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Super Eagles striker, Victor Osimhen, is likely to miss the semi-final clash against South Africa.
Nigeria will take on South Africa by 6pm on Wednesday in the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement late Monday, Babafemi Raji, media officer of the Nigerian team, said the striker is suffering from abdominal discomfort.
He disclosed that Osimhen did not travel with the team to Bouaké, the city hosting the semi-final clash.
Osimhen toasts ‘statement’ win for Nigeria
“Members of the team traveled from Abidjan to Bouaké today via a 10 pm Air Cote D’Ivoire flight. Osimhen did not however make the trip as a result of an abdominal discomfort. Team medics confirmed that he has been placed under close watch with a member of the medical team staying behind in Abidjan with him. If cleared by tomorrow morning, he will join the rest of the squad before 5 pm,” the statement read.
Many Nigerians were really looking forward to Osimhen in action when Nigeria take on the rival nation.
While ruing the loss of five Nigerian stars to a South African at the Grammy Awards, music star Teni, had specifically mentioned Osimhen among those whom she wanted to seek revenge in the match.
Daily Trust had reported how Nigerian quintet; Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Davido, Asake and Olamide were snubbed at the 66th Grammys on Sunday.
Tyla, the only non-Nigerian nominee in the maiden Best African Music Performance category, was given the award.
Reacting in a video shared via Instagram, Teni pleaded with the Super Eagles players to avenge the Grammy loss of their compatriots by defeating South Africa in the semifinal clash in Cote D’Ivoire.
]“Grammy there’s a problem. We have many parties. You have killed our groove. South Africa, Tyla’s ‘Water.’ Alright. Osimhen, over to you. Lookman, over to you. South Africa, you will dance Amapiano after your AFCON defeat. You killed my groove. Grammy why?,” she said in a mixture of Yoruba and English.
[DailyTrust]
Following the Super Eagles’ progression to the semi-finals of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, The PUNCH reports that the team has earned a prize money of $2.5m (N3bn).
Nigeria reached the semi-finals of the 34th edition of the AFCON after defeating Angola 1-0 at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium in Abidjan on Friday.
As one of the remaining four teams in the competition, the Eagles, alongside South Africa, their semi-final opponents; DR Congo and hosts Ivory Coast, have already secured $2.5m.
Before the start of the tournament, Confederation of Africa Football president, Dr Patrice Motsepe, announced a 40 per cent increase in prize monies.
The runners-up of the African showpiece event will now get $4m, while each of the two semi-finalists will receive $2.5m, with each of the four quarter-finalists taking home $1.3m.
“CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the prize money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions,” he said.
“We have increased the prize money of the AFCON winner to USD 7 000 000 which is a 40% increase from the previous AFCON prize money.
“I am confident that a portion of the prize money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our Member Associations with their administrations,” he added.
If Nigeria advanced to the final, they would have secured a minimum of $4m (N5bn) in prize money.
Additionally, if they win the tournament, they will receive $7m (N8.8bn).
Meanwhile, the Eagles arrived in Ivory Coast’s second-largest city, Bouake, on Tuesday (today) ahead of their semi-final clash against South Africa on Wednesday.
Jose Peseiro’s men have played all their matches in the tournament in Abidjan. Their first two games were at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, where they drew 1-1 with Equatorial Guinea before pipping hosts Ivory Coast 1-0 in their second game.
Their last group game against Guinea Bissau which they also won 1-0 was at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium while they also slay the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon 2-0 as well as the Antelopes of Angola 1-0 at the same venue.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation, the team will have one training session in Bouake on Tuesday afternoon, having had two sessions in Abidjan on Sunday and Monday.
Historically, when Ivory Coast hosted the AFCON in 1984, Nigeria also played their semi-final match in the city of Bouake against Egypt – which they won 8-7 on penalties after regulation and extra time ended 2-2. Nigeria, however, lost the final 3-1 against Cameroon.
The winners of the Nigeria vs South Africa game face the winners between hosts Ivory Coast and DR Congo, who also faceoff in Yamoussoukro same
day.
