Africa's World Cup Qualifying Draw Launches New Format And At Least 9 Teams Towards 2026 Event

Moroccan players celebrate their victory over Spain during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Morocco and Spain, at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar, on Dec. 6, 2022. Image: Martin Meissner/Associated Press

BY GERALD IMRAY

ABIDJAN, IVORY COAST (AP) -- Nigeria and South Africa were drawn in the same World Cup qualifying group on Thursday in a re-shaped African competition that will lead to at least nine teams at the 2026 showpiece in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The enlarged 48-team World Cup in three years’ time means Africa’s places are up from five to nine, with the possibility of a 10th African team making it through an inter-continental playoff.

In the new African format, just the winners of the nine six-team groups are guaranteed a place at the World Cup. The four best second-place teams enter African playoffs and the one that comes through those makes it to an inter-continental mini-tournament, where the two final teams at the World Cup will be decided.

World Cup semifinalist Morocco, the first African or Arab team to make the last four after its surprising run in Qatar last year, is in a group where its sternest tests will likely come from 2012 African champion Zambia and Niger.

The African qualifiers will be played from November to October 2025.

Benin, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho are the other teams in Group C with Nigeria and South Africa. Zimbabwe was included in the draw after FIFA lifted an international ban on the country on Tuesday. Zimbabwe was suspended in February 2022 because of government interference in its soccer federation.

Morocco, Zambia and Niger are in Group E with Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Eritrea, which is ranked 200 out of FIFA’s 211 teams.

The draw followed the Confederation of African Football’s general assembly in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, the West African country that will host the next African Cup of Nations in January-February.

Defending African champion Senegal will play Congo, Mauritania, Togo, Sudan and South Sudan in Group B. The Sudanese neighbors will play each other in World Cup qualifying having split into independent states in 2011 after decades of civil war.

Egypt is in Group A and is expected to be pushed by Burkina Faso for the qualifying place there. Egypt played at the 2018 World Cup in Russia after a 28-year absence but missed Qatar.

Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Cameroon and Ghana were the five teams from Africa to qualify for the World Cup last year. While Morocco made history to get to the semis, Senegal lost in the last 16 and the other three didn’t get past the group stage.

Ghana faces a tough qualifying path in Group I against Mali, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Chad and Comoros, the tiny island archipelago that beat the Ghanaians in the group stage of the last African Cup and sent them to an early and embarrassing elimination.

Tunisia is with Equatorial Guinea, Namibia, Malawi, Liberia and Sao Tome and Principe in Group H.

Cameroon faces Cape Verde, Angola, Libya, Eswatini and Mauritius in Group D.

Algeria is with Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique, Botswana and Somalia in Group G.

At CAF’s general assembly, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced a new African Football League featuring eight clubs from across the continent would kick off on Oct. 20.

The African league was meant to be launched in August with 24 teams and prize money of $100 million but was delayed and has been reduced to a much smaller competition.

Infantino said it would eventually evolve into a “big version” but didn’t give any details on which clubs would initially take part or if it would still be the richest tournament in Africa, as CAF president Patrice Motsepe promised at last year’s general assembly in Tanzania.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

A Tale Of Two Countries: Between Nigeria And Ghana!

Segun Odegbami

BY SEGUN ODEGBAMI

COMPLETE SPORTS

If I were the person in charge of sports in Nigeria I would instigate the banishment to Sambisa Forest of any football administrator that dares to suggest that the country imports another foreign coach to handle any of the country’s national football teams.

It is now clear to all that the damage done to the psyche of the Nigerian people in the past 6 years, under a German coach that could not perform, is incalculable, saddling an entire country with the humiliating burden of being a party to what amounted to ‘419’, a scam, paying for services unrendered, and making Nigerians, known globally for being smart, streetwise and well-educated, look like fools and bungling school children before a bemused world.

In the end, having learnt their lesson, Nigeria still finds that it is still inextricably tied to an asphyxiating contract that hangs around the neck of the country’s football, slowly sucking its blood whilst the ‘vampire’ lounges by a private swimming pool in Germany laughing at the country’s stupidity.

Some nights ago, I realized that Nigeria is not alone in this shameful situation. Ghana is in a similar fix. This is a neighbouring country that has a rich documented history and a solid foundation of international and domestic football, and a very sophisticated, enlightened and knowledgeable followership of the game.

Both countries have boarded similar boats, and have been sailing in similar turbulent seas; both have also suffered from the affliction of not knowing when to shed off the cloak of colonial mentality, that everything indigenous is not good enough, and anything foreign is better; both have stuck to foreign coaches to handle their national football teams; and both have now failed woefully. The debris of their failures now leaves a foul smell of foolishness in the air.

