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Gambia and Mali in top of the table clash at AFCON’s Group F

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4 years ago

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It is a big football irony that in a group where Tunisia, one of the powerhouses of African football are domiciled, The Gambia and Mali are the teams struggling to top the table.

The situation arose as favourites and seeded side, Tunisia lost their opening match to Mali while The Gambia who are debutants got the better part of Mauritania  in their very first Africa Cup of Nations match last week, winning 1-0.

Today’s duel is The Gambia’s second Africa Cup of Nations match. After two identical 1-0 victories in the opening match day, Gambia and Mali enter the second round of Group F matches with high hopes of another win that could see them paving the way towards the next round in style.

Both Group F teams meet at the Limbe Stadium to decide which side, at least momentarily, takes the top spot. Time: 14:00 local time (13:00 GMT)

For The Gambia, it could be a continuation of a fairytale as they are still celebrating an opening win in their AFCON debut. Ablie Jallow strike gave the Scorpions a 1-0 win over Mauritania to start their first Africa Cup of Nations appearance on high skies.

Another positive result today will mean that Tom Saintfiet men are on their way not just for a historic debut but also for a fairytale second round appearance.

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Their Belgian coach, Tom Saintfiet who handled Namibia against Nigeria in the race for Brazil 2014 World Cup is optimistic of a good result.

 “We had a party to celebrate the country’s first victory. Now we are going to prepare the match against a big Malian team. We have 3 points, it’s already fantastic, but we have to continue. We will do everything to advance to the second round, and to give more light and promotion to The Gambia, the smallest country in Africa.”

So also is Gambia player, Omar Colley highly expectant. “Proud to be in this group, I play in Italy, but this is something else, it is indescribable to live what we are living. With the offensive armada that we have, we will seek points against Mali and Tunisia to bring joy to the Gambian people. Our goal is to win, match by match.”

Mali Eagles defeated Tunisia 1-0 in what was one of the opening match day surprises. Mohamed Magassouba men secured a famous victory over Carthage Eagles to boast their hopes of a historic  AFCON campaign this year.

Another win over fellow West African side Gambia might see The Eagles through, but they have to beware the Scorpions’ sting this time.

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Hear the coach’s timely warning: “We have started a construction phase and we are preparing for the future. Collective value is important to me, we aim to shine tomorrow against this ambitious Gambian.”, remarked Mali’s coach, Mohamed Magassouba.

Continuing, he remarked: “This generation can write its story, a happy story, I hope. Mali is on the quest for the supreme title. We are responsible for producing the show and winning, the rest does not concern us.”

His player, Diadie Samassekou a midfielder added his voice: “The morale of the team is at its highest, it’s very important to win your first game. we give everything with an irreproachable state of mind. We don’t play according to the opponent; we have a game philosophy. Our only objective is to do everything to win, our people deserve a consecration.”

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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AFCON 2025: Nigerians to Watch All Super Eagles Matches Free-to-Air as AfroSport Secures Nationwide Broadcast Rights

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2 hours ago

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November 28, 2025

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Nigerian football fans can look forward to a fully inclusive AFCON viewing experience this December, as the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and New World Televisions (NWTV) have confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 will be broadcast free-to-air nationwide.

The announcement ensures that every Super Eagles match—including all fixtures in Group C—will be available live to millions of households across the country.

AfroSport, Nigeria’s leading free-to-air (FTA) sports platform, has once again secured the FTA rights, marking a historic third consecutive AFCON broadcast after delivering the 2022 and 2024 editions to audiences nationwide.

With more than 33 million TV homes relying on terrestrial broadcasting, FTA television remains the most powerful and accessible medium in the country—reaching urban centres, rural communities and remote villages alike.

 AfroSport’s involvement guarantees that AFCON 2025 will continue to be a national event shared by Nigerians of all backgrounds, regardless of income or access to pay-TV services.

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The broadcasts will be delivered through the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) network, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) as national broadcaster, and AfroSport’s growing roster of FTA affiliates.

Chief Consultant Akintunde-Johnson Bada, announcing the partnership, said Nigeria’s FTA platform remains the heartbeat of mass football consumption.

“We are proud to once again receive CAF’s trust and to deliver this most important event to every Nigerian home,” Bada said.

 “AFCON 2025 arrives at a critical moment for Nigerian football, and we all hope our boys can go one better than they did in Ivory Coast two years ago. AfroSport is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian can be part of this journey.”

