AFCON
NIGERIA’S OLYMPIC EAGLES GETS INSPIRED BY TITLE DEFENCE AND OLYMPIC TICKET
It is already four years when Nigeria added the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations trophy to their collection of continental silverwares following a spirited 2-1 win over Algeria at the second edition of the championship in Senegal en route to the 2016 Olympic Games.
Since
Nigeria’s U-23 team broke the duck by winning a historic Africa’s first Gold
medal in football at the 1996 Atlanta Games, the West Africans have maintained
steady progress and were silver medallist in Beijing in 2008 whereas they won
Bronze at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil.
Consequently, the current team under former Nigeria goalkeeper Imama Amapakabo are duty-bound to follow on the path of their predecessors but they must first of all earn one of the available continental tickets for Tokyo 2020 when the third edition of the U-23 AFCON gets underway in Egypt from 8-22 November.
It would not be easy as it seems based on the performance of the Olympic Eagles (as the team is currently known) in the qualifying tournament with a whimper against Libya and Sudan after losing two away ties to Libya (2-0) and Sudan (1-0) in Ben Guerdane and Omdurman respectively.
Yet the quality in the team with avalanche of Euro-based player was there for all to see in the two reverse ties at the Stephen Keshi Stadium in Asaba as they pummelled Libya 4-0 as well as the 5-0 thumping of Sudan to secure their third successive qualification for the quadrennial championship that started in 2011.
“It was not easy for us to qualify for the U-23 AFCON in Egypt,” midfielder Kelechi Nwakali of Spanish side, SD Huesca, told CAFOnline.com
“We lost both away matches to Libya and Sudan but won convincingly back home; that shows the kind of quality we have as a team. It’s a great feeling for us to secure the ticket to the U-23 AFCON in Egypt.”
The work of the Amapakabo–led side is already cut out in Egypt where they are drawn in a seemingly tough Group B complete with their bitter West African rivals Cote d’Ivoire as well as Southern African duo, Zambia and South Africa.
Nigeria will start their campaign on 9 November at Al Salam Stadium in Cairo against Cote d’Ivoire to be followed with the games against Zambia on 12 November and expected crunch match against South Africa on 15 November.
“None of the three matches against Cote d’Ivoire, Zambia and South Africa is going to be easy because the three teams have rich football pedigree,” explained the talented Nwakali who was voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) when he led Nigeria to win a record fifth FIFA U-17 World Cup title in Chile in 2015.
“I believe we can hold our own against them especially if we can bring our best individual qualities together for the team.”
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s charge for a ticket to Tokyo 2020 would be led this time around by midfielder Azubuike Okechukwu who incidentally captained the team to glory the last term in Senegal.
Currently on loan to Turkish side Istanbul Basaksehir from Egyptian club Pyramid FC, the 22-year-old Azubuike is widely regarded as one of the pillars of the team and it remains to be seen if he can lead the Olympic Eagles to glory for the second successive times.
“I was part of last national U-23 team that won the AFCON in Senegal and it was one of the best moments of my career, ” Liverpool loanee Taiwo Awoniyi who scored the opener in the 5-0 win over Sudan in Asaba told CAFOnline.com
“In this current squad, I would pick our captain (Azubuike Okechukwu) as the most influential because he has always shown courage, commitment and has been a good example to the team,” noted Awoniyi currently with Mainz 05 in the German Bundesliga.
Apart from mercurial duo of Nwakali and Okechukwu, Amapakabo would also be counting on the likes of Orji Okwonkwo who recently made the headlines in the USA Major League Soccer (MLS) as Montreal Impact’s Most Outstanding Player of the season; as well as 20-year-old striker Sunday Faleye who impressed at the 2018 Total African Nations Championship where Nigeria finished as runners-up behind hosts Morocco.
– 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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