Sports
AFCON 2021 Commences Sunday Amid Separatists, COVID-19 Threats
By Adedapo Adesanya
Sunday, January 9, 2022, will usher in the 33rd edition of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, less than a year since the coronavirus halted plans for the tournament initially scheduled for the year 2021.
Twenty four countries will be jostling for the trophy across six cities – Bafoussam, Douala, Garoua, Limbé, Olembe and Yaoundé in the East African country.
Among the six stadiums that will host the matches of the competition, the stadium of Limbé where group F will play has been considered a danger zone, witnessing a full-blown insurrection, where English-speaking separatists opposing the Francophone government have been fighting to form a breakaway state and have started to use improvised explosive devices.
Although the Cameroonian government has boosted security; human rights groups and activists have warned that the threats by the separatists should be taken seriously.
The rising cases of COVID-19 amongst players have led to led to alarm but organisers are determined to go ahead with the game.
The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Mr Patrice Motsepe, promised an incredible competition despite the challenges being envisaged.
One of such measures to limit the risk of the speared of the virus during the tournament is to reduce the capacities of the various stadiums. Aside from this, only fully vaccinated fans with proof of negative virus tests will be allowed to attend games.
AFCON 2022 Groups
Group A: Cameroon (hosts), Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands, Ethiopia
Group B: Guinea, Malawi, Senegal, Zimbabwe
Group C: Comoros Islands, Gabon, Ghana, Morocco
Group D: Egypt, Guinea Bissau, Nigeria, Sudan
Group E: Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone
Group F: Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Tunisia
AFCON 2022 Group Stage Fixtures (Nigerian time)
January 9: Matchday 1 on Sunday
4 pm: Cameroon v Burkina Faso
7 pm: Ethiopia v Cape Verde
January 10: Matchday 2 on Monday
1 pm: Senegal v Zimbabwe
4 pm: Guinea v Malawi
4 pm: Morocco v Ghana
7 pm: Comoros v Gabon
January 11: Matchday 3 on Tuesday
1 pm: Algeria v Sierra Leone
4 pm: Nigeria v Egypt
7 pm: Sudan v Guinea Bissau
January 12: Matchday 4 on Wednesday
1 pm: Tunisia v Mali
4 pm: Mauritania v Gambia
7 pm: Equatorial Guinea v Ivory Coast
Round two fixtures;
January 13: Matchday 5
4pm: Cameroon v Ethiopia
7pm: Cape Verde v Burkina Faso
January 14: Matchday 6
1pm: Senegal v Guinea
4pm: Malawi v Zimbabwe
4pm: Morocco v Comoros
7 pm: Gabon v Ghana
January 15: Matchday 7
4pm: Nigeria v Sudan
7pm: Guinea Bissau v Egypt
January 16: Matchday 8
1pm: Gambia v Mali
4pm: Ivory Coast v Sierra Leone
4pm: Tunisia v Mauritania
7pm: Algeria v Equitoria Guinea
Round of three — last group games;
January 17: Matchday 9
4pm: Burkina Faso v Ethiopia
4pm: Cape Verde v Cameroon
January 18: Matchday 10
4pm: Malawi v Senegal
4pm: Zimbabwe v Guinea
7pm: Gabon v Morocco
7pm: Ghana v Comoros
January 19: Matchday 11
7pm: Egypt v Sudan
7pm: Guinea Bissau v Nigeria
January 20: Matchday 12
4pm: Ivory Coast v Algeria
4pm: Sierra Leone v Equatorial Guinea
7pm: Gambia v Tunisia
7pm: Mali v Mauritania
Round of 16
January 23
4pm: Runner-up Group A vs Runner-up Group C at Limbe Stadium, Limbe
7pm: Winner Group D vs 3rd Group B/E/F at Roumdé Adjia Stadium, Garoua
January 24
4pm: Runner-up Group B vs Runner-up Group F at Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam
7pm: Winner Group A vs 3rd Group C/D/E at Olembe Stadium, Yaoundé
January 25
4pm: Winner Group B vs 3rd Group A/C/D at Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam
7pm: Winner Group C vs 3rd Group A/B/F at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé
January 26
4pm: Winner Group E vs Runner-up Group D at Japoma Stadium, Douala
7pm: Winner Group F vs Runner-up Group E at Limbe Stadium, Limbe
Quarterfinals Pairings;
Quarter-Final B: January 29
4pm: Winner R16-M4 vs Winner R16-M3 at Japoma Stadium, Douala
Quarter-Final A: January 29
7pm: Winner R16-M1 vs Winner R16-M2 at Roumdé Adjia Stadium, Garoua
Quarter-Final C: January 30
4pm: Winner R16-M7 v Winner R16-M6 at Olembe Stadium, Yaoundé
Quarter-Final D: January 30
7pm: Winner R16-M5 vs Winner R16-M8 at Japoma Stadium, Douala
Semifinal Pairings;
SF 1: February 2
7pm: Winner QF A vs Winner QF D at Japoma Stadium, Douala
SF 2: February 3
7pm: Winner QF B vs Winner QF C at Olembe Stadium, Yaoundé
Third-place Match: February 6
5pm: Loser SF1 vs Loser SF2 at Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé
Final: February 6
7pm: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 at Olembe Stadium, Yaoundé
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By Dipo Olowookere
Manchester United centre-back, Harry Maguire, has signed a new contract with the football club for an additional year.
