Latest news with #WAFU
CAF
04-08-2025
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: West African heavyweights collide as Senegal take on Nigeria
Published: Monday, 04 August 2025 Senegal begin the defence of their TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) title with a highly anticipated clash against regional rivals Nigeria. Despite their prominence in African football, this will be the first CHAN meeting between the two nations. This will be Senegal's 15th CHAN match, with Nigeria becoming the 14th different opponent they have faced (having only met Côte d'Ivoire twice). Nigeria will be playing their 16th game at the finals, with Senegal becoming the 15th team they have faced—Morocco is the only opponent they have met more than once. Senegal have played four previous matches against West African opposition at CHAN, including a goalless draw with Côte d'Ivoire and a 1-1 draw with Ghana (which they lost on penalties) in 2009. In the 2022 edition, they defeated Côte d'Ivoire and Mauritania 1-0 in the group stage and quarterfinals respectively. Senegal are yet to lose in open play to a West African rival at CHAN (W2 D2). They've kept three clean sheets in those four matches, with the only goal conceded coming in the third-place playoff against Ghana in 2009. Nigeria are facing the defending champions at CHAN for the first time. This is also their fifth CHAN match against a West African team. Their past results in these encounters include losses to Mali and Guinea, a draw with Ghana (followed by a penalty loss), and a 4-1 victory over Niger. Senegal – Key Facts Defending champions; this is their fourth CHAN appearance (2009, 2011, 2022). Finished fourth in 2009, exited in the group stage in 2011, and won the title in 2022 (beating Algeria in the final on penalties). Won all three of their opening group games: vs Tanzania (1-0 in 2009), Rwanda (2-0 in 2011), and Côte d'Ivoire (1-0 in 2022). Conceded only one goal and kept five clean sheets en route to the 2022 title. Have won six CHAN games; five of those wins were by a 1-0 scoreline. Their largest victory was a 3-0 win over DR Congo in their final 2022 group match. Have recorded 10 clean sheets in 14 CHAN matches, including clean sheets in their last four games in 2022. Defending champions' record in opening games at the next tournament: played 2, won 1, lost 1 (DRC lost 2-0 to Cameroon in 2011; Morocco beat Togo 1-0 in 2020). Looking to become only the second team after Morocco to retain the title. Alongside DRC, Morocco, and Tunisia, Senegal are one of four countries to have won both AFCON and CHAN. Qualified via WAFU Zone A: drew 1-1 away to Liberia and won 3-0 at home (4-1 on aggregate). Nigeria – Key Facts Returning to the finals for the first time since 2018, after missing the last two editions. Finished third in 2014 and runners-up in 2018 (lost 4-0 to Morocco in the final); exited in the group stage in 2016. Opening game record at CHAN: played 3, won 1, drew 1, lost 1. When failing to win their opening match (2014 and 2018), they progressed to at least the semifinals. The only time they won their opener (4-1 vs Niger in 2016), they were eliminated in the group stage. Biggest win: 4-1 vs Niger (2016); biggest loss: 4-0 vs Morocco (2018 final). Involved in three draws at CHAN: two goalless, one 1-1. Have won 9 matches—all in open play; open-play losses were vs Mali (2014), Guinea (2016), and Morocco (2018 final). Highest scoring match: 4-3 win over Morocco (2014 quarterfinals, after extra time). Scored four goals in a match three times: vs Mozambique (4-2, 2014), Morocco (4-3, 2014), and Niger (4-1, 2016). Scored in 11 of 15 CHAN matches; total goals scored: 25, goals conceded: 17. CHAN games have averaged 2.8 goals per match; Nigeria have averaged 1.67 goals scored per game. Have kept five clean sheets: three in 2018, two in 2014. Conceded in each of their first six group games before keeping clean sheets in the first two matches of 2018 (0-0 vs Rwanda, 1-0 vs Libya). Qualified via WAFU Zone B: drew 0-0 away to Ghana, then won 3-1 at home (3-1 on aggregate).
