CAF Archives - Phenomenal

Odegbami to CAF on Senegal-Morocco issue: You can’t take away a trophy won on the pitch two months after

Phenomenal — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 22:36:07 +0000

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Phenomenal.

Former international, Segun Odegbami, has faulted the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for awarding the 2025 AFCON title to Morocco.

Odegbami described CAF’s decision to overturn the Jan. 18 final result as “bizarre, condemnable and unjustifiable.”

He noted that Senegal were crowned champions and celebrated globally before the verdict was reversed on technical grounds.

“It is unheard of in football history. You cannot take away a trophy won on the pitch two months after,” he said.

Odegbami said the decision had sparked outrage among football fans and stakeholders worldwide.

“This judgment has shaken CAF’s credibility. It is not surprising the world is up in arms,” he added.

The ex-Nigerian Football Legend questioned the motive behind the decision, describing it as risky and unpopular.

“What could have driven such a decision that undermines the spirit of the game?” he asked.

Odegbami said although football regulations may not cover every situation, rare cases require wisdom.

“This AFCON case demands that rules and common sense must align,” he said.

He recalled that Senegal were crowned by CAF and FIFA officials before a global audience.

“Two months later, CAF delivered what I call a ‘poisoned verdict’ through its Appeals Committee,” he said.

Odegbami explained that Morocco’s protest, earlier dismissed, was later upheld on appeal.

“The decision to reverse a final match result is one of the most unpopular ever,” he said.

He said the rules on walkouts are clear but must be applied with context.

According to him, Senegal players walked off after a late penalty was awarded to Morocco, staying away for 17 minutes.

“Ordinarily, that attracts forfeiture, but the referee allowed play to resume, which changed everything,” he said.

Odegbami noted that petitions can alter results but argued that the AFCON final was different.

“If this were a qualifier, nobody would question CAF’s decision. But this was the final,” he said.

He stressed that the trophy had been awarded and celebrations concluded before the reversal.

“There was no room for post-match litigation in a final of this magnitude,” he said.

Odegbami maintained that the referee’s decision to restart play nullified the forfeiture clause.

“The match resumed, Morocco missed the penalty, Senegal scored and won fairly,” he said.

He insisted that CAF had no justification to overturn the result after recognising a winner.

“Punish any infractions if necessary, but do not tamper with a concluded final,” he said.

Odegbami urged CAF to review its regulations and restore Senegal as champions.

“For now, CAF should retrace its steps and return the trophy to Senegal,” he advised.

AFCON to hold every 4 years-CAF

Phenomenal — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 20:20:58 +0000

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Phenomenal.

Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held every four years beginning after the 2027 edition to be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Motsepe made the announcement after a CAF Executive Committee meeting on Saturday in Rabat, ahead of the 35th AFCON scheduled to kick off on Sunday in Morocco.

Hosts Morocco are set to face the Comoros national team in the group A opening match of the tournament in Rabat.

Morocco are ranked 11th in the world, the highest-ranked African nation, while Comoros are ranked 108th.

Comoros are appearing in the tournament for the second time, having made their debut at the 2021 edition hosted by Cameroon.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that AFCON has been held every two years since 1968, except for a one-year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions.

Motsepe, who also announced an increase in prize money for the AFCON winners from seven million dollars to 10 million dollars, said an annual African Nations League would commence from 2029 to fill the gap created by the new four-year cycle.

“Historically, the Nations Cup was the prime resource for us, but now we will have financial resources every year,” he said.

He described the new structure as exciting, noting that it would contribute to CAF’s sustainable financial independence and ensure better synchronisation with the FIFA calendar.

NAN reports that CAF had previously opposed a four-year AFCON cycle proposed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino due to the significant revenue the tournament generates for the federation.

CAF has also long been at odds with European clubs over the timing of AFCON, which traditionally takes place in the middle of the European football season.

“We have the most exciting new structure for African football.

“I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised,” Motsepe said.

Motsepe said the decision was taken in consultation with Infantino and FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström.

He explained that the African Nations League would feature all 54 CAF member associations, divided into four zones: six nations in the Northern zone, and 16 nations each in the Eastern, Western and Central, and Southern zones.

According to him, the league will be “the equivalent of an AFCON every year” and would be organised in partnership with FIFA to attract top-class sponsors.

“Every year in Africa, the best African players who play in Europe will be with us on the continent.

“Every year, we will have a competition involving 54 African nations with all the best players coming to play. We are going to have a world-class competition every year,” he added.

Ademola Lookman claims CAF laurel for Nigeria at a time Kemi Badenoch is bushing her

Phenomenal — Tue, 17 Dec 2024 05:01:01 +0000

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Phenomenal.

Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has lifted Nigeria’s spirit at a time one of her daughters in the Diaspora, Kemi Badenoch, is openly confronting her.

Lookman was crowned African Player of The Year even as Super Falcons retained their Women’s National Team of The Year award, and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie again emerged the Goalkeeper of The Year title at the 2024 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Morocco, on Monday.

Now Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Conservative Party, Badenoch is so angry at Nigeria that she does not waste any opportunity to knock her.

