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AFCON

RUMBLE CONTINUES IN CAF AS VICE PRESIDENT IS SUSPENDED

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The big axe may have fallen on one of the highly influential members of the CAF executive committee, Fouzi Lekjaa of Morocco. He is the 3rd Vice President and one of those that brought the dramatic change in the CAF leadership two years ago.

He is reportedly handed a one year-suspension. Although CAF has not officially announced the suspension, the online platforms, including that of Lekjaa’s home country, Morocco World News, have been trending with the news.

Lekjaa doubles as President of the Royal Football Federation of Morocco. He was reportedly axed for attacking an Ethiopian referee, Bamalek Tessema after Morocco’s RS Berkane lost 1-0 to Zamalek of Egypt on May 26.

The Ethiopian Football Federation to CAF reportedly lodged a formal complaint.

According to Morocco World News, Neither CAF nor the Moroccan Football governing body have confirmed the rumors of Lekjaa’s suspension.

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Moroccan sports outlet Al Mountakhab reported that a South African member of the disciplinary committee of CAF is leading a “ hidden lobbying war” against Lekjaa. The news outlet added that the CAF member supports Lekjaa’s potential yea-long suspension.

Al Mountakhab said that Ahmad Ahmad, President of CAF was not aware of the decision to suspend the FRMF president.  The sports platform also added that Ahmad has warned against such a move.

On June 5, the EFE released a statement claiming: “After the game, during the medal ceremony, the third deputy president of CAF, president of Morocco Football Association and honorable president of RS Berkane FC, MR Fawzy Lkeia ,[sic] beat n MS Bamalek Tessema with head butt with aggressive and forceful manner.”

The EFE also accused of RS Berkane of harassing the referee.

“After players saw MR Fawzy Lekia [sic] in action they started to harass and kick him fortunately he was saved by securities.”

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Following the game, Lekjaa strongly condemned the referee’s judgement during the match.

FRMF addressed a letter to CAF describing the referee’s performance as “scandalous” and “shameful.”

According to FRMF, the game between the two sides was fraught with “bad interpretation and application of the rules.” In addition to controversially favoring the Egyptian side in the course of the game, the letter suggested that the referee “shamefully” ignored a rule that cost Berkane the penalty shootout.

FRMF argued that the Ethiopian referee of the match “allowed a player who should have been sent off to continue to play and influence the outcome of the match.”

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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AFCON

Nigerians, other nationals can apply, as CAF and Morocco Launch Volunteer Programme for AFCON 2025

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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:

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  • 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

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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).

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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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AFCON

Morocco Takes Delivery of 723 Chinese Buses Ahead of AFCON

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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.

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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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