The case of Ghana is even better to understand as the coach initially led the Black Stars to a successful World Cup outing some years ago. Unfortunately, reality has been unraveled before Ghanaians in the past few days, that the World Cup success was a smokescreen. The country is now paying the price for their short-sightedness with, probably, the most humiliating defeat in their history, losing to a team that hardly exists in practice, has no records of any sort in African football, has never played or won a match in any championship in their history, a little-known island-country in the Indian Ocean called Comoros Island.

Football may be just a game and matches are unpredictable, but some things are just not acceptable. Like Ghana losing to Comoros Islands.

In my close to half a Century relationship with African football, I have not encountered Comoros Islands in any football competition. Even now, I have had to activate the google search engine to confirm that the island is actually in Africa, and is not some exotic faraway Polynesian paradise in the Pacific. This country of less than a million inhabitants dealt Ghana a most humiliating defeat, reducing the great Black Stars, with their constellation of professionals in several top European clubs, to bungling school boys.

The worst part of this whole scenario is the reported story of the frustration of the Ghanaian Minister of Sports who found himself unable, like his Nigerian counterpart some weeks ago, to extricate his country from the stranglehold of a contract document signed with the foreign coach that led the country down this humiliating path, that makes Ghanaians look stupid – a contract without a clause about how to get rid of a non-performing coach without emptying their country’s treasury.

I read about the reports from Ghana and realise that Nigeria, a country of people globally renowned for being smart and streetwise, is also still unable to unshackle itself from a similar contract, with the shadow of Gernot Rohr still hovering over the country. Nigeria is yet to pay the German his severance fees. The country might have to empty its treasury to do so, or end up in the jail of FIFA.

Yet, even as the matter remained unsettled, another plan was being hatched to hire another foreign coach to take over the same team. There was obviously a ‘madness’ virus in the air. Did anyone think Nigerians will accept being taken down the same old, tested and failed path again?

What is wrong with Nigeria and Ghana, these two so-called African football giants, that makes them fall for such cheap crap, a scam, clearly designed to feast the beasts of corruption? Why would these two countries that are struggling against poverty in their land and amongst their people engage in such blatant and reckless financial brigandage that attract no consequence to the perpetrators?

Ghana and Nigeria are close neighbours along the West African coastline, intricately connected culturally, socially and economically. Both countries were colonised by the same Great Britain, with similar political foundations, to a large extent. The foundation of their football is also similar, originally grounded in British tradition, honed by England’s legendary, dribbling wizard, Sir Stanley Mathews, who went round some African countries in the 1950s to influence and glamorize the game and establish the tradition.

Both countries became the fiercest rivals on the football field but remained the best of friends outside it. They must be taking pages of lessons from their common experiences at AFCON 2021. At this point, their interest must be beyond the trophy. It must include confronting the demons of corruption, of slave mentality, of self-inflicted inferiority complex, and of not valuing their own.

Ghanaians are wondering why their country should have been parting with $35,000 Dollars every month (and for several years), to pay a coach who was constantly on ‘vacation’ abroad in the pretext of coaching a national team of players that are all based in Europe and unavailable for any coaching.

Nigeria’s case was worse. Nigeria was paying her own German coach $45,000 Dollars every month for 6 years. Do not try to convert to the local currency. You will lose your sanity if you do, realizing that the humongous sum, deployed wisely, could have changed the lives of thousands of Nigerian footballers at the grassroots. The thought is so annoying.

After 3 matches in Cameroon, the light of the Black Stars has been dimmed. The team has returned home in tatters. The foreign Coach waits to collect the rest of his booty and to return to his narrow interests in old Yugoslavia.

At the same time, the Super Eagles are on a new high with a Nigerian coach at the head of a consortium of other Nigerian assistants in a wholly indigenous technical team, cruising confidently, soaring high, playing football of the Nigerian brand and looking like potential champions already. It will not surprise anyone if the team gets to the final rounds and even wins the coveted trophy.

If they don’t win it, it would not matter, because useful lessons have already been learned and the ‘drugs’ of stupidity would have worn off.

Nigerians have seen enough now not to return to the failure of their immediate past.

Personally, I was thinking of going to the streets to protest in the unlikely event of Nigerian administrators attempting to hire another foreign coach and further rape our collective intelligence. I have changed my mind. Now, I shall head for the civil courts to stop them.

The Super Eagles have become like good red wine, maturing nicely from match to match and making all Nigerians relieved and happy.

Even if the team were to lose at this point, they would have saved Nigerians from further humiliation and reckless financial brigandage. Already, they have shown possibilities of what the team can do and be when handled by their own coaches that understand their psychology and are grounded in the rich culture and tradition of Nigerian football.

