AFCON
WHILE NIGERIA REMAIN STATIC AT 35, BELGIUM TOP YEAR-END WORLD RANKINGS FOR THIRD STRAIGHT TIME
With no match won in 2020, Nigeria’s Super Eagles remain static at the 35th position as the last FIFA monthly ranking for the year was released this Thursday. Sports Village Square recalls that this year will be the first time since 1970 that Nigeria’s national team won no single match.
The 35th ranking returned at yearend by Nigeria will remain throughout January 2021 as the next ranking is scheduled for 18 February 2021.
While Nigeria remain static, Belgium were crowned FIFA’s team of the year for the third time running after retaining top spot ahead of world champions France in the latest world rankings released on Thursday (Dec 10), football’s world governing body said.
While a total of 1,082 international games were played in 2019, the most since the ranking system was introduced in 1993, only 352 matches were held this year – the fewest since 1987 – due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Roberto Martinez’s Belgium won six of their eight games this year as they booked their place in next year’s UEFA Nations League finals.
The top four remained unchanged, with Brazil and England retaining their third and fourth ranking respectively.
Portugal moved up to fifth, while both Spain (sixth) and Argentina (seventh) improved two places compared to last year.
Hungary (40th) were the most improved side in the rankings this year, having gained 44 points and 12 places to break into the top 50.
Marco Rossi’s side lost just once in eight matches to qualify for the Euro 2020 Finals, which have been postponed until June-July next year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Rounding up the top 10 in the world are Uruguay, Mexico and Italy. The next 10 spots were occupied by Croatia, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Colombia, Switzerland, Chile, Wales, Poland and Senegal, the highest-ranked African side.
Japan were the top-placed Asian Football Confederation team on 27th, followed by Iran (29th), South Korea (38th), Australia (41st) and the 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar (58th).
Among South-east Asian sides, Vietnam (93rd) – the AFF Championship holders – led the standings. They were followed by Thailand (111th), Philippines (124th), Myanmar (137th), Malaysia (153rd), Singapore (158th), Cambodia and Indonesia (both 173rd), Laos (188th), Brunei (191st) and Timor-Leste (197th).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commended the Super Eagles for their impressive performance in the 4–0 victory over Benin Republic, praising the team for keeping Nigeria’s qualification hopes for the 2026 FIFA World Cup alive.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Adebayo Onanuga, the President lauded the players for their “hunger, passion, and determination” during the crucial qualifier in Uyo, describing their display as one that has “reignited Nigerians’ football pride.”
“While the job is not yet complete, I join millions of Nigerian football fans in wishing our team every success in the playoffs,” Tinubu said. “The mood across the country reflects a shared belief that Nigeria deserves a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which Canada, Mexico, and the United States will host.”
Reaffirming the government’s backing, President Tinubu assured the players and coaching crew of full Federal Government support as they prepare for the decisive play-off stage.
“Nigerians everywhere believe in you, and I do too,” he said. “We look forward to seeing you fly our flag proudly on the world stage.”
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The Organizing Committee of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 has announced a strong start to ticket sales, confirming that 58,000 tickets had been sold as of Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
According to an official update, the enthusiasm for the continental showpiece has also been reflected on the Yalla App, where 145,731 applications have been received so far. In addition, a total of 121,924 FAN IDs have been issued, including 31,058 belonging to foreign nationals representing 108 countries around the world.
In response to the overwhelming demand, the committee disclosed that technical teams are working round the clock to enhance the ticketing and FAN ID systems to ensure smooth processing for fans.
To assist applicants and ensure better communication, the organizers have provided a dedicated customer service line: +212 5 30 30 20 30. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in Arabic, English, and French, and is staffed by over 600 agents trained to respond to inquiries and provide user support.
Fans can also reach the support team via email at info@yallamorocco.ma.
The Organizing Committee expressed gratitude to supporters, media representatives, delegations, and partners for their enthusiasm and reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a seamless and memorable experience for all stakeholders during AFCON Morocco 2025.
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Ticket sales for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 will officially open on Monday, 13 October 2025, with an exclusive 48-hour pre-sale window reserved for Visa cardholders, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced.
Fans across Africa and around the world will be able to secure their seats for what promises to be the continent’s biggest football spectacle, which will run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
The special Visa pre-sale period will run from Monday, 13 October at 09:00 Moroccan time (08:00 GMT) until Wednesday, 15 October at 08:00 GMT, before general ticket sales open to all fans using other payment methods.
To streamline ticket purchases and enhance security, the Local Organizing Committee has launched the YALLA App, an integrated digital platform for fans to obtain their Fan ID — a mandatory requirement for buying tickets — and apply for E-Visas (AEVM) where necessary.
According to organizers, each registered Fan ID allows supporters to buy only one ticket per match, ensuring wider access and transparency in ticket distribution.
The process for obtaining tickets is straightforward:
- Download the YALLA App, available on Google Play and the App Store.
- Apply for a Fan ID and E-Visa (if required) through the app.
- Once approved, Visa cardholders can visit tickets.cafonline.com starting from Monday, 13 October at 09:00 Moroccan time (08:00 GMT) to purchase their AFCON 2025 tickets.
The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco is expected to deliver a festival of football and culture, with fans urged to complete their Fan ID registration early to avoid last-minute rushes.
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