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AFCON

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

Royal Air Maroc Unveils AFCON 2025-Themed Aircraft as Tournament Preparations Soar

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2 days ago

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November 2, 2025

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By Kunle Solaja.

Exactly 50 days to the kick-off of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has unveiled a specially branded aircraft in the vibrant colours of the competition. It is a special way of celebrating the Kingdom’s role as host of Africa’s biggest football event.

The unveiling ceremony took place on Saturday, marking a symbolic milestone ahead of the tournament, which will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

“Our aircraft proudly displays the colours of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, through a special livery — a symbol of pride, passion, and unity,” the airline stated.

“From the pitch to the sky, Royal Air Maroc carries the spirit of African football.” In anticipation of a surge in travel during the competition, Royal Air Maroc announced a major boost in its flight operations, with more than 660 additional flights planned over the tournament period.

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This extensive mobilization is designed to facilitate the smooth transportation of supporters, teams, officials, and media representatives between Morocco’s six host cities — Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, Agadir, and Fez — all of which are preparing to welcome visitors in a festive, football-inspired atmosphere.

The launch of the AFCON-themed aircraft comes as part of a strategic partnership signed in April 2025 between the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Royal Air Maroc, under which the national carrier was named the Official Global Partner of CAF’s major competitions.

This collaboration underscores RAM’s growing role as a key ambassador of Moroccan hospitality and a pan-African brand committed to supporting the continent’s premier sporting events.

With its AFCON-themed livery soaring across the skies, Royal Air Maroc seeks to embody Morocco’s passion for football, commitment to excellence, and readiness to host Africa in what promises to be a spectacular celebration of sport and unity.

As the countdown to AFCON Morocco 2025 continues, the airline’s message is clear:
“From the pitch to the sky, Morocco is ready to welcome Africa.”

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Global Fans Snap Up Tickets for Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025

Published

3 days ago

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November 1, 2025

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Next month’s  Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated sporting events on the continent, with strong global ticket sales reported in the first two phases of release.

According to figures from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), fans from across the world have rushed to secure their seats for Africa’s premier football competition, which will take place in nine stadiums across six host cities from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.

While ticket demand has been high across Africa, France has emerged as the leading market outside the continent, with an impressive 109,237 tickets sold so far — a figure that underscores the country’s deep-rooted connection to African football. Belgium (7,046) and the Netherlands (5,958) round out the top three, followed by the United Kingdom (5,127) and Canada (3,849).

The rest of the top ten includes Germany (3,056), Switzerland (1,714), the United States (1,245), Spain (1,193) and Italy (970).

CAF officials said the global enthusiasm demonstrates the event’s growing international appeal. “Fans from around the world are eager to be part of one of football’s most vibrant and celebrated tournaments,” the organization said in a statement.

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The 2025 edition marks Morocco’s first time hosting AFCON since 1988. The North African nation — which is also set to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup — is preparing to showcase both its football passion and its reputation as a premier tourist destination.

To attend matches, supporters must register for a mandatory Fan ID, available through the Yalla App on Google Play and the Apple App Store. The Fan ID system is designed to simplify the entire fan journey, from stadium entry to visa facilitation, ensuring a smooth and secure experience for both local and international visitors.

Fans are encouraged to complete their Fan ID registration early to guarantee quicker access when the next phase of ticket sales opens.

How to get your Fan ID:

  1. Download the Yalla App on Google Play or the App Store.
  2. Apply for your Fan ID and E-Visa/AEVM (if required) directly in the app.
  3. Once approved, visit tickets.cafonline.com to purchase your AFCON Morocco 2025 tickets.

With anticipation building and global fans securing their places early, Morocco 2025 is on track to deliver a festival of football that celebrates the spirit and unity of the African game.

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VIDEO: AFCON Morocco 2025: Ticket Sales Open Wider as Organizers Ease Access for More Fans

Published

7 days ago

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October 28, 2025

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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.

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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.

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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.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

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