AFCON
WILL IT BE LABOUROUS FOR THE SUPER EAGLES AGAIN IN BENIN?
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
It is curious, yet it is true. Sports Village Square can point out that the Nigerian national team struggle for survival on the turf of the present day Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin.
This Friday’s match with Sierra Leone will be the sixth time the national team will feature on the Edo land. In the five previous times, Nigeria laboured to win just two, and by narrow margin.
The first time the team played at the old Ogbe Stadium was on 6 November 1972 when in the preparation for the 2nd All Africa Games the then Green Eagles beat Tanzania 2-1.
Nigeria had to rely on the lottery of penalty kick goal by Sylvester Egborge to overcome Tanzania.
Nigeria’s only other victory in Benin was a 1-0 defeat of lowly rated Madagascar in 2 June 2001 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. A fourth minute goal by Benedict Akwegbu was all Nigeria could show.
Earlier on, in another Africa Cup of Nations qualifier for the 1984 finals, the Green Eagles struggled to a barren draw with Morocco on 14 August 1983. Luckily, the return leg also ended goalless in Rabat and Nigeria advanced 4-3 on penalties.
In another Afcon qualifiers in Benin City, the Super Eagles had to fight back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against Angola in their 21 June 2003 match.
A loss could have seen Nigeria out of the Tunisia 2004 finals. The spate of struggles also extended to the friendly match that Nigeria played with Botswana on 12 November 2011.
The match, Nigeria’s first under Stephen Keshi ended goalless. Significantly, the Friday’s encounter with Sierra Leone is coming a day after nine years and a day later.
NIGERIA’S PAST RESULTS AT THE OLD OGBE STADIUM
· 6 November 1972 – F: Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania
· 14 August 1983 – AfconQ: Nigeria 0-0 Morocco
· 2 June 2001 – AfconQ : Nigeria 1-0 Madagascar
· 21 June 2003 – Afcon Q: Nigeria 2-2 Angola
· 12 November 2011 – F: Nigeria 0-0 Botswana
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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