AFCON
2023 AFCON qualifiers: Sierra Leone vs Guinea Bissau – a crucial zonal derby
Sierra Leone will clash with Guinea Bissau on Monday in an important match in the second matchday of Group A of the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Defeated 2-1 by Nigeria, the Leone Stars need to revive their campaign against the Djurtus who made light work of Sao Tome and Principe with a 5-1 win.
In this very interesting group, where the search for the top two slots would be very tight, Sierra Leone, which returned to the final phase of the AFCON in 2021 after an absence that lasted 25 years, has no room for error on Monday.
In Cameroon, despite their elimination in the first round, Sierra Leone had left a good impression hinged on being able to hold two big sides of African football, Algeria (0-0) and Côte d’Ivoire (2-2).
Narrowly missing qualification in the second round after a 1-0 defeat against Equatorial Guinea, the Leone Stars must avoid moving away from the elite of African football and that means qualifying for the AFCON next year scheduled for Cote d’Ivoire.
And that is why it is necessary to gain the points against Guinea Bissau, which has become a regular in the final stages of the AFCON since 2017 after taking part in the last three editions.
As Nigeria are the favourites to win Group A, the battle between the two teams which has been scheduled at the General Lansana Conté Conakry Stadium in Guinea will be epic.
Asked at the end of the game they lost 2-1 against Nigeria, Sierra Leone striker Jonathan Worsay was delighted to have scored but frustrated it counted for nothing.
“We are not happy with the outcome of the game but we showed great things that we must repeat against Guinea Bissau,” said the striker playing in Greece for Panetolikos.
Guinea Bissau squad arrived in the Guinean capital of Conakry on Saturday, the goalkeeper of Djurtus, Manuel Balde says he is confident.
“Our victory against Sao Tome was a very good thing but we have to keep working because Monday we will have a difficult match,” said the Bissau-Guinean goalkeeper playing in Portugal.
In the other Group A match, Sao Tome will play against the ogre of the group, Nigeria, who started their campaign with a 2-1 victory.
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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