AFCON
“Saving face” – Lamentation of Tunisian newspaper ahead of match with Nigeria
Below is an editorial in this Sunday’s edition of Tunisian newspaper, La Presse.
“The balance of power is clearly against the Tunisian team which is going through a dark period and has made us see all the colours on all fronts in this Africa Cup of Nations .
“But even in this unequal duel with a largely favourite Nigeria, we must not capitulate before the hour, but fight with dignity to snatch a qualification logically out of reach…
“We dreamed at the start of this African Cup of Nations at least of the last four. We are very close to the exit door from the round of 16.
“The conclusion is sad, but the fact is there. When the training and its basic framework, the system and the animation are not constant and regularly efficient, when the ideas and the project of the coach are not clear enough, we reap, alas, only what we sow.
“This inconstancy and the results it has generated so far make us say, with heavy hearts, that we don’t have a major event team with which we can write the most beautiful pages of the story. This bitter conclusion, we leave it in brackets for the moment in the hope of a miracle tonight to go to the quarter-finals
What game system and with what mentality?
“Even if some good news ensures that a good number of restored players will allow us to be complete and to present 20 players on the match sheet, is that enough for all that, with almost all the staff remaining in Douala and without Captain Mondher Kebaïer on the bench to lead the big debate?
“Logic says no, but we stay hooked all the same to this bit of hope which makes us believe in this truth which still remains to be demonstrated, that in football, we are never sure of anything.
“The starting lineup and the game system in place must be up to the enormous challenge and we must play with a commando spirit on an impossible mission so that the dream can become reality.
“How to approach this tough battle against Nigeria and avoid suffering the damage and try to emerge victorious? Certainly not by indulging and wearing out physically from the kick-off.
“Reduced on this level, we only have to draw on tactical intelligence and the dosage of efforts to maintain our chances until regulation time of the match and not to sink, from the start of the match, in force our adversary who is aware of our current evils and who will try to kill the party as soon and as quickly as possible.
Dräger to replace Mathlouthi
“For this survival match in a tournament, Mohamed Dräger can replace Mathlouthi on the right side, and on the left flank, we must not rely too much on this “versatile side” that is Ali Abdi and who has proven to be a joker losing to Gambia.
”It is necessary to find another player profile among the available ones if Mâaloul and Ben Hmida cannot be in the game
“For offensive work, the return of Naïm Sliti, even diminished, is a good option to transfigure the front compartment, and his association with Youssef Msakni can contribute to the variation of the game and to more imagination and creativity, provided that they are freed from the defensive withdrawal tasks of which they are incapable and that the pair of pivots, Skhiri-Laidouni, ensure good midfield-attack coordination.
“The good management of this very difficult match in the current context in which the Tunisian team finds itself, faced with this big piece that is this Nigeria that we could have avoided in this late round, with picky choices at the level of the system, player profiles and registers assigned to them, defensive and offensive animation and the correct transition between them.”
-La Presse.tn
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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