AFCON

CAF Enters Negotiation With FIFA, Morocco And European Clubs Over AFCON 2025 Timing –

Published

7 months ago

February 26, 2024

CAF Enters Negotiation With FIFA, Morocco And European Clubs Over AFCON 2025 Timing -

Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reportedly in negotiation with different stakeholders over the timing of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Morocco.

The flagship African sports event has not been able to get a definite calendar since 2012 when it was shifted to the odd years to avoid clash with the World Cup.

In some instances, not only timing has been the issue, the host countries have had to change as it had happened in the last five editions.

Morocco, the next hosts have opted for summer, which was CAF’s initial accepted calendar starting with the 2019 edition which shifted from initial host nation, Cameroon to Egypt.

According to information gleaned from Morocco World News, CAF is in discussion with different stakeholders to set a date for the 2025 edition. Veron Mosengo-Omba, the Secretary General of the CAF is quoted by Kenyan sports journalist Eric Njiru on X, formerly Twitter, that Mosengo-Omba informed that discussions are still ongoing between CAF, FIFA, and the European Clubs Association along with Moroccan officials to determine the timing of the competition.

The CAF official explained that they are delaying announcing the date to avoid it potentially coinciding with other significant international competitions, particularly the inaugural edition of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, which is slated for the summer of 2025 with 32 participating teams.

“In order to see when we have the final [we] need also to meet the players. They need to rest after this competition. So the discussion is still ongoing,” Mosengo-Omba stated. Players who play for the national teams participating in the AFCON also play for FIFA international clubs, posing a challenge in timing to make sure that they can perform in both tournaments.

Patrice Motsepe, President of CAF, echoed Mosengo-Omba’s statement, emphasizing the importance of finding a suitable date to avoid conflicting with major global events.

Motsepe revealed that discussions have taken place with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to address these scheduling concerns.

AFCON

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

Published

11 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

11 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)