Egypt 2025: Nigeria to Go Hard on Morocco For Early Ticket into Quarter Finals

Another North African delicacy is served to the Flying Eagles as they confront Morocco in Group B’s top-of-the-table clash at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on Sunday evening. Auwal Ibrahim’s 37th minute strike snatched the maximum points against the Tunisians on Thursday, but Morocco then upstaged a very good Kenyan side 3-2 in the day’s second match to crawl to the top of the table on goals’ difference. For the second time in consecutive games, the Lion Cubs also face the daunting challenge of a sub-Saharan squad weaned on power, pace and clinical delivery, and the night encounter in downtown Cairo promises fireworks and cutting-edge entertainment. Goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt, who plays his club football for exciting Lagos ensemble, Sporting Lagos, came up with a big save three minutes to the end against Tunisia, and will surely be called on for more interventions against the Lion Cubs who are not shy to shoot from any distance. Captain Daniel Bameyi, Adamu Maigari, Caleb Ochedikwu and Odinaka Okoro built a tight rearguard on Thursday, and must be even more alert on Sunday to protect Harcourt, and also feed midfielders Divine Oliseh and Clinton Jephta as the Flying Eagles push forward. CAF’s brandishing of forward Kparobo Arierhi (who scored three goals at the WAFU B U20 Championship and netted one of the goals in the 2-1 defeat of hosts Egypt in a friendly last week) as one of the players to watch out for in Egypt, has cast the Norway-based as a goldfish, and the tight marking by Tunisian defenders was surely as a result of the searchlight. Nonetheless, Arierhi must endeavour to prove himself going forward, and Head Coach Aliyu Zubairu’s desire for an early ticket to the quarter finals means the forward must diligently seek to extricate himself from any contrived mesh. Auwal Ibrahim, hero against Tunisia, showed he is capable of a quick-slip-and-delivery, and will also be relied on to carve the Moroccan defence open and hurt them on the break. Victory will take the Flying Eagles to the top of the pool, and a confirmed spot in the quarter finals, ahead of their last group phase feud with Kenya on Wednesday.

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U20 AFCON: Flying Eagles Draw Tunisia, Kenya and Morocco

Nigeria will now have to contend with Morocco, Kenya and Tunisia in the group phase of the 24th Africa U20 Cup of Nations taking place in Egypt, 27th April – 18th May this year. At the redraw conducted in the headquarters of the Egypt Football Association in Cairo on Sunday, Egypt and South Africa, who were originally in Nigeria’s pool before Cote d’Ivoire withdrew as tournament hosts, found themselves in Group A. New hosts Egypt head Group A, which has five teams – with Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa and Tanzania as the other teams. However, just like it was originally, the Flying Eagles will confront two North African teams (this time, Tunisia and Morocco), as well as East Africans Kenya, for a place in the quarter-finals. Cup holders Senegal head Group C, with Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana as opponents. Back in Abuja following their three-week training camp in Katsina, the seven-time African champions are expected to fly to Egypt this week for an eight-day final-phase preparation before the competition commences. All four semi-finalists at the tournament in Egypt will fly Africa’s flag at this year’s FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile, 27th September – 19th October. GROUP A: Egypt, Zambia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania GROUP B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Kenya, Morocco GROUP C: Senegal, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Ghana

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Rivers Hoopers Move One Step Closer to BAL Playoffs

Rivers Hoopers look set to seal their spot in the playoffs of the Basketball Africa League season five after a dramatic 79-71 victory over Morocco’s FUS Rabat on Thursday. Despite trailing for the better part of three quarters, the Hoopers staged one of the most impressive comebacks of the conference, dominating the fourth quarter. Madut Akec led the way with a standout performance of 17 points and 8 rebounds, while Raphiel Putney contributed 14 crucial points, including key baskets in the final quarter. Peter Olisemeka was rock solid in the paint, posting a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Maxi Munanga Shamba added 11 points. Kelvin Amayo was instrumental all-around with 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. “We had scouted them, so we knew what they could do and what they couldn’t do. All in all, it was down to determination and who wanted it most because it put us in a great position to qualify for South Africa for the playoffs,” said Rivers Hoopers head coach Ogoh Odaudu. The Kingsmen will next face Al-Ittihad Alexandria in their fifth game of the Kalahari Conference on Saturday before playing against Stade Malien on Sunday. The Rivers Hoopers are now set to join the continent’s elite in South Africa for the main phase of the Basketball Africa League, marking a major achievement for Nigerian basketball.

