Nigeria’s legendary captain, Joseph Yobo, has expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances of clinching a fourth TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title at the 2025 tournament, following the official draw held on Monday in Rabat, Morocco.

The Super Eagles were drawn into Group C alongside 2004 champions Tunisia, East African duo Uganda and Tanzania—co-hosts of the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF AFCON.

Reflecting on the group and Nigeria’s historical pedigree, Yobo, a key figure in Nigeria’s last AFCON triumph in 2013, was optimistic about the team’s prospects.

“We have a good young crop and a new generation of players that have been together for a long time, so I don’t think that understanding is a problem for them,” Yobo said.

“Looking at the group, it’s never going to be easy for us, but knowing the Super Eagles, coming out of the group is never a problem.”

Nigeria heads into the tournament with a storied AFCON history, boasting 16 medals from 20 appearances, including three titles (1980, 1994, and 2013), five runner-up finishes, and eight bronze medals.

The team narrowly missed adding a fourth star in 2023, falling 2-1 to Côte d’Ivoire in the final.

Yobo, who was also one of the assistants during Monday’s draw, emphasized that the team’s focus should not just be on progressing through the group stage but on securing the ultimate prize.

“I hope that we start very well and we can take that momentum to the final. We are building on our last performance at AFCON 2023, and it’s about time we get our hands on the trophy again. I think we have the players and a wonderful new coach to do that.”

Tunisia, the most decorated opponent in Group C after Nigeria, will pose a significant challenge.

The North Africans famously knocked out the Super Eagles in the 2021 Round of 16 and boast one AFCON title from their 21 appearances.

Uganda, making their eighth appearance, and Tanzania, featuring for only the fourth time, will aim to upset the odds.

Yobo, however, remained confident, highlighting Nigeria’s depth and the recent improvements under their new coach. “We do have a very good team, the players are improving. It’s all about carrying that energy from the group stages and keeping the momentum,” he noted.

AFCON 2025, scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, promises thrilling encounters with 24 nations vying for glory in Morocco.

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Abuja – The Draw Ceremony for the 35^th Africa Cup of Nations finals will take place today’s evening at the Mohamed V National Theatre in Rabat, Casablanca, Morocco

Three-time African champions Nigeria have been placed in Pot 1, alongside seven-time winners Egypt, three-time champions and Cup holders Cote d’Ivoire, two-time winners Algeria, hosts and 1976 champions Morocco and 2021 winners Senegal.

Super Eagles’ Head Coach Éric Sékou Chelle and Team Administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, alongside the Chairman of NFF Technical and Development Committee, Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa will attend the colourful ceremony in the heart of Morocco’s administrative capital.

The final tournament that begins on 21^st December and ends on 18^th January is unique in some ways, including being the first ever to start in a particular year and run into another year. Morocco will play host to Africa again since hosting the 1988 tournament that was won by Cameroon. The North African country was handed the hosting right for the 2015 finals, but ducked at the eleventh hour in the midst of the ebola scare across some nations in the continent.

Since then, the country has hosted a plethora of football championships, including the African Nations Championship in 2018 (which she won), the Women Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 (in which she finished as runner-up) and the FIFA Club World Cup in 2023. Morocco will also co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup finals alongside neighbours Spain and Portugal.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles hold the record for the most medals from the 68-year-old championship: 16 in 20 previous participations.

They are three-time winners (1980, 1994, 2013), finished as runners-up on five occasions (1984, 1988, 1990, 2000 and 2023), and took the bronze eight times (1976, 1978, 1992, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2019). The Eagles lost out in the quarter-finals in 2008 and were eliminated in the second round in 2021. Only in their debut in 1963, and as Cup holders in 1982, have the Eagles failed to proceed beyond the tournament group phase.

While Nigeria will be taking part in her 21^st tournament (same as DR Congo and Algeria), Botswana and Comoros will be taking part in only their second respective championships. Egypt will be appearing in their 27^th tournament; Cote d’Ivoire 26^th and; Cameroon and Tunisia 22^nd. Hosts Morocco are appearing in their 20^th finals and 2012 champions Zambia in their 19^th. 2021 winners Senegal are appearing in their 18^th final tournament.

Nigeria have also played a total of 104 matches at the final tournament, 4^th overall behind Egypt (111), Cote d’Ivoire (106) and Ghana (105).

While Cameroonian Rigobert Song (who coached the Indomitable Lions at the last finals in Cote d’Ivoire), Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan, Ghanaian Andrew Ayew and Tunisian Youssef Msakni have played in eight tournaments each, Ayew and Song have played the most matches – 36 each.

Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o (currently President of FECAFOOT) has scored the most goals in the final tournament – 18 in the 29 matches he played across eight tournaments.

Nigeria’s Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory) scored 13 goals across four final tournaments between 1988 and 1994.

Pot 1: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire

Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso

Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin Republic

Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana

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Enugu – The Technical Adviser of reigning Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions, Rangers International F.C and Super Eagles of Nigeria’ assistant coach, Fidelis Ilechukwu, has sounded it clear that his team would end the season on a positive note despite his team’s 1-2 loss to visiting Niger Tornadoes F.C in a match day 20, NPFL 2024/2025 fixture on Saturday, January 25, 2025 in Enugu.

In his post-match chat, coach Ilechukwu described the loss as unexpected and disappointing to him and the club’s numerous fans but expressed optimistism that the team will be celebrated at the end of the season.

“I told my players before the start of the game that it was going to be a very difficult game which it turned out to be. We created a lot of chances but could not utilize them but one, while our opponent got two chances and made use of them. Despite this loss, I call upon our supporters to stand beside this team that is the best team in the league as I assure all that at the end of the season, we shall be congratulated.”

Coach Ilechukwu had a full complement of his team with the return of the trio of Effimi Nsi, Isaac Saviour and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi from the Super Eagles B squad for the start of the second stanza of the league and the match day squad led in attack by the duo of Godwin Obaje and Frank Uwumiro showed enough dominance in the early stages of the match but missed a lot of goal scoring opportunities before falling behind to an Ismail Sarki’s 17th minute goal against the run of play.

To their credit, the home side were level on 19 minutes when Ifeanyi Onyebuchi nodded home an Isaac Saviour’s fiercely struck shot after a quick corner-kick was taken with Evans Ogbonda involved.

It was a catalogue of misses for the home side before the end of the first half as all that were thrown at the backline of the ‘Ikon Allah’ boys were contained just as Joshua Enaholo showed brilliance between the sticks.

When both teams returned for the second stanza, the tide was still in favor of the ‘Flying Antelopes’ but putting the ball in the back of the net was an issue on the day with Frank Uwumiro missing a sitter on 47 minutes while substitute, Kingsley Maduforo blazed his effort wide with only the goalkeeper at his mercy at the hour mark just as Isaac Saviour’ goal-bound stinging shot was pushed out by Enaholo on 62 minutes and on 65 minutes, Rangers’ defence was breached a second time as Ifeanyi Okechukwu let fly a shot from the edge of the box that goalkeeper, Kingdom Osayi had no answer.

With few minutes to the end of the encounter, Effimi Nsi was tripped inside the box as he was through on goal and the referee wasted no time in making the call but substitute, Okorie Chiedozie failed to score from the spot as his kick greased the cross bar and went out of target as the league defending champions, surrendered all three points at stake on home soil for the third time in the ongoing season.

Rangers will next travel to Maiduguri, Borno state to trade tackles with El-Kanemi Warriors in a match day 21 fixture on Wednesday, January 29, 2025.

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By Amaechi Agbo

Abuja – The Disciplinary Board of Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded Nigeria, three points and three goals from the botched Matchday 4 encounter of the 2025 AFCON qualification series scheduled to be played by Libya and Nigeria in Benina on 15th October.

In its ruling on Saturday, signed by the chairman, Ousmane Kane, the Disciplinary Board ruled:

• The Libya Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
• The match No. 87 Libya v. Nigeria of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October in Benghazi) declared lost by forfeit by Libya (by a score of 3-0).

• The Libya Football Federation is ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000.
• The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the present decision.
• All other and further motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.

The implication is that Nigeria is now poised to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with two matches to spare. With the decision, the Eagles are now on 10 points from four matches, four points better than second-placed Benin Republic, while Rwanda have five points. Bottom-placed Libya have only one point and are out of the running for qualification.

Victory or draw against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday, 14th November (a Matchday 5 encounter) will land the Super Eagles a ticket to the finals in Morocco, December2025/January 2026.

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Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s 86th minute strike off a cross from Moses Simon gave Coach Augustine Eguavoen his 15th victory in charge of Nigeria (over 25 matches) and handed the Super Eagles all the three points against Libya in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match in Uyo on Friday.

Simon had been a threat all game, frisking the pockets of the Mediterranean Knights who defended strongly in numbers and came close to earning a point at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium.

In the absence of Victor Osimhen, his namesake Boniface started in front, but the Germany-based striker failed to find his first goal in competitive match for Nigeria, as the impressive goalkeeper Murad Abu Bakr Alwuheeshi excelled as much in blocking balls with all parts of his body as with running down the clock.

Alex Iwobi could have put Nigeria ahead after 11minutes but his shot from the edge of the box after a raid by Ademola Lookman was charged down by Suhib Shafshuf. Boniface was thwarted in the 16th minute after being guilty of too many touches, and captain William Ekong heaved over the sticks from four yards in the 28th minute as the visitors continued to live dangerously.

The Super Eagles kept their feet on the pedal and Simon darted past three defenders in the 37th minute only to see his shot blocked, as Iwobi’s effort was cleverly foiled two minutes later.

In the second half, Iwobi missed with a header from another Simon cross in the 56th minute, and put too much purchase on his volley three minutes later.

In the 71st minute, substitute Samuel Chukwueze was foiled by the brilliant Abu Bakr Alwuheeshi, but the goalkeeper had no answer when Italy-based Dele-Bashiru lashed to his blind side from a good cross by Simon.

The Eagles stay top of the pool, one point ahead of Benin Republic’s Cheetahs who routed Rwanda’s Amavubi 3-0 in another Matchday 3 encounter.

Victory for the Eagles in Benin on Tuesday night will virtually seal a ticket to the 35th Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, with the Cheetahs also to join if they overcome the Amavubi in their own return in Kigali.

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A former Senator, Shehu Sani has advised Nigerians not to watch the Super Eagles versus Benin Republic match today if they are hypertensive.

Three-time Africa champions, Nigeria will take on the Cheetahs of Benin Republic today in the first Group D match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON qualification race.

Ahead of the cracker which will hold at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Senator Sani has cautioned Nigerians not to watch the match live if they have Blood Pressure Or Heart Issues.

“Super Eagles Vs Benin Republic tomorrow in Uyo.

“Please if you have any Blood pressure or Heart issues avoid watching it live.
Thank you,” he posted on his X handle on Friday.

The match will start at 5pm local time.

Senator Sani’s warning is coming following poor performances of the Super Eagles in their recent matches including a 2-1 defeat they suffered against same Benin Republic in their last Works Cup qualifiers in June

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By Amaechi Agbo

A grateful Nigeria nation has showered National Honours and material gifts on players and officials of the Senior Men National Football Team, Super Eagles for reaching the Final of the Africa Cup of Nations championship concluded in Cote d’Ivoire on Sunday.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu told members of the team at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja on Tuesday: “I am very proud of you. This country is proud of you because you gave us great excitement. Your performance is confirmation that we can achieve so much as a nation if we all come together and unite for positive purposes, despite our diversity.”

“You worked very hard and navigated your way through to the Final. You lifted our spirit; you made us proud and you made us smile.”

The President then conferred National Awards of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) on all the players and their officials, as well as President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

All the 25 players and their officials are now also proud owners of a flat each in the Federal Capital Territory, as well as a plot of land each also in the Federal Capital Territory.

President Tinubu described defender and vice captain William Ekong, named Player of the Tournament, as a ‘warrior’ and named Africa Player of the Year, Victor Osimhen as ‘Trojan horse’. He praised the Federal Ministry of Sports and the Nigeria Football Federation for their efforts in preparing the team for glory.

Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh described President Tinubu as the biggest sports-supporting President that Nigeria has ever had, and lauded the Nigeria Football Federation for ensuring that for the first time in a long time, Nigeria has returned from a major sporting competition without any crisis or complaints of any kind by the athletes.

Responding, Ekong, on behalf of the entire, thanked the President for the awards and gifts: “I wish we are here presenting Your Excellency with the trophy, but that is not the case despite giving our very best to the campaign. We have two people in this team who have gold medals, each sitting on either side of me (Ahmed Musa and Kenneth Omeruo). In 2019, we won bronze medals. This time, we won silver medals. I believe that at the next competition, we will strike gold.”

Also at the occasion were Vice President Kashim Shettima; Alhaji Tajudeen Abbas (Speaker of the House of Representatives); Chief George Akume (Secretary to the Government of the Federation); Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (Chief of Staff to the President); Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim (Minister of Youth Development); Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (Minister of the FCT); Mrs Tinuke Watti (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports Development), Board Members of the NFF and other top government officials.

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Ademola Lookman’s 41st minute strike was all Super Eagles needed to beat Angola and reach the Semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire

Lookman’s goal was assisted by Moses Simon following a counter-attack move that split the Angolan defence.

In the second half, Victor Osimhen’s firm header from Ademola Lookman’s free-kick was palmed into the net by Angola hoalkeeper Dominique – but the striker, who’d taken his mask off and raced away to celebrate, was adjudged to have been fractionally offside following a check.

Nigeria will face the winner of the quarter-final match between Cape Verde and South Africa on February 7 by 6pm at the Stade de la Paix, Bouaké

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The Federation International Football Association (FIFA) as the regulating body of football across the world and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) regulating the famous sport in Nigeria are yet to recognize some of the basic rules /codes that introduces every Nigerian kid to the game.

The game of football is one that knows no bound, as even children at their infant stage, develop interest in the beautiful game. When a child starts walking, he starts kicking every little thing he sees without undergoing training sessions with any coach. This graduates to the stage where the child owns a ball which he could play with his friends.

These children play football not because of the prospect of becoming a professional footballer, but because of the love for the game. However, there are some Unwritten Codes and rules that guide this exercise among the children. They are Unwritten because these rules are not discussed before the game but that does negate its existence.

The First code of the game is that the owner of the ball is automatically both the best player and the referee of the game. He must not be dribbled past, he must not be fouled, when any of these is done, that’s the end of the game because he’ll take his ball and go. Again, the owner of the ball is the one to determine if a play should be foul or not and if you’re fouled but he’s not in good terms with you, it’s no foul.

The next code is that you must be bare footed. Wearing anything on your foot makes you a threat to your fellow players and the common type of injury sustained at this level is kicking of stone instead of the ball, and it is called “Lighting of Matches” which does not stop the victim from continuing with the game.

In addition to this, there’s no time frame for the game to end, it’s either  the owner of the ball is summoned by his parents or light fades. Interestingly, the children play for hours without getting tired, and they make sure they’re done with their daily chores before the game begins.

In a case where the owner of the ball has not done his chores, the whole players will match to his house to help wash the dishes, sweep the compound or even do laundry, just to make sure his parents or older siblings do not interrupt the game.

Before the game starts, the team selection must be done by the owner of the ball, knowing that the owner of the ball is usually not a good player, he must be the one to do the team selection where the best players must be in his team, woe betide you if you had done something to upset him before the game or even days before, what it means is that you’ve become a spectator for that game until he forgives you.

The venue for the game must be at a junction (usually three corners) and whenever a vehicle is passing or an elderly person is passing, the game must be paused. Football at this stage is not seen just as a medium of entertainment but also a good avenue for recreation and bonding of children with their peers. This is seen when the ball enters into someone’s compound, all the players must line up on their knees begging for the ball to be released and might even offer to perform some house chores for the person, to appease him or her to release the ball.

The game of football is most beautiful at this stage because of its free and down to earth nature, the children engage each other in the game not because they’re receiving  10 pounds a week salary, but because of the love for the game and the fulfilment that comes from playing the game. So, besides the UEFA Champions league, English Premier League and even the Nigeria Premier Football league (NPFL) there is the street football league where most of the famous footballers of today kicked the ball for the first time and it should not be side-lined or undermined.

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The Nigerian Super Eagles played out another draw in their second Group C game of 2026 World Cup qualifying against the Warriors of Zimbabwe in Rwanda on Sunday, which sees them endure their worst start to a World Cup qualification campaign ever, as they have just two points in two games.

The match, against popular expectations started with lackluster performances as both teams showed lack of quality on the ball. Until the 26th minute when Walter Musona scored a well hit free kick from 35yards, leaving the Nigeria goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho in no man’s land. Despite having more of the ball, the Super Eagles could not create much chances as the game ended 1-0 at half time.

Jose Peseiro, the Super Eagles’ coach, in a bid to change the game, made three changes at half time which saw Frank Onyeka, Aina and Natthan Tella replaced by Victor Boniface, Kelechi Iheanacho and Bright Osayi-Samuel. Not long after, the substitutions seemed to have paid off as Moses Simon laid the ball on a plate for Iheanacho who targeted bottom corner, drawing the Super Eagles level at the 67th minute.

The game ended 1-1 at full-time with the Super Eagles registering just four shots with one on target against a team that occupies 125th position in FIFA World ranking. A result many Nigerians described as “unacceptable” considering the quality of players paraded by the Eagles.

The Super Eagles will return to the qualifying race in June with a date against Group C leaders, South Africa.

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