AFCON
WHY NIGERIA WILL LIKELY GET MORE EGYPTIAN SUPPORT IN AFCON SEMI-FINALS CLASH WITH ALGERIA
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles may likely profit from the long term sporting feud that exists between Egypt and Algeria as Nigeria face Algeria in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations at the Cairo International Stadium on Sunday night.
Already, the Super Eagles appeared to be the adopted home team for the Egyptians after their painful exit via a late goal by South Africa. Incidentally, it was also by a late goal that Nigeria applied to eliminate South Africa, as if avenging for the Egyptians.
The Super Eagles were greeted with deep rooted chants of Nee-ge-ria! as the Nigerian team arrived Cairo from Alexandria earlier in the week for their last Wednesday grudge-filled match with South Africa. Nigeria did a good ‘job’ for the Egyptians by eliminating their eliminator.
Now it is another grudge laden encounter with Algeria. For 41 years since the Algiers ’78 All Africa Games, there have been strained sporting relationship between Algeria and Egypt and this had often degenerated to violence and diplomatic row.
At the height of the tension, Egypt, in the same Group A with hosts, Algeria, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire initially refused to send a team to the 1990 Africa Cup of Nations in Algeria until they were threatened with an outright ban as later happened to Nigeria which pulled out of the !996 tournament.
Egypt later sent a second string side to the tournament, leaving at home, their stars, who were later to feature at Italia ’90 World Cup.
Incidentally, both Algeria are
Arab countries in North Africa and separated by Libya. Football matches between
them are fiercely contested and often lead to violence and sometimes
necessitating taking the fixtures to a neutral ground as was the case in a 2010
World Cup qualifiers which had to be taken to Sudan.
As a way of easing tension with the Algerians at the on-going Africa Cup of Nations, Egyptian ticketing company Tazkarti published a statement to help Algerian fans that attended the country’s quarter-final game against Cote d’Ivoire. The statement included some rules such as every fan should have their fan ID in during the period of the African tournament whether in Cairo or any other city.
“There is a Tazkarti outlet at Cairo International Airport which will help the fellow Algerians to get the fan ID and the tickets easily,” Tazkarti’s statement revealed.
“To facilitate for our Algerian brothers [only], owing to the narrow time and the large number of fans arriving at the airport, the fans can attend the games with the passport and the match ticket only,” the statement added.
The Egyptian feud with Algeria started in 1978 at the All Africa Games in Algiers. During a riot that followed a Libya versus Egypt match, Algerian fans reportedly aided the Libyans prompting Egypt to withdraw midway into the All Africa Games, even though leading on the overall medals’ table.
Later in 1989, Egypt eliminated Algeria at the final stage for the qualification for 1990 World Cup in Italy. It was a bloody battle as the Algerian felt that the Tunisian referee for the match was bias.
An Egyptian player, Ayman Younes reportedly remarked: “”It was a battle, not a football match”. In Egypt, Algerian player, Lakhdar Belloumi was convicted in absentia for glass attack which blinded Egypt’s team doctor in one eye.
Tension has not abated ever since. A defeat of Algerian teams is always a source of joy for a typical Egyptian.
TALE OF EGYPT-ALGERIA FOOTBALL FEUD
- 1978: Egyptian team recalled part-way through 3rd All Africa Gamesin Algeria after brawl following win over Libya. Algerian spectators joined in on Libyan side
- 1989: Egypt beat Algeria to reach Italia 90. After the match, midfielder Lakhdar Belloumi allegedlyblinded the Egyptian team doctor with a bottle. He remained subject to an Interpol arrest warrant, although he claimed goalkeeper Kamel Kadri had been the true perpetrator.
- 1990: Egypt initially refused to send its team to African Nations Cupin Algeria. It later benched its main squad at home and sent a second string squad which expectedly crashed out at group stage.
· 2009: Striker Hossam Hassan and his brother Ibrahim Hassan, banned indefinitely by FIFA after a brawl following a club game in Algeria
·
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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