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A win for Manchester City against West Ham ends all permutations and earns the Citizens a historic four-peat. But a share of the spoils at the Etihad Stadium tilts the tide towards the Gunners who host Everton in the final lap.
Arsenal looks to complement a decent run this season with a bite at the cherry, having lagged two decades behind in winning the English Premier League since 2003/04, their third League title in the modern era (inc. 1997/98, 2001/02).
Mikel Arteta would be proud of his team’s performance across the board, with the arrival of Brentford loanee David Raya over the Summer seemingly challenging Aaron Ramsdale’s place as the first choice.
The €3.34 million loan move for the 28-year-old Spaniard was rewarding as Arsenal poses with the most clean sheets and the best defensive stats in the league, with the compliments of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba as center-back pairings.
Title hopes for the Gunners hinge on permutations at the Etihad Stadium, with a draw or a loss to the Citizens enough to clinch the much elusive Premier League gong, should things go well at the Emirates.
Erling Haaland’s League tally of 27 goals in 30 games this season is the most for any player as the Citizens continue to produce the most League goals since 2017/18, placing Haaland in pole position for a consecutive Golden Boot award after netting 36 goals in 35 games last term.
City's Goal Tally in EPL Since 2017/18
2017/18 - 106
2018/19 - 95
2019/20 - 102
2020/21 - 83
2021/22 - 99
2022/23 - 94
2023/24 - 93*
The Citizens also produced the Player of the Season in Phil Foden who had a tremendous campaign, producing 17 goals and 8 assists, his best return in a League Season since making his senior team debut in 2017/18.
The City Academy product has been immense for Pep Guardiola’s team as a utility player, featuring on the Left, Right, Center, and Attacking Midfield positions, the Left and Right Wings, and as a Center Forward.
Arguably City’s Best Player, Rodrigo was shockingly left out of the POTY nominations having gone all season unbeaten as a player in the league (26 wins and 7 draws).
Rodrigo has gone 49 games unbeaten in the EPL since the loss to Tottenham Hotspur on the 5th of February 2023
EPL Stats
Bernardo Silva, Jack Grealish, Jeremy Doku, Kevin de Bruyne, Mateo Kovaciç, and Julian Alvarez have also performed decently when selected highlighting the squad depth in Pep Guardiola’s Arsenal (no pun intended).
Down the pecking order, Aston Villa astonishingly secured a spot in Europe’s Elite competition for next season following a brilliant campaign under Unai Emery who stands a chance to be nominated for the Coach of the Year award.
The Villans took maximum points at least once against Mancity and Chelsea while defeating Tottenham and Arsenal home and away, after going on an eight-game winning streak at Villa Park early in the season.
Tottenham’s loss to City at home on MatchDay 37 sealed their fate outside the Top 4, with Spurs’ European hopes still hanging on a balance should Sheffield United get maximum points, Chelsea win Bournemouth, and Manchester United win the FA Cup.
A win for Chelsea seals either 6th or 5th positions which guarantees the side a spot in Europe (unless Manchester United wins the FA Cup, or Spurs defeats Sheffield United) by depriving Bournemouth a chance to finish at the top half of the log should the Cherries get the better of the Blues.
Brighton hosts Manchester United at the Amex stadium hoping to finish amongst the top 10 if results stay positive, with the Red Devils only hope of European participation hinging on the FA Cup Manchester Derby final.
Everton and Nottingham Forest overcame daunting tasks to maintain Premier League status after escaping relegation despite sanctions of points deduction by the Jury, with the likes of Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United returning to the Championship the same way they came.
Sheffield United set the record for the most goals conceded in the English Premier League era (101) this season since Swindon Town bagged a century of goals in 1993/94.
It’s also the most goal conceded by a club in Europe’s Top 8 Leagues in 2023/24 including the Dutch Eredivisie, Belgian Jupiler Pro, and the Portuguese Primera Liga.
Victor Boniface with a goal and an assist, plus a Florian Wirtz’ hattrick and a Granit Xhaka strike seal championship victory for Die Werkself on MatchDay 29 against Werder Bremen.
Bayer Leverkusen Are Bundesliga Champions for 2023-24
Founded by the employees of German multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, Bayer AG in 1904, Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball bags a historic feat by clinching a first-ever Bundesliga in 45 years since gaining promotion to the top tier in 1979.
