AFCON
2019 AFCON QUALIFIERS GET TO HOME STRETCH
By Sunday, all the 24 qualifiers would have emerged. At the moment, 14 are already confirmed making some of the matches of the Match Day six mere formalities.
One of such is Friday encounter of Nigeria and Seychelles in duel that has largely turned the visiting side mere tourists. Another is the Niger versus Egypt encounter in Niamey.
The Egypt, the obvious super power of the Africa Cup of Nations have picked qualification ticket, even before getting the hosting rights in Nigeria.
Who will go to Egypt next June? There are many contenders but only 24 countries will have the privilege of playing in the TOTAL CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2019. Cafonline.com reviews last remains games before this coming sixth day.
Group A
Senegal and Madagascar meet again for a final without stakes for this last day. The Teranga Lions will hope to finish this qualifying round with a fifth win in front of their home crowd. Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly will be serious contenders for the title next June. Will this golden generation finally be crowned after many failures despite their undeniable talent? As for the Barea, this will be their last major test before their first appearance at an AFCON. Sudan and Equatorial Guinea, already eliminated, are back together.
Group B
Already eliminated, Malawi hosts the Atlas Lions. Hervé Renard’s Morocco qualified before this match and the Moroccan coach is counting on his team to win and ensure the FIFA ranking. The players will also have in mind the prestigious friendly match to be played in Tangier on March 26th against Argentina with a certain Lionel Messi. Cameroon, the reigning African champions, need only a point at home against the Comoros to defend their trophy in Egypt. The Indomitable Lions will not be able to count on Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik and striker Stéphane Bahoken
Group C
In Bamako, Mali should logically win against the young South Sudanese team, who have still not pocketed a single point in these qualifiers. First place in the group should remain Les Aigles’ property before competing next June in the AFCON. In Bujumbura, a fiery atmosphere for the Burundians, who are 90 minutes away from their first AFCON qualification. Gabon must absolutely win. Coach Daniel Cousin will be able to count on the return of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Group D
The Mustapha Tchaker stadium in Blida will be filled to capacity to greet the Fennecs in a game with no stakes. Djamel Belmadi’s Algeria will finish first in this group unless there is an accident and the last match against Gambia will be an opportunity to shine in front of their 22,000 fans. In Cotonou, the Squirrels had to draw to eliminate Emmanuel Adebayor’s Togo. Without Stéphane Sessegnon, coach Michel Dussuyer is counting on the audience at the Stade de l’Amitié to support his team
Group E
The Super Eagles know they’ll fly to the land of the Pharaohs. In Asaba, the Nigerians will therefore play without pressure against the Seychelles. In Sfax, South Africa has its destiny in its hands and could settle for a draw against Libya to take second place in the group’s qualifying round.
Group F
Ghana hosts Kenya for first place in the group. Both teams have already qualified ahead of Ethiopia and Sierra Leone.
Group G
Anyone can still qualify even if Zimbabwe has a slight advantage over its competitors. First with 8 points, the Warriors host the Congo Red Devils, currently last in Group G. The Congolese will have to win in Harare and hope for a bad result from their neighbors in Kinshasa. The Leopards will welcome Liberia and any result other than a victory would eliminate Florent Ibenge’s men.
Group H
Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire are expected to qualify in this order. Except an accident in the Central African Republic, the Sily National will remain first in the group ahead of the Ivorian Elephants who will play against Rwanda, the last and already eliminated.
Group I
The surprising Mourabitounes will travel serenely to Ouagadougou. Already qualified, the Mauritanians will face with more than motivated Stallions. Burkina Faso must win, but above all they must count on a misstep from the Palancas Negras, who travel to Botswana, who have already been eliminated. Scenario more than improbable.
Group J
Tunisia and Egypt, the host country, have already qualified for the Total AFCON 2019. For prestige, Eagles of Carthage and Pharaohs will compete for first place at a distance in their respective matches against Eswatini and Niger.
Group K
Another open group! Although the Chipolopolos are mathematically eliminated, their match against Namibia is not without stakes. Visitors must take it with them as the Portuguese-speaking duel will take place in Bissau between Guinea-Bissau and Mozambique. Woe to the loser of this game when the Djuturs could get their second qualification for a AFCON finals.
Group L
The Cape Verde Blue Sharks will have to win at home against Lesotho, who are one point clear at the start of the game. The first and already qualified Ugandan Cranes travel to Tanzania
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
AFCON
Morocco Takes Delivery of 723 Chinese Buses Ahead of AFCON

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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING: At last FIFA’s Axe falls on South Africa!
- World Cup1 week ago
South Africa to Appeal FIFA Ruling Over Mokoena Eligibility Case
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Super Eagles Set for Double Friendly Showdown with Venezuela and Colombia in USA
- World Cup6 days ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- World Cup1 week ago
Sport Minister Orders Probe into SAFA over Bafana’s Costly Points Deduction
- CAF Confederation Cup1 week ago
Asante Kotoko End Kwara United’s Confederation Cup Campaign in Abeokuta
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Two penalty appeal lost as Flying Eagles stumble at first hurdle
- World Cup4 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers