AFCON

AFCON 2019 HEADING TOWARDS LOGJAM OVER TEAMS’ QUALIFICATION

Published

6 years ago

December 6, 2018

BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations could be heading towards a major logjam by the time the last day matches are played in March next year.

With the withdrawal of hosting rights from Cameroon, the Afcon defending champions lose the automatic ticket secured on September 20, 2014.

But the country is on course to pick the second qualification ticket from Group B in a likely home win over Comoros in March.

Since CAF has already contacted South Africa as a possible host, should the country obliges, Bafana Bafana gets an automatic ticket.

That seems the team’s short course to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations since it has a potentially explosive away match against contenders in Group E, Libya.

This could lead to both Libya and Cameroon picking qualification tickets and South Africa having an automatic one as hosts.

In the possible scenario in March, a field of 25 teams would emerge, with three from Group E – Nigeria, Libya and South Africa.

Sports Village Square put the issue before Amaju Pinnick, the chairman of the CAF Organising Committee which is in charge of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

He explained that it was not the responsibility of his committee to tackle the impending and potentially explosive issue.

The technical committee will decide that and work out the modality, he remarked.

But the situation could be saved if the hosting goes to Morocco, which already secured qualification. Morocco before the withdrawal of hosting rights from Cameroon had been touted as possible hosts, just as the North African did this year when hosting rights of African Nations Championship was withdrawn from Kenya last year September.

But there appears an agreement between Morocco and Cameroon not to assail each other’s interest as a top Cameroonian sports journalist who is close to the seat of power in Cameroon told www.sportsvillagesquare.com

He claimed that Morocco has large economic interest in Cameroon, which the North African country will not want to jeopardize.

Shortly after, last March as the heads of the football governing bodies of both countries held a joint press conference in Marrakech, Morocco to uphold Cameroon’s rights.

AFCON

Remo Stars’ Franck Mawuena gets Togo’s call-up for AFCON

Published

12 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Franck Mawuena who recently renewed his contract with Remo Stars has received a call-up to the Togolese squad for this week’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match. He had previously featured in the Belgian League.

He was part of the Remo Stars squad that finished second in the Nigeria Premier league last season. He scored six goals.

Togo will be away to Algeria on Thursday before hosting the reversed fixture on 14 October.

AFCON

Malawi’s Nkhakananga to referee Nigeria – Libya AFCON clash

Published

12 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Referee Godfrey Philip Nkhakananga, of Malawian nationality, will be at the centre during Friday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Mediterranean Knights of Libya, at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo.

The Confederation of African Football has also appointed Nkhakananga’s compatriots, Clemence Kanduku and Joseph Nyauti as assistant referees 1 ad 2 respectively, while Botswanan Keabetswe Dintwa will serve as fourth official for the Matchday 3 clash starting at 5pm.

Munkaila Nassam Adam from Ghana will be the commissioner, while Issaka Boubacar from Niger and Mayowa Akingbemisilu will be in the roles of referee assessor and broadcast venue manager respectively.

AFCON

Eguavoen unfolds Super Eagles’ squad for back-to-back duel with Libya

Published

1 day ago

October 5, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Head Coach Augustine Eguavoen has called Captain William Ekong, rave-of-the-moment Ademola Lookman, in-form winger Moses Simon and 20 other players for this month’s home-and-away 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying battle with the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

Wing-backs Olaoluwa Aina and Bruno Onyemaechi are included, as well as goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Maduka Okoya, defenders Oluwasemilogo Ajayi and Calvin Bassey, midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Raphael Onyedika and Alex Iwobi, and forwards Taiwo Awoniyi, Victor Boniface and Samuel Chukwueze.

Reigning Africa Player of the Year Victor Osimhen is excluded on grounds of injury, just as South Africa-based centre-back Olisa Ndah, but defender Bright Osayi-Samuel makes his way back after missing the duels with Benin Republic and Rwanda last month, and in-form playmaker Chidera Ejuke returns to the fold after many moons.

Veteran forward Kelechi Iheanacho is also listed, as well as midfielders Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi and Frank Onyeka.

The Super Eagles will host the Mediterranean Knights at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, 11^th October, before flying to Benghazi to take on the Knights at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, 19 kilometres away from Benghazi on Tuesday, 15^th October.

All the players are expected to report in Uyo on Monday, 7^th October.

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Crawley Town, England)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England)