AFCON
LESOTHO COACH, THABO SENONG SHUTS OUT FOREIGN BASED PLAYERS FROM NIGERIAN MATCH
Lesotho national football team, Likuena, will be fielding entirely locally sourced players when they engage Nigeria in this Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie at Setsoto Stadiumin Maseru.
Sports Village Square gathered from Sunday Express of Lesotho that Coach Thabo Senong, a former Bafana Bafana assistant coach, remarked that Lesotho internationals plying their trade in the United States of America should wait for their chance to represent the country.
They are out of the match with Nigeria. The newspaper explained further that the coach argued that if he were to bring in the US based players into the squad, the team would need a long time to gel.
Likuena has struggled to score and managed an added time goal in their last week 1-1 draw with Sierra Leone. The newspaper quoted Senong as saying that US based attackers, Napo Matsoso and Tšotleho Jane who play for Louisville City in the United Soccer League (USL) will have their time.
Both players have been enjoying good runs helping the side come fourth in their 18-team league.
“The US based boys will get their chance when we have enough time to prepare to allow them to gel with the team,” Senong said.
“The current camp is not long enough to integrate many new players. The US based players are not always available as you might think, their football programme is combined with academic studies. Lesia (Thetsane) has even explained to me that he won’t be available due to his study schedules.”
However, Senong says they are leaving no stone unturned as they want to ensure that their players are ready for the upcoming matches.
Senong said they had an analyst who helped to analyse their team during the TS Galaxy friendly.
“In my opinion there is a lot of progress. We played TS Galaxy on Wednesday and we recruited an analyst to analyse our game and give us feedback so that we can build on it going into the two matches.
While some players have shown signs of fatigue, Senong said they have a good recovery plan.
“We have a good recovery plan. We have recruited two masseurs to massage the players.”
The former Bafana Bafana assistant coach also defended his selection of some fringe players in his team.
“The call-ups are on merit and they are in relation to their club form, their quality, experience in playing continental football and their understanding of our style of play. The door is open for every player in the Likuena setup, our challenge is the limited time that we have to improve the team’s cohesion and tactical relationships.
“Tumelo Khutlang has been with the team in the past three months, he is very talented and he needs our support, I believe in him, he is a talented individual who can change a game for us,” Senong said.
Egyptian national team will face Nigeria on 14 December at Cairo Stadium as part of their preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA)said on Sunday.
The friendly was arranged at the request of Egypt coach Hossam Hassan, who wanted to test his side against one of the continent’s heavyweights ahead of the tournament.
The Pharaohs will compete in the UAE International Tournament, where they will meet Uzbekistan on 14 November.
The competition also features Cape Verde and Iran, who will play a day earlier.
The winners of both matches will face each other in the final on 18 November.
Senegal were initially scheduled to take part in the tournament but withdrew, paving the way for Cape Verde to join.
Egypt have been drawn in Group B for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe
-Ahram
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Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong says Nigeria will head to Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations determined to go one step further after the heartbreak of losing the last final to Côte d’Ivoire.
In an exclusive chat with CAFOnline.com, the Al-Kholood defender said the experience of falling short in Abidjan has made the team tougher and more united.
“Last AFCON left a lasting impression on all of us,” Troost-Ekong said. “This group is excited to have another chance to try and win the trophy. We learned so much from that final—this time we’ll be calmer and play our football better.”
The Saudi Arabia-based centre-back downplayed talk of Nigeria being clear favourites, noting that hosts Morocco, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal are equally strong contenders.
“There’s no such thing as a clear favourite at AFCON,” he warned. “You can’t win a tournament with expectations. AFCON is difficult and full of surprises.”
Troost-Ekong, who has appeared in multiple AFCON campaigns, said the key to winning lies in “heart, togetherness and consistency.”
“Momentum has to grow through the tournament. Don’t panic when things go wrong, and don’t get carried away when they go right,” he added.
On Nigeria’s group opponents—Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania—the skipper admitted the road to the knockout stages won’t be easy.
“Tunisia knocked us out in 2021. Uganda and Tanzania are improving fast. There’s no easy game at AFCON,” he said.
Troost-Ekong also saluted Nigerian fans for their support and promised the team would give everything to bring home the title.
“When all of Nigeria stands together, that’s our power,” he declared. “Hopefully, the headline this time will read: Nigeria crowns the special generation with an AFCON title.”
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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Super Eagles for their impressive performance in the 4–0 victory over Benin Republic, praising the team for keeping Nigeria’s qualification hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Adebayo Onanuga, the President lauded the players for their “hunger, passion, and determination” during the crucial qualifier in Uyo, describing their display as one that has “reignited Nigerians’ football pride.”
“While the job is not yet complete, I join millions of Nigerian football fans in wishing our team every success in the playoffs,” Tinubu said. “The mood across the country reflects a shared belief that Nigeria deserves a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada, Mexico, and the United States will host.”
Reaffirming the government’s backing, President Tinubu assured the players and coaching crew of full Federal Government support as they prepare for the decisive play-off stage.
“Nigerians everywhere believe in you, and I do too,” he said. “We look forward to seeing you fly our flag proudly on the world stage.”
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