ESPN's Top 10 Male African Footballers Of 2021

BY ED DOVE, ESPN

Mohamed Salah. Image: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty

As 2021 draws to a close, ESPN's Ed Dove ranks the top 10 male African players in the world during the calendar year.

10. Kalidou Koulibaly

Still the outstanding African centre-back in world football -- despite competition from Joel Matip -- Koulibaly also retained his place in the ESPN FC 100 this year.

He may have dropped from fourth place in 2020 to seventh this time around, but his value to Napoli remains undiminished.

The 30-year-old's highlight this season was the late winner in Napoli's comeback victory over Juventus in September, and he was influential as the Partenopei went 12 games unbeaten to start the campaign.

Indeed, across the first 11 fixtures in which Koulibaly featured, they conceded just three goals -- keeping eight clean sheets -- while their drop in form since his recent injury setback has been marked.

In their last four fixtures -- all without the Senegal stopper -- Napoli have lost three and conceded five. The composed defender's importance to their title challenge has never been more evident.

9. Emmanuel Dennis

Squeezing out fellow Nigerian strikers Taiwo Awoniyi and Dominic Solanke to make the top 10, Dennis is enjoying a remarkable redemption arc in the Premier League with Watford.

When 2020 came to a close, the forward was best known as being the guy who had stormed off the Club Brugge team bus ahead of a Champions League game with Borussia Dortmund after finding someone else sat in his seat. It was a ludicrous fit of pique from the striker, and allowed concerns about his off-field character to detract from his on-field qualities.

A loan move to FC Koln didn't work out -- zero goals in nine Bundesliga appearances meant he ended 2020-21 without a single league goal in Germany or Belgium -- and eyebrows were raised when he signed for Watford during the offseason.

The club were stung by the disastrous acquisition of Dennis's compatriot Isaac Success -- another whose off-field 'reputation' goes before him -- but the new boy has been a revelation in Hertfordshire so far.

He's scored eight and contributed five assists this term -- only Mohamed Salah has had a hand in more Premier League goals -- while Dennis's club form has also led to a return to international football and a spot in Nigeria's Africa Cup of Nations squad.

8. Victor Osimhen

Another African star at Napoli whose injury woes have slowed their title challenge, Osimhen finally started finding his feet in Serie A in 2021 after a testing start to life in Italy in 2020.

In fairness to Osimhen, he's had to overcome various complications in Napoli -- from an elevated transfer fee to a coronavirus diagnosis, from injuries to the dismissal of mentor Gennaro Gattuso -- but he's excelled under Luciano Spalletti.

Osimhen was averaging a goal every other game in Serie A before sustaining a shocking injury against Internazionale last month, beginning the campaign with a run of nine goals eight fixtures in all competitions.

His improving link-up with his fellow forwards at Napoli is further testament to his improvement, while he is also realising the Rashidi Yekini parallels by top scoring for Nigeria during the Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign.

Super Eagles fans will now be praying that he has recovered fully from his facial injury in order to star for the West African giants in Cameroon.

7. Franck Kessie

Currently the subject of reported transfer interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, Kessie has taken his game to new heights over the last 12 months.

Already, he started the 2020-21 season strongly as AC Milan sought to return to the pinnacle of the Italian game, and has continued to grow in stature at the San Siro.

His defensive qualities were not previously in doubt, but Kessie has demonstrated his aptitude as a leader -- steadily replacing the influence of ageing and increasingly injury-prone Zlatan Ibrahimovic -- and as a difference-maker in the biggest matches.

"Franck is a complete player," Milan coach Stefano Pioli told journalists earlier this year. "He gives us physicality, energy, quality, protects the defence and knits the moves going forward too.

"He has this eternally positive mentality during the matches, he's the first to help out a teammate or reassure them."

After bagging a career-high 13 goals last term, he already has five this season, and is eclipsing Thomas Partey as the finest African midfielder of his generation.

6. Sebastien Haller

Like Dennis, Haller is also rebuilding his reputation in game following a failed move to West Ham United and a £45 million price tag that weighed heavy upon him.

Despite winning the Premier League Goal of the Month award in December 2020, he signed for Ajax in January and hit the ground running -- registering 11 in 19 outings en route to an Eredivisie winner's medal.

Of course, there was the Europa League fiasco -- when an administrative error at the club meant he wasn't registered for the knockout stages -- but Haller has made up for lost time in the Champions League this term.

He's 10 goals in six group-stage matches means he's the quickest player to hit double figures in the competition, and he became the first player to score four goals on his UCL debut since Marco van Basten 29 years ago when he devastated Sporting Lisbon in September.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo has previously scored in all six group-stage games, while Haller already has 12 in 17 Eredivisie games and tops the league's goalscoring charts.