Her comments have continued to spark mixed reactions with the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, being one of the prominent Nigerians who have challenged her position.

Lookman’s triumph made him the seventh Nigerian to win the prestigious award and maintained Nigeria’s impressive record in the category following Victor Osimhen’s victory last year.

The victory sees Nigeria move clear of Ivory Coast with seven Player of The Year awards, with previous winners being Rashidi Yekini (1993), Emmanuel Amuneke (1994), Nwankwo Kanu (1996 and 1999), Victor Ikpeba (1997) and Osimhen (2023). Only Cameroon, with 11 titles, have more.

The Atalanta striker’s remarkable year included three goals and two assists as Nigeria reached their eighth Africa Cup of Nations final in February, while his hat-trick secured the UEFA Europa Cup for Atalanta against Bayer Leverkusen in May.

Frank CAF protects sportsmanship. Gives Libya double penalty over bad treatment of Super Eagles

Phenomenal — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 19:05:54 +0000

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Phenomenal.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is unequivocal in its determination to protect sportsmanship as it has heavily descended on Libya for harshly treated the Super Eagles while on visit for their aborted October 15 match.

CAF awarded Nigeria a win and the full three points .

Besides, it fined Libya $50,000.

CAF president, Patrice Motsepe had earlier said that the continental body would not tolerate any lack of sportsmanship and unfair treatment in African football.

Following an investigation, CAF found the Libyan team guilty of breaching article 31 of the African Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

The 5-point decision reads:

‘’The Libya Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the African Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

The match No.87 Libya v. Nigeria of the CAF African Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October 2024 in Benghazi) is declared lost by forfeit by Libya (by a score of 3-0).

The Libya Football Federation is ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000.

The Super Eagles and Libya were originally scheduled to play against the Libyan team at the Martyrs of February Stadium in Benina, Benghazi on October 15, in matchday four of the AFCON qualification series. However, when the Nigerian team’s flight landed at the Al Abaq airport, they were held ‘’hostage’ for over 20 hours without food and drinks.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) would later announce the Super Eagles’ withdrawal from the qualifying match and asked them to return home.

Reacting, the Libyan Football Federation (LFF) said the flight diversion experienced by the Nigerian national team was not “intentional”.

The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the present decision.

All other and further motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”

Brymo to CAF: African Footballer of the Year should exclude those playing abroad.

Phenomenal — Sun, 20 Oct 2024 18:53:28 +0000

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Phenomenal.

Elijah Adebero

Popular singer, Brymo, has offered some advice to the Confederation of African Football, on how they can improve the quality of African football.

Brymo wants CAF to stop giving awards to players that don’t play in African leagues.

According to him, it should start placing priority on its own leagues.

He argued: “Dear CAF, will you start by first ceasing the nominations of players outside the continental leagues for yearly awards in African football? Can you begin respecting the thing you are?”

Ecobank bags sponsorship of TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations

Phenomenal — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 19:49:19 +0000

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday announced Ecobank, a pan-African banking group, as the official sponsor of the TotalEnergies 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Côte d’Ivoire.

Christiane Bossom, Head of Group Communication, Ecobank, said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

The statement said TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, the biggest event in Africa, would kick off on Jan.13 and run till Feb. 11 in Côte d’Ivoire.

It reported Jeremy Awori, Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Group, as saying: “The TotalEnergies CAF AFCON tournament highlights the immense sense of pride that Africans across our continent and around the world feel during the matches.

“As the pan-African bank, we are proud to be associated with the CAF to contribute to the success of TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023, the largest and most-enjoyed football tournament, inspiring passion across Africa.

“Football transcends borders. It brings communities together, fully aligning with Ecobank’s commitment to drive regional integration.

“It is an honour for Ecobank to play a key role in bringing millions of Africans together to live their passion for football, making sure that loyal customers benefit from this experience.”

No fewer than 16 of the 35 African countries in which Ecobank has a presence are among the 24 that are competing in Côte d’Ivoire.

Too bad: Bendel Insurance crash out of CAF Confederation Cup

Phenomenal — Sat, 30 Sep 2023 21:18:42 +0000

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Phenomenal.

Nigeria’s presence in the CAF Confederation Cup has again suffered a setback as Bendel Insurance FC of Benin have crashed out of the tournament.

Insurance succumbed to a 0-1 defeat in the hands of the competition’s defending champions, RS Berkane of Morocco late Friday night to end the second preliminary match on 2-3 aggregate.

The lone goal of the game was sxored two minutes before halftime with efforts of Nigeria’s representatives to level up, hitting the brick walls.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Moroccan side had pulled a 2-2 draw in Benin on Sept. 19 when they visited Nigeria for the first leg encounter.

Reacting to the defeat, Coach Monday Odigie of Bendel Insurance said his side were unlucky to have missed the two chances to go up in the first half.

“We all saw the game, it’s just one chance and it was a goal; that is the game of football.

“If we had taken our chances in the first half, it would have been two goals up before their goal.

“RS Berkane has a history and Bendel Insurance too has a history, but for a long time, Bendel Insurance has not played at this level.