The historic feat was befitting at the 30,210-capacity BayArena stadium in the
factory-based remote city of Leverkusen, located between Düsseldorf to the North and Cologne to the south in the North Rhine-Westphalia state of Germany.
With local rivals as 1. FC Koln, Borrusia Monchengladbach, and Fortuna Dusseldorf Bayer 04 rank among the top five of German football in the modern era due to their regular appearance in European championships and multiple runner-up league finishes (with a league record of five times).
The 2001-02 season remains a season to forget for Die Werkself who were on the brink of clinching the Treble, only to lose the Bundesliga on the final day to Borussia Dortmund via a point (70-69), the UEFA Champions League final to Real Madrid (2-1), and the DFB-Pokal final to Schalke 04 (4-2).
“Football intelligence. We have signed strategic players to be more efficient and consistent in our football”
– Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen Coach
The near-success syndrome has now been cured with the advent of current gaffer Xabi Alonso coaching his team to glory in stunning fashion following 25 wins, 4 draws, and 74 goals in 29 games, clinching the Bundesliga undefeated with six games outstanding.
Bayer Leverkusen now sustains a 43-game unbeaten run in the 2023-24 campaign while competing on two more fronts in the UEFA Europa League quarters against West Ham, and the DFB-Pokal final against Kaiserslautern.
Bayer’s story would be sketchy without the honorary mention of Wilhelm Hauschild, who wrote a letter on the 27th day of November 1903, signed by 170 of his colleagues, to his employer, Friedrich Bayer & Co of the Bayer AG factory, requesting the company’s support in starting a sports club.
The move birthed TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a sports club whose members participate in athletics, gymnastics, basketball, field handball, rowing, tennis, and hockey.
However, in 1999, the football department was separated from the Sports Club into an independent entity called Bayer 04 Leverkusen Fußball GmbH, going on to house world-class players like Brazil’s Zé Roberto and Ricardo Kaka, Bulgaria’s Dimitar Berbatov, Mexico’s Javier Hernández (Chicharito), Heung-min Son, Germany’s Toni Kroos, to mention but a few.
From a team tagged with never winning to a squad known for never losing, Die Werkself rises to the occasion and brings Leverkusen to the fore of the German Football Championship unscathed.
This is African football, a constant battle for bragging rights and a historic cabinet, where we win some and lose others. But the Super Eagles of Nigeria live to fight another day after clinching Silver in their 20th AFCON appearance.
Two Group Stage exits, seven third-place finishes, five-time runners-up, and three-time champions paint the overview of Nigeria’s exploits on the Continental stage at the Africa Cup of Nations since the team’s debut in 1963.
Tagged Africa’s most decorated team based on accolades, the Super Eagles of Nigeria by reputation bag expectations whenever the stage is set, and the 34th edition of AFCON was no different for the African Giants.
Before 2024, the last time Nigeria had a bite at the cherry was over a decade ago in South Africa when the team hustled to victory unbeaten and without any extra time needed. (NB: In football, extra time is different from additional time).
But a rejuvenated Super Eagles side by profile and pedigree, plus the advent of Stanley Nwabali in goal and a tweak in formation helped galvanize the team in going the distance albeit falling feebly to the hosts in the final.
Following proceedings in Côte d’Ivoire, the cup is either half full or half empty based on perspectives, as the team did reach the final against all the odds, but struggled in flexibility, tactical awareness, and finishing when it mattered.
To mention but a few, reigning African Best, Victor Osimhen huffed and puffed with energetic display, getting involved albeit indirectly in most of the goals scored, but missing out on his primary Key Performance Index (KPI) – putting the ball in the back of the net or across the goal line.
In seven games, Victor provided an assist and registered one goal from twenty-four shots with none (goal, assist, or shot) coming in the final.
However, fouls on him created two penalty goals courtesy of Williams Troost-Ekong versus Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa, with his presence inadvertently forcing Opa Sangante to an own goal against Guinea-Bissau.
More productivity was expected from the Napoli forward who had contributed twelve goals in eighteen games across Italian competitions this season (probably lesser output than 2022-23) but missed big chances in headers, one-v-ones, and close ranges at the AFCON.
The list goes on in the Chronicles of players that underwhelmed, with the likes of Samuel Chukwueze, Zaidu Sanusi, and a fair extent Alex Iwobi facing the jury.
