Ahead of Nigeria’s match with Tanzania in a Group C contest at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, Goldberg Lager Beer has launched a nationwide fan engagement campaign designed to mobilise support for the Super Eagles and rekindle the passion that drove the team to the final of the last tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.

The Super Eagles have been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania, a pool widely regarded as one of the most competitive at the tournament.

Nigeria will begin their AFCON 2025 campaign against Tanzania on December 23 at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, before taking on Tunisia on December 27 and wrapping up the group stage against Uganda on December 30.

Goldberg’s campaign, themed ‘Our Beat, Our Gold’, is built around the rhythm, pride and resilience that unite Nigerians through football. The initiative positions the brand as a central part of the AFCON experience, combining live match viewing with music, entertainment and consumer rewards.

A flagship viewing centre will be hosted at the Police College in Ikeja, Lagos, with activities starting from 4:30 pm and free admission for fans.

This Lagos hub will be complemented by a network of fan parks and mini viewing centres across the country, extending the match-day experience to both major cities and regional communities.

According to the organisers, the activations aim to transform key locations nationwide into vibrant communal spaces on Nigeria’s match days, allowing supporters to come together in lively and safe environments to cheer on the Super Eagles.

The viewing centres are being designed as immersive cultural spaces where football meets entertainment.

Fans will enjoy live match action alongside music, dance, comedy performances and interactive games, with promotions and instant rewards enhancing the atmosphere.

The objective, Goldberg said, is to recreate the emotional intensity of the stadium experience for supporters watching away from the match venues.

“Our Beat, Our Gold is about capturing the rhythm of the Nigerian spirit,” said Maria Shadeko, Portfolio Manager for Premium Beer at Nigerian Breweries Plc. “Football has a unique way of bringing us together. At the last AFCON, we saw how belief, passion and unity carried the Super Eagles all the way to the final. As the team prepares for action in Morocco, Goldberg is once again creating spaces where Nigerians can gather, celebrate and push our Eagles towards a fourth AFCON title.”

Beyond fan-facing activities, the campaign also features strong trade and distributor engagement.

Through the Road to Morocco hospitality contest, Goldberg is rewarding top-performing distributors across the West and East zones with exclusive AFCON-related incentives.

 The initiative is expected to boost sales performance while aligning the brand’s commercial goals with Nigeria’s continental football journey.

With AFCON 2025 fast approaching, Goldberg’s campaign aims to ensure that wherever Nigerians are watching from, the beat of support for the Super Eagles remains loud, unified and unmistakably gold.

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Zambia coach Moses Sichone will on Monday finally get the opportunity to be on the bench in charge of his team for the first time on Monday after missing his debut last month.

Zambia take on Mali in Casablanca in the Africa Cup of Nations Group A after hosts Morocco beat Comoros 2-0 in Sunday’s tournament opener in Rabat.

Sichone was appointed in November as successor to Avram Grant, who left the Zambia job in late October after a poor run of results in World Cup qualifying, less than two months before the Cup of Nations in Morocco was due to start.

Former Bundesliga defender Sichone suffered food poisoning and was bedridden when Zambia played South Africa in a friendly, and he was admitted to the hospital while his team travelled to Angola for another warm-up game.

-Reuters

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Mali and Zambia will launch their Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 campaigns on Monday, December 22, when they clash at the Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca, with both sides targeting a strong start in the group stage.

Mali, chasing a first AFCON title after finishing runners-up in 1972 and recording several semi-final appearances, arrive with a balanced and ambitious squad.

Coached by Tom Saintfiet, the Eagles are expected to rely on midfield control, tactical discipline and collective organisation to secure the opening three points.

“Our first task will be against Zambia, which is considered one of the best teams in Africa,” Saintfiet said. “What matters to us are the three points. We must respect all our opponents and stay focused throughout the match.”

Midfielder Aliou Dieng echoed that sentiment, stressing the need for performance rather than talk. “The match against Zambia will not be easy. We will show it on the pitch,” he said.

Zambia, champions in 2012, are also aiming to shape their tournament early. Under coach Musa Sichone, the Chipolopolo are expected to lean on pace, physicality and quick transitions, seeking to exploit spaces against Mali’s structured approach.

“We are aiming for a good start in the tournament,” Sichone said. “All players are well-prepared, fit and ready. Participating in this tournament is about achieving results.”

Captain Fashion Sakala added that experience and preparation would be key as Zambia look to go deep in the competition.

The match will be only the second AFCON meeting between the two sides, following Zambia’s 4-0 victory over Mali in the 1994 semi-finals. With fine margins likely to decide the outcome, Monday’s encounter promises a tense and compelling start for both teams

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