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Africa cup of Nations

Paseiro questions Sadiq’s Nigeria loyalty

Nigeria’s coach questions why Sadiq can play for Real Sociedad despite missing the Africa Cup with an injury

 

AP reports that Nigeria coach José Peseiro is “confused” about why Umar Sadiq can play for the Spanish team Real Sociedad despite an injury ruling the forward out of the Africa Cup of Nations.

 

Nigeria coach questions why Sadiq can play for Real Sociedad despite missing Africa Cup with injuryNigeria’s supporters cheer before the African Cup of Nations Group A soccer match between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara B’Ebimpe in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

 

AP Sports Writer (AP) — Nigeria coach José Peseiro says he is “confused” about why Umar Sadiq can play for Spanish team Real Sociedad despite an injury ruling the forward out of the Africa Cup of Nations.

 

The 26-year-old Sadiq has been included in Sociedad’s squad for its Copa del Rey game at Osasuna on Wednesday when Peseiro said he thought the player’s injury would prevent him from playing for Nigeria at the Africa Cup.

 

Nigeria plays host nation Ivory Coast on Thursday when the pressure is on Peseiro’s “Super Eagles” following a 1-1 draw with Equatorial Guinea in their opening game. Ivory Coast started with a 2-0 win over Guinea-Bissau.

 

“I’m also confused,” Peseiro said when asked about Sadiq on Wednesday. “What I can say is I saw the report from the medical test that he’s injured and cannot recover in 15 days, at least, or more time … The report went to the club, and the club said he must come (back) to recover.”

 

Peseiro said Sadiq wanted to stay with the Nigeria squad but that he and his coaching staff decided to replace him before Jan. 3, the final day to submit the squad lists for the tournament.

 

“I am happy that he recovered well. I am sad he’s not here to help us,” Peseiro said.

 

The Portuguese coach has faced criticism after Nigeria, considered one of the tournament favorites, failed to start with a win. At the same time, his team has conceded at least a goal in its last six games, including the 2-0 loss to Guinea in the competition warm-up game.

Star forward Victor Osimhen scored but also missed several good chances in the team’s tournament opener, which Nigeria dominated without winning. The “Super Eagles” had 19 shots at goal compared to seven from Equatorial Guinea.

 

“If you create the same opportunities, you’re going to score,” Peseiro said Wednesday. “Like I said the last time: Sometimes, the god gives; sometimes, the god takes. Sometimes, the god takes, and sometimes, the god gives. It’s the right time for god to give (to) us.”

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Africa cup of Nations

‘Qualification is our only objective’

Casimir Nnga CAFonline

Kévin Nicaise & Casimir Ninga (Chad coach and captain)

 

 

Chad managed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Mauritius on Friday, 22 March, in the opening leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Qualifiers. This was the nation’s first win in five years, as it aims to qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON for the first time in history.

 

The return leg of the qualifier is scheduled for Mauritius on Tuesday, 26 March.

 

CAFOnline caught up with Chad coach Kevin Nicaise, and captain Casimir Ninga posted the victory.

 

Coach, congratulations on the victory. Your team dominated the second period but lacked efficiency in finishing. Does this concern you?

 

Kévin Nicaise:  We faltered a little in the finishing. However, what I remember is that we created a lot of chances. We were solid defensively. In the first half, the match was more balanced. During the second half, we took the upper hand. At the start of the game, the boys were a little stressed about what was at stake. It’s a relatively young group; they don’t all have experience compared to Mauritius. But overall, we are satisfied.

 

How do you plan on rectifying the lack of finishing?

 

KN: We are far from perfect, far from being a top team globally. We are in the construction phase. There are still things to work on and improve. It is not overnight that we will be a top team in the world, we are aware of that, however we are working hard with the group and the staff to achieve this goal. The first twenty minutes were not significant. During the second half, we dared to play and placed ourselves higher. Our group has players with a lot of quality, but the occasion stressed them initially, and then they adjusted later. We could have scored a goal a little earlier, which would have relieved everyone, but I am satisfied with my team’s performance.

 

Captain, what did the coach say to the team during halftime?

 

Casimir Ninga: During half-time, the coach told us about our missed chances. I knew we had to work harder in front of the goal and that, at some point, it would kick in.

 

What analysis do you make of this first meeting against Mauritius?

 

CN: The group has just been formed, and we are still gelling. Our opponents now know our game, and we know theirs. We will now get back to work to fill our gaps.

 

What will be the key to winning the return match?

 

CN: We will go to Mauritius to qualify. Our objective is clear. Chad has never been to the AFCON. Many generations have struggled with the accomplishment of this project. Everything comes in its time; we have good hope of getting there.

 

Coach, what are your team’s good points after this meeting?

 

KN: The biggest thing is winning. It’s been five years since we last won a match; it’s a relief for everyone. I think it will give me confidence for the future. Then, defensively, we must remain strong. We didn’t concede too many chances. We must take advantage of this victory and quickly refocus because a match awaits us on Tuesday.

 

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Africa cup of Nations

Chad move on in AFCON 2025 qualifier

Chad CAFonline

Join Liberia, Eswatini in TotalEnergies driving seat

 

 

Following Liberia and Eswatini’s emphatic first-leg wins in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 qualifiers on Wednesday, 20 March, Chad joined the two nations in the driving seat following their slender 1-0 win over Mauritius on Friday.

 

Liberia edged Djibouti 2-0 at home, while Eswatini were happy travelers when they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Liberia to mark the start of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 qualifiers.

 

The slim victory sees coach Kevin Nicaise’s charges take an important lead in the two-legged affair. The return leg in Mauritius will be even tougher against the islanders on Tuesday, 26 March.

 

Meanwhile, nothing could separate Sao Tome, Principe, and South Sudan when the two sides played out to a goalless draw in Berkane on the same evening.

 

The 0-0 draw will be highly welcomed by South Sudan, hoping to secure a victory at the expense of their opponents, who failed to take their chances in the first leg.

 

Eight (8) of the lowest-ranked nations, as per the FIFA Rankings, are competing in a home-and-away knockout format for the preliminary stage of the qualifiers. The four (4) remaining countries will be eligible to join the 44 nations that will be engaged in the group stages of the qualifiers.

 

TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 Preliminary Qualifiers Results:

 

First Leg Fixtures:

Wednesday, 20 March 

 

Somalia 0 – 3 Eswatini

Djibouti 0 – 2 Liberia

 

Friday, 22 March

Chad 1 – 0 Mauritius

Sao Tome and Principe 0 – 0  South Sudan

 

Return Leg Fixtures:

Tuesday, 26 March

13:00 GMT | Eswatini – Somalia

16:00 GMT | Liberia – Djibouti

17:00 GMT | South Sudan – Sao Tome and Principe

15:00 GMT | Mauritius – Chad

 

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Africa cup of Nations

WATCH LIVE: AFCON Morocco 2025 Preliminary Draw Today

afcon-draw-wl Photo credit: CAFonline

TotalEnergies Morocco 2025 Preliminary Draw Today

 

 

Following the successful conclusion of the 34th edition of TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, the focus has shifted to the next edition, with the preliminary draw of TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 scheduled for Today, 20 February at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

 

The Live Draw will be conducted at 14h00 local time (12h00 GMT) and can be viewed Live on CAF’s official YouTube channel, CAF TV.

 

Real-time updates will also be instantly available across CAF’s digital platforms.

 

TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2023 complete draw procedures 

 

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