Still, a flip on the page sees players like Alhassan Yusuf, Olaoluwa Aina, Calvin Bassey, Semilogo Ajayi, Williams Troost-Ekong, Ademola Lookman, and the Knight in a shinning armor – Stanley Nwabali, all flattering to impress.
Speaking of the cup half full, Nigeria moved fourteen steps up on the FIFA rankings from 42nd to 28th in the world, while climbing from 6th to 3rd-best on the continent after finishing as runners-up.
Captain Williams Troost-Ekong was awarded Player of the Tournament and made Team of the Tournament alongside Ademola Lookman and Olaoluwa Aina as Nigeria’s representatives.
Also worthy of note is the end to José Peseiro’s contract as Head Coach of the Super Eagles as the curtains closed on the AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, plus the uncertainty surrounding the next phase of play, with the 2026 World Cup qualifiers lined up in the coming months.
A double-header against South Africa, Rwanda, and the Benin Republic, plus return fixtures against Lesotho and Zimbabwe stand in the way of Nigeria for two spots from Group C.
“Waka or Stay” as pronounced in local parlance would be the debate on the streets in Naija, and the realization of an imminent exodus of players from the international scene, with the likes of Troost-Ekong, Kenneth Omeruo, Ahmed Musa, and probably Semilogo Ajayi as potential retirees.
The jury is still out on the status of the Super Eagles as things stand, with the Silver win a silver lining for subsequent features and fixtures.
The Super Eagles book a spot in the quarters of the Africa Cup Of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire off the back of a collective effort from individual brilliance within the Nigerian team.
In the defensive phase, Nigeria harnessed Stanley Nwabali’s potential in goal with a formidable cohesion of Captain Williams, Semilogo Ajayi, and Calvin Bassey, as the tweak in formation by Coach Jose Peseiro subsequently produced three clean sheets in four outings.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper who made a move to South Africa from the NPFL in October 2022, has had a decent run in the 2023-24 DSTV Premiership season with Chippa United, conceding fewer goals (14) than games played (15) while clinching seven clean sheets.
Stanley complimented his club form with similar output for his country at the AFCON by saving eight from nine shots faced while conceding once in four games before suffering from a bad challenge from Cameroon’s Gorges-Kevin N’koudou in the Round of 16.
Olaoluwa Aina and Zaidu Sanusi respectively marshaled the right and left flanks while providing the team with more width in attack and defense as full-backs, with Aina averaging a 6.9 player rating as Zaidu grew into the campaign.
Having made Jose Peseiro’s provisional squad, a blessing in disguise came off an injury mishap endured by Wilfred Ndidi pre-tournament, paving the way for Alhassan Yusuf’s selection as an anchor in midfield.
The Super Eagles enjoyed a brilliant debut from the 23-year-old against the Nzalang National before a contusion of the thigh muscles endured in the 68th minute, albeit a sublime combination of Alexander Iwobi and Frank Onyeka subsequently ensured solidity.
Alhassan also started from home soil following his stint at the Tiki Taka Football Academy in Nigeria before jetting out to Swedish club IFK Göteborg as an adult in 2018, and then Belgium’s Royal Antwerp in 2021.
In attack, Victor James Osimhen complimented on his award as 2023’s Africa Player Of The Year by churning out a spirited performance.
The 25-year-old striker has been directly involved in four of Nigeria’s five goals scored thus far while indirectly influencing the fifth against the Djurtus awarding him an average of 7.1 on player ratings.
His timely equalizer against Equatorial Guinea in the group opener helped Nigeria avoid defeat with a point in hand, before gaining the penalty scored by Williams Troost-Ekong against the hosts on MatchDay 2 for three maximum points.
His presence in the third group game against Guinea-Bissau inadvertently influenced Opa Sangante’s own goal, before his consistent press recovered and assisted the ball for Ademola Lookman’s opener against Cameroon.
Despite coming late to the party, Atalanta’s top scorer Ademola Lookman with ten goal contributions (7 goals, 3 assists) in eighteen Serie A games, was also involved in Nigeria’s opening draw after providing the assist for Osimhen’s equalizer.
The 26-year-old humped expectations from fans on his shoulders coming into the tournament and bid his time patiently before bagging a brace against the Indomitable Lions which booked a quarterfinals spot for the Super Eagles.
