Super Eagles captain Ahmed Musa confidently asserts Nigeria’s status as favorites for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, attributing it to the squad’s quality.
Musa, a former Leicester City player, expresses belief in the team’s potential to secure victory, stating, “With the players in the 25-man squad, you can’t say we cannot win it when you hear the names.
“Emphasising the team’s collective determination, he adds, “But in football, anything can happen, but we have the confidence because the target we have is to win the AFCON.”
Nigeria’s AFCON journey commences on January 14 against Equatorial Guinea, followed by matches against Cote d’Ivoire on January 18 and Guinea-Bissau in the final group stage game.
In a surprising turn of events, DSTV and GOtv have reversed their decision not to broadcast the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament live.
Initially citing rights acquisition challenges, the SuperSport channel on DSTV had announced its inability to air the 52 matches scheduled to kick off on Saturday, January 13, 2024.
Last week, MultiChoice, the parent company, had stated, “SuperSport Channel will not broadcast the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023…because the channel has not secured the rights.”
Instead, they assured fans that AFCON 2023 games would be accessible through partner broadcast stations on Free to Air (FTA) channels.
However, in an unexpected U-turn, @DstvNg tweeted, “No gree for anybody! Watch all 52 matches of the #afcon2023 on @supersports.” This announcement brings relief to football enthusiasts who can now enjoy the tournament live on SuperSport channels.
As excitement builds for the AFCON 2023, fans can now look forward to catching every moment of the action on DSTV, GOtv, and NTA, bringing the tournament’s live coverage to a wider audience.
In anticipation of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), former Al Ahly midfielder Mohamed Barakat shared his thoughts on Egypt’s prospects, expressing optimism under head coach Rui Vitoria.
Despite falling short in the last three editions, Egypt aims to reclaim glory in the tournament. Drawn into Group B alongside Cape Verde, Ghana, and Mozambique, the Pharaohs are set to face Mozambique in their opening game this Sunday.
Barakat, in an interview with Al-Mehwar, commended Vitoria’s managerial prowess, believing the Portuguese coach could guide Egypt to their first AFCON title in nearly 14 years.We want to top our group, making us proud as the kings of the continent with seven previous tournament victories,” Barakat stated. He emphasized the deserving inclusion of Al Ahly’s Yasser Ibrahim in the national team squad, highlighting Ibrahim’s influential role during the Club World Cup.
Acknowledging the challenging competition ahead, Barakat emphasized Vitoria’s strong character and managerial abilities, expressing confidence in Egypt’s potential journey to the Africa Cup of Nations final.
“We want to top our group, making us proud as the kings of the continent with seven previous tournament victories,” Barakat stated. He emphasised the deserving inclusion of Al Ahly’s Yasser Ibrahim in the national team squad, highlighting Ibrahim’s influential role during the Club World Cup.
Acknowledging the challenging competition ahead, Barakat emphasized Vitoria’s strong character and managerial abilities, expressing confidence in Egypt’s potential journey to the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Former footballer Ian Wright has come under criticism for his comments regarding Lyle Foster’s decision not to join the South African national team for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Medical experts advised against Foster’s participation due to his ongoing mental health battle, prompting a supportive stance from Burnley boss Vincent Kompany.
During a discussion on ITV ahead of Burnley’s FA Cup tie against Tottenham, Wright expressed his opinion, stating he wouldn’t turn down the opportunity to represent his country in a similar situation.
However, fans and social media users were quick to criticise Wright, with some accusing him of trivialising Foster’s mental health struggles.
Former England international and fellow pundit Karen Carney shared her own experiences with mental health, emphasising the importance of familiarity and support systems.
She empathised with Foster’s decision, highlighting the potential challenges of international duty. The controversy sparked a debate on social media, with Burnley fans expressing disappointment in Wright’s remarks.
Some called for increased education on mental health issues, stressing the need for understanding the varied ways it affects individuals.
The incident underscores the ongoing dialogue around mental health in sports, emphasising the importance of empathy and awareness. All that being said, Foster will be a huge miss for Bafana Bafana.
Morocco’s national football team has touched down in San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire, gearing up for the 34th African Cup of Nations (AFCON) from January 13 to February 11.
Placed in Group F alongside DR Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania, the team is set to play the group phase in the town of San Pedro.
Their arrival in Côte d’Ivoire included a stopover at Abidjan airport, where they were warmly welcomed by HM the King’s ambassador, Abdelmalek Kettani, and Ivorian Minister of Transport, Amadou Koné.
In preparation for AFCON, the Atlas Lions will face Sierra Leone in a crucial warm-up game on January 11th, stepping in for the originally scheduled match against Gambia on January 7th, as announced by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation.
