AFCON

2024 - 10 - 14

Nigeria Stages Dramatic AFCON Exit: Who Knew Football Could Be This Complicated?

Libya vs Nigeria AFCON - Cameroon - diplomacy - football - Kenya - Libya - Nigeria - sports controversies - Libya vs Nigeria

Nigeria's AFCON drama unfolds with a mix of diplomatic row, legal threats, and football triumphs in Kenya!

In a series of wild twists, Nigeria has faced a diplomatic row with Libya after pulling out of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier meant to take place in Libya. This withdrawal was driven by reports of alleged 'inhumane treatment' of the Nigerian national team, which led to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. The situation escalated when Nigeria’s defender William Troost-Ekong celebrated their initial goal in a match riddled with complications, all while his teammates were stranded for hours in an airport far from the action. Talk about a goal celebration gone wrong!

Meanwhile, it wasn't all doom and gloom for Kenyan fans as their national team managed to secure a spot in the AFCON qualifiers. In a nail-biting face-off, Cameroon edged out Kenya with a narrow 1-0 victory, sealing their place for the renowned tournament in Morocco next year. Kenyans can still hold their heads high, though! The youth teams have been showcasing their talent, with Aldrine Kibet scoring a hat-trick and guiding Kenya into the semi-finals of the AFCON U-20 qualifiers.

This whole saga took a darker turn as the Libyan Football Federation has now threatened legal action against Nigeria, claiming that the issues faced during the qualifiers were not intentional. As diplomatic tensions rise, both nations are caught in a whirlwind of accusations and interpretations of the events, leaving football fans on the edge of their seats. In response, members of the Nigerian House of Representatives have proposed inviting the Libyan Ambassador for questioning, emphasizing the severity of the matter.

To add a cherry on top of this drama, did you know that the AFCON tournament is one of the oldest continental competitions in the world, dating back to its first occurrence in 1957? Moreover, Kenya's football history in the AFCON has seen ups and downs, with their most prominent achievement being a runner-up position in 1970. While Nigeria's Super Eagles figure out their next move amid investigations and possible legal battles, it's safe to say, the world of African football is anything but predictable!

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Nigeria return from Libya as Algeria and Cameroon qualify for ... (Aljazeera.com)

Nigeria's claims about mistreatment in Libya are being investigated by the Confederation of African Football.

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Image courtesy of "Daily Nation"

Nigeria, Libya embroiled in diplomatic row over botched Afcon ... (Daily Nation)

Nigeria's defender #5 William Troost-Ekong (right) celebrates after shooting a penalty and scoring his team's first goal during their Africa Cup of Nations ...

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Image courtesy of "Ahram Online"

Libya vs. Nigeria AFCON qualifier called off amid investigation ... (Ahram Online)

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have called off the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between Libya and Nigeria, originally scheduled ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

Nigeria pull out of Afcon qualifier after squad stranded in Libya – video (The Guardian)

Nigeria have pulled out of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Libya after being diverted and abandoned for hours in an airport far from the match ...

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Image courtesy of "CAFOnline.com"

Cameroon edges Kenya to secure TotalEnergies CAF AFCON place ... (CAFOnline.com)

Cameroon secured their place at the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco next year after their vital 1-0 victory over Kenya in ...

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Image courtesy of "Pulse Live Kenya"

Libyan FA threatens legal action against Nigeria for AFCON match ... (Pulse Live Kenya)

The LFF had said on Monday that the incident was not deliberate and urged Nigeria to be understanding.

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Image courtesy of "Daily Sabah"

Nigerian Super Eagles fly home after snubbing Libya AFCON qualifier (Daily Sabah)

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced on Monday that the national team has safely returned home following reports of 'inhumane treatment' in...

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Image courtesy of "ESPN"

Nigeria boycott AFCON qualifier against Libya - federation - ESPN (ESPN)

Nigeria have pulled out of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya on Monday, according to their captain William Troost-Ekong and the Nigeria ...

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Image courtesy of "Daily Nation"

Kibet's hat-trick guides Kenya to Afcon U20 qualifiers semis (Daily Nation)

Kenya's striker Aldrine Kibet shoots the ball during their match against Sudan in the Cecafa U20 qualifiers at Azam Sports Complex in Dar es Salaam, ...