Although FC Nantes forward Moses Simon featured in all four games played thus far, his major highlight is the color yellow branded in a caution against Cameroon, with brief stints from Paul Onuachu, Raphael Onyedika, Kenneth Omeruo, and Bright Osayi-Samuel coming in handy.
With the Palancas Negras of Angola in sight at the quarters, which Super Eagles has been the most valuable at the AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire?
Share your thoughts.
As the Super Eagles of Nigeria tackle the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the Round of 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup Of Nations in January, more events align between both countries, with the Third Round of CAF’s Women’s Olympic Qualifiers and a Heavy-weight boxing tie in February and March also lined up.
A late resurgence by the Lion-hearted Cameroonians in a five-goal thriller against the Gambians made up for their woeful loss against the Senegalese and the drab draw against Guinea for qualification from Group C.
Both teams finished as runners-up respectively, setting the center stage for a knockout clash at the 35-000 capacity Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny stadium in Abidjan on Saturday, 27th of January, 2024 by 9 p.m. Nigerian time.
In other centers concerning both African nations, the semi-finals of CAF’s Women’s Olympic Qualifiers will be held between the Super Falcons of Nigeria and the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon.
The Super Falcons defeated Lucy of Ethiopia in the quarter-finals with five goals to one on aggregate powered by Rashidat Ajibade’s three goals over two legs, plus two others from Asisat Oshoala and Uchenna Kanu.
Cameroon overturned a two-goal deficit suffered from the first leg against Uganda to win three-nil in the return fixture, thanks to goals from Ajara Njoya (28′), Monique Ngock (47′), and Brigitte Omboudou in Extra-time.
The two-legged affair is billed for Monday the 19th and Wednesday the 28th of February, 2024 for a spot in the finals and an automatic ticket to Paris ’24.
Away from football, both countries go at logger-head albeit on an individual basis as Nigeria-born British champion Anthony Joshua faces off against Cameroon maestro Francis Ngannou for a Heavy-weight tie in Riyad, Saudi Arabia.
Ngannou, 37, has surfed through varying categories of combat sports from his days in Mixed Martial Arts where he boasts of 17 wins (12 knockouts, 4 by submission, 1 by decision), a stint in Kickboxing defeating Farid Nair in France by decision, and in professional boxing where he lost to Tyson Fury.
“I’m here for the boxing career and there I have a lot of challenges, a lot of names. For example, the top three guys that I’ve always had are Fury, Joshua and Wilder,”
– Francis Ngannou, Sky Sports’ MMA Club
Joshua who’s three years younger (34), will hope to add to his 27 wins (24 knockouts) from 30 professional boxing bouts while hoping his 3 losses remain unprovoked, after clinching three straight wins since losing twice to Oleksandr Usyk.
“Patiently waiting for the first bell to ring”
– Anthony Joshua on X
The much-anticipated bout is officially billed for Friday the 8th of March, 2024 right at the heart of the Middle-Eastern hemisphere.
A goal from open play at the back post against the Nzalang National, another from the penalty spot against the hosts, and an own goal against the Djurtus were enough to book a spot for the Super Eagles in the knockout stages.
More doubts than assurances rocked the Nigerian camp during the build-up to the tournament when vital team players like Wilfred Ndidi, Victor Boniface, and Umar Sadiq suffered injuries, seemingly limiting the squad depth.
However, the void paved a path for the inclusion of Royal Antwerp’s midfielder Alhassan Yusuf, OGC Nice striker Terem Moffi, and Paul Onuachu, who currently serves a season-long loan at Trabzonspor from Southampton, into the squad.
The objective of progressing to the knockout stages was crystal clear for Jose Peseiro’s men having drawn the host national team, Côte d’Ivoire alongside the Nzalang National and Djurtus of Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau respectively in Group A.
Despite the early scare orchestrated by Iban Salvador of Equatorial Guinea in the 36th minute of the first game, Victor Osimhen’s instant response for Nigeria’s equalizer in the 38th minute came in handy to avoid a dreadful loss.
From then on, a tweak in formation and game approach, plus the inclusion of extra legs, ensured a formidable defensive structure that produced two clean sheets in the subsequent group games.
The change had unlikely repercussions as Nigeria registered only one shot on target against the Elephants in the room – Côte d’Ivoire, and the Wild Dogs on the side – Guinea Bissau, despite registering eleven attempts in each game.
