AFCON
13 AMAZING FACTS ON NIGERIA-SIERRA LEONE AFCON QUALIFIERS
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are characteristically hoping to pick qualifying, with matches to spare, ticket for the next Africa Cup of Nations finals due to hold in Cameroon. In the last two major tournaments featured – the Russia 2018 and Africa Cup of Nations 2019, qualifications were obtained ahead of conclusion of series.
They are already on this familiar path and could qualify after the back-to-back encounters with Sierra Leone ..
As usual, www.sportsvillagesquare.com takes an insightful look at the fixtures and comes out with the following points of interest.
- Both teams had their first international encounter facing each other 71 years, one month and four days ago today.
- Both teams first met on 8 October 1949 when the Nigerian side made a stopover in Freetown in their return voyage from UK.
- The match at Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin will be the 22nd encounter of both teams. Nigeria’s Super Eagles have the upper hand, winning 14, drawing five times and losing just two.
- Nigerian football legend, Segun Odegbami, second highest scorer for the national team scored the first of his 21 goals for Nigeria in a World Cup qualifying match against Sierra Leone on 30 October 1976.
- Segun Odegbami made his international debut for Nigeria when he came in as a 40th minute substitute for Baba Otu Mohammed in a 16 October 1976 World Cup qualifier in Freetown.
- Former Africa Cup of Nations’ best left winger, Kunle Awesu played his last international match for Nigeria in a 30 October 1976 World Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone in Lagos.
- It was against Sierra Leone on 30 October 1976 that Muda Lawal first started from the bench for Nigeria.
- Sierra Leone spelt doom for former Nigeria’s Dutch coach, Johannes Bonfrere who last handled the Super Eagles when the team lost 1-0 on 21 April 2001 in a World Cup qualifying duel in Freetown.
- Sierra Leone was the last match that Peterside Idah played for Nigeria on 21 April 2001.
- The duel at Ogbemudia Stadium will be Nigeria’s 113rd Africa Cup of Nations’ qualifying match. For Sierra Leone, it will be their 74th in the qualifying series since their debut entry for the 1974 edition.
- The Nigeria versus Sierra Leone will be the fourth time an Africa Cup of Nation qualifying match is played in Benin City. The first time was when the then Green Eagles played a goalless outing with Morocco on 14 August 1983. The second time was the 1-0 defeat of Madagascar on 2 June 2001 while the third was the 2-2 draw with Angola on 21 June 2003 in the qualifying duel for Tunisia 2004.
- Although Nigeria defeated Sierra Leone 2-0 when they first met 71 years one month and four days ago, an own goal by Sierra Leone’s Ashman was Nigeria’s first ever international goal. Tesilimi Balogun scored the second goal.
- Nigeria’s Joseph Yobo goes into the record book as the first player to score for both Sierra Leone and Nigeria in a competitive series. Yobo scored Nigeria’s lone goal in the 1-0 defeat of Sierra Leone in Freetown in a 7 June 2008 World Cup qualifying match. In the reversed leg played on 11 October 2008 in Abuja, Yobo scored an own goal in the 4-1 defeat of Sierra Leone.
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.”
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Two of a Kind: Pelé and Yekini Celebrate Birthdays in the World Beyond
After Super Eagles’ big win, Super Falcons plot another doomsday for Benin in WAFCON Qualifier
Osimhen double guides Galatasaray to 3-1 win over Bodo/Glimt
- World Cup1 week ago
Victor Osimhen qualifies South Africa for World Cup as Super Eagles go for Play-Off
- FIFA RANKING6 days ago
Nigeria Jumps Four Places in New FIFA Rankings; Stirs Optimism in Local Football Circles
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Serial offenders, Kano Pillars Fined ₦9.5m, Banished to Katsina
- AFCON1 week ago
Tinubu Hails Super Eagles’ Spirit, Assures Support Ahead of World Cup Play-Offs
- CAF Champions League4 days ago
Remo Stars Host Mamelodi Sundowns in Crucial CAF Champions League Showdown
- Nigerian Football4 days ago
Jay-Jay Okocha Call Turns NPFL Boss to Instant Celebrity in Madrid
- CAF Champions League5 days ago
Two Decades After Their Defeat, Mamelodi Sundowns Return to Abeokuta
- Athletics2 days ago
Nigeria to Host First-Ever Africa Running Conference in Lagos