AFCON
Super Eagles May Benefit from Nations Cup 24-Team Format
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
With the CAF executive committee on Thursday rubber-stamping the proposed expansion of the Africa Cup of Nations from 16 to 24 teams with immediate effect, the Super Eagles of Nigeria may have been offered a life-line in the bid to qualify for the biennial continental premier competition which last two editions, the team lost out.
The team already had a setback as the race to the 2019 competition kicked off last month after the team was beaten 2-0 at home by South Africa, triggering the possibility of missing out for the third time consecutively. Under the 16 team-format, 13 group winners are to get direct qualifications and join hosts, Cameroon.
The best two runners-up of the 13 groups were to make the numbers. But with the expansion of qualifiers to 24, it is likely 10 best runners up; instead two may make the final cut.
But CAF is yet to come up with the mode of making up the enlarged final competition. Africa’s flagship sporting event has featured 16 teams since 1996. Before then, 12 teams competed for the editions of 1992 and 1994 when the competition first had its expansion from eight teams of two groups which had been the case from 1968 to 1990.
Six teams of two groups competed in the 1963 and 1965 editions. There were four teams in the 1962 while three competed that of 1957 and 1959. Sports Village Square gathered that the expansion with immediate effect of the final tournament could create problems for the hosts, Cameroon where stadium constructions are reportedly behind schedule.
A decision on whether the finals will be moved from January and February to June and July is still awaited. The competition had held at different period in the past before a formal calendar was established from the 1974 edition to 1994 when the final competition held in March, but sometimes stretched to early April as the case of the 1994 edition which final match took place on April 10.
Before then, the final competition had taken place in February, 1957, May in 1959, January in 1962 and 1968, November in 1963 and 1965 and February in 1970 and 1972. The calendar changed to January/February in 1996.
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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