While analytical focus highlights a dip in creativity and finishing, a flip of the coin shows the Super Eagles’ solidity and discipline consequently limiting the attempts on goal from the opposition.
An interesting chapter of the story features Alhassan Yusuf, whose 69 minutes played in the campaign felt like the brick the builders rejected which became the chief concrete, following a composed, precise, and stupendous spell.
But the 23-year-old remains steadfast while recuperating before regaining his spot in the middle of the park, with the onus lying on Frank Onyeka who has also covered himself in subtle accolades.
“I suffered a contusion of the thigh muscles, but the recovery is going well.”
– Alhassan Yusuf, to the Media
In goal, Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabili is the new sheriff in town, after usurping FC Omonia’s Francis Uzoho for first choice, with the 27-year-old Lagos-born goalie heaping fresh air and relief in between the sticks.
Stanley’s resurgence records four goals in four games and two clean sheets since making his return to the squad after a two-year hiatus since the international friendly played against El Tri of Mexico in 2021 where he conceded four goals in one.
With the inclusions of Calvin Bassey, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Joseph Aribo, Raphael Onyedika, and Chidozie Awaziem to the fray, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will hope to right their wrong from the last edition when they lost to Tunisia at this stage after an impressive Group spell.
The Blue Sharks of Cape Verde become the first team to clinch a ticket to the knockout stages of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with six points from two games, consequently posing as unlikely title contenders after thrashing Mozambique at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan.
Rayo Vallencano forward Tiago Manuel Dias Correia, commonly known as Bebé, registered a goal of the tournament contender with a ferocious strike from 40 yards out from a set-piece for the opener in the first half as the West African oceanic side dominated the game.
Bebé, who made his Cape Verde debut in 2022 after representing Portugal at youth level, also featured for top European clubs like Manchester United, Beşiktaş, Benfica, Rayo Vallecano, to mention but a few, but is currently on loan at second-division Real Zaragoza.
Momentum improved in the game as the team’s Captain, Ryan Mendes, took advantage of a defensive error on the edge of the box by Mozambique to double Cape Verdean’s lead, with Kevin Pina hammering a brilliant strike into the top corner from outside the box to seal the win in front of 5,794 fans.
On the flip side, Mozambique’s edgy moments came as Geny Catamo won a penalty in the first half before the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) stepped in to overturn the Referee’s initial decision, before having another attempt at goal striking the crossbar from a free-kick.
With a spot in the Round of 16 in the bag after defeating Ghana in the first group game, the Tubarões Azuis face a final hurdle in the first round against a staggering Egyptian side who has garnered just two points from two games while conceding four times.
Cape Verde will look to maintain their hundred percent run thus far garnished with brilliant displays and lethal finishing, having scored five goals from five different players and conceding just once, with a +4 goal difference tally.
With twelve games played in six Ivorian stadia, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations flattered to impress with historic moments, upsets, clean sheets, and no stalemate as each match center registered at least a goal after the first round of games.
The Brave Warriors of Namibia made history against the odds with their first-ever win at the Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-nil victory over the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia in front of 13,991 fans at the 20-000 capacity Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium in Korhogo.
The Brave Warriors previously graced the continental stage thrice in three different decades, losing twice and drawing once in 1998, registering the same run ten years later in 2008, before losing all three group games in 2019.
While Deon Hotto of Orlando Pirates header for Namibia’s solo goal was too hot for the Tunisians to handle, Bethuel Muzeu’s pin-point cross from the left flank took the highlight for the assist of the round.
At the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pédro, the Atlas Lions of Morocco roared, as Romain Saiss, Azzedine Ounahi, and Youssef En Nesyri all got on the scorecard against ten-man Tanzania.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s Novatus Miroshi Dismas’ double caution for tripping joins two others in the Red Zone for dismissals in the first round, alongside the Gambia’s Ebrima “Ebou” Adams and Guinea’s Francois Kamano.
The three unreplied goals for the Atlas Lions put them in the same den as the Teranga Lions of Senegal, who also roared to a three-nil victory over the Gambia, after making a brilliant start to defending their AFCON title with Sadio Mane creating the opener for Pape Gueye in the box.