He will remain at the Theatre of Dreams until June 2027, with the option for a further year, a statement from the Red Devil said.
“Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes me and my family proud every single day.
“I am delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.
“You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see, and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us,” the club’s former captain stated.
“Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad.
“Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United to achieve regular and sustained success,” the Director of Football at Manchester United, Mr Jason Wilcox, was quoted as saying in the statement.
The Three Lions defender has made 266 appearances and won the Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup since joining the club in 2019.
European club football enters its decisive quarter-final phase in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League. With semi-final places on the line, the first-leg fixtures promise high-intensity clashes. All matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport, available on DStv and GOtv.
Champions League: Heavyweights Collide
At 8:00 PM, Real Madrid host Bayern Munich in the standout tie of the round. Both sides were emphatic in the previous stage, with Madrid dismantling Manchester City and Bayern delivering a dominant performance against Atalanta. The match airs live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203).
Madrid arrive off a disappointing domestic setback, while Bayern continue to show resilience and attacking firepower. The Bernabéu will be central to Madrid’s hopes against a side currently scoring with ease.
Also at 8:00 PM, Sporting Lisbon face Arsenal in Lisbon, live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). Arsenal come into the tie under pressure following consecutive cup losses in the Carabao and FA Cups, while Sporting are full of confidence after an impressive run of form. With momentum firmly on the Portuguese side, this fixture presents a significant test of Arsenal’s mentality.
At 8:00 PM on Wednesday, Barcelona welcome Atletico Madrid in what promises to be a tightly contested tactical encounter. The game will be shown live on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Barcelona claimed a recent league victory between the sides, but Atletico have already proven their ability to disrupt them this season. Expect a high-stakes contest between two teams who know each other well.
Also at 8:00 PM, Paris Saint-Germain take on Liverpool in Paris, live on SS Football Plus HD (DStv Ch. 202). PSG have emerged as one of the competition’s most dominant sides, carrying strong momentum into the tie. Liverpool, meanwhile, arrive under pressure following a heavy domestic defeat and will need a significant improvement to remain competitive heading into the second leg.
Europa & Conference League: Thursday Night Stakes
While the Champions League dominates midweek headlines, Thursday brings its own high-stakes quarter-final action across the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
In the Europa League, Bologna host Aston Villa in a compelling first-leg encounter, live on SS La Liga (GOtv Ch. 62, DStv Ch. 204) at 8:00 PM, . Aston Villa have impressed throughout the competition and arrive well-rested, while Bologna’s path to this stage has been defined by resilience and high-intensity performances. The contrast in preparation could shape the outcome.
Also at 8:00 PM, FC Porto face Nottingham Forest, with the match airing on SS Premier League (GOtv Ch. 65, DStv Ch. 203). Porto will look to assert themselves at home after previous meetings between the sides, while Forest have already demonstrated their ability to navigate difficult knockout ties.
For the Conference League, Crystal Palace take on Fiorentina at Selhurst Park, live on SS Football (GOtv Ch. 61, DStv Ch. 205) at 8:00 PM. Palace continue their pursuit of European silverware against a Fiorentina side balancing continental ambition with inconsistent domestic form. The hosts will aim to build a first-leg advantage before the return fixture in Italy.
Quarter-Final Fixtures – First Legs
UEFA Champions League
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Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich – Tue, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
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Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal – Tue, 8:00 PM (SS Football Plus HD)
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Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid – Wed, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
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Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool – Wed, 8:00 PM (SS Football Plus HD)
UEFA Europa League
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Bologna vs Aston Villa – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS La Liga)
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FC Porto vs Nottingham Forest – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS Premier League)
UEFA Conference League
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Crystal Palace vs Fiorentina – Thu, 8:00 PM (SS Football)
Follow the Action
Catch all the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League action live on SuperSport on DStv and GOtv. Matches are also available to stream via DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. Manage or upgrade your subscription via the MyDStv or MyGOtv apps, visit www.dstv.com or www.gotvafrica.com, or dial *288# to stay connected.
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