AFCON
ZAMBIAN PLAYERS THE OLYMPIC EAGLES HAVE TO WATCH!
When Nigeria meet Zambia on Tuesday November 12 in the quest for a ticket for the football event of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, there are three players the Nigerian Olympic Eagles have to watch.
The match is also part of the U23 Africa Cup of Nations. The Nigerians are the title-holders. In the quest for a title defence, they have to be successful in the Group B which also habours Cote d’Ivoire and South Africa.
The Zambian players to watch are:
Fashion Sakala
Date of Birth: March 14, 1997
Club: KV Oostende (Belgium)
Position: Forward
Sakala was Zambia’s top scorer in the qualifiers with five goals. He is a graduate of the 2017 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations winning team, and also featured at the FIFA U-20 World Cup same year in Korea Republic, where he scored four goals as Zambia exited at the last eight.
He made his senior debut for Zambia in September 2017 in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Algeria that Chipolopolo won 3-1 in Lusaka.
This is Sakala’s second season at Oostende after two years at Spartak Moscow following his transfer from seven-time Zambian league champions Zanaco in 2017.
Enock Mwepu
Date of Birth: January 1, 1998
Club: RB Salzburg (Austria)
Position: Midfielder
Mwepu joined Austrian champions, RB Salzburg, in mid-2017 from Zambian second-tier side Lusaka Celtic following domestic loan stints at Napsa Stars and Power Dynamos.
He is also a U-20 Africa Cup of Nations winner in 2017 and quarter-finalists at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
The left-footed midfielder scored two goals in the qualifiers, a brace in a 3-3 away draw against Congo-Brazzaville on 9 September in the final round.
He is not only the fulcrum of the Zambia U-23 team but also the senior national team first choice playmaker, scoring on his debut in a 3-1 win over Algeria in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Lusaka in September 2017.
Patson Daka
Date of Birth: October 9, 1998
Club: RB Salzburg (Austria)
Position: Forward
Daka, like club-mate Enock Mwepu, is originally from second-tier Zambian club Lusaka Celtic and spent over three seasons on loan at Power Dynamos before moving to Europe in late 2016 to join Salzburg.
He won the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in 2017, where he emerged Most Valuable Player of the competition.
The forward scored one goal in the qualifiers in the 3-3 away draw against Congo at the final round.
He has been a member of the Zambia senior national team since 2015. His claim to fame came on 5 September 2017 after scoring the only goal as the Chipolopolo beat Algeria 1-0 in Constantine in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
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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