NWTV Managing Director Nimonka Kolani said the partnership was made possible through CAF’s leadership.

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“By securing the AFCON 2025 Free-to-Air rights, AfroSport guarantees that all Nigerians will be able to follow their heroes in Morocco,” Kolani said. “CAF, under Dr. Patrice Motsepe, continues to bring joy to millions of football fans across Nigeria.”

A Christmas Football Festival

AFCON 2025 will run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, making it one of the rare editions to be staged during the Christmas and New Year period. Morocco, building on its reputation as an emerging football powerhouse, will host matches across six cities.

The opening match on 21 December will feature hosts Morocco vs Comoros.

Nigeria will launch its Group C campaign on 23 December against Tanzania, before taking on Tunisia on 27 December and Uganda on 30 December.

All Super Eagles matches—and every other tournament fixture—will be broadcast live and free across Nigeria.

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With the unmatched reach of free-to-air broadcasting and AfroSport’s leadership, AFCON 2025 promises to unite the nation once again—live, free, and everywhere.

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AFCON 2025: Nigeria Fans Still Have Chance to Secure Group-Stage Tickets as 800,000 Seats Already Sold

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1 day ago

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November 27, 2025

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By Kunle Solaja.

Despite a surge in demand that has pushed several high-profile fixtures to sold-out status, match tickets for Nigeria’s group-stage games at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) are still available, offering Super Eagles supporters a crucial window to secure their seats ahead of the tournament in Morocco.

More than 800,000 tickets have already been snapped up for AFCON 2025, scheduled for December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, according to Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) president Fouzi Lekjaa.

He revealed the figures on Wednesday, November 26, during a briefing at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Maâmora.

Lekjaa confirmed that several fixtures involving the hosts Morocco, defending champions Cote D’Ivoire, Algeria, Cameroon, and Senegal are already sold out, with tickets disappearing rapidly during the CAF sales phases.

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Morocco and Algeria matches, in particular, sold out completely as soon as Phase 3 opened on November 15.

However, unlike these heavyweights, Nigeria’s group-stage matches still have available tickets, giving fans—both at home and across the diaspora—a chance to attend the Super Eagles’ games live.

How to Buy Tickets

CAF has made it mandatory for all fans to obtain a Fan ID before purchasing tickets.
The Fan ID:

  • serves as a unique identifier for stadium and fan-zone access, simplifies visa procedures for international visitors, and allows the purchase of one ticket per match.

All ticket purchases must be made exclusively through the Yalla app, CAF’s official ticketing platform.

Tournament Overview

AFCON 2025 will take place across nine stadiumsinsix Moroccan cities:
Casablanca, Rabat, Agadir, Marrakech, Tangier and Fez.

With Nigeria aiming for a strong showing under a new competitive format and with supporters eager to paint the stands green and white, officials are urging fans to begin the Fan ID process early and secure the remaining tickets before they sell out.

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For now, Super Eagles supporters still have an open window—but with sales approaching the million mark, it may not stay open for long.

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CAF Launches AFCON 2025 Diaspora Tour, Taking African Football Spirit to London and Paris

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1 day ago

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November 27, 2025

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has kicked off the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 Diaspora Tour, a vibrant continental showcase designed to connect Africa’s football heritage with its vast global diaspora.

Described as more than a promotional tour, the initiative celebrates the unity, identity and cultural energy that African football inspires worldwide.

The tour will make a dazzling stop in London on Friday at Below the Lights, Piccadilly Circus, and will continue to Paris on Thursday 4 December, where fans will gather at YOYO in the Palais de Tokyo.

CAF officials say the tour is meant to “forge an unbreakable bridge” between Africa—the birthplace of generations of football legends—and the diaspora communities that continue to champion, support and amplify the continent’s game across global stages.

At the centre of the tour is the AFCON trophy, showcased as a symbol of continental pride and a reminder that Africa’s biggest football prize belongs to Africans everywhere—whether in Casablanca, Lagos, London, Paris or beyond.

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The London and Paris events pay tribute not only to the iconic African players who rose to stardom on European soil, but also to the millions of fans whose passion links the diaspora with the continent’s rich football culture.

 CAF says each stop honours “the enduring connection that pulses through every match, every cheer, and every goal.”

As Morocco prepares to host the 2025 AFCON, the diaspora tour signals the beginning of the journey toward Africa’s premier football tournament—one that CAF insists will be shared by Africans wherever they live.

The road to Morocco 2025, it declared, “begins together.”

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