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Image courtesy of "CECAFA FOOTBALL"

Kenya sink Sudan to storm semi final stage of AFCON U-20 qualifiers (CECAFA FOOTBALL)

Kenya have booked the last semi-final slot in the on-going TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) CECAFA Qualifiers. Going into their last deciding ...

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Image courtesy of "The Punch"

AFCON: Invite Libyan Ambassador for questioning, Reps tell FG (The Punch)

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to invite the Libyan Ambassador to Nigeria for questioning over the ill-treatment meted ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

LIVE: Sudan vs Ghana – AFCON 2025 qualifier (Aljazeera.com)

Sudan entertain Ghana in their CAF (Confederation of African Football) Africa Cup of Nations 2025 qualifier in Group F. The match, which Sudan are hosting ...

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Image courtesy of "CECAFA FOOTBALL"

Uganda, Sudan pick vital wins in AFCON 2025 qualifiers (CECAFA FOOTBALL)

Uganda Cranes and Sudan have registered important wins to brighten their chances of qualifying for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

Afcon 2025: Libya criticises Nigeria for boycotting qualifier in Benghazi (BBC News)

Libya's football federation criticises its Nigerian counterpart after the Super Eagles boycott Tuesday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

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Image courtesy of "Kawowo Sports"

Cranes on the cusp of Afcon 2025 qualification after South Sudan win (Kawowo Sports)

Denis Omedi's early strike had been cancelled out by a well taken goal by Yohanna Juma goal as the first half ended in a stalemate.

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Image courtesy of "SuperSport"

Mane's clutch free-kick secure Senegal's 2025 Afcon spot | SuperSport (SuperSport)

Senegal confirmed their spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament this week, after Sadio Mane inspired his team to a tense 1-0 win against Malawi in ...

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Image courtesy of "Sportstar"

AFCON 2025 qualifiers: Mane helps Senegal secure spot in Africa ... (Sportstar)

The 2021 winner, which recently parted ways with long-time coach Aliou Cisse, join Burkina Faso as the qualified nations from Group L in the 24-team AFCON ...

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Image courtesy of "Kawowo Sports"

Congo delay Cranes Afcon 2025 party (Kawowo Sports)

The result means Uganda stay top of Group K with 10 points, two better than South Africa who are in second position while Congo are now.

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Image courtesy of "CAFOnline.com"

Senegal, DR Congo and Uganda seal TotalEnergies CAF AFCON ... (CAFOnline.com)

DR Congo, Uganda and Senegal secured their spots at the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after important wins in their qualifying ...

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Image courtesy of "SuperSport"

AFCONQ WRAP: Four more teams secure Afcon tickets | SuperSport (SuperSport)

Four more teams have secured their place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) after Matchday 4 four of the qualifiers was brought to a close with 16 ...

Rising Stars March into U20 AFCON CECAFA Qualifiers Semifinals ... (Football Kenya Federation)

Forward Aldrine Kibet was the standout performer, opening his tournament goal-scoring tally in spectacular fashion with a hat-trick. Kibet wasted no time ...

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Image courtesy of "The Punch"

Libya threatens legal action after abandoned AFCON qualifier (The Punch)

The Libyan Football Federation has vehemently said that Nigeria should be held responsible for the abandoned Tuesday's Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in ...

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Image courtesy of "South African Football Association"

Bafana held to a 1-1 draw by Congo in away AFCON qualifier ... (South African Football Association)

15 October 2024 - Bafana Bafana were held to a 1-1 draw by Congo Brazzaville in an away 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played at Stade Alphonse ...

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Image courtesy of "Daily Maverick"

Bafana Bafana still have two chances to seal Afcon participation (Daily Maverick)

A 1-1 draw with Congo-Brazzaville on Tuesday denied Bafana Bafana the chance to qualify for next year's Africa Cup of Nations with two games to spare.

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Image courtesy of "Capital FM Kenya"

Neighbors Uganda one point away from AFCON qualification (Capital FM Kenya)

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 16 – Neighbors Uganda, co-hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations and next year's Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) are just one Get ...

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Image courtesy of "News24"

Bafana just a win away from Afcon ticket (News24)

South Africa will face Congo-Brazzaville on the back of demolishing the central African nation 5-0 in their first meeting in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, ...

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Image courtesy of "Voice of Nigeria"

AFCON 2025: 8 countries qualify for tournament (Voice of Nigeria)

This was confirmed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday. The qualified teams include Congo, Senegal, Egypt, Angola, Cameroon, Algeria, ...

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