by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 13, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
While Brahim Diaz has grabbed headlines with goals in five consecutive matches to propel Morocco into an Africa Cup of Nations semi-final showdown with Nigeria on Wednesday, goalkeeper Yassine Bounou has been just as influential in the Atlas Lions’ impressive run.
Fondly called Bono, the 34-year-old shot-stopper has conceded only once across three group matches and two knockout games at the tournament — and even that goal came from the penalty spot.
Mali forward Lassine Sinayoko was the only player to beat him, converting a powerful low penalty despite Bono correctly guessing the direction. The 1-1 draw in that Group A encounter remains the only match Morocco have not won so far as the hosts chase a second AFCON crown, 50 years after their maiden triumph.
“I don’t like singling out individuals, but Bono is a key figure in our squad. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world,” Morocco head coach Walid Regragui said during the competition.
Goals against the Canada-born goalkeeper are a rarity. Since the start of the 2024 AFCON in Ivory Coast up to last Friday’s quarter-final victory over Cameroon, Morocco have played 29 competitive and friendly matches, conceding just eight goals — most of them in high-pressure World Cup and AFCON fixtures.
Bono let in six goals in 2024, only two across 12 matches last year, and has kept clean sheets against Tanzania and Cameroon in AFCON knockout games this month.
Now crowned African Goalkeeper of the Year in both 2023 and 2025, Bono is preparing for arguably his sternest test yet as Morocco face Nigeria in Rabat before a near-capacity crowd of 70,000.
Nigeria arrive as the tournament’s top scorers with 14 goals in five matches.
Victor Osimhen has netted four, Ademola Lookman has added three, while rising striker Akor Adams — scorer against Algeria in the quarter-finals — completes a dangerous Super Eagles attack.
Should Morocco progress to Sunday’s final, Bono could next face Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush or a Senegal side inspired by Sadio Mane.
The Al Hilal goalkeeper has been quick to credit those in front of him, including captain Achraf Hakimi, Manchester United defender Noussair Mazraoui, Nayef Aguerd and Adam Masina.
“I feel very confident with Achraf, Noussair, Nayef and Adam in front of me,” Bono said. “And credit to the rest of the team who always drop back to help when we are under pressure.”
Born in Montreal, Bono moved to Casablanca at the age of three and fell in love with football on the streets.
Encouraged to play in goal because of his 1.95m frame, he joined Wydad Casablanca at just eight years old, breaking into the senior team in 2010 before moving to Spain two years later.
After spells with Atletico Madrid, Real Zaragoza and Girona, he rose to prominence at Sevilla, winning the Europa League in 2020 and again in 2023.
The pinnacle of his career came at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where his heroics helped Morocco become the first African nation to reach the semi-finals. Bono kept four clean sheets, shutting out Belgium, Spain and Portugal.
He continued his big-stage performances at last year’s expanded Club World Cup in the United States, helping Al Hilal hold Real Madrid and eliminate Manchester City before bowing out in the quarter-finals.
Now, with Morocco dreaming of lifting the AFCON trophy on home soil, Bono once again stands as their last — and perhaps strongest — line of defence.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 13, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer
As the Holy Bible calls on believers to remain steadfast through trials, Mohamed Salah’s long and emotional journey with the Egyptian national team reflects that same spirit of perseverance and faith.
Much like Lionel Messi’s path to World Cup glory with Argentina, Salah’s pursuit of the Africa Cup of Nations has been marked by near misses, crushing disappointment, and unyielding hope. Despite conquering club football at the highest level — winning the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup — the AFCON title remains the one major honour missing from his glittering career.
Now 33, Salah has come agonisingly close on two occasions. He featured in the AFCON finals of 2017 and 2022, only to taste defeat against Cameroon and Senegal respectively. The loss to Senegal was particularly painful, ending in a penalty shootout where Liverpool teammate Sadio Mané was seen consoling a heartbroken Salah.
In both tournaments, the Egyptian captain was instrumental — scoring crucial goals, creating opportunities, and leading the Pharaohs with passion and determination.
His AFCON journey has also included unexpected Round of 16 exits in 2019 and 2023, further deepening the emotional scars of an already testing quest.
Yet Salah remains undeterred. With just two matches standing between him and history, the Liverpool star has a golden opportunity to guide Egypt to a record-extending eighth AFCON crown.
Achieving that feat would elevate him beyond club greatness, sealing his status as one of Egypt’s greatest football legends.
The lingering question now is whether Mohamed Salah can finally lift Africa’s most coveted trophy and complete the final chapter of his remarkable career.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 13, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer
As Senegal gear up for their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash against Egypt, Krépin Diatta is approaching the encounter with added motivation and personal resolve.
Beyond the collective ambition of reaching the final, the match represents a crucial milestone in the AS Monaco winger’s personal journey—his quest to finally lift the AFCON trophy with Senegal.
Although Senegal were crowned African champions in 2022, Diatta was forced to miss the tournament due to injury. While he celebrated his country’s historic triumph, the absence left him with mixed emotions, having been denied the chance to experience the success on the pitch.
Now 26, Diatta is determined to make up for lost time and inscribe his name on the continental honours list.
“Winning a trophy with my country has always been a childhood dream,” Diatta told RTS. “I missed the 2022 edition because of injury, but I was extremely happy for Senegal. The nation always comes first. I’ve lost finals and I’ve missed tournaments, and I truly hope this time will be the right one.”
Following an impressive campaign in Morocco, Diatta has emerged as one of Senegal’s standout performers, playing a key role in the team’s march to the semi-finals.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 13, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to officially kick off the qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with a preliminary round draw scheduled for Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 12:00 GMT. The draw will be broadcast live on CAF TV.
This marks the first formal step on the road to the 2027 AFCON finals, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The preliminary round is reserved for the 12 lowest-ranked African nations based on the latest FIFA World Rankings, while the remaining 42 countries automatically advance to the group stage of the qualifiers.
The teams involved in this opening phase are Lesotho, Burundi, Ethiopia, Eswatini, South Sudan, Mauritius, Chad, São Tomé and Príncipe, Djibouti, Somalia, Seychelles, and Eritrea.
To ensure balance, CAF has split the teams into two pots according to their rankings.
Pot 1 consists of the higher-ranked nations—Lesotho, Burundi, Ethiopia, Eswatini, South Sudan, and Mauritius—while Pot 2 contains Chad, São Tomé and Príncipe, Djibouti, Somalia, Seychelles, and Eritrea.
Each team from Pot 1 will be drawn against a team from Pot 2 to form six two-legged ties. The lower-ranked side in each pairing will host the first leg, adding extra tension to the opening encounters.
The six winners from this round will progress to the group stage draw, where they will join the 42 seeded nations, intensifying the race toward qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 13, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer
Although far from Moroccan soil, Nicolas Pépé was deeply affected by Ivory Coast’s painful exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, struggling to contain his emotions after the Elephants’ 3–2 defeat to Egypt.
The Ivorian winger, who was not included in Ivory Coast’s AFCON squad, remained with his club Villarreal during the tournament. Despite his absence, the 30-year-old followed the team’s journey closely, hoping they would successfully defend the title they won in 2023.
On Saturday night, moments after the final whistle confirmed the Elephants’ elimination, a video shared on social media captured Pépé in visible tears. The footage, recorded privately by his partner Teanna Trump, showed the former Arsenal star devastated by the outcome, clearly heartbroken by the national team’s exit.
A continental champion with Ivory Coast two years ago, Pépé’s emotional reaction underlined his enduring bond with the Elephants, proving that even from afar, the orange jersey still holds a powerful place in his heart.