CAF
03-08-2025
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: Niger and Guinea clash in CHAN opener in Kampala
Niger and Guinea will open their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign with a Group C meeting in Kampala on Monday. This marks only the second time the two sides face each other at the finals of the tournament, and both will be eager to start with a positive result. This fixture is a repeat of their Group C meeting at the 2016 edition of CHAN, where the sides played to a 2-2 draw. Niger took the lead twice in that encounter, first through Mossi Moussa in the 37th minute and again through Adamou Moussa early in the second half. On both occasions, Guinea responded immediately, with Aboubacar Sylla equalising in the 38th minute and Kile Bangoura levelling again to secure the draw. In that 2016 tournament, Guinea advanced from the group stage along with Tunisia, while Niger were eliminated alongside Nigeria. This new encounter offers Niger a chance at redemption and Guinea an opportunity to extend their strong recent record at CHAN. This is Niger's 15th match at CHAN. They have faced 13 different opponents across their previous 14 games, with Ghana being the only team they had played more than once, until now. Guinea becomes the second side to face them twice at the tournament. Against West African opposition, Niger have played four matches with a record of two wins, one draw, and one loss. Those victories came against Ghana in 2011 and 2022, while they suffered a heavy loss to Nigeria and drew against Guinea in that earlier clash. Niger have scored in all four of their CHAN meetings with West African teams, registering six goals and conceding six. Guinea, meanwhile, have faced fellow West African nations five times before this game, winning two, drawing two, and losing one. That single loss came in the 2016 third-place playoff against Côte d'Ivoire. Guinea also suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Mali in the 2020 semi-finals but remain unbeaten in open play since 2018. This is also the second time Guinea are meeting the same team more than once at CHAN, having drawn twice with Zambia in 2016 and 2020. Niger – Key Facts · Participating in their fifth CHAN finals, and for the third consecutive edition, a first for the country. · Debuted in 2011, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Sudan on penalties. · Eliminated in the group stage in both 2016 and 2020. · Achieved their best finish in 2022, ending fourth after wins over Cameroon and Ghana, but defeats to Algeria and Madagascar. · Went eight games without a win at CHAN between 2011 and 2022. That streak ended with a 1-0 win over Cameroon. · Currently on a two-match losing streak; a third straight defeat would be a first in their CHAN history. · Their opening game record reads: P4 W1 D2 L1. · Only opening game win came against Zimbabwe in 2011 (1-0). · Held Libya and Angola to goalless draws in their last two openers (2020 and 2022). · Qualified by defeating Togo on away goals in the WAFU Zone B qualifiers: drew 1-1 away and 0-0 at home. Guinea – Key Facts · Competing in their fourth CHAN finals, with their best results being third place in 2020 and fourth in 2016. · Eliminated in the group stage in 2018 after back-to-back losses. · Opening game record: P3 W1 D1 L1. · Drew 2-2 with Tunisia in 2016, lost 2-1 to Sudan in 2018, and defeated Namibia 3-0 in 2020. · Total CHAN record: P15 W5 D7 L3. · Unbeaten in open play in their last seven CHAN matches (W4 D3). · Last open-play defeat came against Morocco in 2018. · Only penalty shootout loss came in the 2020 semi-final against Mali. · Scored in 13 of their 15 CHAN matches; only failed to score in two goalless draws, vs Zambia (2016 QF, won on penalties) and Mali (2020 SF, lost on penalties). · Group stage record at CHAN: P9 W3 D4 L2, scoring 13 and conceding 13 goals. · Notable group wins: 1-0 vs Nigeria (2016), 1-0 vs Mauritania (2016), 3-0 vs Namibia (2020). · Qualified for this edition by beating Guinea-Bissau 6-2 on aggregate in the WAFU Zone A qualifiers (4-1 home, 2-1 away).
