By Kunle Solaja

The Africa Cup of Nations could serve up another high-stakes showdown between Nigeria and DR Congo, rekindling a rivalry that recently left Nigerian fans with bitter memories.

Nigeria will take on Mozambique national football team on Monday in Fez, while DR Congo face Algeria national football team on Tuesday in Rabat. Victories for both sides would set up a quarter-final showdown in Marrakech on January 10.

The fixture would echo their tense encounter last November in Rabat during the final CAF playoff for the World Cup. That clash ended 1–1 after extra time, forcing a penalty shootout in which DR Congo triumphed.

Nigeria, however, has not let the matter rest. The Nigerian Football Federation is contesting the eligibility of some DR Congo players from that playoff, a dispute that could add extra spice to any potential rematch.

With both teams carrying the weight of history and national pride, fans across Africa are bracing for what could be another dramatic chapter in this growing rivalry.

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Gabon’s government have announced the suspension of the national team, the sacking of the coach and kicked Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang off the squad in the wake of three defeats at the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Gabon’s Minister of Sports announced on television the suspension of the national team after they finished last in their group and were eliminated from the tournament in Morocco.

“Given the Panthers’ disgraceful performance at the Africa Cup of Nations, the government has decided to dissolve the coaching staff, suspend the national team until further notice, and exclude players Bruno Ecuele Manga and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang,” said acting sports minister Simplice-Desire Mamboula after Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the Cote d’Ivoire in Marrakech.

Gabon, coached by former defender Thierry Mouyouma, had already been eliminated after losing their opening pair of Group F fixtures to Cameroon and Mozambique but in their final outing were 2-0 up over the defending champions before conceding three goals and going down to a second-string Ivorian line-up.

Neither Aubameyang nor veteran defender Ecuele Manga played on Wednesday, with Aubameyang having returned to his French club Olympique de Marseille for treatment on a thigh injury.

The former African Footballer of the Year responded on social media, saying on X, opens new tab: “I think the team’s problems are much deeper than the individual I am.”

Aubameyang, at 36, had likely played his last game for Gabon in their defeat by Mozambique, as was also likely the case with the 37-year-old former Cardiff City defender Ecuele Manga.

Disbanding the national team used to be a common reaction in Africa to disappointing results but since world football’s governing body FIFA have taken a hard stance against government interference in the running of football associations, it has been a rare occurrence.

-Reuters

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By Kunle Solaja.

Nigeria closed the group stage of the Africa Cup of Nations as the competition’s most lethal attacking force, underlining their title credentials with a tournament-high eight goals after three matches.

The Super Eagles not only outscored every other team in the group phase but also matched Algeria as the only sides to record a perfect haul of three wins from three matches, setting a strong benchmark ahead of the knockout rounds.

Nigeria’s attacking output placed them clear at the top of the scoring charts, ahead of Senegal and Algeria, who both finished the group stage with seven goals apiece.

While several teams relied on narrow wins and defensive solidity, Nigeria consistently combined pace, width and directness to overwhelm opponents, producing goals across all three matches.

Algeria, equally impressive in efficiency and control, mirrored Nigeria’s flawless record, winning all three of their group games while also maintaining a strong goal return.

Senegal’s seven goals, meanwhile, reflected their own attacking depth, even though they fell just short of a perfect points tally.

Across the tournament, the expanded 24-team format once again delivered drama. Still, Nigeria’s consistency in front of goal stood out in a group stage often characterised by tight margins and nervy finishes.

While other favourites were occasionally dragged into scrappy encounters, the Super Eagles found ways to score early, respond under pressure and close out matches.

The group phase concluded with traditional heavyweights largely progressing to the Round of 16. Still, Nigeria’s statistical dominance — leading the goals chart and posting maximum points — has marked them out as one of the most convincing performers so far.

As the competition now moves into the knockout stage, the emphasis will shift from accumulation to survival. Yet, if the group stage is any indication, Nigeria’s attacking firepower, allied to their perfect record, makes them one of the teams everyone else will be keen to avoid as AFCON 2025 enters its decisive phase.

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