[ThePunch]
Neil Tovey and Mark Williams, key figures when South Africa won their lone Africa Cup of Nations title, believe defeating 2024 semi-final opponents Nigeria will be “tough”.
Bafana Bafana (The Boys) and the Super Eagles meet in the central Ivory Coast city of Bouake on Wednesday with a place in the February 11 final on the line.
Nigeria are favourites for several reasons, including a perfect past record against South Africa in the competition with three victories.
The West Africans won a 2000 semi-final in Nigeria 2-0, a 2004 group match in Tunisia 4-0 and a 2019 quarter-final in Egypt 2-1 through a late goal from current captain William Troost-Ekong.
But South Africa, whose starting line-up includes nine locals, one player based in Egypt and another with a Portuguese second-division club, are not without hope, insist Tovey and Williams.
Central defender Tovey captained the 1996 title-winning team and forward Williams came off the bench to score twice within two minutes and sink Tunisia 2-0 in the final in Johannesburg.
Victory for Bafana came one year after the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup and South Africans basked in the sporting successes two years after the collapse of apartheid.
“It is going to be very tough against Nigeria – a final before the final,” Tovey told AFP in a telephone interview from the South African port city of Durban.
“We have suffered many defeats against them, starting with a four-goal mauling in a 1994 World Cup qualifier. More recently, however, the tide has begun to turn.
– Riddled with upsets –
“What we dare not do in Bouake is retreat into a defensive shell. That would be playing into the hands of the Nigerians.
“South Africa must approach the match in a similar manner to the game against Morocco – defend in depth when necessary but also apply pressure.”
In a tournament riddled with upsets, one of the biggest was South Africa winning 2-0 against 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Morocco in a last-16 encounter.
Tovey says he is impressed with South Africa, who have reached the Cup of Nations semi-finals for the first time since the loss to co-hosts Nigeria 24 years ago.
“They are not trying to be clever – they are well organised and perform the basics well. Every player understands his role.
“Take the crucial final group match against Tunisia, which could have eliminated Bafana had they lost. It ended 0-0, but I was impressed with our game management.”
Johannesburg-based Williams told AFP he was struck by the team spirit of South Africa, who have not conceded in four matches since losing their opener 2-0 to Mali.
“Having eight Mamelodi Sundowns players in the starting lineup helps a lot. You can see the players know each other very well.
“When you have a mix of local and foreign-based players there can be initial misunderstandings. Also, (Egypt-based) Percy Tau is a former Sundowns star.
“Make no mistake, it is not going to be easy against Nigeria. They have always had extremely skillful players and the likes of (Victor) Osimhen and (Ademola) Lookman are continuing the tradition.
“But our boys, although not as well known, are also skillful. Mentality is key – we have to walk onto the pitch believing we are going to win.”
Both Tovey and Williams say the Ivory Coast will overcome the Democratic Republic of Congo in the later semi-final on Wednesday in Abidjan.
AFP
The Super Eagles have earned a prize money of $2.5m (N3bn), after qualifying for the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 last Friday to reach the last four and will now play South Africa for a place in Sunday’s final.
Jose Peseiro’s men along with South Africa, DR Congo and hosts Ivory Coast, have already secured $2.5m.
Before the tournament kicked off, the Confederation of Africa Football, CAF, president, Dr Patrice Motsepe, announced a 40% increase in prize monies.
If Nigeria advanced to the final, they would have secured a minimum of $4m (N5bn) in prize money.
Also, if they win the tournament, they will receive $7m (N8.8bn).
AFCON: Be Mindful Of Where You Watch Semi-Final Match, High Commission Warns Nigerians In South Africa
AdminNigerians in South Africa have been warned against wide celebration should Super Eagles defeat Bafana Bafana.
Nigeria will on Wednesday clash with South Africa for a place in the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) ongoing in Cote d’Ivoire.
In an advisory, the high commission said: “The attention of the Nigeria High Commission Pretoria has been drawn to potentially inflammatory online comments made by a section of South African citizens against Nigerians living in host country, largely influenced by the upcoming 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final match between the Super Eagles and the Bafana Bafana on Wednesday 7th February 2024.
