Africa Football Discussion || Current Topic: AFCON 2025 Qualifiers - CAF.

[Lorokan]

SAUDI ARABIA (0) - NIGERIA (0)[/b]

Well, the game ended in a 2-2 draw, with Saudi Arabia benefiting from 2 different goalkeeping howlers from the Nigerian Goalkeeper, it is a good performance from the super eagles and one that they can build upon and i am sure that the coach is finding a quality replacement goalkeeper ahead of the nations cup tournament.

Also, Victor Boniface had an excellent debut.

[Liliana1304]

I dont know how Nigeria will be able to succeed at the AFCON tournament if we keep playing like this.  Imagine drawing against Saudi Arabia and then winning 3-2 to a 10 man Mozambique. I was sorely disappointed. This morning, technical director of the team, Austin Eguavon telling us that the Nigerians have all it takes to win the AFCON? With the way we are playing? Or with the way Francis Odoho has managed to concede four goals in two games?
 
We've got Ivory coast, Guinea Bissau, Guinea to contend with and we know how stubborn these nations can be when they want to. So if we find it difficult bearing Saudi Arabia and Mozambique in the friendlies, is it in the tournament we will do better?

[Davidvictorson]

The Super Falcons of Nigeria took on their Ethiopian counterpart in 2024 Olympic Qualifier. This was the second leg of the qualifier match. And it ended with a scoreline of 4- 0 in favour of the Super Falcons. They move on to play Cameroon.
This is a crucial observation from someone. What do you guys think about it?

Has any body paid attention to how fundamentally flawed the CAF's Olympic qualification draw is?
African's top 3 teams - Nigeria, South Africa, and Cameroon - are all in the same bottom half of the draw. It essentially means that only one from these top-3 teams will qualify. This not not good at all. One of these  teams - Morocco, Ghana, Zambia, and Tunisia - is guaranteed to qualify for Paris Olympics WITHOUT facing any of the top-3 countries in women's football. I'm not sure if the draw is based on rank or zone, but CAF need to come up with a better way to ensure that ALL top ranked teams have a chance to qualify for the Olympics.

- Is the CAF's Olympic qualification draw actually flawed?

- Did they intentionally put the top three African teams (Nigeria, South Africa, and Cameroon) in the same group so that the other countries outside the group can stand a chance of winning easily?

[Fiatless]

The Super Falcons of Nigeria took on their Ethiopian counterpart in 2024 Olympic Qualifier. This was the second leg of the qualifier match. And it ended with a scoreline of 4- 0 in favour of the Super Falcons. They move on to play Cameroon.

The first leg ended in a draw with the Super Falcons earning one away goal. The second leg was more entertaining with the host team dominating the entire game. The Ethiopian side defended well in the first half and conceded just one goal. They frustrated the efforts of the Super Falcons until one goal was scored. The second half was different with the Nigerian team pushing the attack more and the Ethiopian side couldn't hold the pressure anymore and the goal started coming. Asisat Oshoala was exceptionally good in this game scoring one goal and creating one assist.

- Is the CAF's Olympic qualification draw actually flawed?

CAF has reasons for the way the draws were organized. But it will be good for the continent to send the best teams to the World Cup because it might lead to an increase of African slots if these teams perform well. Until I know the reason for this decision I can't certainly say that the draw is faulty.

- Did they intentionally put the top three African teams (Nigeria, South Africa, and Cameroon) in the same group so that the other countries outside the group could stand a chance of winning easily?

Of course, they did it intentionally. Maybe they also want other smaller teams to have better chances of qualifying. It will be good for the development of female football in these lowly-rated countries.

[Rruchi man]

CAF AWARDS 2023
The award will be held  in Marrakech, Morocco on December 11, 2023.

