Sports

[OPINION] Senegal’s February Juju Hits Soccer Gold

Published

4 years ago

February 9, 2022

One football concept that has continued to elicit confusion and debate is this: is there juju in football? Put differently, does juju work in football?

To comprehensively disect this discourse, I travelled from Lagos to Ibadan to have a chat with one of Africa’s most recognizable faces in football, particularly in coaching, Adegboye Onigbinde. I put the question to him: Is there juju in football? Onigbinde retorted in an emphatic yes. He gave examples but added that “juju does not take you far. What sees you through is your understanding of your opponent and then the ability of a coach to select the players who can interpret his match plan well”. He added, no matter the measure of drugs a non athlete took, it could only have taken a Ben Johnson to beat him”.

Two other former Nigerian players, Taribo West and Emeka Ezeugo equally confirmed in two separate interviews that there was juju in football. In fact, Taribo revealed how he used to travel to Mali and Senegal for football juju.

Indeed, Senegalese authorities never practically understood the working of February hence they agreed with CAF to stage the 1992 Nations Cup Finals in January. Had that Competition be held in February, the story would have been different.

Take a close look at this. Senegal almost caused a soccer sensation on February 7, 2000 in the Nations Cup cohosted by Ghana and Nigeria. It was a quarter final encounter and the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, was the theatre of hostility. The more than 60, 000 Nigerian cheering fans were roundly awed when Khalilou Fadiga got the curtain raiser in the seventh minute. It was unthinkable.

There was pin -drop – silence in the stadium. The goal was scored by Fadiga on the seventh minute on February 7! Senegal fought like lions as they are called and held tenaciously to the lead till the 80th minute when substitute Julius Aghaghowa levelled for Nigeria. The game was dragged into extra time and it was still Aghoghowa who gave Nigeria victory. Senegal lost but registered her February wonder with a roar.

Meanwhile the game produced a hilarious but hypertensive drama. A Nigerian coach who also was an NFF and CAF member, Kashimao Laloko shouted over and again from his VIP stand, pointing that there was a juju in form of an egg right behind the Senegalese goalkeeper. When nobody cared to listen to him, Laloko broke protocol, went straight to the Senegal’s goal area and picked what looked like an egg. Minutes later, Aghaghowa got the leveller.

Few days later, I chased Laloko to his Pepsi Academy base at Agege Stadium. I asked him he had to go to field during play – an action abhorrent to football rules? He said: “I saw something and I did something. What I did saved my country. I have no question to answer”. CAF suspended Laloko but later lifted it.

Exactly two years after, in Mali 2002, Nigeria again faced Senegal in a Nations Cup semi final pairing on February 7! Just like the Lagos duel two years earlier, Senegal went up in Bamako through Papa Bouba Diop. Since their seventh minute lead in Lagos never produced any good result, Senegal changed style, played a barren first half draw and later moved on in the ninth minute of the second half (54th minute) for their goal. Seconds flew. Minutes passed. Just two minutes to go, Aghoghowa again, equalized. It was extra time and Senegal had the winner through Salif Diao. Nigeria had a penalty after Nwankwo Kanu was hacked down but Wilson Oruma who was coming from the bench hit the up right and Super Eagles lost 1- 2 to Senegal.

For the first time in their history, Senegal made it to the final of the African Nations Cup. It was a big achievement. They lost to Cameroon.

Senegal qualified for the Nations Cup final for the second time in Egypt and lost to Algeria. That game was played in July 2019, not February.

And this year, the final of the 2021 Nations Cup played in Cameroon in 2022 was played on February 6, a Sunday. Senegal truly masters the magic of February championships. Not surprisingly, Senegal inspired by Sadio Mane, struck African soccer gold.

If you consider that Senegal avenged her February 7, 2000 defeat by Nigeria also on February 7, 2002 in Mali., and now emerged the new African champions in Cameroon that denied her victory in 2002 on February 6, 2022 just as she punished Egypt on whose land she lost the diadem two years ago on same date, then you will appreciate the country’s bound with February. It is the same way Nigeria hardly loses on October 8!

By Ori Martins

Sports

South Africa Book Spot at 2026 World Cup After Crucial Win Over Rwanda

Report by ISRAEL ORJI

Published

6 days ago

October 14, 2025

grassroots

South Africa beat Rwanda to qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup

South Africa has officially secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, following a commanding 3-0 victory over Rwanda in their final Group C fixture.

This marks Bafana Bafana’s return to the World Cup finals through qualification for the first time since they hosted in 2010.

Decisive Victory, Turbulent Qualifying Run

South Africa’s qualification was not without controversy. Earlier in the campaign, FIFA stripped Bafana Bafana of a 2-0 win over Lesotho, converting it into a 3-0 loss after ruling that midfielder Teboho Mokoena was ineligible to play.
Despite this setback, the team showed resilience and integrity, clinching the win over Rwanda to seal their place in the World Cup.

