by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 17, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been drawn in Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), following Thursday’s final draw held in Rabat, Morocco.
The draw marked a historic milestone for African women’s football, with 16 teams included in the tournament for the first time. Morocco will host the expanded competition for the third consecutive edition, with matches scheduled to run from 17 March to 3 April 2026 across Rabat, Casablanca and Fes.
For Nigeria, the standout fixture in Group C is a renewed rivalry with Zambia’s Copper Queens. The two sides have crossed paths frequently in recent years, but the Super Falcons will head into the clash full of confidence after their dominant 5–0 victory over Zambia in the quarter-finals of the 2024 tournament.
That win formed part of a commanding campaign that saw Nigeria lift a record-extending 10th WAFCON title. The Falcons went on to defeat South Africa in the semi-finals before staging a thrilling comeback against hosts Morocco in the final to reclaim continental supremacy.
Egypt and Malawi complete Group C, presenting Nigeria with a blend of familiar foes and potential challenges. While the group appears favourable for the reigning champions, it leaves little margin for complacency.
In other groups, hosts Morocco lead Group A alongside Algeria, Senegal and Kenya. Group B features former champions South Africa with Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania, while Group D pairs Ghana with Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde.
The tournament will be staged across four venues: Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium and Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, and the Fez Stadium in Fes.
Madugu Snub Adds Extra Motivation
Away from the draw, Nigeria also experienced disappointment on the awards front. Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu missed out on the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year award, despite masterminding Nigeria’s historic 10th WAFCON triumph. The honour went to TP Mazembe coach Lamia Boumehdi, with Madugu and Morocco’s Jorge Vilda named as finalists.
The decision has sparked debate, particularly given Madugu’s wider achievements, including being the only African coach nominated for the Women’s Coach of the Year at the Ballon d’Or.
CAF also crowned Moroccan forward Sanaa Mssoudy as Women’s Interclub Player of the Year, while AS FAR were named Women’s Club of the Year.
Despite the personal setback, Madugu and the Super Falcons will now turn their full focus to the pitch, as Nigeria targets qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and an unprecedented 11th WAFCON title.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 17, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Egypt will be without two key players, Marwan Attia and Salah Mohsen, for their AFCON 2025 third-place playoff against Nigeria after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) handed both players suspensions.
The disciplinary action follows Egypt’s narrow 1–0 defeat to Senegal in the semi-finals, after which the duo were found guilty of unsportsmanlike conduct. Midfielder Marwan Attia was cited for making a gesture implying that match officials had been bribed, while forward Salah Mohsen reportedly directed mocking gestures at Senegalese journalists.
The suspensions represent a significant setback for Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan, who is already dealing with multiple absentees as the Pharaohs prepare to face the Super Eagles.
Seven-time AFCON champions Egypt will lock horns with Nigeria at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 5:00pm Nigerian time.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 17, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
An unusual moment unfolded during the AFCON 2025 semi-final between Nigeria and host nation Morocco in Rabat, when stadium stewards removed towels belonging to Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali while the match was in progress.
Footage circulating online shows stewards entering the goal area and taking away Nwabali’s towels, leaving the Nigerian shot-stopper without his customary pre-match and in-game accessories. The incident occurred without any immediate explanation from match officials, the stadium authorities, or the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The unexpected action quickly sparked debate across social media platforms, with fans from both sides expressing confusion and surprise. While some speculated that the move may have been linked to stadium regulations or a misunderstanding, others felt it was an unnecessary distraction during a tense, high-profile encounter.
Nigeria’s clash with Morocco was among the most anticipated matches of the tournament, and the towel episode became an unexpected subplot beyond the football itself. Analysts pointed out that although seemingly minor, such interruptions can affect goalkeepers, who often rely heavily on routine and familiar equipment to stay focused.
As clips of the incident spread online, reactions ranged from light-hearted jokes to genuine concern about its potential psychological impact on Nwabali.
Observers also noted that occurrences like this are rare at elite-level football events and highlight the need for clearer communication and standardized protocols at major tournaments.
