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2013 AFCON Host Cities To Be Known, April 20

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The South African Football Association (Safa) says it expects the announcement of the host cities for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations to be made on 20 April.

The hosts had been due to learn their fates today when the tournament is officially due to be launched.

The shorlisted cities will now be sent to the government for final approval.

The news of the delay comes following a meeting of Safa’s National Executive Committee over the weekend.

At the same meeting Safa also nominated 13 of its members to represent it on the Local Organising Committee for the 2013 tournament.

The association’s nominees including president Kirsten Nematandani and 2010 World Cup CEO Danny Jordaan, who will be joined by government ministers and ‘high profile opinion makers from civil society.’

A delegation from the Confederation of African Football (Caf) is currently in South Africa to check on progress in organising the event.

South Africa were granted the 2013 edition of the Nations Cup after original host nation Libya was deemed an unsuitable venue due to civil unrest.

Johannesburg, Cape Town, Polokwane, Rustenburg and Nelspruit joined fellow World Cup venues Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth and Durban in making bids.

Organisers have yet to confirm how many cities will eventually stage matches, but the figure of seven has been widely reported in the South African media.

South Africa is spoilt for choice in terms of first-class stadiums, having hosted the Fifa World Cup in 2010.

In a break from the norm, South Africa is reportedly set to choose seven stadiums – four of which will host the opening two rounds of group matches.

A further three will be required for the last round of group matches, followed by the knockout stages.

The 16-team tournament will take place from mid-January to mid-February 2013, with the winners representing Africa at next year’s Fifa Confederations Cup in Brazil.

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CAFCC: Enyimba International In Pot 3 For Draws

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African soccer governing body has released the pots for the qualified teams for the group stage of the Confederation Cup, Tidesports sources reports.
Enyimba International is among the 16 qualified teams for the group stage of the competition.
The People’s Elephant was placed in pot 3 alongside ASJaaraf, CS Constantine; Bravos Do Maquils, Lunda Suliat, Orapa United, Black Bulls, and Stellenbosch. Pot 1 consists of Zamalek, RS Berkane, Simba SC, and USM Algers while Pot 2 has ASEC Mimosa, Stade Malien, Al Masry, and CS Sfaxien.

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AFCON 2025 Qualifiers : Super Eagles Host Libya, Oct 11

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria will host the Mediterranean Knights of Libya in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matchday three encounter at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Friday, October 11.
The two teams will clash in a matchday four encounter at the Tripoli International Stadium four days later.
The Super Eagles started their qualifying campaign with a 3-0 home win against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.
The three-time African champions were held to 0-0 draw by the Amavubi of Rwanda in their second group game.The West Africans occupy top spot in Group D with four points from two games.
Libya are bottom of the group after amassing one point from two games.
Only the top teams in each group will advance to the tournament proper in Morocco beginning in December 2025.
Meanwhile, Libya has opted to host Group D leaders Nigeria at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Matchday 4 encounter. The facility is located in the city of Benina, some 19 kilometres outside the country’s second city, Benghazi.
Known previously as Hugo Chávez Stadium, the stadium is a 10,000-capacity facility with an artificial turf.
Both countries will do a Matchday 3 battle at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Friday, 11th October, before the clash in the city at the edge of the Mediterranean Sea on Tuesday, 15th October.
While the match in Uyo will kick off at 5pm, the battle in Benina will commence at 8pm Nigeria time.
Libya remain bottom of Group D after two rounds of matches, following a 1-1 at home to Rwanda (a game that was played at the Tripoli International Stadium) and a 1-2 loss to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan.
Nigeria tops the pool with four points, after a 3-0 spanking of Benin Republic in Uyo on Matchday 1 and a scoreless draw with Rwanda’s Amavubi in Kigali on Matchday 2.

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NYG: Kano Athletes Protest Over Allowances In Asaba

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Kano State athletes, who participated in the concluded 8th edition of the National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba, Delta State, last Friday called on Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to address the issue of their poor camp allowances.
The athletes, speaking anonymously, expressed dissatisfaction with the daily allowance they received, claiming it was significantly lower than that of their counterparts from neighbouring Northwestern states.
“We were given less than N20,000 for ten days, while athletes from Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara received N50,000. Jigawa athletes were paid the highest, receiving N80,000,” one of the athletes said.
Despite the disparity in allowances, the athletes secured five gold, three silver, and one bronze in the competition.
They urged the governor to intervene and resolve the issue.
Also, the athletes commended the Kano State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso, for supporting other athletes representing the state in sports like football and basketball and hoped for similar support.
The objective of the National Youth Games, initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, is to promote unity, peace, and understanding among youths while addressing issues of restiveness and unemployment across the country.

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