“Most of the comments consist of veiled threats against ‘Nigerians cooking jollof rice’ before the match, and ‘showing pepper to Nigerians if the Bafana Bafana lose to Super Eagles’, among others.
“In this regard, the High Commission hereby advises the Nigerian community to be watchful of their utterances, be mindful of where they choose to watch the match especially in public places, and refrain from engaging in loud, riotous or provocative celebrations should the Super Eagles win the match.
“Additionally, Nigerians should maintain the good conduct they are known for, and be law abiding before, during and after the match. Should any provocations arise, they should not be reciprocated but reported to the appropriate authorities.”
Nigerian sprint icon, Tobi Amusan has set a new African women’s indoor 60-meter record of 7.75 seconds at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston.
The 27-year-old’s 7.75 seconds in Boston means she has retired the 7.77 mark she set in Kazakhstan at the Astana Indoor Meet in January.
Despite setting an African record, Amusan’s 7.75 effort was insufficient for first place in Boston, where she finished second to America’s Tia Jones in 7.72 seconds.
On January 27, in her first race of the new season, the Nigerian broke the 7.82seconds African record set by fellow Nigerian Gloria Alozi.
Amusan now has two of the fastest times ever run by an African woman in the 60m Hurdles and is on track to break the World Record of 7.68 seconds before the indoor season ends.
Amusan is ranked second on the world top list for the season behind Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas who ran 7.75 last week at the Corky Classics in Lubbock, Texas.
Amusan has also moved up to number 20 on the world all-time list and the reigning Commonwealth Games champion has now broken all three African records held by Alozie.
She first broke her predecessor’s African Games record of 12.74 set in 1999 when she ran 12.68 to win 10 years later (2019).
Amusan followed up by breaking Alozie’s 12.44 African record when she ran 12.42 seconds on her way to winning her first Diamond League title.
The sprint hurdler now owns the Nigeria, Nigerian Championships, African, African Games, African indoor, Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and world records.
Media
7.72 ‼️@tia_ajones wins the women's 60m hurdles with an incredible 7.72, beating Tobi Amusan who sets an African record of 7.75.#WorldIndoorTour pic.twitter.com/dEtktoFPsu
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) February 4, 2024
SOUTH Africa goalkeeper Ronwen William has shared the credit for his heroic performance last night with his teammates and the technical crew.
The Mamelodi Sundowns shot stopper was the hero in the AFCON 2023 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Cape Verde in Yamoussoukro last night, becoming the first goalkeeper to save four penalties during a shootout in the history of the tournament.
Williams’ saves helped Bafana Bafana defeat Cape Verde 2-1 in the shootout after full-time and extra-time ended 0-0.
The 32-year-old former SuperSport United goalkeeper was named Man of the Match for his heroics but he insisted the award belonged to the entire team.
“It was tough. They played their part and it was my time to play my part,” Williams said while receiving his prize.
“I am just glad that we are in the next round. This is not mine but it is for the collective.
“The staff, technical team and each player. This journey has been tough but we soldiered on as a team so I will accept this on behalf of each and every player in Bafana Bafana.”
Bafana Bafana take on the Super Eagles in the semi-finals on Wednesday at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake.
The last time South Africa reached the AFCON semi-finals was in 2000 and they also faced Nigeria, who won 2-0 in Lagos as co-hosts.
The Super Eagles also beat Bafana Bafana at the AFCON in 2019.
[EagleOnline]
The Golden Glove at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will be contested between Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali and Ronwen Williams of South Africa.
Both Nwabali and Williams have kept clean sheets in their last four matches and will face each other in the semi-finals.
The only goal Nwabali conceded at the tournament, was in the Super Eagles opening 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea.
Williams let in two goals for Bafana Bafana when they lost 2-0 to Mali in their first fixture.
Interestingly, both goalkeepers play in South Africa. Nwabali represents Chippa United while Williams turns out for Mamelodi Sundowns.