With no official statement yet from CAF or the Moroccan authorities, the incident remains one of the more curious off-pitch moments of AFCON 2025, serving as a reminder that even small details can draw significant attention on the biggest stages.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Former AFCON winner Salomon Kalou shared his thoughts on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in a wide-ranging blog interview with Duelbits, offering insight on the semi-finals, the upcoming final, and the standout performers of the tournament.
AFCON Semi-Finals Reflections
Kalou praised the mental strength and organisation of the two finalists. “At this stage of AFCON, it’s not just about talent; it’s about mentality. Both Senegal and Morocco showed they could manage big moments and stay patient,” he said.
He singled out Senegal’s Sadio Mané, who scored the winner against Egypt, as exceptional. “Mané stays calm under pressure. His movement, decision-making, and ability to change games is rare. This was another example of his class.”
On Egypt, Kalou noted that the team may need a new generation to regain continental dominance. “Age is catching up with Salah. They need fresh talent to carry the team forward.”
He also backed Mané’s ability to still perform at the highest level in Europe. “Physically and tactically, he could step into any top-four Premier League club and instantly raise the level.”
Morocco vs Nigeria Analysis
Kalou felt Morocco were deserved semi-final winners. “Nigeria struggled to get Lookman and Osimhen involved, while Morocco dominated the midfield, controlled duels, and looked more confident. Even though it went to penalties, the best team won.”
AFCON Final Expectations
Looking ahead, Kalou anticipates a cautious final. “I expect a tight, low-scoring game. Finals are rarely open, but I hope we see a defining moment rather than penalties deciding the winner.”
He also highlighted the tactical maturity of African teams in this edition. “The organisation, pressing structures, and in-game management are at a very high level now. The idea that AFCON is chaotic or low-quality is outdated.”
Standout Players
Kalou identified Brahim Díaz and Ademola Lookman as the tournament’s most influential performers. “They’ve done more than score goals. They change the rhythm, create overloads, break lines, and produce moments that swing matches. Lookman carried Nigeria at times; Díaz has been technically sharp and always positive.”
Among young players, Kalou praised Amad Diallo, Bazoumana Touré (Ivory Coast), and Carlos Baleba (Cameroon). “Diallo has three Man of the Match awards and plays with real maturity. Touré combines physicality and composure, and Baleba dominates midfield with power and awareness. These players could be national team backbones for the next decade.”
Kalou’s insights combine the perspective of a former African champion with keen tactical understanding, highlighting the skill, mental strength, and emerging talent defining AFCON 2025.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 16, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
Record-holders Egypt may have missed out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, but coach Hossam Hassan believes the tournament has provided valuable preparation ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The Pharaohs suffered a 1-0 semi-final defeat to Senegal in Tangier on Wednesday and will face Nigeria on Saturday in the bronze medal match in Morocco. Despite the setback, Hassan emphasized the positives gained from competing against a variety of opponents and experimenting with different tactical systems.
“It has been very good preparation for us. We’ve tried several systems of play throughout the tournament and faced different types of opponents,” Hassan said.
“We came close to the final, but that’s football. Overall, I’m satisfied with what we achieved. We have a good team, even though we were away from home with limited support.”
The match against Nigeria is seen as another opportunity to fine-tune the squad ahead of Egypt’s World Cup campaign. The Pharaohs will play in Group G, facing Belgium on June 15 in Seattle, New Zealand on June 21 in Vancouver, and Iran on June 26 back in Seattle.
Hassan acknowledged that Egypt’s semi-final exit may have been influenced by the limited presence of players at top European clubs, in contrast to finalists Morocco and Senegal. Of Egypt’s 28-man squad, only captain Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), and Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes) are Europe-based.
“Players based in Europe gain better tactical understanding and physical strength, and we need that added value to improve,” Hassan explained. “The game against Nigeria gives us another chance to prepare, but we always want to win. Egypt is a team that has won seven Cup of Nations in the past.”
Looking ahead, Hassan said the team will review their performance and identify areas for improvement, focusing on both defensive solidity and attacking efficiency as they gear up for the World Cup.
