by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 14, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Africa’s premier football tournament has reached fever pitch, with only eight nations remaining from the original 24 in the race for continental glory. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the 35th edition of the competition, is being staged in Morocco for the second time, with the North African nation last hosting the tournament back in 1988.
This edition of AFCON has come at an ideal moment, particularly for the African nations involved in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The tournament has provided a valuable platform for teams to build squad depth, test tactical ideas, and boost confidence ahead of the global showpiece.
AFCON 2025 Group Stage Overview
The 24 qualified teams were drawn into six groups of four, with the opening match between hosts Morocco and Comoros played on December 21.
Group A: Morocco (hosts), Mali, Zambia, Comoros
Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F: Defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Quarter-Final Drama
The knockout phase delivered high drama as Africa’s heavyweights battled for a place in the last four.
Senegal edged past Mali with a narrow 1–0 victory, ending Mali’s run of draws and securing a semi-final spot for the Teranga Lions.
Morocco lived up to expectations against Cameroon, combining home advantage with quality to claim a 2–0 win and continue their quest for a home triumph.
In Saturday’s action, Nigeria produced a commanding display to defeat Algeria 2–0. Despite missing out on qualification for the 2026 World Cup, the three-time champions have looked revitalised, carrying momentum from their AFCON 2023 runner-up finish.
The final quarter-final saw defending champions Côte d’Ivoire fall in a thrilling 3–2 defeat to Egypt. Led by stars such as Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush, the Pharaohs proved too strong to deny a semi-final place.
Semi-Finals and Final Fixtures
The AFCON semi-finals will be played on Wednesday, January 14:
Senegal vs Egypt – Kick-off at 19:00
Nigeria vs Morocco – Kick-off at 22:00
The champions of Africa will be crowned on January 18, 2026, at the iconic Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
With continental pride, history, and silverware on the line, AFCON 2025 is set for a thrilling climax.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 14, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
As the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations reaches its decisive semi-final stage on Wednesday, January 14, two blockbuster encounters headline the day — Egypt vs Senegal and Nigeria vs Morocco.
Beyond the battle for a place in the final, discipline will be under intense scrutiny, with 20 players at risk of suspension should they receive a yellow card in the semi-finals.
Senegal top the disciplinary watchlist with seven players walking a tightrope, including captain Kalidou Koulibaly, midfield enforcer Pape Gueye, and attackers Nicolas Jackson and Habib Diallo. Also at risk are Ismail Jakobs, Habib Diarra, and Ibrahim Mbaye, leaving the Teranga Lions vulnerable ahead of their clash with Egypt.
The Pharaohs, meanwhile, have six players under caution, notably first-choice goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy, experienced defender Rami Rabia, and midfielder Marwan Attia, all of whom could miss the final if booked.
In the second semi-final, seven players are also one card away from suspension.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles account for four of them — Stanley Nwabali, Calvin Bassey, Moses Simon, and Frank Onyeka — while Morocco will be closely monitoring Bilal El Khannouss, Soufiane Rahimi, and Ismael Saibari.
With the AFCON final just one match away, the threat of suspension adds an extra layer of tension to already high-pressure encounters, where every tackle, challenge, and decision could prove decisive.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 13, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Barely three months after taking charge of Telecom SC, Head Coach Aliyu Zubair has guided the Egyptian side to a historic milestone, securing their first-ever qualification to the quarter-finals of the Egyptian Cup.
Telecom SC sealed the landmark achievement with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Pharco on Tuesday in the Round of 16, further underlining the remarkable impact Zubair has made since his arrival.
The latest triumph follows an even more stunning result earlier in the competition, when Telecom knocked out Egyptian giants Al Ahly in the Round of 32 — a shock outcome that reverberated across Egyptian football and announced Zubair’s immediate influence on the team.
Displaying composure and tactical discipline, Telecom SC opened the scoring in the 17th minute through Eid Ahmed, capitalising on their early dominance. Nigerian forward Nwanna Okechukwu doubled the advantage shortly after the break in the 46th minute, putting Telecom firmly in control of the contest.
Although Karim El Tayeb pulled one back for Pharco in the 54th minute, Zubair’s side remained resolute, defending with organisation and confidence to see out the match and book a place in the quarter-finals.
Appointed in October last year, Zubair has wasted no time in transforming Telecom SC into a fearless, well-drilled unit capable of competing with the best teams in Egypt.
His achievements in Egypt build on an impressive coaching record in Nigeria,
where he won the Nigerian Federation Cup with Elkanemi Warriors and achieved the rare feat of guiding two different clubs — Gombe United and Elkanemi Warriors — to promotion into the top flight.
Beyond club football, Zubair also serves as Head Coach of Nigeria’s Flying Eagles, earning widespread praise for his ability to develop young talents while instilling tactical discipline and a winning mentality.
With Telecom SC now firmly among the last eight in the Egyptian Cup, Coach Aliyu Zubair’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s most promising and astute young tacticians continues to gather momentum.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 13, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Stephen Appiah’s legacy in Ghanaian football remains unmatched. As the first captain to lead the Black Stars to the FIFA World Cup, he carried the dreams of a nation and embodied leadership, discipline, and belief during one of the most defining moments in Ghana’s sporting history.
Years after retiring from professional football, Appiah continues to serve his country in a new capacity. The Government of Ghana has sworn him in as a member of the newly constituted Anti-Doping Board, a body responsible for protecting the integrity of sports and promoting fair play across all disciplines. His appointment underscores the respect and trust he commands both locally and internationally.
Renowned for his passion, professionalism, and honesty throughout his playing career, Appiah remains a role model for athletes and the youth. From captaining the Black Stars through historic milestones to representing Ghana with dignity in Europe, his conduct on and off the field has consistently reflected excellence and integrity.
With Ghana strengthening its commitment to clean and credible sports, Appiah is expected to contribute invaluable experience, influence, and moral authority to the Anti-Doping Board. His involvement sends a clear message to athletes that true success must be achieved through hard work, discipline, and integrity—not shortcuts.
From leading Ghana onto the world’s biggest football stage to helping safeguard the future of sport in the country, Stephen Appiah’s journey continues to be defined by service, leadership, and lasting impact. His new role marks yet another significant chapter in a life dedicated to the honour and growth of Ghanaian sport.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 13, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has removed referees Boubou Traoré of Mali and Abdou Abdel Mefire of Cameroon from officiating duties for the remainder of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations currently underway in Morocco.
According to reports from BSN Sports, the decision follows an internal review process by CAF aimed at upholding high refereeing standards as the tournament moves into its decisive semi-final phase.
Concerns over officiating emerged during the quarter-final matches of the competition, prompting the continental governing body to act in order to safeguard the integrity of the tournament.
The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations now enters the semi-finals, with two blockbuster encounters lined up for Wednesday. Nigeria will face tournament hosts Morocco in a high-pressure clash, while Senegal take on Egypt in another mouth-watering showdown.
The Nigeria–Morocco semi-final is set to be played at the Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah, with both sides battling for a place in the final. Meanwhile, Egypt’s Pharaohs will lock horns with Senegal at the Grand Stade de Tanger in a fixture that promises intense drama.
The winners of both semi-final ties will advance to the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Sunday, January 18, 2026.
Notably, the Egypt versus Senegal encounter is a repeat of the 2021 AFCON final held in Cameroon, where the Teranga Lions overcame the Pharaohs to lift their first-ever continental title.