FULL LIST OF NOMINEES
Player of the Year (Men)
 
- Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria and Borussia Dortmund)
- Riyad Mahrez (Algeria and Al Ahli)
- Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso and Bayer Leverkusen)
- Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon and SSC Napoli)
- Vincent Aboubacar (Cameroon and Besiktas)
- Ibrahima Sangare (Cote d’Ivoire and Nottingham Forest)
- Seko Fofana (Cote d’Ivoire and Al Nassr)
- Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo and Olympique Marseille)
- Fiston Mayele (DR Congo and Pyramids)
- Mahmoud Abdel Moneim “Kahraba” (Egypt and Ahly)
- Mohamed Abdelmonem (Egypt and Al Ahly)
- Mohamed ElShenawy (Egypt and Al Ahly)
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt and Liverpool)
- Mohammed Kudus (Ghana and West Ham United)
- Thomas Partey (Ghana and Arsenal)
- Serhou Guirassy (Guinea and VfB Stuttgart)
- Yves Bissouma (Mali and Tottenham Hotspur)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain)
- Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco and Olympique Marseille)
- Hakim Ziyech (Morocco and Galatasaray)
- Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco and Manchester United)
- Yahya Jabrane (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
- Yassine Bounou (Morocco and Al Hilal)
- Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco and Sevilla)
- Peter Shalulile (Namibia and Mamelodi Sundowns)
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria and SSC Napoli)
- Sadio Mane (Senegal and Al Nassr)
- Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal and Tottenham Hotspur)
- Percy Tau (South Africa and Al Ahly)
- Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Tunisia and Ferencvaros)_source

Who do you think is winning this years award?

Notice that I highlighted all the players from Morocco who made the list and then Victor Osimhen.

I believe Osimhen has the greater chance of winning this award from his very amazing performance for Napoli last season, but the Moroccans still have a good chance because they did very well in the world cup.

Other category in this awards are;
Goalkeeper of the Year (Men) which was just introduced this year.
The Nominees are:
-Mohamed ElShenawy (Egypt and Al Ahly)
-Yassine Bounou (Morocco & Al Hilal)
-Andre Onana (Cameroon and Manchester United)
-Ronwen Williams (South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns)
-Edouard Mendy (Senegal and Al Ahli)
-Oussama Benbot (Algeria and USM Alger)
-Youssef El Motie (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
-Djigui Diarra (Mali and Young Africans)
-Pape Mamadou Sy (Senegal and Generation Foot)
-Landing Badji (Senegal and AS Pikine)  _source

My Opinion- Yassine Bounou has to be the winner here, courtesy their world cup performance.


National Team of the Year (Men)

-Cape Verde
-The Gambia
-Guinea Bissau
-Equatorial Guinea
-Mauritania
-Morocco
-Mozambique
-Namibia
-Senegal
-Tanzania _source

My Opinion- In this category, no other team deserves it more than Morocco.

[Slow death]

It's strange that this thread isn't very active while last week and this week there are qualifying games for the world cup, yesterday there were a lot of games, my country Mozambique played against Algeria and we lost by a difference of 2 goals, it was a game in which my country's team did very well on the field, they put a lot of pressure on Algeria's defense, but were unable to score a goal, while Algeria managed to score a goal in the few opportunities they created, thus showing the very big difference in their attack quality. Regarding my country's team's attack, this could also be a glimpse of what can be expected in the future

in other words, it could be that we are seeing Algeria qualifying easily, since all the teams in this group are very weak teams in terms of squad and performance, although Algeria is not a great team compared to other good teams in Africa, even so the The teams in this group are teams that do not have players who are playing in big teams in the main leagues, unfortunately due to the corruption that African governments have done, football is very behind in Africa, for example the first game that my country played was against Botswana and it was on a poor quality pitch, and then in yesterday's game my country played at home and also on a poor quality pitch. this is shameful

[Davidvictorson]

It's strange that this thread isn't very active while last week and this week there are qualifying games for the world cup, yesterday there were a lot of games, my country Mozambique played against Algeria and we lost by a difference of 2 goals, it was a game in which my country's team did very well on the field, they put a lot of pressure on Algeria's defense, but were unable to score a goal, while Algeria managed to score a goal in the few opportunities they created, thus showing the very big difference in their attack quality. Regarding my country's team's attack, this could also be a glimpse of what can be expected in the future

The game between Algeria vs Mozambique saw Algeria winning 2-0 convincingly. Although, I wanted Mozambique to win but their opponents fought for every duel. Algeria played poorly in the first half, but they didn't concede, and from the beginning of the second half, that was when Algeria got into the game.

