Sports
Africa Best Xi Of The Year 2020
Many African players thrived across the world in 2020 and African Football.com created the best team made of footballers from the continent.
Andrea Onana – Goalkeeper
The Cameroon interna-tional has established himself as one of the best upcoming goalkeepers in world football and he remains a reliable first-choice goalkeeper at the biggest club in the Netherlands, Ajax Amsterdam.
Achraf Hakimi – Right-Back
The flying Moroccan right-back is one of the brightest young pros-pects in football and the 22-year-old has quickly become as one of the key defenders for Inter Milan after joining the Italian giants from Spanish champions Real Madrid.
Ramy Bensebaini – Left-Back
The Algerian defender, who can also operate as a centre-back, has slowly established himself as one of the best African left-backs and he is a key member of the defence for ambitious German side Borussia Monchengladbach.
Kalidou Koulibaly – Centre Back
The Senegal captain is undoubtedly one of the best defenders in world football at present and he has been very influential at Italian giants SSC Napoli, where he is the third captain.
Joel Matip – Centre Back
The former Cameroon international had a successful 2020 as he established himself as one of the top centre-backs in the English Premier League which he won with his club, Liverpool FC.
Thomas Partey – Defensive Midfielder
The Ghana vice-captain is widely considered to be one of the most accomplished defensive midfielders around in world football and he secured a big-money move from Spain’s Atletico Madrid to English giants Arsenal in October 2020.
Hakim Ziyech – Central Attacking Midfielder
The Algerian genius has been one of the most exciting attacking mid-fielders in the world for the past couple of years and he hit the ground running in England after joining Chelsea from Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam.
Riyad Mahrez – Central Attacking Midfielder
The Algeria captain remains one of the best wingers in the English Premier League where he has sparkled for Man-chester City and his versatility enables him to operate in several attack-ing positions including as an attacking midfielder.
Sadio Mane – Left Forward
The Senegalese winger, who is the reigning CAF African Footballer of the Year, is one of the most dangerous wide for-wards in world football and he is one of the reasons why Liverpool FC won the 2019/20 English Premier League title.
Mohamed Salah – Right Forward
The Egyptian super-star is one of the most potent wingers in the world at present and he was an integral part of the Liverpool FC side which clinched the 2019/20 English Premier League title and has broken a number of records in 2020.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – Centre Forward
The Gabon captain remains one of the most lethal centre forwards in the world and he played an instrumental role in helping English giants Arsenal clinch the 2020 FA Cup as the team captain.
Pics 1: Fencing in action.
President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation, Adeyinka Samuel, has said the country will host a unique 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships as the first sub-Saharan nation to stage the tournament, Tidesports source reports.
The championship will be held in Lagos from August 9 to 14, with the federation announcing that Rugby School Nigeria will host the event.
The Commonwealth Fencing Federation formally awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 championships to Nigeria in March 2025.
“It is the third international tournament the country will host, having also become the first to stage a junior épée World Cup, which was held in Lagos in December 2024. Nigeria also hosted the 23rd African Fencing Championships last year.
Nigeria’s hosting will be unique in several ways. First, it will be the inaugural edition on African soil, giving it historic significance. Second, we are integrating development initiatives such as an international training camp to foster technical exchange. Finally, the event will showcase African hospitality, culture, and energy, offering athletes a rich experience beyond the competition,” Samuel said on Wednesday.
“Preparations have advanced steadily across competition planning, venue readiness, logistics, athlete services, and partnerships.”
He also noted that over 24 Commonwealth nations have already registered.
“We are organising a pre-championship international training camp in Lagos to unite athletes ahead of the competition. Everything is moving in the right direction, and our focus is on delivering a world-class event that reflects Nigeria’s ability to host major international tournaments.”
The last two tournaments hosted by Nigeria were held at Charterhouse Lagos, and Samuel explained the choice of Rugby School Nigeria for this championship.
“The venue was selected for its modern, state-of-the-art facilities and its proximity to hospitality, tourism, and entertainment hubs. This ensures athletes and officials will enjoy excellent accommodation, transport, and leisure options during their stay.”
While thanking the private sector for its support in organising the championship, the president also called for greater government intervention in the fast-growing sport.
“The private sector has shown encouraging support, with institutions like Rugby School Nigeria and companies such as Flour Mills of Nigeria backing the championships. However, stronger government involvement is needed. Hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Fencing Championships is a milestone achievement, and we believe institutional support will help Nigeria maximise the opportunity and deliver a truly memorable event.”
The final draw was concluded at CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday and posted on the body’s website.
Notably, hosts Morocco will face a North African showdown in Group A, drawn alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, making Group A particularly competitive.
Group B features former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, alongside Uganda and debutants DR Congo.
In Group C, 2015 and 2017 champions and last year’s runners-up, Mali, will meet Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
Group D is led by 2023 champions Senegal, who will face South Africa (2015 runners-up),
The eight quarter-finalists from the tournament will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar.
The teams finishing third in each group will contest two play-off matches to determine the final two qualifiers, bringing the total number of African representatives at the global finals to ten nations.
2026 CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations – Groups:
- Group A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia
- Group B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Uganda, DR Congo
- Group C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique
- Group D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana
Tidesports source reports that Nigeria will not feature at the tournament for the second consecutive edition.
The Golden Eaglets suffered a 2-0 defeat to rivals Ghana in the semi-finals of the WAFU Zone B qualifiers in September 2025, dashing their hopes of advancing to the finals.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria will begin their title defence at the 2026 Unity Cup with a semi-final clash against Zimbabwe on May 26 at The Valley in South London, Tidesports source reports.
The four-nation tournament, which also features Jamaica and India, returns to its historic venue after the success of the 2025 edition in Brentford, where Nigeria emerged champions.
The competition, scheduled to run from May 26 to 30, blends elite football with cultural celebration, bringing together Afrocentric and global diaspora communities.
Nigeria’s opening fixture against Zimbabwe serves as a rematch of their recent encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, setting the stage for a highly competitive contest.
The winner will progress to the final on May 30, while the second semi-final between Jamaica and India will be played a day later.
President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Gusau, expressed confidence in the Super Eagles’ chances while acknowledging the quality of the opposition.
“The Nigeria Football Federation is pleased with another opportunity to see the Super Eagles compete at the highly exciting and entertaining Unity Cup Tournament,” Gusau said.
“As perennial champions, the Super Eagles will look to retain their title again this summer, even as they will not underrate the other participating teams viz India, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The tournament promises to be explosive and that is the setting in which the Super Eagles thrive best.”
The Unity Cup will culminate in a finals day featuring both the third-place play-off and the final, alongside a festival atmosphere that includes cultural showcases, food exhibitions, and live performances.
Zimbabwe Football Association president Nqobile Magwizi described his nation’s participation as a landmark moment, highlighting the opportunity to compete on an international stage in England for the first time.
“The Unity Cup represents far more than a celebration of football and culture, it is a powerful platform that reflects Zimbabwe football’s growing ambition to compete, perform, and excel on the global stage,” Magwizi said.
With Nigeria seeking to retain their crown and rivals eager to make their mark, the opening clash against Zimbabwe is expected to set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested and culturally vibrant tournament.
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