AFCON
WITH NIGERIA’S 5-STAR PERFORMANCE, AFCON U-23 FIELD IS COMPLETED
The roll call for the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2019 is done and dusted after the final round of matches of the qualifiers on Tuesday.
Host Egypt will be joined by Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia for the final tournament scheduled for 8-22 November in Cairo, where the top three finishers will qualify to represent Africa at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Of the octet, host Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa are the only teams to have participated at every edition of the quadrennial championships since its inception in 2011.
Nigeria were champions at the last edition in Senegal in 2015, whilst Senegal finished third, which also had Mali and Zambia. Ghana, Cameroon and Cote d’Ivoire have qualified for the finals for the first time.
Away joy for quintet
It was victory away from home for the quintet of Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, South Africa and Zambia who coughed out impressive outings to secure their tickets.
After a narrow 1-0 win from the first leg in Yaounde last week, Cameroon went down 2-1 to Tunisia in Tunis, but advanced via the away goal rule after a 2-2 tie on aggregate. Les Lions U-23, guided by legendary Cameroonian captain Rigobert Song, took the lead courtesy Ignatius Ganago from the spot after 15 minutes.
The Tunisians leveled through Wajdi Salhi midway before Habib Oueslati netted the winner on 71 minutes but fell short of taking the North Africans through.
In Conakry, Italy-based duo Christian Kouame and Hamed Junior found target n either half as Cote d’Ivoire overcame a lone goal in the reverse in Abidjan to edge Guinea on away goals after a 2-2 tie. Moussa Traore scored in between for Guinea.
Ghana’s Black Meteors confirmed their place at the finals for the first time after shocking Algeria to a 1-0 win away in Setif. Captain Yaw Yeboah scored the only goal late in the game as the West Africans went through 2-1 on aggregate.
After a huge 5-0 win in the first leg, South Africa held Zimbabwe to a barren in Bulawayo to make it three out of three finals, thanks to a 5-0 aggregate win.
Elsewhere in Brazzaville, Zambia survived a scare from Congo to share the spoils with the latter in a 3-3 draw.
It was one-all at half time with Zambia’s Enock Mwepu canceling Guy Mbenza opener early in the game.
Fashion Sakala, who was sent off in the dying embers after second yellow card whilst on the bench gave the visitors the lead on 51 minutes before the Congolese scored twice through Temopele Medina and Gaius Makouta.
Mwepu completed his brace five minutes from time to stun the home crowd and ensure passage 5-4 on aggregate.
With defeat staring in their face after a lone goal loss in the first leg, Nigeria put up a five-star performance to sink Sudan 5-0 in Asaba and 5-1 on aggregate to make it a hat-trick of appearances at the finals.
Ndifreke Udo scored a first half brace before a goal each from Taiwo Awomiyi, Sunday Falaye and Seth Mayi sealed victory.
Mali’s young and enterprising squad kept alive their Olympic hopes after beating Morocco 1-0 in Bamako.
Aly Malle’s 56th minute penalty separated the two sides as Les Aiglons advanced 2-1 on aggregate.
Results
Sunday
- Brazzaville Congo 3-3 Zambia (1-2)
Tuesday
- Bulawayo Zimbabwe 0-0 South Africa (0-5)
- Setif Algeria 0-1 Ghana (1-1)
- Tunis Tunisia 2-1 Cameroon (0-1)
- Conakry Guinea 1-2 Cote d’Ivoire (1-0)
- Asaba Nigeria 5-0 Sudan (0-1)
- Bamako Mali 1-0 Morocco (1-1)
Qualified teams: Egypt (host), Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia
-cafonline
By Kunle Solaja
The Organizing Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 has expanded access to ticket sales, allowing nationals from Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa, and Zambia to apply using a new manual registration system.
Beginning today, October 28, 2025, at 12:30 PM (CET), fans from these countries — whose citizens do not possess biometric passports — can now use the manual data entry option on the official YALLA app, the gateway for all AFCON ticketing and travel formalities.
“This measure reflects our commitment to inclusivity and to making the AFCON experience accessible to all African fans,” the Organizing Committee stated.
The YALLA app now allows applicants to manually enter their data to obtain both a Fan ID and an Electronic Visa (eVisa/AEVM) — both mandatory before purchasing match tickets.
Each Fan ID entitles its holder to purchase one ticket per match, and no tickets will be sold without prior Fan ID registration.
Tickets are available exclusively through CAF Official Ticketing Website: https://tickets.cafonline.com and YALLA Fan ID Portal: https://www.yallamorocco.ma
“Any other website or app claiming to sell tickets is fraudulent and must not be used,” the committee warned. To support fans navigating the registration and ticketing process, the organizers have launched a dedicated 24-hour customer service line.
The hotline is +212 5 30 30 20 30. . It operates in three languages (Arabic, English, and French) and is operated by a dedicated team working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to answer inquiries and assist users.
A trained support team is on standby to assist users with Fan ID registration, visa processing, and ticket inquiries.
The Organizing Committee expressed gratitude to fans, delegations, and media partners for their enthusiasm and cooperation ahead of what is expected to be one of the most technologically advanced editions of the tournament.
“We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for all supporters attending AFCON Morocco 2025,” the statement concluded.
The ticketing update marks another milestone in Morocco’s preparation for hosting Africa’s biggest football event, continuing its reputation for organizational excellence and fan-friendly innovation.
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Egyptian national team will face Nigeria on 14 December at Cairo Stadium as part of their preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA)said on Sunday.
The friendly was arranged at the request of Egypt coach Hossam Hassan, who wanted to test his side against one of the continent’s heavyweights ahead of the tournament.
The Pharaohs will compete in the UAE International Tournament, where they will meet Uzbekistan on 14 November.
The competition also features Cape Verde and Iran, who will play a day earlier.
The winners of both matches will face each other in the final on 18 November.
Senegal were initially scheduled to take part in the tournament but withdrew, paving the way for Cape Verde to join.
Egypt have been drawn in Group B for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe
-Ahram
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Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong says Nigeria will head to Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations determined to go one step further after the heartbreak of losing the last final to Côte d’Ivoire.
In an exclusive chat with CAFOnline.com, the Al-Kholood defender said the experience of falling short in Abidjan has made the team tougher and more united.
“Last AFCON left a lasting impression on all of us,” Troost-Ekong said. “This group is excited to have another chance to try and win the trophy. We learned so much from that final—this time we’ll be calmer and play our football better.”
The Saudi Arabia-based centre-back downplayed talk of Nigeria being clear favourites, noting that hosts Morocco, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal are equally strong contenders.
“There’s no such thing as a clear favourite at AFCON,” he warned. “You can’t win a tournament with expectations. AFCON is difficult and full of surprises.”
Troost-Ekong, who has appeared in multiple AFCON campaigns, said the key to winning lies in “heart, togetherness and consistency.”
“Momentum has to grow through the tournament. Don’t panic when things go wrong, and don’t get carried away when they go right,” he added.
On Nigeria’s group opponents—Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania—the skipper admitted the road to the knockout stages won’t be easy.
“Tunisia knocked us out in 2021. Uganda and Tanzania are improving fast. There’s no easy game at AFCON,” he said.
Troost-Ekong also saluted Nigerian fans for their support and promised the team would give everything to bring home the title.
“When all of Nigeria stands together, that’s our power,” he declared. “Hopefully, the headline this time will read: Nigeria crowns the special generation with an AFCON title.”
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