As it stands, both stoppers have four clean sheets, more than any other keeper has been able to secure in Ivory Coast.
Twenty-four (24) years after Tijani Babangida’s brace saw-off South Africa in their last Africa Cup of Nations semi-final appearance, both sides will meet again next Wednesday to decide one of the finalists for this year’s AFCON.
Babangida’s 1st and 34th-minute goals took care of business on that occasion in front of a packed stadium in Surulere, Lagos when Nigeria co-hosted with Ghana.
A brilliant penalty shoot-out performance by South Africa’s goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams helped South Africa fight off a dogged Cape Verde side while Nigeria defeated Angola 1-0 on Friday to set up the semi-final.
Although both sides have met in subsequent AFCONs, it has not been at the penultimate stage. In all the meetings, Nigeria has triumphed.
In Tunisia 2004, Nigeria saw off Bafana Bafana 4-0 in the group stage, while their last AFCON meeting was in 2019 in the quarter-finals when Egypt hosted. Samuel Chukwueze and Troost-Ekong’s goals helped Nigeria to a 2-1 win.
The Golden Glove at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will be contested between Nigeria’s Stanley Nwabali and Ronwen Williams of South Africa.
Both Nwabali and Williams have kept clean sheets in their last four matches and will face each other in the semi-finals.
The only goal Nwabali conceded at the tournament, was in the Super Eagles opening 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea.
Williams let in two goals for Bafana Bafana when they lost 2-0 to Mali in their first fixture.
Interestingly, both goalkeepers play in South Africa. Nwabali represents Chippa United while Williams turns out for Mamelodi Sundowns.
As it stands, both stoppers have four clean sheets, more than any other keeper has been able to secure in Ivory Coast.
[DailyPost]
More...
Angola coach, Pedro Goncalves, believes his team didn’t enjoy the kind of privileges the Super Eagles of Nigeria have been enjoying in the 2023 AFCON which was why his team lost to them.
Pedro Goncalves who has been in charge of the Angola national team since 2019 proved that he had a compact team at the 2023 AFCON by leading the lowly-rated side to record three wins and one draw before they met Nigeria in the quarter-finals of the tournament on Friday, February 2.
Despite looking more compact than the Super Eagles, the star-studded Nigerian side proved to be too good for them with a lone goal courtesy of a strike from Ademola Lookman.
The Super Eagles would have won the game 2-0 if Victor Osimhen’s powerful header in the second half wasn’t controversially counted as an off-side.
In his assessment of the game, the Portuguese tactician believes that the Super Eagles enjoyed the privilege of being in the same city, Abidjan, since the tournament started on January 13.
He also claimed that his players are not as exposed as Super Eagles players who are playing in some of the best leagues in the world.
“It is true that we played against a very strong opponent. But the Nigerian players were fresher than ours, and their physical display made them able to create more chances than us,” coach Pedro Goncalves said.
“Most of their players take part in very high-level competitions, and they have never gone out of Abidjan. But we’ve gone to three different cities in the course of this tournament, so this triggered fatigue for my players.
“Also, most of my players play in the home league, and some of them aren’t experienced playing in big competitions like the AFCON.”
Former Chelsea ace, Eden Hazard has suggested that Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo is not a bigger player than him in terms of ‘pure football.’
Hazard also insisted that former Barcelona captain Lionel Messi still remains the greatest footballer.
Speaking recently with L’Equipe, Hazard said, “Individually, Messi is perhaps the only one. I loved watching the Barcelona player, less so at the end, but he is the greatest in history.
“It is impossible to take the ball away from him. Cristiano is a bigger player than me but, in terms of pure football, I honestly don’t think so. Neymar, maybe. After that, he’s no better than me.”
Hazard retired from football at the age of 32 last October.
Ronaldo and Messi are still playing at age 38 and 36, respectively.
The Super Eagles put up a professional performance to eke out a 1-0 win over surprise quarterfinalists Angola. A first half goal from Ademola Lookman, his third in the tournament, was all the Nigerians needed to book their place in the semi-final for the 16th time, where they will take on DR Congo or Guinea, who play the second quarterfinal later on Friday night.
Stanley Nwabali was fit enough to start in goal, and coach Jose Peseiro went with the same team that defeated Cameroon. Nwabali kept his fourth consecutive clean sheet to become the third Nigerian goalkeeper to keep four consecutive clean slates at the AFCON after Best Ogedegbe in 1980 and Ike Shorunmu in 2002.
The Eagles could have scored in the first minute with a loose ball in the Angola box, but Frank Onyeka’s shot was blocked after Ademola Lookman failed to get the ball on target. The Palancas Negras threatened immediately after through Agostinho Mabululu, but Nwabali diverted his shot for a corner kick.
In the 23rd minute, Osimhen threatened with a header, but Antonio Signori held on. The Napoli forward had another chance for a header in the 35th minute, but he glanced the ball out. Angola pushed back and won back-to-back corners in the 36th and 38th minutes.
And then Lookman struck. Moses Simon sped past Kialonda Gaspar, and with Osimhen’s run taking away other defenders, Lookman rifled the ball past Signori into the roof of the net. The Eagles created another goal-scoring chance in the third minute of added time in the first half, but Zaidu Sanusi dithered in the box and lost the opportunity to cross.
Nigeria had more ball possession in the first stanza, more shots on target, and comfortable control of the contest.
The second half saw Angola coach Soares Goncalves introduce Zini for Estrela as the Angolans sought new ways to breach the Eagles’ resilient defence. Osimhen teed up Alex Iwobi on the edge of the Angola box, but his shot was blocked for a corner kick. Sanusi had a shooting chance, but his shot was wide off target.
In the 59th minute, Angola produced their best goal-scoring chance after Iwobi had turned over possession. Fredy, quiet all evening, slid the ball through the Nigerian defence, and Zini was one-on-one with Nwabali, but his shot struck the post, and Ekong cleared the immediate danger.
Simon weaved past two Angola defenders on the hour, but his shot was blocked as the Eagles tried to find a second insurance goal. Sanusi played his free-kick over the wall, but it was tame and comfortably gathered by Signori. The Eagles thought they had that second goal in the 75th minute, but Osimhen had strayed marginally offside before heading past Signori.
VAR drew their lines, and Osimhen’s wait for a second AFCON goal continued. In the 81st minute, Lookman fed Osimhen, who created a shooting chance, but his shot was blocked. Nwabali was called to make two saves as the Eagles held on for their fourth consecutive clean sheet and a place in the semifinal, the 16th in the country’s history.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced the prize money for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), setting the stage for an intense battle as teams vie for the prestigious trophy. As the tournament progresses into the quarter-finals, it’s clear that there’s more than just glory at stake.
The winning team of the 2023 AFCON will earn a substantial $7 million, marking a significant achievement in their football journey. The runner-up is also set for a generous reward, receiving $4 million, while the semi-finalists who do not advance to the final will each be awarded $2.5 million.
Teams making it to the quarter-finals will be granted $1.3 million, demonstrating the tournament’s high regard and competitive spirit. Additionally, participants who exit at the round of 16 stage are not left behind, with each team receiving $800,000.
Even the teams that finish third in their respective groups will see financial compensation, securing $700,000, and those ending their campaign at the bottom of their groups will get $500,000. These incentives highlight CAF’s commitment to supporting and rewarding the efforts of all participating teams.
Amidst the anticipation for financial rewards, the Nigerian team, the Super Eagles, are focused on clinching their fourth AFCON title as they prepare to face Angola in a crucial quarter-final match in Abidjan. A victory against Angola would not only advance Nigeria in the competition but also edge them closer to the substantial $7 million prize.
While the monetary incentives add an extra layer of excitement, the primary goal for the teams remains to secure the esteemed AFCON trophy. Winning the tournament is a testament to continental supremacy and an indelible mark in the annals of African football history.
With the quarter-finals underway, the competition is heating up, and fans across Africa are eagerly watching as the remaining eight teams contend for the trophy and their share of the lucrative prize pool.