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Super Eagles Await Group Stage Fate As AFCON Draw Holds In Morocco

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Super Eagles Suffer 1-0 Home Defeat To Djurtus In 2023 AFCON Qualifiers

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will learn their group-stage opponents today as the draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) takes center stage in Morocco.

The tournament, hosted by the North African nation for the second time since 1988, is set to be one of the most spectacular editions in AFCON history.

In 1988, the competition featured just eight teams, but this year, 24 nations will compete for Africa’s biggest football prize.

READ MORE: Super Eagles Secure Spot In AFCON 2025 After Rwanda’s Loss

Nigeria, placed in Pot 1, will avoid fellow top-seeded teams such as Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, and reigning champions Côte d’Ivoire in the group stage.

However, they could face challenging sides from Pot 2, including Cameroon, Mali, and Tunisia.

This year’s AFCON promises to be grander than ever before, featuring more teams than the 1988 edition, and a thrilling opening ceremony.

The ceremony will showcase some of the biggest names in African football history, with legends such as Egypt’s Essam El Hadary, Cameroon’s Patrick Mboma, Tunisia’s Aymen Mathlouthi, and Ivory Coast’s Gervinho set to grace the event.

Adding to the excitement, a musical extravaganza will take place, with performances from Morocco’s Hatim Ammor, Congolese sensation Maître Gims, and renowned Moroccan music producer RedOne.

Recall that on Saturday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the official logo for AFCON 2025.

The design reflects Morocco’s rich cultural heritage, featuring the AFCON trophy adorned with zellige, the traditional Moroccan mosaic art, symbolizing the country’s unique blend of tradition and modernity.

The 24 qualified nations have been divided into four pots based on their FIFA rankings:

Pot 1: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire

Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso

Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin

Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana

The draw will place these teams into six groups of four, with the top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advancing to the knockout stage, promising thrilling action throughout the tournament.

Egypt, the most successful nation in AFCON history with seven titles, will aim to extend its dominance.

Côte d’Ivoire, the defending champions, have lifted the trophy three times, while Cameroon boasts five titles. Nigeria, with three championships, and Algeria, with two, are also strong contenders.

Morocco, the hosts, will look to replicate their 1976 triumph, their only AFCON victory.

Back then, the tournament followed a unique format, with the top four teams from the group stage playing in a final round-robin.

Morocco emerged victorious in Ethiopia, but this time, they will aim to claim the title on home soil in front of their passionate fans.

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Atalanta’s Champions League Hopes Hit As Lookman Faces Injury Setback

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Atalanta will be without Nigerian forward, Ademola Lookman for their crucial Champions League clash against Barcelona on Wednesday after the 27-year-old sustained a knee injury in training.

The Serie A club confirmed the news on Tuesday, revealing that Lookman had injured the lateral joint in his right knee and would not be traveling with the team to Spain.

Atalanta did not specify the exact length of Lookman’s absence, but reports from Italian media suggest he could be sidelined for up to a month.

READ MORE: Belgium Appoints Rudi Garcia As National Team Coach

His absence comes as a significant blow to the team, as Lookman has been a key player this season, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in all competitions.

Lookman was also instrumental in Atalanta’s Europa League success last season, netting a hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.

His form has helped Atalanta remain competitive both domestically and in Europe, with the club still in the Serie A title race and aiming for direct qualification to the Champions League last 16.

Currently sitting in seventh place in the Champions League’s 36-club league phase, Atalanta faces a must-win situation against Barcelona, who have already secured their place in the knockout stages.

With a tight race for qualification, any result other than a victory will likely see Atalanta forced into a play-off spot.

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AFCON 2025 Draw: Nigeria To Face Tunisia In Group C (Full List)

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The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) draw held in Rabat, Morocco, on Monday, has set the stage for an exciting football spectacle.

The tournament, scheduled to kick off on December 21, will see 24 teams battle for continental glory, with intriguing matchups promising thrilling action.

Morocco, the tournament hosts and one of Africa’s strongest teams, will begin their quest for the title against Comoros in Group A.

They are joined by Mali and Zambia, completing a group filled with potential surprises.

RELATED NEWS: Super Eagles Await Group Stage Fate As AFCON Draw Holds In Morocco

Morocco, armed with Europe-based stars like Achraf Hakimi, will aim to become only the fourth AFCON host to win the title this century, following Tunisia (2004), Egypt (2006), and Ivory Coast (2024).

CAF president Patrick Motsepe expressed optimism about the tournament, calling it the “most successful AFCON yet.”

He praised Morocco’s preparations and highlighted the significance of hosting the AFCON as a stepping stone for the kingdom’s 2030 World Cup ambitions, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

Originally planned for mid-2025, the tournament was rescheduled to avoid clashing with FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup in the United States.

Despite the change, excitement remains high as Africa’s best footballers converge on Morocco to vie for the continent’s top prize.

Group Stage Draw:

Group A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros

Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe

Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania

Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana

Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

Group F: Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

 

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Ex-Belgian Footballer, Radja Nainggolan Arrested In Cocaine Trafficking Probe

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Former Belgian international footballer, Radja Nainggolan was arrested on Monday in connection with a large-scale investigation into cocaine trafficking through the port of Antwerp, the Brussels prosecutor’s office has confirmed.

The arrest followed a series of raids conducted across Belgium in the early hours of the morning. Several suspects were detained, including Nainggolan, as part of the operation.

“The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium,” prosecutors said in a statement.

READ ALSO: Super Eagles Await Group Stage Fate As AFCON Draw Holds In Morocco

Further details regarding the case have not yet been made public.

Nainggolan, 36, who was born in Antwerp, recently came out of retirement to join Belgian second-division club Lokeren. The midfielder made his debut over the weekend, scoring a goal in a 1-1 draw against K. Lierse.

The former national team star enjoyed a decorated career, earning 30 caps and scoring six goals for Belgium. He also played for top Italian clubs, including Roma, Inter Milan, and Cagliari, before returning to Belgium in 2021 to join Royal Antwerp. However, his stint there ended in early 2023, following a series of controversies.

Known for his brash personality and off-field incidents, Nainggolan was suspended in late 2022 after being caught smoking an electronic cigarette on the bench, according to Belgian media.

No timeline has been given for further proceedings.

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