It’s going to be a Nigeria v Senegal final
AFCON 2025
- Thread starter Fr. Todd Unctious
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In the latest edition of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood), Imran (@Annihilate Now!) & Jamie (@Vault Dweller) celebrate a fantastic victory as Manchester United won 2-0 in the Derby. They celebrate the changes Carrick has made, discuss our new coaching team and find time to play a Stupid Game. Enjoy!
Egypt rolled around and wasted so much time it was insane. Broke all momentum.
Also just 5 minutes added on was bad and then the ref blows correct at 5 min despite so much time waisting and 2 times subs in those mins.
Also just 5 minutes added on was bad and then the ref blows correct at 5 min despite so much time waisting and 2 times subs in those mins.
Just remembered about the game today.
Thanks Mo Salah.
Mbuemo and Amad back for the derby
Thanks Mo Salah.
Mbuemo and Amad back for the derby
Morocco is not destroying Nigeria. That is simply not happening. Nigeria has played better ball this tournament.
Morocco’s wins against Belgium, Spain, Portgual etc, was more so about defending and hitting on the counter.
Morocco cannot do to Nigeria what they did to Cameroon.
Records get broken all the time. Algeria always won the AFCON when they won all their group matches, except today when Nigeria wipes them.
Aina is our RB. Fredrick is our CB along with Bassey. Bruno is making claim for starting LB.
Reading a lot of "I'm gutted for Amad" or "I was hoping he'd go all the way" type posts (not necessarily here) and it does my head in. I'm livid these guys left to begin with. We pay them obscene wages, and they piss off for three weeks in the middle of the season? If they hadn't gone we'd likely be in 4th in the table and Europe would be a hell of a lot closer for next season.
Thank Christ it won't happen again because it genuinely boils my blood.
Thank Christ it won't happen again because it genuinely boils my blood.
Yes, very impressed with Bruno. Definitely better than Zaidu on the evidence of today, although the later does have some high level experience so we’ll see. I think this was the best I’ve seen Osayi play, was great going forward and excellent defensively. Can’t imagine Aina strolls back into the team after his injury.
I don't think it's fair to be angry with the players but it does piss me off that they plonk AFCON in the middle of the season and don't even bother to tie it in with the numerous international breaks we get between September and January.
If they did it during the November international break for example the players would probably only miss 2 or 3 games.
Eh? Utd knew they would play in the AFCON when they purchased them
What's the point of booking the keeper for time wasting only to blow the final whistle right at 5:00 ? He's an excellent ref but at the end of the day it seems like they're all the same. I can't understand why they just allow cheaters to take the piss.
It's a bit cliche to say North Africa, these are mainly Egyptian antics. And maybe Algeria to a lesser extent. Actually other North Africans hate Egypt for this.
It's a bit cliche to say North Africa, these are mainly Egyptian antics. And maybe Algeria to a lesser extent. Actually other North Africans hate Egypt for this.
Based on current form, you’d think it’d be Cunha giving way. Some genuine competition for places is just what we need too.
A lot? Really?
This is law.
Osayi played his best game in a Super Eagles shirt. Won his duels, drove well and was defensively turned on.
Aina doesn't stroll back in, but that's good. We need more competition for places.
The talk of AFCON scheduling, especially for this AFCON, gets me livid. It's like posters don't even take 2-3 minutes to search why this tournament was scheduled when it was—just rehashing the same AFCON talking points.
AFCON 25 was scheduled for Jun/Jul 2025, but because of the expanded CWC, it had to be moved to Dec/Jan. That's on FIFA, not CAF.
As to why AFCON is in the "middle" of the season, 1) AFCON was originally set to local African leagues' calendars, so Jan/Feb, when AFCON is usually held, aligns with the local calendars. But with more African footballers playing in Europe, AFCON is seen as being in the middle of the European season. 2) Jun/Jul is the rainy season in most of Sub-Saharan Africa. Torrential rains would make it very difficult to organize a respectable tournament.
It's really as simple as that.
EDIT: To add, there are only a few African countries that can realistically host a Jun/Jul summer AFCON: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, South Africa, Algeria. CAF has 54 member FAs...
