AFCON
SIERRA LEONE BANKS ON INTERNATIONAL RETURNEE, UMARU BANGURA
As the build-up to Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Nigeria, the spirit of the Leone Stars of Sierra Leone has been lifted by the return from international retirement by FC Zurich defender, Umaru Bangura.
According to Football Sierra Leone, Bangura who was not in the original list drawn by the coach has confirmed his availability to face Nigeria at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City in the race to Cameroon 2022. The Super Eagles will battle Sierra Leone in a quick double qualifier on 13, 17 this month but the news of Bangura has raised fitness concern among fans.
The former Dinamo Minsk defender initially was not named in coach John Keister’s 16-foreign-based. However, he declared that he is 100% fit to play.
“No doubt he has been a great player for Sierra Leone, but his last competitive game for FC Zurich was a 3-2 defeat against Chiasso on 13 September almost two months again,” A fan Saidu Turay questioned his present state.
“There are genuine concerns about his fitness because he has not played any match for Zurich in the Swiss Super League this campaign,” John Bangura told FSL news.
Sidique Mansaray confirmed Bangura last season appeared 14 times for his side during the 2019- 2020 Swiss Super League.
“We know he has been a great skipper for our national team but if we must succeed we have to play a fully fit side against the three-time African Champions,” Mansaray passionately stated.
“Head coach John Keister must be sure of the players using against Nigeria especially when it comes to players fitness,” Michael Kargbo advised for the Leone Stars boss.
Meanwhile, defender Ishmael Koroma, who plays for newly promoted Swedish Superettan side Vasalund IF will have to make way for the return of his national skipper.
The full Sierra Leone delegation will be in Nigeria latest on Wednesday with SN Polten midfielder George Davies missing the first leg tie.
The Super Eagles top the group L, accruing 6 points from two wins against Lesotho and the Benin Republic.
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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