I am very upset and disappointed with the Nigerian team, they keep making the same silly mistakes. Even with the way they play, you would know that they didn't have adequate. We need to play more friendly matches that will help the team know where they need to improve upon and what they need to throw away totally. And one of those things they must improve on is their passion and tactics, accurate passes and defense.

[Ruttoshi]

It's strange that this thread isn't very active while last week and this week there are qualifying games for the world cup, yesterday there were a lot of games, my country Mozambique played against Algeria and we lost by a difference of 2 goals, it was a game in which my country's team did very well on the field, they put a lot of pressure on Algeria's defense, but were unable to score a goal, while Algeria managed to score a goal in the few opportunities they created, thus showing the very big difference in their attack quality. Regarding my country's team's attack, this could also be a glimpse of what can be expected in the future

The game between Algeria vs Mozambique saw Algeria winning 2-0 convincingly. Although, I wanted Mozambique to win but their opponents fought for every duel. Algeria played poorly in the first half, but they didn't concede, and from the beginning of the second half, that was when Algeria got into the game.

I am very upset and disappointed with the Nigerian team, they keep making the same silly mistakes. Even with the way they play, you would know that they didn't have adequate. We need to play more friendly matches that will help the team know where they need to improve upon and what they need to throw away totally. And one of those things they must improve on is their passion and tactics, accurate passes and defense.

         - Snip

I don't think that Nigeria players have passion for playing for their country and they lack the bond that needs to make them perform well. I think that the problem that NFA is having is because they are not always choosing the right players at the right to make things happen.

They need to be very free with the way they operate the system and let things flow naturally. It is very annoying to see that so many chances was created for them to score as many goals as possible but they couldn't and that sucks. Nigeria need to change from this their unserious mindset towards playing for their country and play with passion. I will still blame the NFA.

[snipie]

I was wondering why the match between Eritrea and Congo was not played and I found it that the government pulled the whole team out from World Cup qualifiers.
My eyes when I read the answer! The gouvernement has a real problem about sports.. Players are managing to escape once they visit another country and recently some females run out of a town abroad..

[Slow death]

I was wondering why the match between Eritrea and Congo was not played and I found it that the government pulled the whole team out from World Cup qualifiers.
My eyes when I read the answer! The gouvernement has a real problem about sports.. Players are managing to escape once they visit another country and recently some females run out of a town abroad..

I don't see anything on TV in my country or in the newspapers talking about the reason for this cancellation, but I'm not surprised because this country lives under a dictatorship, and it's a country with few inhabitants, something like 3 million people, as long as the people continue to accept are governed by people like this president they have so their lives will never develop, I tried to research to find out which news channels talked about the reason for the cancellation and I didn't find anything, but I'm not surprised given the fact that here in Africa the Corrupt evildoers and dictators support each other a lot and have threatened the press and in many cases the news channels belong to the corrupt and they keep sensitizing the news

but looking at this Eritrea team, they probably wouldn't get very far, and it's true that you would only know that if they played every game. The best option for players from that country would be for them to change countries, try life in other countries, who knows they could be successful as football players, staying in their shitty country controlled by a damn dictator, it won't lead to anything good for them. front. Unfortunately, this has been the reality of more than 70% of African countries, they are dictator countries with fake democracies. and young Africans, due to their stupidity, continue to deceive themselves with dictators

[Marykeller]

I don't think that Nigeria players have passion for playing for their country and they lack the bond that needs to make them perform well. I think that the problem that NFA is having is because they are not always choosing the right players at the right to make things happen.

They need to be very free with the way they operate the system and let things flow naturally. It is very annoying to see that so many chances was created for them to score as many goals as possible but they couldn't and that sucks. Nigeria need to change from this their unserious mindset towards playing for their country and play with passion. I will still blame the NFA.

