AFCON
Lagos Wants Super Eagles Back
BY BOLAJI OKUNOLA.
As Nigerians still feel the pains of a home loss to South Africa in the race to 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, opinions are being shaped on the future of the Super Eagles in the next assignments.
A somewhat crisis situation analysis meeting is scheduled to hold on Tuesday as the Nigerian sports minister, Solomon Dalung, meet with the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation.
Before then, another meeting of the NFF Technical Committee will also hold with the technical adviser, Gernot Rohr in attendance.
Meanwhile, an official of the Lagos State Government, Anthony Adeyinka Adeboye who is a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on sports told Sports Village Square that the NFF should consider returning the national team to its city of birth, Lagos.
He re-echoed the voice of Governor Ambode who had earlier in year while inspecting the derelict Lagos National Stadium called for the return of the Super Eagles to Lagos and that his government was ready to acquire and repair the fast degenerating Federal Government facility.
Adeboye explained to Sports Village Square that a good team should be able to win anywhere, especially within its national borders, but conscious efforts should also be made to maximise home advantage.
To him, Lagos offers that maximum advantage to the Super Eagles, considering the large football followership that the city commands and the enthusiasm shown when supporting teams.
“I realise Lagos fans are all willing to see Super Eagles play in the city state. In those days, no major team challenged the Super Eagles at home and go scot free not to talk of minors. Lagos remains the slaughter slab of visiting teams”, remarked Adeboye.
“We have good soccer pitch here at the Teslim Balogun Stadium and I am confident the Surulere National stadium will soon be in right order to host the giants of African football like it used to be in those days.”
Lagos last hosted the full strength Super Eagles on January 13, 2001 when the team beat Zambia 1-0 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The other matches played in April 2004 were in the experimental LG Cup tournament in which Nigeria and the other participating team, Jordan and Senegal fielded second-string sides.
AFCON
Nigerians, other nationals can apply, as CAF and Morocco Launch Volunteer Programme for AFCON 2025
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) in Morocco have launched the official Volunteer Programme for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, billed to run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.
According to CAF, more than 4,000 volunteers will be recruited to play a central role in ensuring the success of Africa’s most prestigious football tournament, which will be staged across six cities and nine stadiums in Morocco.
Applications are now open at volunteers.cafonline.com and will close on 8 October 2025. The opportunity is open to anyone above the age of 18.
Volunteers will be deployed across multiple functional areas, including media operations, spectator services, accreditation, hospitality, and fan engagement. Selected individuals will receive professional training ahead of the competition and work behind the scenes to deliver a memorable AFCON.
CAF stated that the programme is designed not only to support tournament operations but also to create an alumni network of skilled Africans who can contribute to future sporting events across the continent. Successful applicants will benefit from:
- Training and skill development.
- Official uniforms and certificates of participation.
- Networking opportunities with peers and professionals.
- The chance to contribute to Africa’s football legacy.
Volunteer registration opened on 17 September 2025. Selection and training will take place in October and November, with operations commencing in mid-December through to the tournament’s conclusion on 18 January 2026.
CAF described the initiative as an “exciting opportunity” for Africans to contribute to the growth of the continent’s flagship sporting event, which is expected to draw millions of visitors to Morocco.
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AFCON
CAF Security Chief, Nigeria’s Emeruwa, Leads Inspection of Tangier Stadium Ahead of Major Tournaments
Nigeria’s Dr. Christian Emeruwa, President of the Security and Safety Division of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), on Thursday, September 18, led an inspection visit to the Grand Stade de Tangier as preparations intensify for upcoming continental and global football events.
Emeruwa, who heads CAF’s continental security architecture, was joined by CAF Secretary General Véron Mosengo-Omba, senior Moroccan officials, and executives of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
The delegation also included managers of operational companies at the Grand Stade and SONARGES executives.
According to Le 360, the Nigerian official expressed satisfaction with the stadium’s facilities after touring key operational areas, including the main control room with its giant surveillance screen, as well as spectator, player, and VIP access zones.
The inspection was bolstered by the presence of Morocco’s top security and administrative officers—the regional commander of the Royal Gendarmerie, officials of the Auxiliary Forces and Civil Protection, the Wali of Security, the governor in charge of Internal Affairs, and representatives of the National Agency for Public Equipment (ANEP).
A technical meeting followed the tour, where engineers presented recent safety and security upgrades. Among the highlights was the planned installation of a FIFA-standard tarpaulin roof to enhance the venue’s compliance with global hosting requirements.
For Nigeria, the spotlight on Dr. Emeruwa underscores the country’s growing influence in African football administration, particularly in the critical areas of safety and security management for CAF competitions.
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Morocco has received 723 high-end buses from Chinese manufacturer Yutong as part of preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off on December 21.
Yutong said on social media that the fleet “has officially rolled off the production line” and will provide “comprehensive transport services and reliable operational support” during the tournament.
An official handover ceremony was held on Friday at the company’s facility in Zhengzhou, Henan province, attended by Moroccan representatives and Yutong executives.
The buses were designed to cope with Morocco’s terrain and climate, including steep slopes, heat and sandstorms. They feature an independent front axle suspension to navigate narrow city streets and Yutong’s in-house “Blue Core System” for fuel efficiency.
The delivery is the largest single order of Chinese buses in Africa. Yutong will station more than 100 technicians in Morocco to provide training, maintenance and round-the-clock support during AFCON.
The deal is part of Morocco’s broader transport strategy, which includes plans to purchase 7,000 new buses by 2030—half of them electric—as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
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