AFCON
Peseiro’s former boss, Queiroz fortifies Egypt with three new players ahead of clash with Nigeria
Egyptian national team head coach Carlos Queiroz has decided to add three new players to the Pharaohs’ squad set to travel to take part in the 2022 AFCON in Cameroon next January.
Egypt will face Nigeria on 11 january in a Group D match. Egypt’s coach, Queiroz was the boss of Nigeria’s ‘observer coach’ at the Africa Cup of Nations, Jose Peseiro while both were with Real Marid in 2003-04.
Earlier this week, Queiroz has named his 25-man squad, which witnessed many surprises, including the calling-up of not fully fit Mahmoud Trezeguet and the exclusion of Al Ahly star Mohamed Magdy Afsha.
Despite the CAF allowing each team to take up to 28 players to the AFCON in case of COVID-19 cases or other injuries, Queiroz decided that 25 players are enough.
However, just days later, the Portuguese had a change of heart and decided to name three additional players to the travelling list, which included Egypt striker in the Arab Cup Marwan Hamdi and Pyramids FC duo of Mohamed Hamdi and Ibrahim Adel.
Hamdi, Zamalek loanee at Smouha, played every game in the latest Arab Cup, but was heavily criticised by the fans for his performances, which saw him score just once against Jordan in the quarter-finals.
The striker is however excelling on the club level, scoring four goals while providing a further assist in seven games with Smouha this season, averaging a goal every 155 minutes.
Meanwhile, Mohamed Hamdi and Ibrahim Adel were not called-up to the Arab Cup due to Pyramids’ participation in the CAF Confederation Cup; however, they both have international experience.
Linked with a return to Al Ahly next summer, Hamdi is a left-back, who has represented the Pharaohs on two occasions, most recently against Gabon last November under Carlos Queiroz.
Wonderkid Ibrahim Adel had also played under Carlos Queiroz in a 2-0 friendly victory over Liberia, which marked his first and only game for the Pharaohs.
After the trio have been added officially to the travelling list, the Egypt squad for the 2022 AFCON now look like this:
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El-Shennawy (Al Ahly), Mohamed Sobhi (Pharco FC), Mohamed Abogabal (Zamalek), Mahmoud Gad (ENPPI).
Defenders: Ahmed Fatouh, Mahmoud Alaa, Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh (Zamalek), Ayman Ashraf, Akram Tawfik, (Al Ahly), Omar Kamal, Mohamed Abdel-Moneim (Future), Ahmed Hegazi (Ittihad Jeddah), Mohamed Hamdi (Pyramids).
Midfielders: Hamdi Fathi, Amr El-Sulya (Al Ahly), Emam Ashour, Ahmed Sayed Zizo (Zamalek), Abdallah El-Said, Ramadan Sobhi, Ibrahim Adel (Pyramids), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Omar Marmoush (VfB Stuttgart), Mohanad Lasheen (Tala’a El-Gaish), Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet (Aston Villa).
Forwards: Mostafa Mohamed (Galatasaray), Mohamed Sherif (Al Ahly), Marwan Hamdi (Smouha).
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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