When a player is called upon to play for his country, it is supposed to be a pride and honor for that player to play with passion for his country because he's representing his country in a crucial football tournament.

I don't blame the Nigeria players when they play with less passion for the Nigeria team, the NFA is the cause of it all because they always fail to take care of the welfare of the players in terms of players sustaining injuries in the field of play. The NFA does leave the responsibility for the players club to take care of. That's why you see the Nigerian players not playing with passion in each of the national matches they are called up.

[Davidvictorson]

~snip~

Congratulations to Nigeria on winning four categories in the just concluded CAF awards.

• Goalkeeper of the Year - Chiamaka Nnadozie
• Male Player of the Year - Victor Osimhen
• National Team of the Year (Women)
• Female Player of the Year - Asisat Oshoala

And yes, your wish was granted, Morocco won the National Team of the Year(Men) awards.

Maybe in ten years we'd see the super eagles win the National Team of the year. We are not ready yet.

https://www.cafonline.com/news/osimhen-oshoala-named-african-men-s-and-women-s-player-of-the-year-at-the-caf-awards-2023/

[Rruchi man]

• Male Player of the Year - Victor Osimhen

Very well deserved, had they given another player, it would have been clear robbery. Now we have the best player in Africa, we should be able to win the AFCON next year.

And yes, your wish was granted, Morocco won the National Team of the Year(Men) awards.

Had to be them, they took the the world cup very seriously, it earned them world recognition, and also special recognition for their players who got better deals from bigger clubs that came for them.

Maybe in ten years we'd see the super eagles win the National Team of the year. We are not ready yet.

Sad thing is that we already have a very golden team with many talented players, Management has not exactly clicked, else we can win National team of the year.

[Sexylizzy2813]

• Male Player of the Year - Victor Osimhen

I was expecting something big to shock us all like not giving him (Osimhen) because no World Cup and AFCON appearance. That would have been what we would have used against CAF, blasting them. But I hope this won't get into his head when next he's been called up to represent the national side. I just believe he'd continue putting his best especially on the upcoming AFCON.

[Marykeller]

• Male Player of the Year - Victor Osimhen

Very well deserved, had they given another player, it would have been clear robbery. Now we have the best player in Africa, we should be able to win the AFCON next year

If that is possible, let them do it but we ought to remember that a single player can't win a trophy for his country no matter how good he is. For Nigeria's team to win the AFCON next year, they need to play and coordinate themselves in the field of play like a team, if not they are not winning the AFCON.

Having said that, it is a well deserved win indeed that one of our own won the Male Player of the Year after 24 years when we last won it. The last Nigeria player that won the CAF Best Male Player of the Year before Osimhen was Kalu Nwankwo and it happened in 1999.

And yes, your wish was granted, Morocco won the National Team of the Year(Men) awards.

Maybe in ten years we'd see the super eagles win the National Team of the year. We are not ready yet.

Ten years is it not much? If a Nigerian player can win the CAF Men's Player of the Year after 24 years, the Nigerian team can someday win the National Team of the Year within 10 years since they have the most quality players in African teams.

What is left, is for the Nigeria coach to learn how the feature the Nigeria players correctly, and everything will fall into place

[Slow death]

• Male Player of the Year - Victor Osimhen

I was expecting something big to shock us all like not giving him (Osimhen) because no World Cup and AFCON appearance. That would have been what we would have used against CAF, blasting them. But I hope this won't get into his head when next he's been called up to represent the national side. I just believe he'd continue putting his best especially on the upcoming AFCON.

 

When I saw his name I thought I had misunderstood, and I was wondering the following:

This year started in January 2023 until this month of December 2023, has anyone here seen what so great did Victor Osimhen do this year? because I didn't see anything great that he did this year, and it's true that he contributed a lot to Napoli becoming champions, but that was last season, despite the fact that the last Serie A season ended this year in May or April (I don't remember exactly) but apart from that fact I haven't seen anything else very important that he did. I don't know what criteria these cafés use. My guess is that they saw that among the few African players who hadn't done anything great, they chose that player who did a little more than the others.


