AFCON
GHANA JOINS NIGERIA IN THE WAITING GAME FOR AFCON 2022 TICKET

Like the Nigerian Super Eagles, Ghana Black Stars have had their final qualification for the African Cup of Nations delayed as Sudan scored a last minute winner in a Group C encounter that ended 2-1 on Tuesday.
The result means that Ghana will have to wait to qualify for the finals having started the day knowing a draw would see them progress.
The game at the Al Hilal stadium in Omdurman was a physical affair with both sides picking up two yellow cards each in a goalless first-half.
Ghana were playing without their injured captain Andre Ayew, who scored both the Black Stars goals in the 2-0 win over the same opponents on Thursday, as well as suspended first-choice keeper Richard Ofori.
Their replacements both played their part with Caleb Ekuban causing trouble for the Sudanese defence and Fatua Dauda making some crucial saves at the other end.
With time running out the Black Stars looked happy to play for the draw but Sudan never gave up and scored in the second minute of time added on.
Ramadan Agab swung over a cross from the right which was met by Mohamed Abdelrahman and his firm header gave Dauda no chance.
That result means that Ghana stay on nine points level with South Africa as Sudan move to six points with all three still looking for a place at the finals.
The other team in the group are Sao Tome, who are yet to win a single point after their 4-2 loss to South Africa on Monday.
Central Africa 0-2 Morocco (Group E)
Morocco remained unbeaten in Group E with a 2-0 win over Central African Republic, in a game that was played in the Cameroonian city of Douala because there is not a suitable stadium in Bangui.
Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech scored six minutes before half-time as he floated in a freekick from the right-hand side, Nayef Aguerd rose as if to head the ball but it evaded everyone to end up in the back of the net.
Ziyech then turned provider for the second goal which was scored in injury time, as he squared the ball for Youssef En Neysri to put into an empty net after a ruthlessly fast counter attack by the Atlas Lions.
The result means that Morocco are top of the group with 10 points and need only a draw from their final two games to qualify for the finals.
The other place is wide open with Mauritania on five points after Sunday’s 3-1 loss in Burundi, who have four points and CAR stay on three.
Sierra Leone 0-0 Nigeria; Lesotho 0-0 Benin (Group L)
Tuesday’s two games in Group L failed to produce a single goal as Nigeria were once again held by Sierra Leone.
The Leone Stars had pulled off a remarkable comeback on Friday to come from four goals down to earn a 4-4 draw.
Despite that result the Super Eagles could have clinched a place in the finals with a win in Freetown.
The results mean that Nigeria are still top of the group with eight points, that’s just one ahead of Benin.
Sierra Leone edge into third place on three points and Lesotho are bottom on two, but both of those sides are still in with a chance of reaching the finals in Cameroon.
Togo 1-3 Egypt (Group G)
Egypt moved ahead of Comoros on goal difference thanks to a 3-1 win in Togo, who are now out of contention.
The Pharaohs’ first goal came against the run of play in the 18th minute and came thanks to a touch of class from Mohamed Magdi, as he stole into the area and squared the keeper up before scoring into the right-hand corner.
The second came just after the half-hour mark as debutant Mohamed Sherif pounced on a poor back-header from Djene Dakonam to score.
The win was effectively sealed in the 52nd minute as a free kick from the Egypt left was allowed to bounce all the way over the Togo defence, leaving Trezeguet all the time he needed to connect with it with his right foot.
Togo’s consolation came in injury time from a corner that was not properly cleared allowing Elom Nya-Vedji to slam the ball home.
That result means that Egypt and Comoros both have eight points and look the most likely to reach the finals.
Kenya, who suffered a shock 2-1 loss in Comoros on Sunday have three points and are the only other team who can qualify from the group, with games against Egypt and Togo left to play.
Madagascar 1-1 Ivory Coast; Ethiopia 3-0 Niger (Group K)
The fourth round of matches in Group K have left this one wide open as neither Madagascar nor Ivory Coast could open up a lead at the top and Ethiopia moved closer to the top two.
Ivory Coast took the lead in Madagascar after just 15 minutes as AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie scored from the penalty spot after a handball by Jeremy Morel.
A formidable shot gave Madagascar an equaliser six minutes after half-time as captain Ibrahim Samuel Amada scored with a thundering strike from the left hand corner of the area which found the top right hand corner of the net.
The game in Ethiopia was delayed by half-an-hour with no official reason given but it did not affect the hosts who took the lead against Niger through Amanuel Gebremikael after just 13 minutes.
The goal was created after some good work in the midfield resulted in the unmarked Shemeles Bekele getting the ball inside the box and his pass was met by Gebremikael’s left foot.
The hosts took control of the game just before half-time with Bekele again providing the final pass for Mesud Mohammed to strike into the top corner from 16 metres out.
The win was wrapped up with 20 minutes left to play as a poor pass from Niger keeper Moussa Alzouma hit his own defender giving Getaneh Kabede an easy chance to score.
With two matches left to play Ivory Coast top the pool thanks to a better head-to-head record over Madagascar, both teams have seven points, Ethiopia move to six and Niger stay on three.
Angola 0-1 DR Congo (Group D)
DR Congo moved closer to the top two in this group with a narrow win in neighbouring Angola.
Fulham midfielder Neeskens Kebano scored the only goal of the game just after the hour mark with a well taken effort from well outside the area.
The Gambia top the group ahead of Gabon on goal difference, with both teams on seven points, after the Scorpions 2-1 win over the Panthers on Monday.
DR Congo move to within in a point of the top two while Angola have just one point, but still have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the finals.
Rwanda 0-0 Cape Verde (Group F)
Rwanda held on for a point against visiting Cape Verde despite playing an hour with 10 men.
Amavubi were at a disadvantage for most of the match after the dismissal of Ally Niyonzima for a second yellow card after 30 minutes.
With only one place up for grabs from the group as Cameroon qualify automatically as hosts the race for the remaining spot is still wide open.
Cape Verde now move level with Mozambique in the group on four points and despite Rwanda having just two so far they are still in with a chance of reaching the finals.
Tuesday’s Afcon 2021 qualifiers:
- Ethiopia 3-0 Niger (Grp K)
- Madagascar 1-1 Ivory Coast (Grp K)
- Lesotho 0-0 Benin (Grp L)
- Rwanda 0-0 Cape Verde (Grp F)
- Sudan 1-0 Ghana (Grp C)
- Central Africa 0-2 Morocco (Grp E)
- Angola 0-1 DR Congo (Grp D)
- Sierra Leone 0-0 Nigeria (Grp L)
- Togo 1-3 Egypt (Grp G)
- 19:00 Namibia v Mali (Grp A)
- 19:00 Tanzania v Tunisia (Grp J)
-BBC
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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AFCON
Morocco Takes Delivery of 723 Chinese Buses Ahead of AFCON

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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