AFCON
VIDEO: WE’RE GUNNING FOR FOURTH AFRICAN TITLE, SAY SUPER EAGLES
On paper, Nigeria and Guinea are the automatic picks to progress to the knockout stages from Group B at the as they are both ranked higher and more experienced than both Burundi and Madagascar who are making their tournament debuts.
But, on the pitch, this will be a totally different story as the two new entrants to the AFCON have proved to be tough with Burundi especially, who qualified ahead of the likes of Gabon led by Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Nigeria head coach Gernot Rohrr has warned his side not to try and underrate anyone in the group as the Super Eagles seek their fourth African crown, starting off their campaign with the group matches in Alexandria.
The Super Eagles, ranked third best in Africa and 45th in the world, have won the tournament three times.
They qualified as Group E winners, topping with 13 points after four victories, a draw and a loss.
They finished just a point ahead of South Africa, who handed them their only loss in the qualification process.
Nigeria return to the Africa Cup of Nations after missing the last two editions and having played in last year’s FIFA World Cup in Russia, are regarded as one of the favourites to lift the title in Egypt.
The last time they won was in 2013 when they beat Burkina Faso 1-0 courtesy a Sunday Mba goal.
The other times they have won the title was in 1980 and 1994 when it was hosted in Tunisia.
Though he admits it will be tough, German Rohr says his side will be in Cairo to compete for the honours especially with the weight of expectations of a whole Nigerian population on their shoulders.
“I think lot of teams can dream to win this trophy. We have the experience from the World Cup but again, we have a young team. We were the youngest at the World Cup and probably we will still be the youngest at the AFCON,”
Rohr has put in a blend of youth and experience in his squad but the most positive addition is the return of influential midfielder John Obi Mikel who had not played for the team since the World Cup in Russia.
The tactician has also included in-form Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze and fellow FIFA U-17 World Cup winner Victor Osimhen in the final team for Egypt and will be in line for their senior team debuts.
Chukwueze has been on form for the Yellow Submarines in the Spanish La Liga scoring five goals in 26 appearances and he was picked up ahead of the more experienced Kelechi Iheanacho who has struggled at Leicester City.
But he will have to compete for a place in the starting team with the experienced Odion Ighalo who was the top scorer in the qualifiers with seven goals.
In their ranks, the Super Eagles also have Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi and the ever green Ahmed Musa.
They open their campaign on Saturday against Burundi in Alexandria.
Nigeria’s group matches:
Nigeria v Burundi – (June 22), Nigeria v Guinea (June 26), Madagascar v Nigeria (June 30)
Full Squad
Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (Anorthosis Famagusta, Cyprus); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Katsina United); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa)
Defenders: Olaoluwa Aina (Torino, Italy); Abdullahi Shehu (Bursaspor, Turkey); Chidozie Awaziem (Rizespor, Turkey); William Ekong (Udinese, Italy); Leon Balogun (Brighton, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Jamilu Collins (SC Padeborn 07, Germany)
Midfielders: John Mikel Obi (Middlesbrough, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Oghenekaro Etebo (Stoke City, England); John Ogu (Hapoel Be’er Sheva, Israel)
Forwards: Ahmed Musa (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia); Victor Osimhen (Royal Charleroi, Belgium); Moses Simon (Levante, Spain); Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray SK, Turkey); Odion Ighalo (Shanghai Shenhua, China); Alexander Iwobi (Arsenal, England); Samuel Kalu (Girondins Bordeaux, France); Paul Onuachu (FC Midtjylland, Denmark); Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal, Spain)
-cafonline
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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