Apart from choosing the best player of the year, which seems to me like the least worst player on the list was chosen, the other choices seemed very fair to me, I would prefer to see players who play in local leagues being chosen as players of the year, unfortunately that won't happen so early, at the same time as it demotivates players who play in local leagues on this continent. For them to have visibility, that is, their existence is seen and recognized, they need to play in Europe, Africa has serious problems of not prioritizing things from their continent and countries, they don't value their football. African players who play in Europe or better said who play outside the African continent have opportunities to win individual awards, but what about players who play in Africa?

Men's Africa XI (As compiled by FIFPRO Africa)

https://www.cafonline.com/news/osimhen-oshoala-named-african-men-s-and-women-s-player-of-the-year-at-the-caf-awards-2023/

On this list there is no African player who plays for a team here in Africa, they could have at least 1, but the café didn't do that. How do you hope to motivate players who play for local teams? When they do this, it is unlikely that the players from local teams will be well known, the only way for them to be known will only be thanks to Europeans and not thanks to Africans who are people from their own continent.

[snipie]

On this list there is no African player who plays for a team here in Africa, they could have at least 1, but the café didn't do that. How do you hope to motivate players who play for local teams? When they do this, it is unlikely that the players from local teams will be well known, the only way for them to be known will only be thanks to Europeans and not thanks to Africans who are people from their own continent.

Because playing in African teams is a step for every player to get some skills and move outside of the continent to Europe mainly or Gulf region in the second place.
There isn't a real motivation to stay when contracts couldn't be compared to those offered by Europeans so the best players move out of Africa and even the younger and best ones are recruited in national teams, just like France, when they win it is France that did and when they lose they post typically a picture of the African players failing to grab the Cup or title or whatever award they are playing for.
If AFC want to improve football in the continent then let's start with fighting corruption, upgrade stadiums, give the players a minimum respect with good salaries and motivating competitions reward that benefits them and the club, not to be spent on side stuff.. Like that local competitors will be more interesting and good players will increase in number and will stay.

[Rruchi man]

What is left, is for the Nigeria coach to learn how the feature the Nigeria players correctly, and everything will fall into place

I hope he has had enough time to learn properly because the competition is now just a few days away. We are Lucky too that Victor Osimhen has not picked up any injuries close to this competition as we usually experience and should be in good spirit against Equitorial Guinea in our first game on the 14th of January.

I have high hopes for the super eagles, let us not just win the unofficial award for finest Jersey, but also the official award as champions of Africa.

[arimamib]

What is left, is for the Nigeria coach to learn how the feature the Nigeria players correctly, and everything will fall into place

I hope he has had enough time.ro.leaen properly because the competition is now just a few days away. We are Lucky too that Victor Osimhen has not picked up any injuries close to this competition as we usually experience and should be in good spirit against Equitorial Guinea in our first game on the 14th of January.

I have high hopes for the super eagles, let us not just win the unofficial award for finest Jersey, but also the official award as champions of Africa.

The manager having preparation time and the fortunate absence of injuries to key players, such as Victor Osimhen, are indeed positive indicators for the team's readiness. The combination of good spirit and optimal player conditions bodes well for a strong start against Equatorial Guinea on the 14th of January.

Osimhen is a good player with a strong mentality, he is the right figure to lead the team tactically and morally to achieve the pinnacle of success. They should translate the optimism into stellar performances on the field. Super Eagles has been so long quiet at international event. It's time to gain back the reputation of african giant.

[Dzigie]

Morocco had a great performance at the last World Cup. They defeated Portugal 1-0 in the quarterfinals and qualified for the last four. I am sure they will carry their great performance in the World Cup to the African Cup of Nations. They are my biggest favorites. They have quality players like Hakimi, En-Nesry, Bono and Ziyech. Other teams also have quality players. However, Morocco's playing tactics puts them a few steps ahead. They defended very well and had good counter-attacking opportunities in the World Cup. I think if they successfully apply the same tactics in the African Cup of Nations, they will be the favorites again.