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What a ridiculous thing to say. I don't understand why European clubs and fans act like they aren't aware of the AFCON inconvenience before signing African players. It's like buying a car with the specification "Out of order during winter" then complaining when this time comes, "Oh no but why can't I drive it ??"
And for your information, the tournament was initially supposed to take place last summer but the corrupt FIFA decided to postpone it just because of the club world cup that absolutely not a single soul care about. These comments prove once again the utter contempt certain people have for non European football as you didn't even bother to inform yourself.
I was aware. My annoyance is with international football and FIFA as a whole rather than specifically blaming CAF.
There has to be a more efficient way of aligning international and club football. The 3 international breaks by November was ludicrous.
Mouth watering semi final matchups....West vs North Africa! Nigeria has been the best team of the tournament so far but I'm not sure we can overcome the home advantage that Morocco will have
In a tournament hosted in Morocco? Not likely. At all.
That image has clearly been tampered with, what sort of foot is that? There were alot more questionable calls (imo) going against Cameroon than Morocco anyway. Two really blatant unpunished elbows, a Moroccan midfielder on a yellow rugby tackling after being beaten, also the shockingly ignored foul on Mbeumo. VAR was basically on holidays in this game.
I guess at least Amad and Mbeumo is back for City…
Yeah listen to the Barca fan, he knows what he's talking about when it comes to match fixing and ref corruption!
More of a(nother) dig at Slot for not being able to get the best out of Mo, than ignoring that he's dropped a level, really.
In my opinion, Nigeria plays best when they're the underdogs, and I think this bracket set-up is the best for Nigeria.
Better to play Morocco in the SF than a potential final. I'm thinking back to the last AFCON final. The home crowd really took CIV through to the next gear.
However, this Nigerian side is more street-wise than the previous side that went to the '23 final. This side actually plays ball and has goals in it. The prior side would get a goal and then defend the lead. It's a solid strategy until you're chasing a game.
If you could escape your hilarious bitterness for even one second and look at the history of AFCON, you'd note that in recent generations, it is always won by a North African country when hosted in North Africa. So as Morocco is in North Africa, a final featuring Senegal and Nigeria would be unusual. That was my point; whatever else is in your head about match-fixing or whatever is your own business.
Yeah a real boost to have them both back, presume even if Morocco get beat on Wednesday that Mazraoui won't be available due to short turnaround
This post should be permanently marked on the caf.
So tired of the disdain and contempt towards Afcon.
Great post.
Glad someone said the ignorant part out loud. We would have missed out on some brilliant replies.
I believe there is a 3rd/4th place playoff
I was at the match yesterday - like a home game for Algeria, good atmosphere to start but Nigeria dominated so a lot of disappointment in the stands
Felt just like being at Old Trafford!
Felt just like being at Old Trafford!
I presumed there would be one but wasn't sure
Great post
Where in my comment did I blame Africa or Africans? I'd also love for you to point out where I indicated I wasn't aware of it.
I feel the same when Shaw goes to play for England when he was hurt before and after and missing games for his fecking club. It's not about Africa or ignorance and bias or any other bullshit like that.
Manchester United is all I care about. I don't care about England, Euros, the World Cup, Afcon, The Gold Cup or any other bullshit international games. I don't want matches during international breaks. We pay these players obscene wages and they should be available when we have matches. Bottom line. End of.
The fact that you went to bias or ignorance or racism says a hell of a lot more about you than it does me or my comment.
Fans don't sign the players. So, the bolded part is definitively stupid.
The most pointless game in any tournament. No one wants to play it, no one wants to watch it. Irrelevant.
Yeah complete waste of bloody time
Naija boys - do us two favours abeg - advance to the finals and also send Maz home!
Unfortunately players value international football over club football. It’s always been that way, regardless of contract or who pays wages. No player will miss a chance to play for their national team.
I understand the frustration but you need to look at the bigger picture. The players currently away at Afcon has played a small part. United’s downfall was its lack of midfield. The results wouldn’t have changed regardless if they were here or a new manager was here.
I'm almost certain we'd have beaten some of the teams we've drawn against with Amad, Mbeumo & Maz around. Yes, midfield has been an issue but in these last few games the lack of width and pace to stretch the opposition, creating spaces to attack has been evident