“So it is a little bit of a positive for us.

“But like you said Barkane is the defending champion, it is not easy to play defending champions at their best,” he said

CAF Confederation Cup: RS Berkane force Insurance to 2-2 draw in Benin

Phenomenal — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 22:42:45 +0000

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Bendel Insurance FC of Benin on Saturday drew 2-2 with visiting RS Berkane of Morocco in the second preliminary stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Insurance hosted the Moroccan side for the first leg of the preliminary encounter ahead of the return leg in Berkane, later in the month.

The continental match kicked off at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin, with a minute silence observed in honour of the victims of the recent earthquakes in Morocco.

Imade Osarenkhoe’s effort to open the scoreline for Insurance in the first minute was obstructed, while his call for a penalty was ignored by the centre referee.

Adhil Tahif came close to a goal for the visitors after five minutes, but the hosts were quick to clear the ball.

RS Berkane went on to dominate the larger part of the first half before Osarenkhoe scored in the 27th minute to give the hosts a lead.

RS Berkane’s goalkeeper, Amine El Quaad, had parried Tamianu Benjamin’s shot from outside the 18 yard box, but the rebound by Osarenkhoe earned the Benin side 1-0.

The joy did not, however, last long as Youssef Zghoudi equalised for the visitors ten minutes later to go into the halftime tied.

The Nigerian side came into the second stanza more impressive and their efforts paid off in the 61st minute through Vincent Augustus, who extended the tally to 2-1 in favour of the home side.

Bendel Insurance were, however, punished for coming all out to pursue more goals with a counter-attack that earned RS Berkane another equaliser in the 78th minute through Mohammed El Morabit to end the match in stalemate.

Heavy downpour that lasted for most part of the second half of the game obviously affected the movement of the two teams as the field was waterlogged.

To qualify for the group stage, Insurance need a win in Morocco or a better this result if they are to settle for another draw.

Edo promises exciting football as Bendel Insurance clashes with RSB Berkane

Phenomenal — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 09:34:45 +0000

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Friday’s CAF Confederation Cup match between Bendel Insurance FC of Benin and RSB Berkane of Morocco will be exciting and quality, an Edo Government official has promised.

Sixtus Omokhagbor, Senior Special Assistant to Edo State Governor on Sports, gave the assurance in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Omokhagbor said that the match – the first leg – will take place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium Benin City.

“We are looking forward to receiving them.

“I am using this medium to invite fans to come and cheer our team to victory while behaving as true fans should, by being great hosts to the visiting team,” he said.

When asked if the late commencement of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) did not affect preparations, the official said that it did.

“Ideally, the league and CAF Champions Cup should happen at the same time; so, the players can be in their best form.

“What we have done is to organise friendly matches.

“Last week, we had one against Sporting Lagos FC. Edo State Government did this because it understands the need for match fitness.

“In camp, morale is equally high, the players are in good spirit.

“Having done our due diligence and home support, we hope to win this first tie,” he said.

Greg Ikhenoba, Assistant Manager of Bendel Insurance, also said that morale of the players was high as they trained in camp ahead of the encounter.

NAN reports that Bendel Insurance defeated ASO Chlef FC of Algeria 4 – 3 via penalty shootout to advance to the next stage of the tournament.

According to Ikhenoba, the fitness and skills of the players will be put to test again on Friday in Benin as they square up against RSB Berkane.

“Players are in camp, and it has been a learning turf, to learn and unlearn.

“They are in high spirit.

“The blend of old and new hands will give us the result we are looking for, by God’s grace. We will do our part.

“We are aware of the need to tie all loose ends,” he said

Bayelsa Queens to earn N292m if they win CAF Champions League

Phenomenal — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:38:37 +0000

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Nigerian women football league champions Bayelsa Queens can be N292 million richer if they win the 2022 CAF Women’s Champions League which begins on Oct. 30 in Morocco.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Yenagoa-based clubside are representing Nigeria in the competition’s second edition which ends on Nov. 13.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), organisers of the competition, announced the League’s prize money structure on Wednesday.

The winners of the competition will take home 400,000 US dollars, which translates to N292 million when converted at the unofficial rate of N730 to one dollar in Nigeria.

The competition’s runners-up will earn 250,000 dollars, while the two losing semi-finalists will each receive 200,000 dollars.

CAF launched the Women’s Champions League in 2021 with the first edition played in Cairo, Egypt in November where South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns emerged winners.

This was after defeating Ghana’s Hasaacas Ladies 2-0.

NAN reports that Nigeria’s representatives in that maiden edition of the competition, Rivers Angels of Port Harcourt, failed to advance beyond the group stage.

Bayelsa Queens have already been drawn in this year’s competition’s Group B alongside Mamelodi Sundowns, Wadi Degla of Egypt, and TP Mazembe of Democratic Republic of Congo.

2022 COMPETITION PRIZE MONEY BREAKDOWN:

Winners: 400,000 dollars

Runners-up: 250,000 dollars

Semi-finalists(2): 200,000 dollars

Third Place in Group(2): 150,000 dollars

Fourth Place in Group(2): 100,000 dollars