Sports
AFCON: 10 times Nigeria has played host countries and the results
The Super Eagles of Nigeria would lock horns with AFCON host Morocco on Wednesday as both sides jostle for a place in the finals of the tournament.
Playing against the host nation at this crucial stage of the tournament seems a big task ahead, especially given the history of the team versus host nations.
Overall, both in the group and knockout stages, the Super Eagles have only won three times in the last ten (10) meetings against host nations, drawing three and losing four in the process.
1978 – Draw Against Ghana
Nigeria’s first recorded draw against a host nation came in 1978, when they faced Ghana in the tournament. The match ended level, highlighting an early stage of competitive encounters against host nations.
1990 – Group-Stage Loss to Algeria
The 1990 AFCON group stage saw Nigeria face Algeria, the host nation, and suffer a defeat by a goal to nil. It marked the first loss to a host in the tournament’s knockout-free early rounds.
1990 – Final Loss to Algeria
The 1990 African Cup of Nations final was a football match that took place on 16 March 1990, at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers, Algeria, to determine the winner of the 1990 African Cup of Nations. Algeria defeated Nigeria 1–0 with a lone goal from Chérif Oudjani in the 38th minute to win their first African Cup.
1992 – Group-Stage Win Over Senegal
Nigeria recorded a solid 2-1 victory over Senegal, the tournament hosts, during the group stage of the 1992 AFCON. This win demonstrated the team’s ability to challenge host nations early in competitions.
2002 – Group Draw Against Mali
In 2002, Nigeria faced host nation Mali in the group stages, ending in a draw. Despite the stalemate early on, the tournament would later offer redemption against Mali.
2002 – Third-Place Win Over Mali
Later in the same tournament, Nigeria met Mali again in the third-place playoff, securing a 1-0 victory. This remains Nigeria’s only knockout win against a host nation at AFCON. Yakubu Aiyegbeni scored the only goal for Nigeria in that 1-0 victory.
2004 – Semi-Final Draw Against Tunisia
At the 2004 AFCON, Nigeria faced Tunisia, the hosts, in the semi-finals. The match ended 1-1, but Nigeria were eliminated after losing on penalties, showing the fine margins when playing against host sides.
2008 – Quarter-Final Loss to Ghana
The 2008 quarter-finals saw Nigeria face host nation Ghana, suffering a knockout defeat. The match highlighted the Super Eagles’ ongoing challenge in overcoming hosts in high-stakes games. Nigeria had reached four consecutive AFCON semi-finals (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006) before Ghana ended their run in that tournament.
2023 – Group-Stage Win Against Côte d’Ivoire
In the 2023 AFCON, Nigeria faced Côte d’Ivoire in the group stage, achieving a 1-0 victory. This marked a rare win over a host nation in the early stages of the tournament, with former captain Williams Troost-Ekong scoring a lone penalty to hand Nigeria the win.
2023 – Final Loss to Côte d’Ivoire
Later in the same tournament, Nigeria met Côte d’Ivoire again in the final, but fell 2-1, continuing the trend of host nations proving tough to beat in decisive matches. Again, it was Williams Troost-Ekong’s header that put the Super Eagles ahead before goals from Frank Kessie and Sebastian Haller cancelled out the advantage.
Tottenham Hotspur have parted ways with manager Thomas Frank after a disappointing run of results left the club hovering just five points above the relegation zone.
Frank’s departure comes after Tuesday’s 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle United, which saw the team slide to 16th place in the Premier League table with 29 points from 26 matches.
The decision to sack Frank was made due to the team’s poor performance, which saw them win just twice in their last 17 league games.
Despite being given time and support since his appointment in June 2025, Frank struggled to replicate his success at Brentford, where he consistently over-performed with limited resources.
Recall that Frank was appointed as the new Tottenham head coach in June 2025, succeeding Ange Postecoglou, who was sacked despite winning the Europa League.
Frank’s tenure was marked by inconsistent results and setbacks, including a notable incident where he was seen drinking from a coffee cup bearing the badge of rivals Arsenal.
Frank won just 13 of his 38 games in charge, with a Premier League win percentage of 26.9%, the lowest of any Tottenham manager in the Premier League era.
The team’s fans had been vocal about their discontent with Frank, booing him and chanting for his sacking during Tuesday’s defeat.
The club thanked Frank for his contribution and wished him well in the future.
With Frank’s departure, Tottenham are now searching for itheir sixth permanent manager in seven years, with potential candidates including Roberto De Zerbi, who recently left Marseille.
The team faces a tough challenge in the coming weeks, including a Premier League match against Arsenal on February 22.
Rivers United suffered a 4-1 defeat to defending champions Pyramids FC in their penultimate CAF Champions League group game in Uyo on Sunday.
Stephen Manyo gave Rivers United the lead in the 33rd minute.
Finidi George’s side created more chances afterward but failed to double their advantage.
Pyramids FC took control of the game after the break, scoring four times.
Mostafa Fathi equalised for the visitors in the 52nd minute.
Marwan Hamdi, Odeh Al Fakhouri, and Nasser Maher also scored for the Egyptians.
Manchester City came from behind to beat Liverpool 2-1 at Anfield to stay in the Premier League title race, but the finale was dominated by some controversial decisions.
Manchester City beat Liverpool at Anfield to stay in the Premier League title race – but only after a dramatic finale provided by VAR.
City came from behind to win 2-1 and complete a league double over their rivals in chaotic and confusing fashion.
Dominik Szoboszlai smashed Liverpool ahead with a stunning long-range free-kick yet ended the game with a red card in astonishing fashion.
Bernardo Silva fired City level from Erling Haaland’s knock-down before Alisson clattered Matheus Nunes to hand City a penalty late on. Haaland converted the spot-kick to put City 2-1 up in the 93rd minute.
But more was to come, with Alisson heading up to the other end of the pitch as Liverpool desperately chased an equaliser. That left the goal open on the counter-attack and City thought they had gone 3-1 up in the closing stages as Rayan Cherki’s effort dribbled over the line.
Szoboszlai and Haaland raced back after the ball and pulled each others’ shirts, only for the ball to roll over the goaline untouched. However, VAR cancelled the goal, awarding City a free-kick outside the area while sending off Szoboszlai for the denial of a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Szoboszlai trudged off and City managed to see out the remaining minutes to close the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League to six points. After VAR review, the referee overturned the original decision of goal to Manchester City.
Official Craig Pawson said: “After review, there is a careless foul by Erling Haaland, that pulls the shirt of Dominic Szoboszlai. Prior to that, Szoboszlai commits a holding offence that denies an obvious goal scoring opportunity. The final decision is a direct free kick to Manchester City and a red card.”
It was a chaotic and confusing end to the match, which had Sky Sports co-commentator Gary Neville fuming at referee Craig Pawson.
“You live to watch games like this. I am a fan of VAR but it has just killed the joy,” Neville said. “The reason fans watch football matches is for entertainment and for moments like that.”
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