FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Jan

31

2025

Tanzania head coach, Hemed Suleiman Ali – “There is no other way”

FOOTBALL

HEAD coach of the Taffia Stars, Hemed Suleiman Ali says every group of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 presents its own challenges, and that their Group C pool is no different to any of the other five groups. The Tanzania head coach was reacting to Monday evening’s TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 draw in Rabat which saw the East Africans drawn in an interesting group that pairs them with neighbours Uganda, as well as two former African champions Nigeria and Tunisia. Tanzania, a fast-growing African football nation is headed to its 4th TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup…

Jan

31

2025

By The African Mirror

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan sets sights on eighth TotalEnergies CAF AFCON title

FOOTBALL

EGYPT head coach Hossam Hassan has declared his ambition to guide the Pharaohs to a record-extending eighth TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title as they prepare to compete in Morocco. Speaking after Monday night’s draw in Rabat, Hassan emphasized the quality of his squad and the responsibility they bear as one of the tournament’s most successful nations. Egypt, seven-time AFCON champions, have been drawn into Group B, where they will face South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe. The group presents a mix of familiar foes, with Egypt holding a long-standing rivalry with South Africa, dating back to AFCON 1996 when Bafana Bafana…

Jan

30

2025

By The African Mirror

Ex-Nigeria captain Yobo confident in Super Eagles’ title prospects after draw

FOOTBALL

NIGERIA'S legendary captain, Joseph Yobo, has expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances of clinching a fourth TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title at the 2025 tournament, following the official draw held on Monday in Rabat, Morocco. The Super Eagles were drawn into Group C alongside 2004 champions Tunisia, East African duo Uganda and Tanzania—co-hosts of the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF AFCON. Reflecting on the group and Nigeria’s historical pedigree, Yobo, a key figure in Nigeria’s last AFCON triumph in 2013, was optimistic about the team’s prospects. “We have a good young crop and a new generation of players that have…

Jan

30

2025

By The African Mirror

“We will fight for the title” – Thiaw sets ambitious goal for Senegal

FOOTBALL

SENEGAL head coach Pape Thiaw has set high ambitions for his team ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco. Speaking after the tournament draw in Rabat on Monday night, Thiaw acknowledged the challenges ahead but exuded confidence in the Lions of Teranga's ability to compete for their second continental title. “It will not be easy at all. These are all teams that have proven themselves,” Thiaw remarked, emphasizing the heightened competitiveness of African football. “There are no more small teams in Africa, but we are Senegal, and we will do everything to be there.”…

Jan

30

2025

By The African Mirror

TotalEnergies and CAF extend and deepen their partnership for a further four years

FOOTBALL

A day after the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Final Draw, President of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) Dr Patrice Motsepe, and Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies concluded an agreement extending their partnership for a further four years. TotalEnergies will now sponsor 12 major CAF events and CAF competitions in the period: 2025-2028. These include the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2024, TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, and TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda 2027, amongst others. With the extension of this partnership, TotalEnergies…

Jan

29

2025

By The African Mirror

Serge Aurier eyes tough Group F challenge as Cote d’Ivoire defends title

FOOTBALL

SPEAKING after the draw held in Rabat on Monday night, Ivorian captain Serge Aurier acknowledged the challenge but exuded confidence in his team’s ability to progress. “Of course, it’s difficult. Matches between Cameroon and Cote d'Ivoire are always intense,” Aurier said. “But we cannot overlook Gabon and Mozambique. African football has progressed significantly, and every team poses a challenge.” Côte d’Ivoire, fresh from their triumphant home-soil campaign in 2023, aim to replicate their success in Morocco. Aurier emphasized the importance of advancing beyond the group stage, citing the team’s proven ability to excel in knockout rounds. “We hope to get…

Jan

28

2025

By The African Mirror

A Desert Symphony: AFCON 2025 brings football magic to Morocco

FOOTBALL

THE ancient medinas of Morocco are stirring with new energy as the nation prepares to host Africa's greatest football spectacle. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations promises to transform Morocco's December festive season into an unprecedented celebration of sport and culture, where the rhythmic beats of Gnawa music will blend with the roars of passionate fans. In Rabat's historic streets, where modern architecture meets timeless tradition, hosts Morocco will launch their campaign against the Comoros Islands on December 21. The majestic Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca will stand witness to epic battles, its towering minaret overlooking a city pulsing with…

Jan

28

2025

By The African Mirror

Aliou Cissé: “The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations requires special preparation”

FOOTBALL

FROM a losing finalist in 2002 to a victorious strategist at the 2021 edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Aliou Cissé's story with Africa's most prestigious competition is a true tale of perseverance and success. In this interview, the former Senegal captain and coach shares his unreserved view of this key event and analyses the ambitions of the Lions of Teranga for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025 in Morocco. CAFOnline.com: You have been designated to attend the draw for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025. How do you feel about this responsibility?Aliou Cissé: It's an experience that I've…

Jan

28

2025

By The African Mirror

CAF and Morocco LOC announce Host Cities and Venues for TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025

FOOTBALL

THE Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) together with Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football and the Local Organizing Committee of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 have announced the cities that will host matches in the competition. Six cities and nine stadiums have been selected for Africa’s flagship football tournament, which will run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. They are Rabat, Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes and Tangier. Host Cities and Stadiums: Host CityStadium NameCapacityRabatComplexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah69 500RabatStade Al Barid18 000RabatStade Olympique Annexe Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah 21 000RabatComplexe Sportif Prince Héritier Moulay EL Hassan22 000CasablancaComplexe Sportif Mohammed V45 000AgadirGrand Stade d’Agadir41 144MarrakechGrand…

Jan

17

2025

By Jovial Rantao

DIALLO’S DIVINE DOZEN: Ivorian’s 12-minute hat-trick rescues United from Saints shock”

FOOTBALL

ON a night when Manchester United seemed destined for humiliation, two African stars wrote their names into Old Trafford folklore. The stage belonged to Amad Diallo, the diminutive Ivorian who transformed from right wing-back to goalscoring hero in a breathtaking 12-minute spell that will long live in the memory of the United faithful. With United trailing to Southampton – a team anchored at the bottom of the Premier League – it was first Andre Onana, the Cameroonian goalkeeper, who kept his team's hopes alive. His heroics included a spectacular double save, first denying Tyler Dibling's powerful strike before producing an…