At the same time, Marseille duo Ismaila Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye also registered their names in Senegalese jerseys among creators for assisting Lamine Camara to the only brace thus far in round 1.
Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Sadio Mane, all plying their trades in the Saudi Pro League came to the fur for the defending champions, with the defense also keeping a clean sheet.
Only Ghana (1963, 1965), Cameroon (2000, 2002), and Egypt (2006, 2008, 2010), have successfully defended the continental gong in AFCON’s history, as the Teranga Lions aim to join the hall of fame.
In Yamoussoukro, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon were held to a one-all draw at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium by ten-man Guinea, who took an early lead in the tenth minute before losing a man to Red Card.
The dismissal seemed to fuel the five-time champions to an early lead in the second half, as the Saudi Pro League’s third-highest goalscorer, Gorges-Kevin N’koudou of Damac FC, orchestrated a sublime through ball into the box for Frank Magri’s equalizer six minutes after the break for Cameroon.
The AFCON ’21 host nation who were without their injured talisman Vincent Aboubakar, huffed and buffed with Karl Toko Ekambi who netted five times in seven games in the 2022 campaign, eventually firing blanks.
Shocking results were compiled from Abidjan and Korhogo where Ghana fell to the resurgence of Cape Verde at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium as South Africa lost without reply to the Malians at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium.
The Black Stars of Ghana were handed a sour taste of revenge by the Tubarões Azuis (Blue Sharks) with a grudge dating back to Cape Verde’s 2013 debut appearance in the AFCON.
Ghana knocked out Cape Verde in the Quarter-finals via a two-nil victory at Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth, ending the Blue Sharks’ impressive run in South Africa.
But it was Cape Verde who dazzled in front of 11,943 fans in 2024 taking a deserving lead through Jamiro Monteiro in the 17th minute, before escaping an equalizing scare when Majeed Ashimeru fired home a sublime yet disallowed goal from 25 yards out.
Ankaragucu’s Garry Rodrigues who plies his trade in the Turkish Super Lig sealed the victory in additional time (90+1) for Cape Verde’s second win in their AFCON history.
Mali’s Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko handed Bafana Bafana of South Africa an uncharacteristic loss at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly, to further pile more misery on Hugo Broos’ men.
South Africa continues their struggles after managing just three wins in their last ten games (L3, D4) including their opening fixture against Mali after the players were promised a winning-prize equivalent in incentives by the South Africa Football Association (SAFA).
To wrap up the round-off, the Super Eagles of Nigeria shared the spoils against the Nzalang National of Equatorial Guinea with both teams delivering end-to-end stuff.
In the 36th minute, Iban Salvador netted his 6th international goal for the Equatorians in 33 games, while the 38th minute saw Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen respond almost instantly with his 31st strike in 36 international games for the Nigerians.
Its AFCON O Clock!!!
With few hours left to the kickoff of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON2023), Ivorian Stadiums are set, the Nations are ready, and the entire continent is on its lookout for the kicks, the goals, the miss, the cheers, and mixed emotions that come with the tournament.
The 34th edition of Africa’s biennial football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), originally scheduled for June/July 2023 but shifted to January-February 2024 based on weather conditions in West Africa, will be hosted by Ivory Coast for the second time since the 1984 edition.
All 52 games will be played in five major Stadiums in Côte d’Ivoire. with the hosting rights geared to accelerate the country’s rebound since the civil war ended in 2011, after shelling out more than $1 billion on infrastructure and organization.
According to football writer – Piers Edwards, $79 million, $84 million, and $113 million, were spent on building new stadiums in Yamoussoukro, Korhogo, and Abidjan respectively, while the refurbishment of Abidjan’s Felix Houphouet-Boigny venue cost another $109 million.
In addition, airports, roads, hospitals, and hotels have been constructed and/or upgraded in five selected host cities – Abidjan, Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro, and Yamoussoukro.
With key players like Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, Egypt’s Mo Salah, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi, Ghana’s Jordan Ayew, Senegal’s Nickolas Jackson, and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, among others gracing the tournament, the AFCON poses for viewing pleasure.
With uncertainties surrounding the title favorites, few Nations are flattering on the list after their tremendous feats in the qualifiers and the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.
Morocco remains Africa’s top-ranked team and 13th-best in the world following their historic run to the World Cup semi-finals and the third-place round.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah will be looking to captain Egypt to a record-extending eighth triumph when the tournament gets underway after finishing as runner-up with the Pharaohs twice.
