Non-League and Academy football writer

On what was the second ever edition of the Pride of Africa Cup (2026), a great day of football took place at Parsloes Park Hub in Dagenham, throughout Saturday. The following piece is a summary of the tournament. Real credit must go to the tournament organiser, Jeffrey Twumasi, and all of those volunteering on the day, to make it such a brilliant day. I can only see this tournament going from strength to strength in the coming years. However, what an enjoyable day of football it was.

The first group-stage match of this six team tournament, was a group A fixture between Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea. A closely contested game, the winning goal for Sierra Leone, who won 1-0, came from a penalty-kick. Then in the opening group B fixture, soon after, Nigeria would win 1-0 against Ghana, although it was Ghana who probably had the better chances in that first group-stage game.

In game three, last year’s winners, Eritrea, faced Sierra Leone, who had of course  won their opening group game, would do well to record a point, in a goalless draw with Eritrea. Sierra Leone had their goalkeeper to thank, in CSM London Sunday’s manager, Grant Baker, who had another really good game, making two excellent saves against Eritrea. The next group-stage game, in group B, saw Nigeria face Algeria. A very competitive game which would finish 2-1 to Nigeria, who had secured their place as group winners, Algeria did have a goal which they thought had earned them a point, ruled out for offside, relatively late on in the game.

Next, and the current holders of the Pride of Africa Cup, Eritrea, would get their first win of this year’s tournament, and in doing so they would book their place in the semi-finals, courtesy of a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea. Then in the final and decisive Group B match, Ghana faced Algeria. Ghana would win an eventful match 2-1, a game in which saw a penalty awarded, some good team play, and three goals scored.

On to the semi-finals now, and in semi-final number one, between the winners of group A (Eritrea) and the runners-up in group B (Ghana), it was proving to be a highly competitive game of football. Both sides would defend their goals well, and relatively late on in this 25 minute game, it was Ghana who would take the lead, courtesy of a glanced header from a corner-kick. However, a very late handball inside of the Ghana penalty area, by a Ghana player, would result in Eritrea being awarded a penalty in the very final moments of the game. From which their number 96 would calmly score, to take the game to penalties. And, it was Eritrea who would win convincingly on penalties, to book their place in the final, once again.

Sierra Leone versus Nigeria was the other semi-final tie. Unfortunately, Sierra Leone had a player sent off early on in the game. Soon after and the centre-forward (he had been excellent all day) for Nigeria, would brilliantly finish his one versus one chance past Grant Baker, following a clever run to meet a nicely weighted through-ball pass, just inside of the Sierra Leone penalty area. And, although Grant Baker had unfortunately picked up an injury for Sierra Leone following on from that opening goal (he had to be substituted off), Nigeria would continue to create some good, additional chances. But, in the end it would finish 1-0 to Nigeria.

And now we move onto this year’s Pride of Africa Cup final, and it was between Eritrea and Nigeria. After a good start to the game, Eritrea would take the lead quite early on in this 30 minute final. As an Eritrea player would do well to just glance a header home, following a free-kick delivery into the Nigeria penalty area, from out on the right-hand side of the pitch. Eritrea would go on to manage their one goal lead very effectively, as well as moving the ball around the pitch well, when in possession of the ball.

Late on in the final of the tournament, and Eritrea would score another goal, to make sure that they would be lifting the trophy for the second year in a row. As their impressive number 96 had finished from close range, after meeting a low ball across goal. And a special mention must also go to the Eritrea number five, who defended superbly well in the final, going on to put in an excellent defensive performance for them. He was therefore my player of the final. Many congratulations to Eritrea, on not only going the whole tournament unbeaten, but also on winning the Pride of Africa Cup once again. They are a very good side, as were Nigeria, who also really impressed me on the day. But, it was a much deserved win for Eritrea in the final.