5. Achraf Hakimi

Admittedly, things haven't entirely gone to plan for Hakimi since signing for Paris Saint-Germain during the offseason, although there's still optimism that the Ligue 1 giants will yet compete for the biggest honours this term.

Nonetheless, there have still been some outstanding moments from the right-back since leaving Internazionale during the offseason, notably the double against FC Metz in September and a magnificent vibrant display down PSG's right flank as they defeated Manchester City in the Champions League.

Parisian fans will be keen to see the quality Hakimi demonstrated during Inter's title-winning campaign on a consistent basis at the Parc des Princes, with the Morocco international proving his ability to influence the tightest matches during the title run-in.

Notably, he contributed an assist for Nicolo Barella as Inter defeated Crotone 2-0 to win their first title for 11 years, and ended the season with 15 goal contributions before bidding 'arrivederci' to Lombardy.

4. Sadio Mane

Just missing out on our top three, Mane struggled to maintain his high standards over the last 12 months, and even described the 2020-21 campaign as the worst of his career.

It's testament to his high standards that, even though he acknowledged some very real self-doubt, he still ended the year with 11 goals and a further seven assists.

This term, he's already struck seven times in the Reds' first 19 games of the season as they've returned to the title picture, and appears well placed to lead a strong Senegal team to their first African title at next month's Africa Cup of Nations.

3. Riyad Mahrez

Last season was the campaign when Mahrez truly proved that he was a player who could decide the biggest games, rather than merely decorate them.

Compare, for example, Pep Guardiola's decision to omit the Algeria playmaker from Manchester City's ill-fated Champions League exit by Olympique Lyonnais in the 2019-20 season, to the semifinal double-header against Paris Saint-Germain earlier this year.

Mahrez's performances in those matches -- in which he scored three of City's four goals across both legs -- were among the finest by an African player at the business end of club football's biggest competition.

He already has five goals in six UCL group stage matches this term, eclipsing Lionel Messi when City again squared off with a bolstered PSG team.

With nine goals/assists in 15 league games so far this season, the 30-year-old appears to be at the top of his game as City look to defend their Premier League crown.

2. Edouard Mendy

Mendy's omission from the Ballon d'Or shortlist prompted an outcry within African football, and surely the Senegal stopper deserved more credit than he got for his maiden season at Chelsea.

After breaking several records during his first months at Stamford Bridge in late 2020, the goalkeeper further established himself during Thomas Tuchel's early tenure.

Not only did he become the first African goalkeeper to start in a Champions League final, but he also won it as Chelsea defeated Manchester City to win the top prize in the European game.

Mendy was largely untroubled in the final, although his save to deny Karim Benzema in the semifinal victory over Real Madrid was the kind of key intervention that should have led to greater recognition among the Ballon d'Or panel.

1. Mohamed Salah

Salah's 2021 can be split into two halves, although goals and match-winning contributions have been a consistent for the Egypt superstar across a magnificent calendar year in which he's further established himself as Africa's finest player.

During the latter portion of 2020-21, his focus was on salvaging Liverpool's miserable season, weighing in with a series of inspired displays -- and 31 goals -- as the Reds ousted Leicester City from the Champions League qualifying positions.

This season, the goals have been even more relentless, as Salah has focused on helping Jurgen Klopp's side -- now without the injury woes that hamstrung them last term -- return to the pinnacle of the Premier League.

He equalled Jamie Vardy's record for making a goal contribution in 15 consecutive top flight matches while simultaneously becoming the first Liverpool player since Ian Rush to hit 20 goals in five successive campaigns.

Salah surely deserved better than his seventh-placed finish in the Ballon d'Or.

Honourable Mentions

Andre Frank Zambo-Anguissa, Joel Matip, Silas Katompa Mvumpa, Ben Malango, Evan Ndicka, Taiwo Awoniyi, Dominic Solanke, Amine Gouiri, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Patson Daka

S. Africa Or Ghana Could Replace Morocco As African Cup Host

AFP PHOTO

Johannesburg (AFP) - South Africa and Ghana have been asked by the Africa Cup of Nations organisers whether they are prepared to host the 2015 tournament if Morocco withdraw over Ebola fears.

A letter from African Football Confederation (CAF) secretary general Hicham El Amrani asks an unknown number of national associations whether they would be ready to organise the event.
The letter reads in part:

"In case Morocco refuses to maintain the staging of the competition at the agreed dates, CAF would like to know whether your federation would be willing and able to organise the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

"Kindly note that this letter is also sent to some other federations capable of staging the 2015 edition of the event.

"In case CAF receives two or more positive responses, a draw will be made by the executive committee to designate the host of the 2015 edition."

A senior football official in Johannesburg told AFP on condition of anonymity that South Africa and Ghana were among the countries who received the letter.

Morocco said last week that they wanted the January 17-February 8 tournament postponed because they feared it could trigger a spread of the Ebola epidemic.

Almost 4,500 people have died this year from Ebola, mainly in west African states Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Guinea and Sierra Leone play home fixtures outside the country, and neither team are likely qualifiers for the 2015 tournament.

Liberia were eliminated in the preliminary rounds.

CAF rejected the Moroccan request to delay the biennial African football showpiece, but will discuss the issue on November 2 in Algeria.

African football supremo Issa Hayatou will then travel to Morocco with a delegation for make-or-break talks.

If Morocco insist on a postponement, the African body will choose new hosts.

South Africa have twice been 'emergency' hosts, taking over in 1996 from cash-strapped Kenya and last year from strife-torn Libya.

Ghana staged the Cup of Nations in 1963, 1978 and 2008 and were last-minute co-hosts with Nigeria in 2000 after Zimbabwe failed to meet deadlines.


No country has hosted successive editions of the 57-year tournament.

Igiebor Stranded In Nigeria After Nations Cup Win

Three weeks after wining the African Nations Cup with the Super Eagles, midfielder Nosa Igiebor is unable to rejoin his Spanish club, Real Betis.

This is because the Spanish Embassy in Lagos as Thursday, was still playing hide and seek with regards to the issuance of an entry visa to the player.

Igbiebor after the celebrations that greeted the Super Eagles victory, has been a regular visitor to the Spanish Embassy in Lagos, but on each occasion, it was a story of "come today, come tomorrow."

First, they told him that there was a problem with his work permit, then again it was his birth certificate and finally there was no paper to process his application. The player and his club have been left frustrated to the extent that Betis considered sending officials to Lagos during the week to sort out the matter. I can not believe they are doing this to me in my own country. I'm desperate and do not know what to think. I want to go back, but they will not let me," said Nosa on Thursday.

This is not the first time the Spanish embassy will be treating Nigerian sports people with disdain. Last July, the Nigeria World Junior Athletics Championships delegation were shabbily treated and when the Embassy finally decided to grant them visas, the best athletes were denied.

-----------Ben Efe, Vanguard, Saturday, March 2, 2013

Jonathan Doles Out Cash, Lands, National Honors to Super Eagles

The Federal Government on Tuesday night opened the cash tap and doled out money in torrents to the victorious Super Eagles team to the just concluded African Cup of Nations championship in South Africa.

A largely underrated Super Eagles had on Sunday night defeated Burkina Faso by a lone goal to become the African Champions for the third time.

Each member of the team received the sum of N5 million from the Federal Government, in addition to national honour and choice land in the nation's capital.

While Captain Joseph Yobo of Feneberche FC received national honour of Officer of the Order of Niger (OON), other members of the team received Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

The Coach of the team, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi, received the sum of N10 million, a piece of land and national honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).

Assistant Coaches of the Super Eagles, Daniel Amokachi, Ike Shorunmu and two others went home with N5 million each, choice lands and national honours of Officer of the Order of Niger (OON).

Earlier, multibillionaires, Mike Adenuga and Aliko Dangote had given $1 million and N130 million respectively to players and officials of the team.

The government and the businessmen did not remember to reward members of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club who cheered the team to victory.

Members of the national team along with their technical crew and officials of the Nigerian Football Federation had arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 3:15 p.m. to a tumultuous crowd of jubilant supporters and residents of the nation's capital.

Meanwhile, the Honourable Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Olajumoke Akinjide, has commended the national team for making the nation proud at Africa's biggest football fiesta.

Ms Akinjide said she was especially elated that the senior national team was led to victory by a Nigerian coach, Stephen Keshi and also assisted by Assistant Coach, Daniel Amokachi, a Nigerian.

She noted that the team, captained by Mr. Yobo, displayed a high level of commitment, dedication and patriotism.

According to the minister, the team's victory at AFCON 2013 has restored the nation's pride and positioned the country in its rightful place as "Giant of Africa in the area of football."

"The AFCON's triumph, which is coming after 19 years, is an indication of a better future for the country. We need to remain focus, discipline and determine. Nigeria is surely getting better in the areas sports and the economy.

"I express my heartfelt congratulation to the coach and our spectacular Super Eagles, for making Nigeria proud. I enjoin all Nigerians to learn from the strong determination, the will to succeed and patriotic zeal that brought victory to the team and the Nation," said Akinjide, who oversees the FCT Department of Sports in the Social Development Secretariat.

