AFCON
Past AFCON record swings in Egypt’s favour over Cote d’Ivoire
If history is anything to go by, Egypt will have every reason to believe that they can brush aside Cote d’Ivoire and reach the African Cup of Nations quarters when both sides meet in Cameroon’s Douala on Wednesday.
The Pharaohs can boast of a proud Nations Cup record against Cote d’Ivoire, whom they overcame en route to three out of their last four triumphs.
In 1998, Egypt defeated the Elephants on penalties following a 0-0 draw in the quarters before they met twice in the 2006 edition.
Egypt won their group-stage clash against Cote d’Ivoire 3-1 in Cairo before beating them again in the final, also on penalties, following a goalless draw.
They also met in the semis of the 2008 edition, with a star-studded Ivorian side led by prolific striker Didier Drogba overwhelming favourites at the time to take revenge.
However, Egypt keeper Essam El-Hadary, now the team’s goalkeeping coach, pulled off a string of impressive saves and his team proved clinical on breakaways to claim a memorable 4-1 victory.
Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz is not getting carried away though as he believes his team should do the talking on the pitch if they are to continue their bid towards a record-extending eighth Nations Cup crown.
“Stats are important, and they highly regarded by the press, but the players are the ones who will play tomorrow,” the Portuguese told the pre-match news conference.
“We have to write our history; our past won’t help us. The players are completely focused on the present and that is what matters to us.”
Cote d’Ivoire take on Egypt on the back of an impressive run, having suffered only one loss in their last 15 matches, winning 10 times and drawing four.
They also concluded their Nations Cup group-stage campaign with a superb 3-1 win over Algeria last week to send the reigning champions packing.
“The game will be a tactical one … and we have a plan to stop the danger our opponent poses,” Cote d’Ivoire coach Patrice Beaumelle said.
Egypt, who produced some stuttering displays in the group stage, are boosted by the return of key left-back Ahmed Fattouh, who has been out of action since picking up an injury in the opening 1-0 loss to Nigeria.
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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