CAF
08-06-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON: Senegal Team Profile
Published: Monday, 09 June 2025 How the team qualified The Lionesses of Teranga booked their place at the finals by defeating Egypt in the second round of qualifiers. They secured a convincing 4–0 victory in the first leg in Thiès, followed by a goalless draw in Cairo to confirm their ticket to the final tournament in Morocco. TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON history This will be Senegal's third appearance at the TotalEnergies CAF Women's AFCON finals, following 2012 and 2022 participations. In the most recent edition, held in Morocco, the Lionesses reached the quarterfinals before being knocked out by Zambia in a penalty shootout (4–2). Players to watch Ndeye Awa Diakhaté: A forward for Olympique de Marseille, she scored Senegal's first ever goal in a TotalEnergies CAF Women's AFCON final stage during the 2022 tournament. Quick, skilful, and with excellent positioning, she is a constant threat to opposing defences. Her experience in France has helped elevate her game, making her one of the key attacking assets for the Lionesses. Korka Fall: At 35, she plays for SM Caen and captained the team during the 2023 WAFU tournament, which the Lionesses won. A solid presence in midfield, she brings stability, physicality, and leadership. Her vision and ability to dictate play make her a crucial figure in Senegal's setup. The Head Coach Mame Moussa Cissé guided the Lionesses to the quarterfinals of the 2022 edition and now aims for further progress. A meticulous tactician, he focuses on squad stability, the development of young talent, and improved attacking efficiency to take the team to the next level. Ambitions and Group Analysis Senegal have been drawn in Group A, alongside hosts Morocco, 2022 bronze medallists Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. It's a competitive group where every match promises to be tightly contested. Building on their encouraging 2022 campaign, the Lionesses of Teranga enter this edition with high ambitions. The coaching staff has set a clear objective: to reach at least the semi-finals. They will rely on the experience of veterans like Korka Fall and the attacking prowess of players like Diakhaté. Against strong opposition, Senegal will need to show discipline, unity, and tactical intelligence to establish themselves as serious contenders in the tournament.
CAF
04-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: West African derby as Senegal face Ghana at TotalEnergies CAF U20 AFCON
Defending champions Senegal face fellow West African rivals Ghana in what will be only their second-ever meeting at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations at Suez Stadium on Monday (kick-off 21:00 local time; 18:00 GMT). Their previous encounter came during the 2019 edition, where Senegal secured a 2-0 victory in the group stage thanks to a first-half brace from Youssouph Badji. Ghana have only once before faced defending champions at the tournament, beating Egypt in the 1993 semi-finals. Senegal have a strong record against fellow WAFU (West African) teams, having played 12 matches with a record of eight wins, two draws, and two losses. Both defeats came against Nigeria in 2015 – once in the group stage (3-1) and again in the final (1-0). They are unbeaten in open play in their last eight matches against West African opposition, with seven wins and one draw – the latter a penalty shootout loss to Mali in the 2019 final. Ghana, meanwhile, have faced West African rivals 26 times, recording 11 wins, three draws, and 12 losses. Their recent form against WAFU teams has been less consistent, with just one win in their last four such matches – a semi-final victory over Gambia in 2021. They lost the other three. SENEGAL FACTS · Senegal began their title defence with a 1-1 draw against the Central African Republic. It marked the fourth time they have drawn their opening match at the finals, having also done so in 1993, 1995, and 2017. · Their record in second group matches is strong: six played, three wins, two draws, and just one loss – back in 1993, when they were beaten 3-1 by Ethiopia. Since then, they are unbeaten in second group matches across five tournaments. They drew with Burundi (1-1) in 1995 and Côte d'Ivoire (2-2) in 2015, and have won their last three second group games: 4-3 against South Africa in 2017, 2-0 against Ghana in 2019, and 3-0 against Mozambique in 2023. Notably, they have scored in every second group game they've played. · A failure to win this match would mark the fourth time Senegal have gone winless in their first two group games. Previous instances occurred in 1993, 1995, and 2015. · Senegal are unbeaten in their last 12 group stage matches (W9 D3), with their most recent group-stage defeat being a 3-1 loss to Nigeria in 2015. · They have also scored in each of their last 15 group games – their last goalless group game was a 0-0 draw with Cameroon in 1995. · Across all finals matches, Senegal are unbeaten in open play in their last 13 games (W11 D2). Their last defeat in regulation time was in the 2017 final against Zambia. · In their draw with CAR, Ousmane Konate had the most touches (90) and completed the most passes (60) of any player on the pitch. Falliou Diouf was fouled six times, more than any other player in the game. GHANA FACTS · Ghana opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo. After conceding in the 16th minute, Musibau Aziz equalized in the 24th. · This draw ended a run of three consecutive tournament openers that Ghana had won - in 2015, 2019, and 2021. · They have now won just one of their last six group matches at the finals – a 4-0 victory over Tanzania in their 2021 opener (D2 L3). Additionally, Ghana have failed to win their last three group matches against West African sides: a 2-1 loss to Gambia in 2021, and back-to-back defeats in 2019 to Senegal (2-0) and Mali (1-0). · Historically, Ghana have fared well in their second group matches in the modern tournament format (since 1991), with a record of seven wins, three draws, and two losses in 12 such games. However, they have failed to win their second game at each of their last two tournament appearances – drawing 0-0 with Morocco in 2021 and losing 2-0 to Senegal in 2019. · Ghana's biggest second group game win remains their 5-0 triumph over Angola in 1999. Their only defeats in second group matches came in 1993 (vs Cameroon) and 2019 (vs Senegal). · A failure to win here would mark the first time since 2011 that Ghana have failed to register a victory in their first two group games. In that year, they lost 2-1 to Nigeria before drawing 1-1 with Gambia. In every subsequent tournament – 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2021 – they have won at least one of their opening two matches. · Against DRC, Ghana managed only two shots on target – both by goal scorer Aziz. Aaron Essel attempted 73 passes and completed 57 (78.1% accuracy), leading the team in both categories.