The minister urged the team not to rest on its oars but to strive and work towards achieving a similar feat at the forthcoming FIFA Confederation Cup and FIFA World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

---------Abdulrahman Abdulmalik, Premium Times, Nigeria

Eagles Arrive With Trophy

Joseph Yobo, captain of the Nigerian national senior soccer team holding the African Cup of Nations trophy arrives at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on February 12, 2013. Eagles were welcomed amid a big crowd ahead of meeting the president.

AMBROSE: "We Came As Underdogs, We Leave As Giants"

FIFA EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2013

On Sunday, Nigeria won the CAF Africa Cup of Nations for the third time in their history after Sunday Mba's goal five minutes before the break gave the Super Eagles a 1-0 victory against Burkina Faso. In an exclusive interview, Celtic defender Efe Ambrose, who was named in CAF's team of the tournament, tells FIFA.com that the side came to the finals as underdogs, but are leaving as giants.

FIFA.com: Before the tournament, everybody was talking about Côte d'Ivoire, did that help take some of the pressure off your side?

Efe Ambrose: Yes, we came here as an underdog. Nobody gave us a chance because of the calibre of players we have. People were saying we have inexperienced players, but they don't know football. Football these days is not about experience, it is all about determination, hard work and preparation. So, we proved them wrong, that is the most important thing.

How important was your coach Stephen Keshi to this success?

The coach had trust and confidence in the players. That matters the most, for without that, you cannot succeed. But he believed in us and that we could do it. From the start he told us that when we were here, there was nothing that could stop us from winning this cup. He said, even before we came here, that his aim was not only to win the cup, but to go to the Confederations Cup. The Confederations Cup is bigger than what we were playing for in South Africa. With his dream, it helped us a lot to know that we had a bigger thing ahead of us. Nobody gave Nigeria the chance because last year we did not even qualify for the finals, so everybody wrote us off. But this made us more determined to work hard, train more and prove people wrong. We wanted to make sure that we are a giant of African football, and we wanted to bring back the glory of the past to the present.

What will it mean for the Super Eagles to play at the Confederations Cup?

It is a big thing, and we are all looking forward to going to Brazil. And we will not only be going there to play for Nigeria, but we will go there to make Africa proud.

What does winning the title mean for you personally?

This is my biggest achievement that I have had to date. Before this, it was the Olympic silver medal from London. But this is the biggest, so this is one of the greatest moments of my life. It was always my dream to play in the Nations Cup, but I would have never thought of winning it. So now I just have to thank God and all Nigerians, from the President to the last person in Nigeria for their belief. It is no longer about us on the pitch, it is all about team effort and we are one, because football unites us and I know people at Celtic and back home in Nigeria will be celebrating for us and waiting for the cup to be paraded in Nigeria.

What are your immediate plans?

I can only decide after I speak to my coach at Celtic because we have the Champions League game with Juventus coming up in a few days. So I have to speak to my coach first to be sure if he will allow me to go to Nigeria. But if he does not, I will accept it because it is my club, so they come first. When my club needs me, I just have to go there and help and see what we can do in the Champions League.

What do you think was the key to Nigeria's success?

We worked very hard and trained hard. It is not easy to achieve this, and it is due to the hard work and dedication which we put in place every day. We sacrificed so many things to be where we are now. But to win was always going to be a great sacrifice.

In 1996, Nigeria did not come to South Africa to defend their trophy. Was this like a belated vindication?

Yes, it was as if we came to defend our cup, which we were supposed to do then, but due to politics and other things, we could not defend it. It was also good to see that football brought us and South Africa together again. You could see the locals were cheering for us. When South Africa could no longer win, they were not happy, but we have made them happy by winning this cup.

Colorful, Fantastic 2013 African Cup Of Nations Closing Ceremony

In a brilliantly, colorful display, performers forms the shape of the continent during the closing ceremony of the 2013 Orange African Cup of Nations Sunday, February 10 in Johannesburg. Image: AP

A performer is carried into the arena and performed live on men's shoulders during the closing ceremony of 2013 Orange African Cup of Nations Sunday, February 10, 2013 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Image: Associated Press.

Performers take part in the closing ceremony. Reuters 

A performer is carried on stage and entertains the audience. Image: Reuters

A performer takes part during the closing ceremony. Image: Reuter

Eagles Semi Final Victory And Fanfare Across The Country

Eagles Win Celebration Fanfare: Nigerian soccer fans in Lagos, at a public viewing center celebrate after Nigeria's Elderson Echiejile slammed in a goal against Mali during the Nigeria Mali semi-final encounter Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at the Moses Mabhida Sports Stadium in Durban. The celebration was felt all around the country. From Oby Ezekwesili to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; from Goodluck Jonathan to Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State - tweeting on the victory, and as the list goes on, they'll be hopping on their respective private jets to Soccer City, South Africa for the finals between Eagles and the Stallions of Burkina Faso on Sunday, February 10, 2013. Image: Sunday Alamba

Nigerian Eagles, Trophy, Free Sex And Confederations Cup

The million question now is: can the ego-tripping, spoiled Eagles handle an entire week of free sex (Sexual Week) offered by Nigerian prostitutes if they lift the trophy, come Sunday and hop on the plane after the sex carnival to Brazil where they are on the continent's ticket to play for the Confederation's Cup? AFP image here shows a jubilant spoiled brats congratulate teammate, the magnificent Emmanuel Emenike (R) after his freekick was deflected into the net by Momo Sissoko of Mali.

