AFCON
Against Leone Stars, Super Eagles must avert a sixth ‘no-win’ match
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles will be aiming to regain their esteem this Thursday evening as they begin the quest for qualification for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations will a home duel with Sierra Leone.
This is a duel like no other one. It is the first time ever the team has been compelled to play a home match behind closed doors following crowd behavior the last time they played at home.
Somehow, playing in an empty MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja has its advantage. The Super Eagles will not be put under crowd pressure.
But there is another pressure. First this is the third time in two years that the team will be facing Sierra Leone. Sadly, they have not been able to beat the Leone Stars in their last two encounters.
Worst still, when they met on Nigerian soil, the visitors did the incredible, coming back from a 30-minute four goals down to level up at 4-4 within 20 minutes. It was one of the most remarkable come-bact stories in African football.
It marked the first time Nigeria conceded four goals at home since their 6-2 loss to United Arab Republic (largely Egypt) in November 1959.
But the greater presure on the Super Eagles is the quest to return to the winning way. The last time they won a match was on 19 January this year in Garoua, Cameroon when they beat Guinea Bissau 2-0.
Since, they have gone five matches without a win. The last time Nigeria ran a five streak of ‘no win’ was 59 years ago when it took a whole year from 24 November 1963 to 27 December 1964 before Nigeria won a match having lost to Egypt, Sudan, twice to Morocco and losing on Nigerian soil to Togo on home soil to be out of contention for the football event of the 1st All Africa Games in Congo.
This Thursday’s encounter with Sierra Leone will be the sixth match since they last won a match in January. Beyond that, new coach on the saddle, Jose Peseiro under whom the the team has played two matches is expected to win his first match with the Super Eagles.
Meanwhile, the Leone Stars appeared a determined lot having being in Nigeria four days ahead of the encounter. Winning may not be their first thought, but frustrating the Super Eagles into a drawn game may likely be their mission.
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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