On Thursday 14th of November, The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers released encounters to happen as national teams compete in various continents.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles faced Benin Republic last night and ended the match with a draw of 1-1. Player Victor Osimhen saved the team with a goal at second half.

Here is a list of Thursday Matches:
1. Benin Republic 1 – 1 Nigeria
2. Burkina Faso 0 – 1 Senegal
3. Niger 4 – 0 Sudan
4. Madagascar 2 – 3 Tunisia
5. Rwanda 0 – 1 Libya
6. Burundi 0 – 0 Malawi
7. South Sudan 3 – 2 Congo
8. Lesotho 1 – 0 CAR
9. Equatorial Guinea 0 – 0 Algeria

Matches scheduled for today includes Cape Verde vs Egypt and Uganda vs South Africa.

Stanley Nwabali, the talented goalkeeper for the Super Eagles of Nigeria, has suffered a tragic loss with the passing of his father.

He shared the heartbreaking news on his Instagram story early Friday morning.

In his post, Nwabali expressed his grief with a tearful emoji and a short but emotional message that read, “Rest in peace, dad.”

Although the Chippa United player didn’t provide details about the cause of his father’s death

The tragic news comes shortly after Nwabali’s impressive performance in Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against Benin Republic during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The match, which took place on Thursday night in Abidjan, saw Nwabali showcasing his skills as he led his team with determination.

However, this personal tragedy might affect his participation in Nigeria’s next AFCON qualifier against Rwanda, scheduled to hold in Uyo.

The Super Eagles’ technical crew is yet to announce any decision regarding Nwabali’s availability for the upcoming match.

However, it is likely he will take time off to mourn and be with his family during this difficult period.

The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is also expected to release a statement expressing their support for him.

Former Athletic Bilbao sporting director Rafael Alkorta has advised Real Madrid to look to Arsenal’s young center-back William Saliba over Al-Nassr defender Aymeric Laporte in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Alkorta believes that investing in Saliba, a promising 22-year-old French talent, would offer long-term benefits for Madrid, with potential to secure the club’s defense for a decade, unlike the 30-year-old Laporte who would offer only a short-term solution.

Alkorta, who has been closely involved in Spanish football for years, suggested that Saliba’s qualities would fit Real Madrid’s tradition of making smart investments in young talents.

Since joining Arsenal from Saint-Etienne, Saliba has grown into one of Europe’s most exciting defenders, impressing with his physicality, composure, and tactical awareness.

His performances have contributed significantly to Arsenal’s recent success, making him a sought-after name among top clubs.

At just 22, he has a high resale value and the potential to become a cornerstone in any backline.

In contrast, Aymeric Laporte, though a proven defender with significant experience in La Liga and the Premier League, might not be an ideal long-term option for Los Blancos.

Laporte, currently playing for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, is an excellent defender, known for his strong passing skills and experience.

He played a pivotal role at Manchester City, where he contributed to multiple titles before making the move to Saudi Arabia in the summer.

However, given his age, Laporte would be more of a short-term reinforcement than a strategic long-term investment.

Speaking with Cadena SER, Alkorta shared his views, stating, I would hold off on a January signing and wait to consider Laporte only as a backup option.

Real Madrid is cautious about their transfers and usually makes few mistakes in this area.

Spending 80 million euros on a young, promising player like Saliba could mean 10 years of stability for the team’s defense, Alkorta added.