AFCON
LEON BALOGUN BRACES UP FOR STARTING ROLE AT BRIGHTON
Ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt this summer, Super Eagles’ defender, Leon Balogun has remarked that he is more than determined to regain his starting position at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Balogun, who has formed good partnership with William Troost Ekong in the Super Eagles’ central defence has made only seven starts for his English Premiership side since joining as a free agent just before the Russia 2018 World Cup.
He was not even listed in his club’s 0-1 home loss to Southampton last Saturday even as the club swims in the murky waters of relegation.
But now he has vowed to help improve the fortune of the club so as to be in good form for Nigeria this June during the AFCON tournament in Egypt.
“It’s been difficult but that’s the manager’s call, I’ve just got to get on with it and hope for a chance,” BBC quotes Balogun as saying. His only goal for the club this season was in the 3-1 win against Crystal Palace last December.
“I really hope to play a significant role in my first Nations Cup for Nigeria, but firstly I want to keep working hard to make a strong case for regular games at Brighton,” Balogun told BBC Sport.
Since scoring his first goal for Brighton four months ago, Balogun has made only four more appearances for Chris Hughton’s side in the league.
He also played twice in the club’s impressive run to the FA Cup semi-finals including the tricky fourth round win against West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns in February.
Although his position in the Super Eagles setting is still guaranteed and he is one of the fans favorites anytime he wears the Nigerian colour, he however admitted that it has been tough for him and he is waiting for his opportunity.
“It’s very frustrating not to be involved but you can only keep your head up by focusing on helping the club when called upon,” the former Mainz man explained.
He further said that “what is important is to always put myself in the right place as usual. If I am needed anytime to start a game or come in, I’ll be ready for that, it’s all I can do.”
Only last December, Balogun became the first African player in the English Premiership to join the Common Goal campaign by pledging one percent of his wages to the charity.
In a related development, former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, has backed the decision of coach Gernot Rohr to still believe in the player despite not having a regular shirt for his club in England.
” I really think he is the best defender we have at the moment because he adds something extra when he plays. Even the game against Egypt he was way impressive and didn’t play like someone who has not played football in over a month.
” Rohr can’t drop him now but after the Africa Cup of Nations if his club form stays same then the coach will have to make a decision for the good and future of the team and I think he is the best we have,” Taribo West explained.
Balogun, in Germany, Balogun, who has previously played for Hannover, Werder Bremen, Fortuna Düsseldorf and Darmstadt 98, has made 27 appearances for Nigeria.
He played all three matches at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
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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