AFCON
LIBYA FIRST HOME GAME IN SEVEN YEARS ENDS IN DEFEAT AS TUNISIA MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN
Libya’s first match at home in close to seven years ended in defeat as they lost 5-2 to Tunisia at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium to see their hopes of fighting for qualification to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) come to an end.
The Libyans went ahead through Muad Ellafi, but the Tunisians, who had already qualified for Cameroon heading into the penultimate round of group matches, responded through Yassine Meriah
Substitute Seifeddine Jaziri would score a double in the second half with Mohamed Drager and Anis Slimane scoring one a piece for the Carthage Eagles.
The Libyans had a good start to the match and went ahead after 21 minutes when Ellafi rose highest inside the box to bounce a header off Mohamed Aleyat’s cross.
They would have made it 2-0 in the 34th minute but Tunisia defender Meriah cleared off the line after keeper Farouk Ben Mustapha had seen Hamdou Elhouni’s shot slip through his fingers.
On the other end, Meriah became a hero once again in the space of four minutes when he drew his side level after controlling Drager’s cross from the left and volleying it over the advancing keeper.
Libya looked to crumble in the second half and three minutes in, they were 2-1 down when Jaziri headed home from inside the box barely two minutes after coming on.
In the 50th minute, they were 3-1 up when Drager slid the ball through the keeper’s legs after a quick counter which saw Saif Edine Khaoui set him up.
The Libyans responded four minutes later when Ellafi scored his second with a calm lob over the keeper after controlling a cross from the left on his chest.
The home side smelt a comeback and hoped to get themselves back into the game. Motassem Masoud had a header saved by Ben Mustapha while Muatez Husayn also saw his shot from distance turned behind by the keeper.
With those misses, they were punished with Slimane’s well taken shot from distance making it four before Jaziri completed his brace in added time.
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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