien, who is assisted by AS FAR teenage-star, Doha El Madani as well as Lacho Marta of TP Mazembe. UWC’s highly experienced Amogelang Motau anchors the midfield, just behind the attacking pair of AS FAR’s Sanaa Mssoudy and Sandrine Niyonkuru of FC Masar. AS FAR shot-stopper Khadija ER-Rmichi, with just one concession in the group stages, rightfully earns the goalkeeper position. The CAF TSG comprises various African football experts, including coaches, analysts, and technical advisors. The Best 11 is headlined by four AS FAR players, two each from tournament debutants, Edo Queens as well as FC Masar, while Mamelodi Sundowns, University of the Western Cape (UWC) as well as TP Mazembe make up the final 11. The CAF Technical Study Group also confirmed the best performing players and coach for the group stages as follows: Top Goalscorer Doha El Madani (5 goals) AS FAR #7 Best Player Sanaa Mssoudy AS FAR #18 Best Goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi AS FAR #1 Best Coach Ahmad Ramadhan FC Masar The tournament enters the exciting knockout stages today (Tuesday), 19 November, when Edo Queens takes on TP Mazembe at 4pm Nigeria time before former champions AS FAR take on FC Masar at 7pm.

AFCONQ: Rwanda stun Super Eagles comeback victory

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Nigeria’s Super Eagles concluded their Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifiers with a shocking 2-1 loss to Rwanda. The match, held on Monday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, showcased the underdog’s resilience as the Rwandan side came from behind to secure victory. However, Nigeria had already qualified for AFCON 2025 in Morocco, finishing top of the group with 11 points. Samuel Chukwueze gave Nigeria the lead in the 59th minute, delighting the home crowd. Rwanda, however, quickly responded, with Aimable Mutinzi equalising in the 72nd minute. Just three minutes later, Imanishimwe Nshuti completed the comeback, sealing a memorable win for Rwanda. The first half ended goalless, with both teams missing opportunities to take control. In the second half, Nigeria’s early dominance faltered as Rwanda capitalised on defensive lapses. Nshuti, who was later booked for time-wasting, emerged as the hero for the visitors. Despite the defeat, Nigeria topped Group D with three wins, two draws, and one loss, earning 11 points. Benin and Rwanda both finished with 8 points, but Benin secured second place on goal difference to join Nigeria in the tournament proper. Libya finished at the bottom of the group with 5 points.

Ademola Lookman tops CAF Awards final shortlist

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

The Confederation African Football (CAF) has officially unveiled the Top Five Nominees in each of the Men’s Categories of the upcoming CAF Awards 2024. The 2024 edition of the CAF Awards is set to take place in Marrakech, Morocco on 16 December 2024. Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire / Brighton & Hove Albion), Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain), Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta) Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) have all been lined up for CAF Awards 2024 Player of the Year Top Prize. Other categories announced today include Goalkeeper of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Club of the Year, National Team of the Year. The glittering ceremony designed to celebrate African football excellence recognizes exceptional performances in both club and national competitions, culminating in the prestigious tites of CAF African Player of the Year in both the men’s and women’s categories. A total of seven (7) categories have been confirmed by CAF in the Men’s Category of the awards, shortlisting the five top performing players, coaches and teams in each of the categories. The CAF Awards 2024 cover the period between January 2024 and October 2024. PLAYER OF THE YEARSimon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire / Brighton & Hove Albion)Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund)Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta)Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) GOALKEEPER OF THE YEARAndre Onana (Cameroon / Manchester United)Yahia Fofana (Cote d’Ivoire / Angers SCO)Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt / Al Ahly)Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria / Chippa United)Ronwen Wlliams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEARIssoufou Dayo (Burkina Faso / RS Berkane)Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’ (Egypt / Zamalek)Hussein El Shahat (Egypt / Al Ahly)Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt / Al Ahly)Ronwen Wlliams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns) COACH OF THE YEARPedro Goncalves (Angola)Emerse Fae (Cote d’Ivoire)Sebastien Desabre (DR Congo)Marcel Koller (Al Ahly)Hugo Broos (South Africa) YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEARKarim Konate (Cote d’Ivoire / Salzburg)Oumar Diakite (Cote d’Ivoire / Reims)Yankuba Minteh (Gambia / Brighton & Hove Albion)Eliesse Ben Seghir (Morocco / AS Monaco)Lamine Camara (Senegal / AS Monaco) CLUB OF THE YEARAl Ahly (Egypt)Zamalek (Egypt)RS Berkane (Morocco)Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia) NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEARCote d’ivoireDR CongoNigeriaSouth AfricaSudan

AFCONQ: Eguavoen names Boniface, Iheanacho, benches Osimhen for Rwanda clash

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago01 mins

Interim head coach Austin Eguavoen has named Victor Boniface and Kelechi Iheanacho to lead the Super Eagles attack against the Amavubis of Rwanda in today’s AFCON 2025 deadrubber qualifying clash. In the absence of Stanley Nwabali, Maduka Okoye will be in goal while Bright Osayi-Samuel, Gabriel Osho, William Troost Ekong are in the heart of defence. Bruno Onyemachi, Frank Onyedika, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and Moses Simon are saddled with midfield role. The substitutes are; Amas Obasogie, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, Calvin Bassey, Victor Osimhen, Sadiq Umar, Jamilu Collins and Samuel Chukwueze. The tie is slated to kick off at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium at 5pm Nigeria time.

Galatasaray coach calm amid Man Utd talk for Osimhen

Prince Odutola1 month ago1 month ago01 mins

Galatasaray coach Buruk Okan expects Victor Osimhen to see out the season. Osimhen is on-loan at Gala from Napoli, which have been approached by Manchester United in recent days for the Nigeria striker. But Okan said: “Osimhen intends to stay here until the end of the season. “He also wants to stay and has been telling me the same thing since the beginning. There is a clause, but it doesn’t matter, he said he will stay. “The important thing is the player, it is the player who decides and Osimhen says he will stay here. He said the same thing when he came.”