Aftermath & Implications in Group C

The sanctions imposed earlier reshaped the dynamics of Group C, opening paths for Nigeria and other teams to capitalize.
With the point deduction applied, South Africa’s qualification became even more critical.

What’s Next

South Africa will now prepare for the global stage, while other teams in Group C aim to finish their qualifying campaigns on a high note. Nigeria, the Super Eagles, now have renewed hope after the point deduction. If they win their remaining matches and favorable results fall their way, they could advance either via group positioning or through the playoffs.

Sports

Breaking: Osimhen Runs Riot as Super Eagles Crush Benin in Crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Report By ORJI ISRAEL

Published

6 days ago

October 14, 2025

grassroots

Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen lit up the pitch as Nigeria’s Super Eagles recorded a commanding victory over the Benin Republic in a decisive 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, asserting their intent on the road to Qatar.

In a match full of attacking brilliance and clinical finishing, Osimhen’s performance stood out. He terrorized the Beninese defence and played a central role in Nigeria’s dominant display.

The exact scoreline and minute-by-minute details are still being confirmed, but his influence on the match was unmistakable.

Match Highlights & Tactical Notes

Osimhen spearheaded Nigeria’s attack, combining pace, power, and clinical finishing to keep the Benin defenders on edge throughout the night.
The Super Eagles maintained control in midfield and launched persistent pressure, cutting off Benin’s attempts to build meaningful attacks.
Nigeria’s defensive line held firm, shutting down Benin’s key outlets and limiting their opportunities to break forward.

Implications & What Next

This victory significantly boosts Nigeria’s chances in the World Cup qualification race, providing momentum and confidence as they push toward automatic qualification.
Osimhen’s form will be a key focal point for opposing teams going forward—his form is proving vital for Nigeria’s attacking threat.
With this kind of win, the squad’s morale and belief are likely to grow stronger, especially in high‐pressure, knockout style matches.

The Super Eagles are now looking ahead to their next fixture with renewed optimism and a sharpened competitive edge.

Sports

Disney+ unveils new channels in South Africa

Published

4 weeks ago

September 23, 2025

Ani Sandra

Disney+ - ESPN Africa linear channels

Disney+ today announced that, from 02 October 2025, the ESPN Africa linear channels will be available to South African customers at no extra cost.

Fans will have access to the two 24-hour linear ESPN channels that showcase the very best live and studio sports programming from the US and around the world, spanning major leagues and iconic competitions.

On ESPN, a world of sport awaits Disney+ customers with the National Rugby League in Australia (Aussie Rules) and Japan’s Rugby League, plus top European football action including the Scottish Professional Football League, English Football League, Dutch Eredivisie, German Football Association Cup and Turkey’s SüperLig, along with the Saudi Pro League.

ESPN 2 brings the biggest American sports, showcasing the NBA (National Basketball Association), NFL (National Football League), MLB (Major League Baseball) and NHL (National Hockey League), along with women’s and college competitions such as the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League), NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and ESPN College Football.

Both ESPN channels also broadcast studio shows capturing the latest news and analysis from across American sport and football including “ESPN FC”, “First Take”, “The Pat McAfee” Show” and “SportsCenter”. Critically acclaimed and celebrated documentaries and original programming are also available, including ESPN’s award-winning library of 30 for 30 films.

Says Diego Londono, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Networks & Sports, The Walt Disney Company EMEA: “At Disney, we are committed to delivering world-class sports and entertainment to customers across the region. The launch of the ESPN Africa linear channels on Disney+ in South Africa reflects our strategy to reach sports fans across multiple platforms and connect with new audiences, bringing iconic sporting moments together with the expansive and much-loved entertainment already available.”

Adds Kyle de Klerk, Director: Sports for The Walt Disney Company Africa: “ESPN’s unparalleled content offering will provide Disney+ customers with access to the greatest historic and live sports programming from some of the most iconic leagues and events in the world. Fans will be able to enjoy thrilling action right away as the European Football season and the NFL (National Football League), have just launched, with existing milestones to look forward to in 2025 including the start of the NBA (National Basketball Association), NHL (National Hockey League) as well as NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) football and basketball leagues.”

Disney+ has something for everyone — from blockbuster movies and hit series to much-loved Originals. Customers can enjoy FX’s “The Bear”, “The Kardashians”, “Only Murders in the Building”, “The Simpsons” and much more. The ESPN Africa linear channels will join a vast content catalogue from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and general entertainment, which also features content from Hulu, FX, Searchlight Pictures and 20th Century Studios.

All Disney+ Premium and Mobile plan customers with an 18+ content rating in South Africa will have access to the linear channels.

In addition to Disney+ in South Africa, ESPN is available on MultiChoice’s DStv and StarTimes across Africa.