African Nations Cup adjusted for Ramadan, to begin on June 21

AgegePulse Magazine

The dates for the 2019 African Nations Cup finals in Egypt have been moved back by a week, the Confederation of African Football said on Monday.

The shift was reportedly to allow players to rest after the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is likely to begin on the evening of May 5 and end around June
Muslims observe fast during daylight hours over this period, which can have an effect on the performance of athletes.
The expanded 24-team tournament will now kick-off on June 21 and run through to the final on July 19.

A meeting of the CAF Emergency Committee took the decision on Saturday, with the governing body confirming the shift in a circular sent to its member associations.

According to media reports, a request was made for the move by a number of mainly Muslim North African nations, including Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria, who have  already sealed the qualification hurdles.

CAF also confirmed that the draw for the first round pool stage will take place in Cairo on April 12.

Fourteen countries have already booked a finals berth, including first time participants -- Madagascar and Mauritania -- with the remaining 10 places to be decided when the qualification campaign concludes in March.

Punch Newspaper

When Sylvester Igbonu Hosts Pasuma, Malaika, Super Eagles Stars In Agege

Super Eagles midfielder, Sylvester Igbonu is in the news. This time, it is not about his professional football career rather a lifetime achievement for the attacking midfielder. He recently played host to top entertainers and football stars at the house warming celebration of his newly built country home in Agege, Lagos Nigeria.

Fuji stars, Pasuma, Malaika, Small Doctor alongside Super Eagles stars Ogenyi Onazi, Gbolahan Salami, Dele Alampasu, Benin Republic star, Rasak Omotoyosi, veteran goal keeper, Dosu Joseph amongst others marked attendance at the colourful event.

Prior to the house warming gig, Sly as Igbonu is fondly called, along with some other top stars played a novelty match inside the prestigious Agege stadium. The match attracted lovers of the round leather game across the country and overseas. However, it was sumptuous dining and wining when friends, families and well wishers of Igbonu converged at his new edifice to felicitate with him. The guests were treated to all sorts of tasty continental delicacies and assorted drinks as they danced to several songs from DJ stand.

Sly made his international debut in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification game against Tanzania on 5 September 2015, replacing Moses Simon as a substitute in the 69th minute. He started his professional career football with Ebedei from 2004 to 2006 and between 2006-2010, he played for FC Midtylland that won the Championship in Denmark in 2015 before moving to FC Ufa of Russia

He celebrated his last birthday on September 8, 2016