AFCON
AFCON 2019: SUPER EAGLES UP AGAINST BAFANA HURDLE
BY MUYIWA AKINTUNDE
One highlight of this competition in its closing stages is the introduction of the Video Assistant Referee system. In the earlier rounds, some questionable decisions angered fans and appeared to changed the fortunes of some teams.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles step out in the second match of the day with a mission to avoid a repeat of Ghana 2008.
That was the last time Nigeria failed to advance beyond the last eight since 1982. In that first quarterfinal match against hosts Ghana on February 3, 2008, Yakubu Aiyegbeni shot Nigeria ahead in the 35th minute via penalty.
But Michael Essien would cancel that advantage in added time of the first half, while Junior Agogo won it for the Black Stars with seven minutes to end the fierce encounter.
Champions in 1980, 1994 and 2013, Nigeria were runners-up in 1984, 1990 and 2000 and bronze medalists in 1992, 2010 and in three straight editions between 2002 and 2006.
But the Super Eagles have missed two tournaments since their last trophy in 2013 and appeared shaky in the earlier matches of their return to the finals.
Lone goal victories over Burundi and Guinea was followed by the horrific defeat to Madagascar. But confidence seems to have been regained following the fightback that led to the elimination of defending champions Cameroon in a five-goal thriller last Saturday in the Round of 16.
South Africa scored only one goal and conceded two at the group stage of Egypt 2019 but squeezed through that phase with only three points as one of the best four losers. Bafana Bafana would then get inspired by the defeat of the host nation in their last match, against most predictions.
Since winning as hosts in their first time in the competition in 1996, it’s been down the hills for South Africa.
Silver medalists as defending champions in Burkina Faso 1998, they claimed third place in Ghana/Nigeria 2000 and were quarterfinalists in the next edition in 2002, as well as in 2013 when they played host again.
Group stage exits in three consecutive editions from 2004 to 2008 and in 2015 complete South Africa’s journey in AFCON.
Although Nigeria have beaten South Africa six times in all of 13 competitive and friendly games, Bafana Bafana have closed the gap in recent encounters. They shocked Nigeria on Matchday 1 of the qualifiers for Egypt 2019 winning 2-0 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on June 10, 2017.
That set the Super Eagles on the back foot in Group E and they had to redeem themselves quickly to eventually win the ticket for the finals before the last group matches.
Nigeria’s recent encounter with South Africa ended 1-1 in Johannesburg. It was the return leg of the AFCON 2019 qualifiers.
Nigeria will have to go back to seven matches ago to recall when last they beat South Africa in a competitive game. That was in a FIFA World Cup qualifying match in Jo’burg on September 6, 2008.
In the earlier fixture, surprise package Benin Republic engage the continent’s topmost rated side Senegal at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo.
No one gave Benin Republic a chance of coming out of the group stage for the first time in four AFCON editions. But with three straight draws at the group stage, they landed in the last 16 as one of four best third placed sides.
Then the Squirrels confronted the Atlas Lions of Morocco and surprised even themselves to reach the quarterfinals.
Senegal have a not-so-impressive run so far with two wins and defeat to Algeria at the group stage, and a lone goal victory over Uganda in their last fixture.
If they are to banish the status of underperformers, the Lions of Teranga will have to overcome the Squirrels. Senegal’s last three AFCONs have ended in group stage exits, and their best performance was as runners-up to Cameroon in Mali 2002.
It’s the first time both sides meet in AFCON.
Today’s fixtures: Senegal v Benin Republic (5pm), Nigeria v South Africa (8pm)
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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