By Kunle Solaja.

History will be made on Friday in Marrakech when the Africa Cup of Nations stages its first-ever Boxing Day fixture, marking another unprecedented milestone in a tournament already redefining its own traditions.

Angola’s Group encounter with Zimbabwe will not only restart action after a rare Christmas Day pause but will also enter the records as the first Africa Cup of Nations match to be played on December 26. It will be the 789th match in the competition’s 68-year history, adding a new chapter to Africa’s premier football tournament.

The significance of the occasion is heightened by the fact that this edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is itself historic — the first to kick off in December and the first to stretch across two calendar years, with the final scheduled for January.

Despite that shift, the Confederation of African Football deliberately avoided scheduling any match on December 25, ensuring that Boxing Day, rather than Christmas Day, becomes the tournament’s festive landmark.

The stage was set on Wednesday night in Agadir, where Cameroon’s 1–0 victory over Gabon concluded all first-round group stage matches. That result cleared the way for the tournament to roll into its next phase, with Boxing Day serving as the symbolic restart.

The Angola–Zimbabwe match in Marrakech will headline a busy day of four fixtures across Morocco. Following the historic opener, Egypt will face South Africa in Agadir, Zambia will take on Comoros in Casablanca, and hosts Morocco will close the day with a high-profile clash against Mali in Rabat.

For players and fans alike, Boxing Day football — a tradition long associated with European leagues — now finds a place in African football’s biggest competition. The scheduling reflects both the evolving global calendar of the Africa Cup of Nations and its growing alignment with international football rhythms, while still preserving its distinct continental identity.

As the tournament moves beyond the group stage, the first Boxing Day fixture stands as a reminder that Morocco 2025 is not just about chasing the trophy but also about reshaping the historical landscape of African football.

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As torrential rains sweep across several host cities, the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco has been unfolding under one of the most demanding weather backdrops in the competition’s history. Yet, while the skies have opened relentlessly, the pitches have held firm — a feat made possible by cutting-edge technology quietly operating beneath the grass.

A report by Moroccan publication Le 360 has lifted the lid on how the Kingdom of Morocco employed advanced pitch-management systems.

This technology, employed by Morocco, has become an unsung hero of AFCON 2025, ensuring that matches proceed without disruption despite prolonged and intense rainfall.

Technology Beneath the Turf

At the heart of this success is the SubAir system, a state-of-the-art drainage and aeration solution installed in key Moroccan stadiums.

Rain or shine, Morocco’s stadiums deliver as AFCON 2025 continues without disruption. Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Photo by Earth Photart via Pexels

Unlike traditional gravity-based drainage systems, which rely on passive water flow through slopes and filter layers, SubAir works dynamically, actively managing both water and air beneath the playing surface.

The system uses a network of pipes laid beneath the root zone of the natural grass, connected to pressure units fitted with industrial-grade pumps and high-efficiency fans.

These units allow grounds managers to manipulate pressure below the turf — either drawing water out or forcing air in — depending on prevailing conditions.

During heavy rainfall, SubAir switches into suction mode. Excess water is rapidly pulled through the soil pores into underground pipes, preventing waterlogging and stopping moisture from breaking through to the surface. The result is a pitch that remains firm, stable and playable even as rain continues to fall.

Built to Absorb the Deluge

The absorption capacity of the system is particularly striking. Beneath the pitches lie interlocking plastic modules that create vast underground cavities capable of temporarily storing between 600,000 and more than one million litres of water.

 This reservoir-like structure allows for immediate drainage during downpours, followed by controlled filtration and gradual release of water — even under sustained torrential conditions.

Such capacity has proved vital at AFCON 2025, where several venues have been subjected to hours of continuous rainfall without compromising match schedules or playing standards.

SubAir’s role extends beyond water management. By reversing airflow, the system can inject oxygen directly into the root zone of the grass. This forced aeration improves root health, prevents asphyxiation, reduces soil compaction and supports rapid turf regeneration. The outcome is a dense, uniform playing surface that meets elite performance requirements across the entire pitch.

Passing the Ultimate Test

Since the tournament kicked off, the technology has passed its sternest examination. Despite persistent rain at multiple venues, no match has been delayed or abandoned due to pitch conditions.

