Nigerian supporters in Morocco are raising alarms over a critical shortage of match tickets for the highly anticipated 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final between the Super Eagles and the host nation, Morocco. The issue, which threatens to lock out many passionate fans, has sparked frustration and drawn parallels to past ticketing problems faced by Nigerian supporters.
Fans Left Scrambling for Tickets
The situation was brought to public attention by human rights frontier and economic analyst, Serah Ibrahim, on Tuesday night, 14 January 2026. In a post on her verified X account, Ibrahim detailed the plight of Nigerian fans who have been desperately searching for a way to watch their team live. “No game tickets for Nigeria versus Morocco. Nigerian fans have been going from place to place searching for match tickets,” she stated.
This frustrating scenario is not new for the Super Eagles' faithful. According to Ibrahim, this mirrors the exact challenge they encountered during the 2024 AFCON final in Côte d’Ivoire, where Nigeria lost 2-1 to the host nation despite taking an early lead through then-captain William Troost-Ekong. The current shortage further fuels ongoing criticism of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and perceptions that its ticketing policies often disproportionately favor home teams, creating access barriers for visiting supporters.
CAF Highlights Star Power Amidst Controversy
As the ticket controversy brews, CAF has shifted some focus to the on-field spectacle awaiting in the semi-finals. In a report on its official website on Wednesday, the continental football body tipped five former African Player of the Year winners to light up the crucial matches.
“The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has reached a defining moment, and the semi-finals promise not only elite teams but elite individuals,” CAF's report stated. It emphasized that the presence of these stars elevates the event, with their influence on the pitch being decisive through goals, assists, and leadership.
The five players highlighted are:
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
- Ademola Lookman (Nigeria)
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
- Sadio Mane (Senegal)
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco & reigning African Player of the Year)
CAF concluded that as Senegal face Egypt and Morocco host Nigeria, the semi-finals will be defined by both individual brilliance and collective ambition.
A Recurring Problem with No Solution in Sight
The recurring nature of this ticketing issue points to a systemic problem within the tournament's organization. For Nigerian fans, the excitement of a monumental clash against the host nation is being severely dampened by logistical hurdles and perceived inequity. The situation underscores the need for more transparent and equitable ticket distribution systems at major continental tournaments to ensure that passionate supporters from all competing nations have a fair chance to witness history in the making.
As the Super Eagles prepare to trade tackles with Morocco today for a spot in the final, a significant portion of their vocal support base may be left watching from outside the stadium, a disappointing repeat of a familiar story.
