A funny twist has been introduced to the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations tournament after a self-proclaimed marabout, or traditional folk healer, who collected 33,500 euros by promising victory for Mali was arrested for fraud after the team lost.

Mali’s national team was eliminated on Friday in the quarter finals by Senegal 1-0.

The man, identified only as Mr Sinayogo, collected more than 22 million CFA francs in donations, according to an associate.

Following Mali’s defeat, an angry mob showed up at his home before police intervened and arrested him.

Sinayogo was arrested in the Malian capital Bamako on Saturday for “fraud” and was being held at the  cybercrime division, according to two videographers who visited him.

“Charlatanism is punishable by law in Mali”, an official from the division told AFP.

However, arresting the man while the national team was still competing would have been difficult “in the heat of the Africa Cup of Nations,” he added.

The man, formerly known as a political activist, “proclaimed himself a marabout overnight and made a fortune”, a social media content creator close to him said.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the quarter-final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

The team thrashed Mambas of Mozambique 4-0 in the second round of the competition on Monday.

Goals from Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman and Akor Adam sealed victory for Nigeria.

Nigeria finished top of Group C, winning all their games, while Mozambique squeezed into the knockout phase as one of the best third-placed teams.

Despite Nigeria’s apparent advantage, Alfons Amade, a defender for Mambas of Mozambique, warned that the magic of AFCON often produces surprises.

However, the shock was the mismatch in class and the ease with which Nigeria overran the Mambas.

Eric Chelle, the Eagles’ head coach, reverted to a familiar starting line-up after his heavy squad rotation for the first game.

The productive partnership of Victor Osimhen, Akor Adam and Ademola Lookman got another victim, and the result was devastating.

Osimhen had the ball in the net within the first two minutes but was ruled out for offside. Then Iwobi had his shot saved.

But a few minutes later, Lookman’s shot was beyond saving. Adam’s cutback found the Atalanta winger at the centre of the area, and the finish was efficient.

Five minutes later, the combination of the three Eagles attackers ripped through Mozambique’s defence again. Lookman crossed the ball into the area and aimed at Adam, but the striker missed it and, with an innocent deflection, redirected the ball into the path of Osimhen, who did the rest.

In the second half, Lookman then provided another goal for Osimhen and the striker tapped in from close range.

In between this period of glorious football, a nasty episode left a sour taste. Osimhen lost his head at Lookman for reasons yet to be identified. He required teammates’ help to calm the situation. Still boiling, the Galatasaray striker signalled to the bench to be subbed off and was obliged.

Away from that, Adam wrapped the emphatic victory up with a powerful shot for the fourth goal.

The Ghana Black Stars have been drawn against England, Croatia, and Panama in the group stage of the 2026 World Cup. 

The draws were held on Friday at the Kennedy Centre in Washington D.C., US.

The Black Stars were drawn in a difficult Group L with two European powerhouses, both of whom reached the quarter-finals of the previous World Cup in Qatar. Croatia finished third in the tournament and were the runners-up in 2018 in Russia.

Morocco will face Brazil, Scotland and Haiti in Group C, while Senegal are paired with France for the first time since their famous clash in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup.

South Africa will face Mexico, one of the co-hosts, in the first game of the competition, a re-enactment of the 2010 World Cup opener, which ended 1-1. South Korea and a winner of one of the six playoffs complete Group A.

The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19. The competition is the largest in World Cup history, with 48 teams participating for the first time.

FULL DRAW OF THE GROUPS 

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea, Play-off D

Group B: Canada, Play-off A, Qatar, Switzerland

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Play-off C

Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Play-off B, Tunisia

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia

Group I: France, Senegal, Play-off 2, Norway

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Group K: Portugal, Play-off 1, Colombia, Uzbekistan

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama