AFCON
Sunday Dare denies picking a coach for Super Eagles
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Even as the commencement of the qualifying series for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations is barely eight weeks away, the Nigerian national team is without a coach and a technical crew.
The technical crew has been dissolved following Nigeria’s inability to qualify for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. In the days that followed, there were speculations in many on-line platforms on possible appointment of some coaches and backroom staffs.
Some of the speculations linked the Nigerian sports ministry to the shortlisting of possible candidates.
But according to a release by one of the Nigerian sports ministers’ spokespersons, Toyin Ibitoye who at a time was also the media officer of the national team, the reports were false.
According to him, “these reports are false and so far from the truth. The minister has not ordered or forced any coach on the NFF.”
He therefore urged the discerning members of the public, football loving persons to discountenance those stories for “what they are…the figment of the imagination of the writers.”
The qualifying series for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire are due to resume in June with the six winners of the preliminary competition joining the 48 others to each play six group matches where 24 finalists will emerge.
Although the draw for the group stage has not been done, Sports Village Square reliably gathered that the international window of June will be used for four of the six group matches by each team.
The implication is that the Super Eagles will have four qualifying matches in June against yet to be determined opponents.
Meanwhile, according to the yardstick for the draw, Nigeria along with the top 11 ranked team will be seeded in Pot 1.
The other teams in the pot are the five African flagbearers at Qatar 2022 as well as Algeria, Egypt, Mali, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and DR Congo.
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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