AFCON
BURUNDI, NIGERIA’S 1ST AFCON OPPONENTS, LOSE PLAYER
A midfielder of Burundi due to face Nigeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Papy Faty has died.
The 28-year old player reportedly collapsed after seeing off half an hour of the Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) Premier League Week 23 action between his club Malanti Chiefs and title chasers Green Mamba played at Killarney Stadium in Piggs Peak north of Eswatini on Thursday afternoon.
CAF President Ahmad Ahmad has expressed shock at the passing away of the player.
“On behalf of the CAF Executive Committee and on my own behalf, I extend my
deepest condolences to the Burundi Football Federation, Eswatini Football
Association, the bereaved family and the Burundian football family. My thoughts
are with you at this difficult moment,” Ahmad said.
After receiving preliminary medical attention from both teams’ doctors, Faty
was rushed to Piggs Peak Government Hospital, less than half a kilometre away
from the stadium where he was pronounced dead upon admission shortly before
1600hrs local time (14h00 GMT).
Malanti Chiefs co-director and Premier League of Eswatini board of governor,
Victor Rodrigues confirmed the emotion tearing development.
“After collapsing during the match, team medics tried to stabilize him but
unfortunately he could not make it to the hospital for further attention. It is
a sad day for the game, our club, our country, Burundi and globally,” said a
distraught Rodrigues.
When the news broke to the rest of the players on the hour mark of action with
Green Mamba leading 3-0 in their title chase, Faty’s emotionally drained team
mates crumbled to the turf forcing off play.
It is not the first time that Faty, who joined Malanti Chiefs in January,
collapsed during a match due to what is preliminary suspected to be cardiac
related as in 2015 had to hospitalized during a friendly match between his
former club, Bidvest Wits and Supersport United.
Born on the 18th of September 1990 in Bujumbura, at the age of 11, the
midfielder was scouted by AS Inter Star. Papy went through the ranks of the
team and in 2007 signed a professional contract with the club. After the season
2007/2008 the player joined the Turkish side Trabzonspor.
After a season Papy was given on a loan to the Dutch team MVV where in
the season 2011/2012 he made 17 outings and scored 4 times.
In 2012 the player was signed by Bidvest Wits spending five seasons before
joining Royal Eagles then under now Eswatini head coach Kostadin Papic.
Papy was capped for the national team of Burundi for the first time in 2008
featuring in last month’s 1-1 draw against Gabon at Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium to finish second behind Mali on the
log standings.
Upon return Eswatini, Faty hosted a talent scouting soccer tournament at
Nkomazi on the outskirts of Piggs Peak.
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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