3-time winners – the Super Eagles of Nigeria appear to rest their oasis on the lethal threat of Victor Osimhen, with the Napoli striker coming off as Africa’s Footballer of the Year and 8th-best player in the Ballon d’Or ranking after clinching the capocannoniere and influencing Napoli’s first Serie A title triumph in 33 years.
The Super Eagles also brew with mixed results after decimating a Dubai-based club – Al Gharbia, 12 goals to nil, while subsequently suffering a 2-nil defeat against the Syli National of Guinea.
Jose Peseiro’s side also endured injury setbacks with forwards Victor Boniface and Umar Sadiq alongside influential midfielder Wilfred Ndidi all ruled out with injuries, with Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho’s fitness still doubtful.
However, Terem Moffi, Paul Onuachu, and Alhassan Yusuf have been assigned to replace the injured, with the opening fixture against the Nzalang National of Equatorial Guinea only 24 hours away.
The Opening Ceremony will feature Mama Africa, Yemi Alade entertaining the spectators with host Nation Ivory Coast playing against Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, in Abidjan.
Nigerians will have the opportunity to watch all matches on Free-To-Air (FTAs) and cable networks due to secured rights, memorandum of understanding, and sublicensing deals.
It sure will be some thrilling weeks ahead.
As D-day dawns on lovers of African football for the continent’s most prestigious tournament taking center stage for the 34th time of asking in Côte d’Ivoire, the jury is out on the Super Eagles of Nigeria opening their chapter in 24 hours against the Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea.
Through fifteen (15) games in charge of the Super Eagles of Nigeria in one and half years, Jose Vitor Peseiro has tinkered with different formations to get the best possible fit from his adopted team, but which is most effective?
Each setup culminated in six wins, three draws, and six losses, with the latest, an international friendly against the Syli National of Guinea, ending in a 2-nil daunting loss five days before the commencement of Africa’s most coveted tournament – AFCON ’23.
Ironically, Peseiro’s first game in charge – versus El Tri of Mexico and the most recent game (vs Guinea) was approached with the 3-man defense game plan, with both games ending in a loss.
This suggests that the squad is not suited for the high-line counter-attacking style based on the player profiles available, with the coach utilizing the 3-5-2, 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, and 3-4-3 formations over time.
Although, his most preferred approach based on records has been the 4-4-2 formation with a double pivot (#6) sitting behind two playmakers (trequartista or fantasista), spearheaded by one central, and another supporting striker.
Ten of the fifteen games managed have been with the 4-4-2 formation resulting in three losses, five wins, and two draws, with the team unbeaten when playing a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation (W1, D1).
With injury crises rocking the attacking department of the team, a formation that highlights a lone striker feeding off an attacking trio behind with a double pivot in midfield sealed by a 4-man defense, could fit in effectively.
Defensively, the Super Eagles have witnessed a resurgence both centrally and on the flanks, citing a balance of youngsters and veterans with form and experience, sitting in front of a now subtle goalkeeping competition between Francis Uzoho and Stanley Nwabili in goal.
26-year-old Bright Osayi-Samuel and 27-year-old Olaoluwa Aina on the right, 24-year-olds Bruno Onyemaechi and Calvin Bassey on the left, plus 30-year-olds Semilogo Ajayi and Kenneth Omuero as center-back pairings, give for good retention.
In the hole, the team will be without the formidable services of Wilfred Ndidi, with his replacement – Alhassan Yusuf, sitting nicely beside Raphael Onyedika or Frank Onyeka, while the creative hub houses Alexander Iwobi and Joseph Aribo.
Italian Serie A duo consisting of Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan, plus Nantes’ Moses Simon in the French Ligue 1 pose to provide enough flair for the strikers, with Kelechi Iheanacho’s input still in doubt due to injury.
The team would be relying on the lethal capabilities of Victor Osimhen, Terem Moffi, and Paul Onuachu upfront, depending on Peseiro’s lineup options, after enduring the fitness setback faced by Victor Boniface and Sadiq Umar on the sidelines.
These intricacies point to the analytic stance that the 4-2-3-1 formation could just be the game plan needed to fulfill Nigeria’s theme for a fourth title-winning campaign.
So, Let’s Do It Again. Shall we?
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