Naomisophysblog

Tag: African Cup of Nations

  • Eric Chelle Hints at Disciplinary Action for Osimhen Following AFCON Bust-Up With Lookman

    Eric Chelle Hints at Disciplinary Action for Osimhen Following AFCON Bust-Up With Lookman

    Following Victor Osimhen’s furious on-field altercation with Ademola Lookman following Nigeria’s decisive victory against Mozambique at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has hinted that Osimhen may face repercussions.

    The second half of Monday night’s Round of 16 match, which the Super Eagles won 4-0 to secure a spot in the continental championship quarterfinals, was the flashpoint.

    Television cameras saw Osimhen and Lookman in a heated altercation on the field as the Super Eagles led by three goals. Both players were obviously upset.

    Osimhen indicated to the bench a few moments later that he wished to be replaced. In response, Chelle introduced Paul Onuachu as his replacement.

    That was not the end of it. The Galatasaray forward chose not to participate in the post-match festivities with his teammates and instead went straight down the tunnel after the final whistle.

    During his post-match press conference, Chelle addressed the incident, stating that it would be handled internally and declining to get into specifics.

    The coach stated, “What happened on the pitch will stay in the group.”

    “I keep what will happen to myself, so I don’t need to tell you.”

    Osimhen had a successful night in front of goal, but the drama still played out. With Lookman scoring once and setting up Osimhen’s brace with two assists, the three-time African champions had quickly taken a dominating lead, increasing the striker’s tournament total to three goals.

    But halfway through the second half, a good team move went awry, and tensions erupted. Osimhen was irate about a delayed pass, yelling at Lookman in a furious manner.

    After the striker asked to be removed off the field, some members of the crowd expressed their disapproval by booing him as he exited.

  • AFCON 2025 Update: Improved Bonuses for Super Eagles, Chukwueze Reacts to Morocco Climate

    AFCON 2025 Update: Improved Bonuses for Super Eagles, Chukwueze Reacts to Morocco Climate

    After new negotiations with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Super Eagles players will each receive $30,000 for making it to the Round of 16 of the current 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    ScoreNigeria reports that the Super Eagles rejected a $15,000 per player initial offer. A new value of $30,000, which is better than the bonuses received at the most recent AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, was later reached through negotiations. Incentive packages for the tournament’s final stages have also been agreed upon by both parties.

    According to reports, on Saturday, December 27, the Super Eagles secured their spot in the knockout stages with a close 3-2 victory over the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, securing qualifying with one game remaining.

    Later today at 5 p.m., Eric Chelle’s team will take on the Cranes of Uganda in their final Group C game.

    During the preparations, winger Samuel Chukwueze offered a lighthearted moment away from the bonus discussions when he expressed his opinions about the circumstances in Morocco.

    Chukwueze tells teammate Alex Iwobi, “I don’t like this weather [in Morocco], it’s like London,” as they go on a team stroll.

    Iwobi said, “But you like London?” to Chukwueze.

    “My guy, you can at least see the bright future with the weather in London,” the AC Milan loanee retorted.

    With victories over Tanzania and Tunisia, Nigeria has had a great start to the competition and now leads Group C with six points.

  • Super Eagles’ Resolve Praised by Eric Chelle Following Tunisia Victory, AFCON Knockout Secured

    Super Eagles’ Resolve Praised by Eric Chelle Following Tunisia Victory, AFCON Knockout Secured

    After the Super Eagles defeated Tunisia 3-2 in a Group C match in Fez on Saturday night to secure qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) knockout stage, Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle praised his players for their tenacity and intensity.

    Ademola Lookman’s outstanding performance propelled Nigeria into a three-goal lead, and the team seemed to be in control for the majority of the game. After laying on two goals, the attacker scored in the 66th minute with a beautiful left-footed effort.

    In retrospect, Chelle was very happy with his team’s intensity and discipline over the majority of the match, both in regaining possession and making intentional use of the ball.

    “Once again, I’m pleased with the level of intensity we displayed throughout seventy-five minutes. I’m happy with how we were able to retrieve the ball both deep and high up the field. We were able to hold possession of the ball for extended stretches of the game while also advancing swiftly,” he remarked.

    “We produced numerous opportunities and chances to score. We earned this victory in the second half up until the 75th minute.

    According to reports, the Super Eagles had taken the lead just before halftime when Lookman’s precise delivery caused Victor Osimhen to rise forcefully and head home. Early in the second half, captain Wilfred Ndidi nodded in from another Lookman corner to double the lead.