Playing surfaces at the Grand Stade de Tanger, the Stade Olympique de Rabat, and the Moulay Abdellah Complex have consistently met — and in many cases exceeded — standards set by CAF and FIFA.

Players, coaches and officials have all benefitted from surfaces that allow for fluid football, accurate passing and reduced injury risk, even under adverse weather.

A Lasting AFCON Legacy

In an era where pitch quality has become a decisive factor in hosting international tournaments, Morocco’s investment in SubAir technology positions its stadiums among the technical benchmarks on the African continent. Beyond AFCON 2025, the infrastructure represents a long-term legacy — one aligned with the Kingdom’s broader ambition to host major global sporting events.

While goals, tactics and results dominate headlines, AFCON 2025 is also telling a quieter story — one of innovation beneath the surface, where technology, not the weather, is dictating the terms of play.

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Goldberg Lager Beer has hailed the Super Eagles’ 2–1 victory over Tanzania in Fez as more than just a winning start at the Africa Cup of Nations, describing it as a powerful reflection of the passion and shared energy that define Nigerian football culture.

The opening Group C win handed Nigeria maximum points and lifted the mood of fans nationwide, but Goldberg said the significance of the moment went beyond the final scoreline. According to the brand, the result captured the very essence of its ongoing Our Beat, Our Gold campaign — a celebration of the rhythm, belief and collective emotion that surround football in Nigeria.

“Our Beat, Our Gold is Goldberg’s celebration of Nigerian football culture beyond the ninety minutes of play,” said Kunle Aroyehun, Senior Brand Manager, Goldberg.

“It speaks to the shared rhythm around football — the conversations, the humour, the emotions, and the way the game brings us together. Football in Nigeria is not just watched, it’s lived, and that collective passion is something truly golden.”

While the Super Eagles took an important early step in their AFCON journey with the win in Fez, Goldberg said its focus remains firmly on the supporters whose unwavering energy continues to drive the team forward. The Super Eagles will next face Tunisia in a crucial Group C encounter, but the brand insists the real heartbeat of the campaign lies with the fans.

As Official Beer and Sponsor of the Super Eagles, Goldberg has been spreading what it calls “AFCON magic” through a wide network of viewing centres designed to unite supporters in shared celebration.

Across Lagos and surrounding communities, fan hubs have been activated at Campos Stadium on Lagos Island, Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Rowe Sport Centre in Yaba, Abesan in the Abesan community, Mushin, Agege Stadium in Agege, and Ikorodu.

Football fans are following the proceedings at the Nigeria-Tanzania match on Tuesday.

These viewing centres blend live football with music, entertainment and fan engagement, creating vibrant communal spaces where supporters can experience matches together. Goldberg said the aim is to recreate the excitement of the stadium and transform every Super Eagles match into a collective experience.

“Football has always been a unifying force in Nigeria, especially during moments involving the Super Eagles,” Aroyehun said. “We felt it was important to shift the spotlight to the fans — the people who show up emotionally every time. This campaign recognises that passion and gives it a platform.”

Central to the campaign is the Golden Clan — a collective of cultural voices assembled to amplify authentic fan stories and conversations around Nigerian football. Through humour, commentary and shared experiences, the Golden Clan mirrors how Nigerians live the game beyond match-day results.

“The Golden Clan helps us tell the real football stories — the banter, the reactions and the moments that make supporting the Super Eagles special,” Aroyehun explained. “They simply amplify what fans already do naturally.”

Summing up the spirit of the campaign in Nigerian pidgin, the Goldberg brand manager added: “Our Beat, Our Gold na how Goldberg dey celebrate the way Nigerians take love football. No be only the match, na the gist, the shout, the banter, the way everybody dey feel am together. That our collective energy na the beat, and to us, na pure gold.”

As Nigeria prepares for the next test against Tunisia, Goldberg says it will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with fans across the country, celebrating their passion and togetherness.

“Whether you’re watching from home, a viewing centre or the street corner, your energy matters,” Aroyehun said. “This passion, this rhythm, this community — it’s gold.”

For Goldberg, the opening victory over Tanzania represents a solid foundation for the Super Eagles as they pursue a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title — driven not only by performances on the pitch, but by the golden beat of Nigerian supporters everywhere.

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