Nigeria will battle Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania in the group phase of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.

Report says that this was confirmed at the end of a colourful ceremony at the Mohamed V Theatre in Rabat on Monday.

With the draw concluded, the Super Eagles now have just 11 months to prepare for the 35th AFCON finals, with the tournament scheduled to hold between Dec.

The three-time champions must navigate Group C that also houses Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles, the Cranes of Uganda and the Taifa Stars of Tanzania.

The Eagles are expected to open their campaign with a game against the Taifa Stars.

As hosts of the AFCON for the first time ever, in 1980, the Eagles battled the Taifa Stars in the tournament opening match.

The Tanzanian team was complete with their highly-rated team captain Leodegar Tenga and the enigmatic goalkeeper Jona Pondamali.

Nigeria won 3-1 and went ahead to win their first continental title.

Then, 20 years later, as co-hosts (with Ghana), Nigeria played Tunisia in their first match of the tournament, beating the Carthage Eagles 4-2 in Lagos.

The Eagles went all the way to the final, losing to Cameroon only after a penalty shootout.

The Carthage Eagles pipped the Super Eagles by a lone goal in the Round of 16 at the finals in Cameroon, three years ago, to end the sweet run of the three-time champions.

Uganda have always proved a tough nut to crack for Nigeria, including a 2-1 win over the Eagles at the 1978 finals in Ghana that condemned Nigeria to the third-place match.

Nigeria won that third-place match after Tunisia abandoned the match in the 42nd minute.

Hosts and 1976 winners Morocco are drawn in Group A alongside 2012 champions Zambia, 1972 runners-up Mali and Comoros that will be playing in only their second championship.

Cup holders Cote d’Ivoire are in Group F and must negotiate a tricky pool that also has five-time champions Cameroon, Gabon and Mozambique

Seven-time winners Egypt are at war with 1996 hosts and champions South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe in Group B, which somewhat looks like the “group of death”.

Senegal who are the 2021 winners are at loggerheads with two-time winners Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin Republic and Botswana in Group D, while 1990 and 2019 winners Algeria will confront Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and Sudan in Group E.

Full Draw

GROUP A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros

GROUP B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe

GROUP C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania

GROUP D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin Republic, Botswana

GROUP E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan

GROUP F: Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique. (NAN)

The following are the results of Match Day 20 fixtures in the 2024/2025 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) played on Sunday:

Akwa United FC 1-2 Remo Stars FC

Heartland FC 1-0 Lobi Stars FC

Plateau United FC 2-1 River United FC

Kwara United FC Vs Shooting Stars FC (postponed)

Kano pillars FC Vs El kanemi Warriors FC (Postponed)

Bendel Insurance FC Vs Enyimba International FC (postponed) (NAN)

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has announced the postponement of three fixtures from matchday 20 of the 2024-25 season.

Report says that this  decision was disclosed by Davidson Owunmi, the Chief Operating Officer of NPFL, in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

Owunmi slated the six  affected teams and matches by the postponement .

“The six teams affected by the postponement are: Bendel Insurance FC, Enyimba International FC, Kwara United FC, Shooting Stars FC Sports Club (3SC), Kano Pillars FC and El Kanemi Warriors FC.

“The postponed matches are: Kwara United FC vs Shooting Stars FC Sports Club (3SC) which was initially scheduled for Jan.

“Kano Pillars FC vs El Kanemi Warriors FC scheduled for Jan. 26 at 3 p.m. and Bendel Insurance FC vs Enyimba International FC for Jan. 27 at 4 p.m.,” he said.

According to Owunmi, the new rescheduled dates for the postponed matches will be communicated to the affected teams and match officials in due course.

Report says that although the NPFL did not provide specific reasons for the postponement, it is understood that the decision was made due to unforeseen circumstances.

The remaining matchday 20 fixtures will proceed as scheduled:

On Jan. 25: Abia Warriors FC vs Bayelsa United FC – Umuahia Township Stadium; Rangers International FC vs Niger Tornadoes FC – Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium.

Others are Nasarawa United FC vs Katsina United FC – Lafia City Stadium;Sunshine Stars FC vs Ikorodu City FC – Remo Stars Stadium.

On Jan. 26: Plateau United FC vs Rivers United FC – New Jos Stadium; Akwa United FC vs Remo Stars FC – Godswill Akpabio International Stadium and Heartland FC vs Lobi Stars FC – Dan Anyiam Stadium.

Report says that the NPFL 2024-25 season is currently on a three-week mid-season break, which began on Jan. 6. after completing the first round of matches on Matchday 19.

The break includes a transfer window open until Feb. 25, allowing teams to strengthen their squads.

The League matches are expected to resume on Jan. 25, marking the start of the second round.

Remo Stars are currently sitting at the top of the table with 36 points, followed closely by Rivers United in second place. (NAN)