    Lookman’s goal came shortly after, but Tunisia’s late response added pressure to the final moments. Once the North Africans gained momentum, Chelle saw the threat they posed.

    We were the superior squad, so we deserved it. Following that, Tunisia used their signature vigor to play. He continued, “A set piece gave them their first goal, and a play moment gave them their second.”

    But once more, I believe we were the superior team in every aspect of the game, and we earned this victory. Naturally, it would be pleasant to end a match without experiencing such agony.

    Montassar Talbi scored from a free kick by Hannibal Mejbri in the 75th minute to start Tunisia’s comeback. Tension inside the stadium increased when Ali Abdi converted a penalty that was later given by a VAR review. Ferjani Sassi’s header in stoppage time went just wide, but Nigeria managed to hang on.

    Nigeria maintains their six-point lead in Group C with a result, securing their spot in the round of 16. Chelle’s team will now focus on their last group match on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in Fez against Uganda.

  • AFCON 2025: Tunisia Overcomes Opening Game Woes; Senegal, Nigeria, DR Congo Deliver [Fixtures]

    AFCON 2025: Tunisia Overcomes Opening Game Woes; Senegal, Nigeria, DR Congo Deliver [Fixtures]

    On Tuesday night, the Carthage Eagles defeated Uganda 3-1 in Rabat thanks to a brace from Elias Achouri, ending Tunisia’s long-standing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opening-day curse.

    In their opening Group C encounter at the 2025 tournament, the North Africans’ 12-year losing streak in the AFCON finals came to an abrupt halt.

    After barely ten minutes, Ellyes Skhiri put Tunisia ahead and established the tone. Achouri demonstrated Tunisia’s intention to attack by doubling the lead prior to halftime and coming back to complete the task just after the hour mark. Denis Omedi gave Uganda a comeback deep into stoppage time, but the match was already lost.

    In the final third, Uganda found it difficult to match Tunisia’s cutting edge despite having a little more of the ball. With Tanzania in third place and Uganda at the bottom, Tunisia now leads Group C on goal differential, surpassing Nigeria.

    Nigeria had to put in more effort than they had anticipated in Fes before defeating Tanzania 2-1 in their own Group C match. The majority of the first half was dominated by the Super Eagles, who had Victor Osimhen stunningly denied and hit the woodwork through Akor Adams.

    Semi Ajayi scored the game-winning goal in the 36th minute after Alex Iwobi’s enticing cross from a corner. Charles M’Mombwa scored an equalizer early in the second half, briefly silencing the Nigerian fans, but Tanzania quickly responded. After another assist from Iwobi, Ademola Lookman restored Nigeria’s advantage with a thundering left-footed finish just 108 seconds later.

    Tanzania threatened a second equalizer, but Calvin Bassey’s important interventions and Ibrahim Hamad’s squandered opportunity helped Nigeria hold fast. The Super Eagles are already in a strong position ahead of their exciting matchup with Tunisia.

    Senegal easily defeated Botswana 3-0 in Group D play at the Grand Stade de Tanger to demonstrate their abilities. The former champions were ahead thanks to goals from Nicolas Jackson in either half and a late third from substitute Cherif Ndiaye.

    Ismail Jakobs’ cut-back gave Jackson the lead in the 40th minute, and he doubled it shortly before the hour with a crisp finish. Jackson was a persistent threat. Goitseone Phoko, the goalkeeper for Botswana, made a number of saves to keep the score respectable while the Bayern Munich striker nearly finished his hat-trick.

    In a tough match characterized by wasted opportunities and late drama, DR Congo defeated Benin earlier in the group. After Benin’s defense faltered and the winger neatly slotted into the corner, Théo Bongonda’s first-half goal proved to be crucial.

    Soon after the restart, Cedric Bakambu believed he had doubled the lead, but VAR disallowed the goal due to offside. Benin created multiple late opportunities as both teams pushed for more, but they were unable to secure a regulation-time victory in the finals once more. The outcome increased DR Congo’s remarkable winning streak on foreign soil to six straight.

    As the group-stage drama continues to play out, attention now shifts to Wednesday’s games: Burkina Faso vs. Equatorial Guinea, Algeria vs. Sudan, Ivory Coast vs. Mozambique, and Cameroon vs. Gabon.

    Today, December 24, AFCON matches include Burkina Faso vs. Equatorial Guinea at 1:30 p.m.

    Sudan vs. Algeria, 4 p.m.

    Mozambique vs. Ivory Coast, 6:30 p.m.

    Gabon vs. Cameroon at 9 p.m.