Burkina Faso Eliminates Ghana In A Tense, Controversial Encounter: Photo News

What They Have To Say After:

"The refereeing decisions were scandalous. We've lost Jonathan Pitroipa now for the final. He's very important to us, but we are 23 players and it's up to the technical staff to devise tactics to beat Nigeria without him and [the injured] Alain Traore." .......Paul Pit, Burkina Faso Head Coach

"The referee is human, all humans make mistakes, but he happened to make too many tonight. But we are not going to duel on that. We've qualified.".......Charles Kabore, Burkina Faso Captain

"We came here to win [but] the better side won on penalties. We're all really sad now. That's normal. we're down, but we have to psyche ourselves up now for the third place play-off with Mali.".......Asamoah Gyan, Ghana Captain

Burkina Faso goalkeeper Daouda Diakite, leads the celebrations after saving the decisive penalty in the shootout. Image: Ian Walton/Getty

Ghana's Wakaso Mubarak (R) celebrates via penalty kick against Burkina Faso during the semi final match of the Nations Cup at the Mbombela Sports Stadium, Nelspruit Wednesday, February 6, 2013. Image: Getty

Ghana's Wakaso Mubarak slams in the opening goal from the penalty box to give Ghana the lead against Burkina Faso. Ian walty/Getty Images

Burkina Faso celebrates victory after penalty shoot-out with Ghana at the Mbombela Sports Stadium. Image: AFP.

The celebration begins. Burkina Faso hands tournament favorite Ghana a stunning defeat despite controversial calls. Image: Ian Hughes/BBC Sport.

Burkina Faso players argue with Tunisian referee Slim Jdidi on his controversial call that ejected midfielder Jonathan Pitroipa for diving when he tripped during the semi-final encounter with Ghana at the Mbombela Sports Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa on Tuesday, February 6, 2013. Jdidi has been suspended as a result in the wake of strong criticism by the press.

Nigeria-Mali Ahia Mgbede Bird Fight @ Moses Mabhida Sports Stadium: Photo News

Nigeria Eagles Coach Stephen Keshi and his boys from the sideline celebrate victory after pounding the Malians 4-1 at the Moses Mabhida Sports Stadium Wednesday, February 6, 2013.

Goal #4. Who is Ahmed Musa who said to goalkeeper Mamoud Samassa of Mali "hey you, I got you" slotting the kasiebo between the legs of the Malian Keeper in this Ahia Mgbede in the 58th minute? Image: Ben Standsall/Getty 

Nigerias Ogenyi Onanzi tacked by two malians. Image: Alexander Joe/AFP

Malian goalkeeper Mamodou Samassa devastated . Image: Alexander Joe/AFP

Brown Ideye's near post slide for Nigeria's second took a deflection off Mali defender Molla Wague. Image: Francisco Leong/Getty Images.

Nigeria's forward Brown Ideye is congratulated by teammates after scoring Nigeria's second goal. Image: Francisco Leong/Getty

For sure, a better bird fight than the "Battle of Bull Run." Image: Francisco Leong/Getty

Nigerian fans in high spirits. Image: Francisco Leong/Getty

Nigeria striker Emmanuel Emenike (R) is congratulated by teammates after his freekick was deflected into the net by Momo Sissoko. Image: AFP

Nigerian Green Eagles players celebrate their victory over Mali after their African Cup of Nations semi-final match. Image: Mike Hutching/Reuters

Nigerian fans cheer after the Eagles the eagles defeated Mali

The Nigerian Green Eagles on the move after the final whistle, celebrates victory in encounter with Mali at the Moses Mabhida Sports Stadium in Durban, South Africa. Image: AFP

A Malian family watch the Nigeria-Mali semi final game at home in Bamako, Mali. Nigeria defeated Mali 4-1 at the Moses Mabhida Sports Stadium in Durban, South Africa. Image: Getty

Nigeria's Emmanuel Emenike grimaces in pain. Image: AP

AFCON: Eagle Nations Clash In Bird Fight

Ambrose Ehirim/The Ambrose Ehirim Files

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan Tuesday, February 5, 2013 speaking to every Eagles player on the phone while they train for the semis against Mali on Wednesday at the Moses Mabhida Sports Stadium in Durban, South Africa, promised to show up for the finals on Sunday, February 10, 2013 if the ego-tripping Eagles overcomes Mali, the troubled nation fighting to get rid of Al Qaeda in its midst.