CAF
26-04-2025
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: Zambia take on debutants Sierra Leone in Group A opener at TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations
Zambia will face debutants Sierra Leone in their opening Group A game of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025 at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia on Sunday (kick-off 18:00 local time / 16:00 GMT). The 2017 champions Zambia are facing a tournament debutant for only the second time after South Africa in the 1997 group stages, a game they lost 2-1. Since 1991, when the tournament took on its current guise, this will be Zambia's 21st meeting with a West African nation. Their record reads P20 W4 D6 L10. Three of Zambia's four wins against WAFU member nations came on home soil in the 2017 finals when they defeated Guinea 1-0 and Mali 6-1 in the group stages, and then defeated Senegal 2-0 in the final. Zambia's only other win since 1991 against a west African team was a 6-2 group stage success against Guinea in 1999. Their biggest win against a WAFU member nation was that 6-1 triumph over Mali in the 2017 group stages. ZAMBIA FACTS · Zambia first featured in the Under-20 continental competition in 1985 and this is their 11th qualification. · They were winners on home soil in 2017, defeating Senegal in the final. They have been semi-finalists three other times, in 1991, 1999 and 2007. · Aside from their 2017 win, they have ended fourth in 1991, 1999 and 2007. · Zambia exited the tournament winless in their last appearance in 2023 (D1 L2). · Zambia failed to win their opening game at their last appearance in 2023, drawing 1-1 against Benin. In 2017 they defeated Guinea first up on their way to the title, while prior to that in 2015 and 2007 they lost to Mali 1-0 and Nigeria 4-2. · Since 1991, Zambia have won their opening game twice, in 1999 and 2017 against Malawi 1-0 and Guinea also 1-0 (D3 L3). · In their last nine group games spanning their last three tournament appearances, Zambia's record reads P9 W3 D1 L5. All three wins came in 2017 on home soil. They lost all three group games in 2015 and lost two in 2023 while drawing the other. · Zambia have conceded a goal in each of their last five group games at the finals. They last kept a clean sheet in a group game in their opening game in 2017 against Guinea in a 1-0. · Their clean-sheet against Guinea in their opening group game in 2017 is their only one at the group stages in their last nine group games. · Zambia qualified for the finals by ending as runners up to South Africa at the 2024 COSAFA U20 Championships. They lost 2-0 in the final. SIERRA LEONE FACTS · Sierra Leone are one of two debutants at the current finals and will become the 43rd team to feature at the finals. · They become the 14th WAFU member nation, only two other members, Cabo Verde and Guinea Bissau, have not qualified for the finals. · They came through the WAFU A qualifying tournament, which was hosted in September 2024 in Liberia as runners-up in the final to Senegal. · In the qualifiers they drew 0-0 against Guinea then defeated Liberia 3-1 and Guinea Bissau 1-0 in the group stages, before a 3-0 win over Gambia in the semi-finals. They lost to Senegal in the final. · Momoh Kamara was their top scorer in the qualifiers with three goals.
