AFCON
14 EAGLES LAND IN THE NEST AS ANAEMENA REPLACES BRYAN IDOWU
The Super Eagles’ nest in Uyo has started bubbling with the arrival of 14 players. According to a media release by the NFF, nine more players will join the team on Tuesday morning, the same day that their opponents, Benin Republic’s Squirrels are expected in town for the Wednesday evening match.
Technical Adviser Gernot Rohr has called up Enyimba FC defence stalwart, Ifeanyi Anaemena to the Super Eagles’ camp as the three –time African champions get set to open their 2021 AFCON qualifying campaign against Benin Republic’s Squirrels in Uyo on Wednesday.
The defender will also be part of the squad for the Day Two clash with Lesotho in Maseru on Sunday, 17th November.
The People’s Elephant’s bulwark has been drafted in to replace Russia –based World Cup left back Bryan Idowu, who submitted his international passport for renewal and the document is not ready for him to travel to Nigeria for the encounter.
Anaemena was impressive for the Eagles B in their 2020 African Nations Championship qualifier against Togo at the Agege Stadium last month, and has also been a key player for Enyimba, two –time CAF Champions League winners, as they reached the group phase of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup competition.
As at Monday evening, captain Ahmed Musa and 13 other players had arrived at the Eagles’ Ibom Meridien Hotel and Resorts, with the remaining nine squad members expected on Tuesday morning.
The 14 who trained on the grounds of the Ibom Meridien Hotel and Resort on Monday evening are Musa, goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa, Daniel Akpeyi and Maduka Okoye, defenders Kenneth Omeruo, Chidozie Awaziem, Olaoluwa Aina, Jamilu Collins and Oluwasemilogo Ajayi, midfielders Alex Iwobi, Ramon Azeez and Wilfred Ndidi, and forwards Samuel Kalu and Victor Osimhen.
Those arriving on Tuesday morning are defenders William Ekong, Anaemena and Abdullahi Shehu, midfielders Mikel Agu and Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Moses Simon, Samuel Chukwueze, Paul Onuachu and Emmanuel Dennis.
Ayodele-Aribo, who plays for Glasgow Rangers in Scotland, has scored in the Eagles’ last two games, against Ukraine (2-2) and Brazil (1-1) – incidentally the only two matches he has played for Nigeria.
The Super Eagles will train at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Tuesday evening.
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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