AFCON
AFCON 2021 QUALIFIERS: SUPER EAGLES READY TO PERCH ON SQUIRRELS
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
The Super Eagles are set to arise in Uyo and go further to shine in all six matches leading to participation in the 33rd edition of Africa’s flagship football competition, the Africa Cup of Nations, to be staged next door, Cameroon.
Like Egypt 2019, 24 teams, including the host nation, will battle for the ultimate prize in Cameroon from June 11 to July 9, 2021.
Three-time winners, Nigeria ended Egypt 2019 as the third best team, achieving a tournament’s record of eight bronze medals. They have western neighbours Benin Republic as the first hurdle in their determination to continue from where they stopped in the competition.
Even as next door neighbours, the head-to-head clashes between Nigeria and Benin Republic are few and far between.
In competitive competitions, the Eagles were paired with the Squirrels in Group C of Angola 2010 Africa Cup of Nations with the “giants” managing a lone goal result, finishing behind leaders Egypt and ending the tournament in third position.
In the qualifiers for the last African Nations Championship hosted by Morocco last year, Nigeria encountered Benin Republic losing 0-1 in Cotonou and finishing the business at home 2-0.
Both sides were engaged in friendlies same day last month (October 13). The Super Eagles went to Singapore and were forced to 1-1 by Brazil, while Benin Republic played 2-2 with Zambia in Porto-Novo.
The Eagles have their captain Ahmed Musa back from the injury that kept him out of the Brazilian clash, just as the rest of the young squad appear ready to soar in two matches within five days – the second away to Lesotho on Sunday.
In Nigeria’s group, Sierra will host Lesotho at the same time of the Nigeria-Benin Republic encounter.
Title holders Algeria Algeria are in Group H of the qualifiers and welcome Zambia on Friday, while the other match in that group have Botswana away to Zimbabwe on Saturday.
Senegal, who lost painfully to Algeria in last July’s showpiece match of Egypt 2019, start the campaign tonight at home to Congo Republic in Group I after Guinea-Bissau would have hosted Eswatini a few hours earlier.
Tunisia, losers to Nigeria in the third place match of Egypt 2019, are in Group J along with Libya, Tanzania and Equatorial Guinea. All sides go to battle on Friday, Tunisia hosting Libya and Tanzania receiving Equatorial Guinea in Dar-es-Salam.
Cameroon will be involved in the qualifications only to keep in shape as their place in the finals is reversed as host nation. That leaves Group F, where the Indomitable Lions are placed, producing one more team from among Cape Verde Islands, Mozambique and Rwanda.
Matchday 1 fixtures
Wednesday…
Group L: Nigeria v Benin Republic, Sierra Leone v Lesotho (both 5pm)
Group B: Malawi v South Sudan (2pm), Burkina Faso v Uganda (8pm)
Group E: Central African Republic v Burundi (2pm)
Group A: Namibia v Chad Republic (5pm)
Group F: Cameroon v Cape Verde (5pm)
Group I: Guinea Bissau v Eswatini (5pm), Senegal v Congo Republic (8pm)
Group C: Sudan v São Tomé and Príncipe (8pm)
Group D: Angola v The Gambia (8pm)
Thursday…
Group F: Mozambique v Rwanda (5pm)
Group G: Egypt v Kenya, Togo v Comoros Islands (both 5pm)
Group A: Mali v Guinea (8pm)
Group C: Ghana v South Africa (8pm)
Group D: DR Congo v Gabon (8pm)
Group H: Algeria v Zambia (8pm)
Friday…
Group H: Zimbabwe v Botswana (5pm)
Group E: Morocco v Mauritania (8pm)
Group J: Tanzania v Equatorial Guinea (5pm), Tunisia v Libya (8pm)
Saturday…
Group K: Madagascar v Ethiopia (2pm), Côte d’Ivoire v Niger Republic (8pm)
—
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.
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.
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.
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Egyptian national team will face Nigeria on 14 December at Cairo Stadium as part of their preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA)said on Sunday.
The friendly was arranged at the request of Egypt coach Hossam Hassan, who wanted to test his side against one of the continent’s heavyweights ahead of the tournament.
The Pharaohs will compete in the UAE International Tournament, where they will meet Uzbekistan on 14 November.
The competition also features Cape Verde and Iran, who will play a day earlier.
The winners of both matches will face each other in the final on 18 November.
Senegal were initially scheduled to take part in the tournament but withdrew, paving the way for Cape Verde to join.
Egypt have been drawn in Group B for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, alongside South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe
-Ahram
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Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong says Nigeria will head to Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations determined to go one step further after the heartbreak of losing the last final to Côte d’Ivoire.
In an exclusive chat with CAFOnline.com, the Al-Kholood defender said the experience of falling short in Abidjan has made the team tougher and more united.
“Last AFCON left a lasting impression on all of us,” Troost-Ekong said. “This group is excited to have another chance to try and win the trophy. We learned so much from that final—this time we’ll be calmer and play our football better.”
The Saudi Arabia-based centre-back downplayed talk of Nigeria being clear favourites, noting that hosts Morocco, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal are equally strong contenders.
“There’s no such thing as a clear favourite at AFCON,” he warned. “You can’t win a tournament with expectations. AFCON is difficult and full of surprises.”
Troost-Ekong, who has appeared in multiple AFCON campaigns, said the key to winning lies in “heart, togetherness and consistency.”
“Momentum has to grow through the tournament. Don’t panic when things go wrong, and don’t get carried away when they go right,” he added.
On Nigeria’s group opponents—Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania—the skipper admitted the road to the knockout stages won’t be easy.
“Tunisia knocked us out in 2021. Uganda and Tanzania are improving fast. There’s no easy game at AFCON,” he said.
Troost-Ekong also saluted Nigerian fans for their support and promised the team would give everything to bring home the title.
“When all of Nigeria stands together, that’s our power,” he declared. “Hopefully, the headline this time will read: Nigeria crowns the special generation with an AFCON title.”
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