 The Eagles who did not train yesterday upon arrival to Durban due to travel delays and a pouring rain worked out Tuesday February 5, and on the line up, a little bit of changes with Fegor Ogude who comes back after a one match suspension.

The Malians also had the same hiccups. Goalkeeper Mamadou Samassa will be on the line-up for his Malian Eagles after a one match suspension.

Malians are not pumping chest yet. A country now in turmoil fighting a war that was not the making of the players who have taken the responsibility to help its nation by way of financial support to win a must war in order for peace to prevail in their land. My heart goes out to them.

Stephen Keshi, Nigeria's coach is not underrating the Malian Eagles and is giving them all due respects as far as the game goes. Keshi coached the Malian team for two years (2008-2008) with most of the players still intact which gives him the advantage for plots to beat the unpredictable Les Aigles. "Mali is a football nation, they have great talent. I have a lot of admiration for Mali's team in the competition, and we intend to approach this game the same way we approach every game," Keshi said.

Keshi is confident his boys will clear the hurdle against Mali despite a negative talking Nigerian fans when he told the press: "Somehow, the Nigerian fans don't appreciate their players. But I know my team. I know their mentality. I know the boys I picked were right. I have confidence in them."

And going by statistics since the tournament began in 1963, Nigeria has appeared a number of sixteen times (1963, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010), winning in two occasions, 1980 and 1994; compared to the Malians seven appearances (1972, 1994, 2002, 2004 2008, 2010 and 2012), with the trophy not yet in its books makes Mali more desperate and hungry to taste from the cups fountain, while Nigeria, judging from its capacity and the number of showings with two to its credit, Keshi's-coached Eagles are more thirsty.

Nigeria tops Ivory Coast 2-1 to reach African Cup semifinals; Drogba left without title again

TALES AZZONI FEBRUARY 3, 2013

NIGERIA'S EMMANUEL EMENIKE CELEBRATES AFTER SCORING THE OPENING GOAL AGAINST IVORY COAST DURING THEIR AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS QUARTERFINAL MATCH AT THE ROYAL BAFOKENG STADIUM IN RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, SUNDAY, FEB. 3, 2013. IMAGE: ARMANDO FRANCO/ASSOCIATED PRESS

RUSTENBURG, South Africa - Nigeria defeated tournament favourite Ivory Coast 2-1 to reach the semifinals of the African Cup of Nations on Sunday, keeping Didier Drogba and his teammates from lifting the trophy.

Sunday Mba scored the winner with a shot from outside the area in the 78th minute, helping Nigeria advance to the last four for the sixth time in eight tournaments.

Emmanuel Emenike opened the scoring for Nigeria with a long-range shot that was misplayed by Ivory Coast goalkeeper Boubacar Barry in the 43rd minute, and Cheik Tiote equalized in the 50th with a header from a free kick cross taken by Drogba, who might have had his last chance to win a trophy with his national team.

Nigeria will now play Mali, which eliminated host South Africa on penalties on Saturday in Durban. Burkina Faso and Emmanuel Adebayor's Togo will play the last quarterfinal later Sunday in Nelspruit, with the winner facing Ghana.

The match in Rustenburg was one of the most anticipated of the quarterfinals, with some of the tournament's top names facing each other. Ivory Coast had Drogba, Arsenal's Gervinho and Manchester City's Yaya Toure, while Nigeria was led by Chelsea duo Victor Moses and John Obi Mikel.

Nigeria had most of the chances in the first half but Ivory Coast improved in the second and threatened more often, especially with Drogba and Arsenal forward Gervinho up front.

But it was Mba who came up big near the end. He made a run through the Ivory Coast defence and cleared a couple of markers before getting near the area to fire a right-footed shot that deflected on a defender and went over Barry.

Emenike put Nigeria on the board after a free kick from about 30 metres (yards) away. Mikel just rolled the ball and the Spartak Moscow striker fired a powerful shot through the wall, fooling Barry as he tried to punch the ball away in the middle of the goal. The shot didn't appear to deflect off anybody before getting past just to the side of Barry.

Ivory Coast pressed forward after the goal and Tiote equalized with a header from near the far post following a well-placed free kick by Drogba, who earned the set piece when he was fouled just outside the area near the sideline.

The 34-year-old Drogba had the last chance of the match with a header that sailed over the crossbar in stoppage time.