Sports

Super Eagles Will Win AFCON 2024- Dimeji Lawal

Published

3 years ago

November 2, 2023

Nigeria will be crowned the next AFCON champions holding next January in Cote d ‘Ivoire, a former junior international and Ex Super Eagles Star Dimeji Lawal has sensationally declared.

Speaking as a Special Guest of the Ex-University Ibadan Footballers Association virtual interactive program yesterday, a former junior international and ex Super Eagles star Dimeji Lawal, popularly called Kabongo by his numerous fans, has declared that the Super Eagles have the players and the talent to win the next AFCON holding next January in Cote d Ivoire. According to the former dazzling U-17 and U-20 World Cup silver medalist, “Nigeria will be the team to beat at the next CAF Nations Cup. I have no doubt about that”.

“We have the generation of young African talents doing so well in various European top clubs. Not only that, they are young and have the opportunity to play with and against the best legs week in week out,” he said, beaming with total confidence about the talent depth at the disposal of the Coaching crew.

Speaking further, the former IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan dazzling winger, who signed for Real Madrid before proceeding to the Saudi ’89 World Cup where the Flying Eagles lost in the final to Portugal, however issued a note of caution to the Eagles Coaching crew to stop experimenting with the team and instead focus on building a formidable team with cohesion and understanding. According to Lawal who was voted the man of the match when the Flying Eagles squared off against a Luis Figo inspired team at the group stage of the U20 World Cup at Saudi ’89, “Notwithstanding the talent depth of the Super Eagles, this group of players have not won anything tangible for the country yet, except at their club sides. I am very sure that will be a big drive for them to really cement their arrival as new boys on the block.”

Furthermore, he said, “My advice for the technical crew is simple: the time of trials should be over. We have had enough of testing and trials. Its time to build a formidable team with cohesion and understanding. Suddenly, we have become a country without a standing team. It’s not the best for our football. I know the first eleven of Germany, England, Spain, Holland, and France, unless there are any unforeseen circumstances (injuries, sickness etc). Our coaching crew keeps searching for new half casts or European born players every day. That must stop now so that they can focus on team cohesion”, Dimeji Lawal, who currently serves as the General Manager of one of Nigeria’s oldest club sides, the Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan, declared as a matter fact.

The Nigerian national team has been drawn in Group A alongside hosts– Cote d’Ivoire, and fast-improving Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau, who have qualified for a fourth straight edition in next year’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to kick off on January 13 and end on February 11, with matches at six stadiums in five cities in Cote d Ivoire.

Cote d’Ivoire, seeking a third Cup of Nations title, will face Guinea-Bissau in the opening match on January 13 in Abidjan, while the Super Eagles, seeking its 4th title will square off against Equitorial guinea in its first match of the tournament.

Nigeria were last crowned Cup of Nations winners in 2013 in South Africa and the Ivory Coast succeeded the Eagles two years later in Equatorial Guinea.

Defending champions Senegal are in Group C with five-time winners Cameroon, Guinea and the Gambia.

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Sports

29 Days To AACT 2026: IBB Club Renewal Heralds Nigeria’s African Golf Showcase

Published

8 hours ago

October 4, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

With 29 days to the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT), Nigeria is stepping up preparations to host the continental women’s team golf championship, with the extensive rehabilitation of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja providing a major boost to the country’s readiness.

In a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja Director of Communication AACT 2026, Kayode Adeniyi said the Club’s Board of Trustees has assured that the facility will be fully prepared to welcome golfers, officials and delegates from across Africa when the championship tees off on November 2.

Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, CFR, gave the assurance after inspecting ongoing rehabilitation works at the Club, expressing satisfaction with the progress recorded so far.

The IBB International Golf and Country Club has undergone extensive rehabilitation following its closure to regular golfing activities for more than a year. The intervention has focused on the golf course, selected holes, the clubhouse and other key facilities required to provide a befitting venue for the continental championship.

Justice Dongban-Mensem expressed confidence that the rehabilitation programme would be completed in time for the AACT, further reassuring stakeholders that the Club would be ready to host Africa’s leading female golfers.

Chairman of the Club’s Interim Management Committee, Peter Deshi, also expressed optimism over the progress of work, with regular golfing activities expected to resume ahead of the championship.

For the Ladies Golf Association of Nigeria (LGAN), the readiness of the host venue remains a critical component of the country’s preparations.

President of the Association, Dr. Lami Ahmed, has similarly expressed confidence in Nigeria’s preparations to stage a successful championship.

The 2026 AACT is scheduled to take place from November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja.

With the countdown now entering its final month, the rehabilitation of the Club is sending a strong message about Nigeria’s determination to deliver a successful championship and provide a worthy stage for Africa’s finest female golfers.

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