AFCON
Aubameyang departs Arsenal
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not make his Arsenal return until after the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), if he returns to the first team picture at all.
The Gabonese striker has been left out by manager Mikel Arteta after a disciplinary breach cost him his status as captain, with Arteta’s team picking up a succession of league wins in his absence.
Arteta had remained coy about Aubameyang’s involvement in the New Year’s Day match at home to Manchester City, saying the club would “take it game by game”.
The assessment won’t begin until after AFCON concludes, though, with the 32-year-old joining up with his national side despite Premier League clubs being granted permission to keep their African players around until after the next round of fixtures.
“He wasn’t selected for today’s match, Arteta said after Arsenal’s Boxing Day victory over Norwich City, their fourth in a row without Aubameyang involved.
“We’ll take it game by game. That was the decision.”
According to The Athletic, the striker has joined up with the Gabon squad in advance of Arsenal’s game against City, with Patrice Neveu’s national side due to play their first tournament game on January 10 against Comoros.
Aubameyang is one of two Premier League players in the Gabonese provisional squad, along with Brighton & Hove Albion youngster Ulrick Eneme Ella.
The captain of the national side is among the players to join Gabon’s training camp in Dubai in advance of the tournament.
Gabon will face Ghana in their second group game, pitting Aubameyang against club teammate Thomas Partey, while Morocco will be their third opponents on January 18.
Arsenal have scored 14 goals in four games without Aubameyang, after netting just 18 times in their previous 15 outings.
They also reached the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup without their former captain, putting five goals past League One side Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium.
The striker is Gabon’s all-time leading goalscorer, but hasn’t found the net for his club since the October 22 victory over Aston Villa.
Aubameyang’s AFCON responsibilities mean he will miss Premier League games against Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as an FA Cup clash with Nottingham Forest and both legs of the Carabao Cup semi against Liverpool.
He may be absent for further games, depending on how far Gabon progress in the tournament.
“I don’t establish my authority by being dictatorial or being ruthless,” Arteta said earlier this month.
“I just ask for respect and commitment. At this level, if I don’t get that I pack my bags and go somewhere else because that is the minimum I can ask for.
“I am sorry but I am going to expect that from everybody who works for the club. First of all myself, and the day I don’t do that I walk through that door and go and do something else. It is as clear as that.
-Mirror
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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