Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja will host Nigeria’s 2023 AFCON opening qualifier against Sierra Leone in June behind closed doors.

In a letter sent to the NFF, CAF confirmed that the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja to be used for the 2023 AFCON qualifier matchday 1 & 2.

However, Fifa has sanctioned the three-time African Champions due to fans’ invasion of the 60,000 capacity at the end of the second leg Qatar 2022 World Cup playoff between the Super Eagles and Black Stars of Ghana at the same venue on March 29 during a 1-1 draw on March 29.

FIFA, in a statement, outlined the following reasons; “Lack of order and security at the match venue, failure to implement existing safety rules, failure to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium. Fans invasion of the field of play and throwing of objects.”

FIFA, further imposed a 150,000 Swiss Franc (about 154,128.75 USD) fine on Nigeria.

Sierra Leone pitted in Group A, where they will face three-time Champions Nigeria, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome or Mauritius, hoping to make successive Africa Cup of Nations appearances.

The last meeting between the two West African nations was a 4-4 draw, played at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, Benin City, on November 20 2022.

Sierra Leone qualified for the 33rd edition of the continental showpiece in Cameroon, second behind Nigeria, after defeating Benin on June 15 2021.

Connect with us on Twitter, @football_sierra, on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – Contact; bittar@footballsierraleonet.

• FIFA issued a raft of sanctions worldwide after studying dozens of cases from qualifying games for the forthcoming World Cup in Qatar.

The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has ordered African champions Senegal and Nigeria to play one match behind closed doors after crowd disorder during last month’s 2022 World Cup playoffs.

Fans shone laser pointers at Egypt star Mohamed Salah as he missed in the penalty shootout, won by Senegal, in the second leg in Dakar.

Senegal was fined 175,000 Swiss francs ($180,000) over several incidents, including a pitch invasion, an offensive banner and for failing “to ensure that law and order are maintained in the stadium”.

The ruling body issued a raft of sanctions worldwide after studying dozens of cases from World Cup qualifying games played since the start of the year.

Nigeria was given a one-game stadium closure and fined 150,000 Swiss francs ($153,000) after fans invaded the pitch in Abuja following their playoff defeat by Ghana.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Lebanon received similar punishments following disturbances at games against Morocco and Syria, respectively.

SOURCE: AFP – African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone.

Mamelodi Sundowns have been crowned South African Premiership League champions for the fifth time in a row after a goalless draw by Cape Town City at the Loftus Stadium on Wednesday.

Securing a point lifted 12-time champions Sundowns to 58 points with four matches remaining as second-placed Royal AM can reach only 57. 

Cape Town stretched an unbeaten league run to nine matches and remains third, boosting its chances of qualifying for one of the two African club competitions next season. 

Sundowns and the runners-up go into the Champions League and the club finishing third qualifies for the Confederation Cup along with the FA Cup winners.

A point is all they needed to defend their title. Co-coach Rulani Mokwena congratulated the players for their efforts. 

“A special word of congratulations to the players. You run out of superlative words to describe them. I mean what they show today is exactly a reflection of who they are, honest, hard-working, extremely diligent, a pleasure to coach.”

The league title will send the team back to the CAF Champions League after being eliminated from the quarter-finals of the tournament. Mokwena says this is no time to relax.

ℝ𝕖𝕔𝕠𝕣𝕕-𝕓𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕣𝕤, ℍ𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕠𝕣𝕪-𝕞𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕣𝕤

1️⃣2️⃣ time PSL CHAMPIONS! 🏆#Sundowns #DStvPrem pic.twitter.com/sF5eZLsaFe

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) April 27, 2022

African Football News – Follow us on Twitter @football_sierra On Facebook & Instagram: Football Sierra Leone.