AFCON
CAF celebrates Nigeria’s record win in AFCON 2023 Qualifiers
The opening two match days of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers concluded on Monday, with Nigeria’s 10-0 victory over Sao Tome and Principe being among the hottest topics as the road to Côte d’Ivoire set up in high gear.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria broke a record of the biggest qin in qualification matches, a feat that dates back to 1959 when they beat the Dahomey team, currently, Bénin 10-1.
With this victory adding on to their opening day 2-1 victory against Sierra Leone, Nigeria is one of the teams which have managed a 100pc start to the qualifiers.
Among other teams which have breezed through scar-less in the first two rounds of matches are Burkina Faso, Algeria, Mali, Morocco and reigning African champions Senegal.
Mixed fortunes
Morocco’s Atlas Lions who will have to play in a team of three teams with South Africa and Liberia have put themselves in pole position to qualify with two wins so far.
They won 2-0 against Liberia and 2-1 in an entertaining duel against South Africa to move top of the pile with six points. The group was reduced to three due to the suspension of Zimbabwe by FIFA.
While Morocco have put themselves in pole position to qualify, several other top teams have complicated their chances, including Benin’s Squirrels and Togo’s Sparrowhawks.
Benin, who missed the last tournament in Cameroon, were off to a bad start after a 3-1 defeat to Senegal at home and then also suffered a narrow 1-0 loss at the hands of Mozambique.
Togo, who have missed the last two editions of the Cup of Nations have also suffered an almost similar feat after picking only one point in their 2-2 draw at home against eSwatini and a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Cape Verde.
In a group where tough fixtures against Burkina Faso await them, Togo must raise their level.
Egypt, finalists from the last edition in Cameroon also posted a basket of mixed results, beating Guinea 1-0 at home before going down to a shock 2-0 loss at the hands of Ethiopia in a match played in Malawi.
Far from over
But Egypt’s Group D is evenly poised with all teams on three point. Teams which lost on the opening day won on the second, with Guinea narrowly edging out Malawi 1-0 via a late goal from Liverpool FC man Naby Keita.
So devastating was Ethiopia’s 2-0 victory over Egypt that a emergency meeting had to be convened in Cairo, with the future of coach Ehad Galal on the line. Galal had replaced Carlos Queiroz after the Pharaohs failed to make it to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Meanwhile, Cameroon also find themselves in a group of three due to Kenya’s FIFA suspension. The Indomitable Lions have started their campaign well, winning 1-0 against Burundi in Dar es Salaam.
The Burundi side has played two matches, having started their campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Namibia and their journey to make a second AFCON appearance in their history has a huge mountain to climb.
Two teams will qualify from this pool.
Top scorers:
Nigeria’s Victor Osimbhen’s four-goal haul against Sao Tome puts him top of the scorers’ chart in the qualifiers at five. He also netted the winner in the opening day 2-1 victory over Sierra Leone.
AFCON 2021 player of the tournament Sadio Mane follows him with four goals, his hattrick on the opening day and a late winner against Rwanda making him Senegal’s all-time top scorer.
Sadio, what a year!
The son of Bambaly is reveling at a hugely successful year, his latest scoring antics in the qualifiers taking him to legendary status at the age of 30. He has scored 33 times for the Lions of Teranga taking him two goals better than the previous holder of the record Henri Camara, who has 31 international goals.
Camara, one of the pillars of the 2002 golden generation took to social media to congratulate Mane, the new heir of his throne.
“I am very honored tonight to see my little brother, Sadio Mané, break my record for the most goals in the national team. It is a pride. I congratulate him and I wish him to continue to score and carry the colors of Senegal high. Bravo champion,” Camara posted on his socials.
Meanwhile, Burkina Faso’s Dango Ouattara Bissau-Guinean Jorgihno also sit on the top scorers’ chart with both having scored three
-cafonline
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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