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CHAN Qualifier: Moroccan referee for Nigeria, Ghana clash

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has selected Moroccan official Hamza El Fariq as referee for Saturday’s African Nations Championship qualifying game against Ghana’s Black. El Fariq will be assited by his compatriots Abdessamad Abertoune, Zakaria Bouchtaoui and Hicham Temsamani to serve as assistant 1, assistant 2 and fourth official respectively. Prince Kai Saquee from Sierra Leone will be the commissioner while Miboti Moise from the Democratic Republic of Congo will be in the role of referee assessor.

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Marrakech’s Palais des Congrès to host 2024 CAF Awards

Africa will celebrate its top performers for the year when the 2024 CAF Awards are staged in Marrakech, Morocco on Monday, 16 December 2024. The prestigious event takes place at the Palais des congrès de Marrakech with the ceremony set to kick off at 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT/ 20h00 Cairo time/ 21h00 East African time). The CAF Awards shine a spotlight on the continent’s most outstanding football talents, celebrating their exceptional achievements in both club and national competitions. The highlight will be the crowning of the CAF African Player of the Year in both the men’s and women’s categories, two of the most coveted individual honors in African football. The event will also feature a range of other categories, including best coach, best national team, and best club, recognising excellence across the full spectrum of African football. This year’s awards ceremony promises to be a spectacular affair, with a star-studded lineup of nominees and guests from across the continent and beyond. With Morocco’s rich footballing history and vibrant culture, Marrakech is the perfect backdrop for this prestigious celebration and a must-watch event for fans around the world. In the Men’s Player of the Year category, five names remain in the race for the celebrated individual honour. Other categories include, 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, also have five nominees each. Full List of Nominees (in alphabetic order by Member Association) Player of the Year (Men) 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) Player of the Year (Women) Sandrine Niyonkuru (Burundi / FC Masar)Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi / Olympique Lyonnais)Temwa Chawinga (Malawi / Kansas City Current)Sanaâ Mssoudy (Morocco / AS FAR)Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Paris FC)Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria / Atletico Madrid)Jermaine Seoposenwe (South Africa / Monterrey)Thembi Kgatlana (South Africa / Tigres UANL)Barbra Banda (Zambia / Orlando Pride)Racheal Kundananji (Zambia / Bay FC)

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Morocco to host 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League 

The Confederation of African  Football (CAF) has announced that Morocco will host the 2024 edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League Finals. The CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024 will be played between 09-23 November 2024. Morocco hosted the 2022 edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League – the premium women’s club football competition in Africa. Eight (8) Clubs will contest the top prize. Winners will get USD 400 000 in prize money with runners-up walking away with USD 250 000.  Mamelodi Sundowns are the current holders – having won the competition twice in three years. Morocco’s ASFAR is the other team that has won the Competition – back in 2022 when they defeated Mamelodi Sundowns. Since it’s inception, the CAF Women’s Champions League played a key role in shaping women’s football in Africa. Morocco’s hosting of the CAF Women’s Champions League follows the nation’s successful hosting of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 which also enjoyed unparallelled success. Six Zonal tournaments took place to qualify 6 teams in addition to the host and the holder of 2023 title to the FT of CAF WCL 2024. The following teams are qualified: CAF Women’s Champions League Qualified Clubs: Holders: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) Host : ASFAR (Morocco) WAFU A  : Aigles de la Medina (Senegal) WAFU B  : EDO Queens (Nigeria) COSAFA  : University of Western Cape (South Africa) UNAF   : Tutankhamun (Egypt) CECAFA: CBE FC (Ethiopia) UNIFFAC: TP Mazembe (DR Congo)

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