AFCON
GAMBIA COME FROM BEHIND TO SHOCK ANGOLA, UGANDA HOLD BURKINA FASO
Gambia started their 2021 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on a resounding note, coming from a goal down to beat Angola 3-1 on Wednesday and move top of Group D pending Gabon and DR Congo’s game on Thursday.
Wilson Eduardo had given the home side the lead in front of their adoring fans early in the game after just two minutes, but The Scorpions fought back and stung their way into the lead after a quick fire brace from Assan Ceesay in the 17th and 18th minutes.
Despite Angola fighting to get back into contention, they were unsuccessful as their finishing let them down and their efforts were further sunk when Sulayman Marreh drove the final nail o their coffin with the third goal in the 89th minute.
Angola will seek redemption when they face Gabon away from home in the second match day on Sunday while Gambia can put themselves firmly in contention if they take maximum points at home in Banjul against DR Congo on Monday.
Meanwhile in Ouagadougou, Uganda stated their campaign with a precious draw away from home after holding hosts Burkina Faso to a barren draw.
The home side was constantly in attack but their blunt strike force was to blame for failing to take maximum use of their home ground advantage.
Lassina Traore came closest for the home side when his goal-bound effort was cleared off the line by Bevis Mugabi in the fifth minute with keeper Dennis Onyango well beaten.
They had another chance with a freekick from good scoring range but Charles Kabore sent the set piece over the bar.
In the second half Uganda almost snatched the game off Burkina’s eyes but Emmanuel Okwi’s thumping header from a Faruku Miya corner rattled the crossbar.
Uganda will be at their Namboole shrine for match day two where they take on Malawi on Sunday while Burkina Faso will be away to South Sudan in Khartoum.
-CAF
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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