AFCON
LIBYA FIRST HOME GAME IN SEVEN YEARS ENDS IN DEFEAT AS TUNISIA MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN
Libya’s first match at home in close to seven years ended in defeat as they lost 5-2 to Tunisia at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium to see their hopes of fighting for qualification to next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) come to an end.
The Libyans went ahead through Muad Ellafi, but the Tunisians, who had already qualified for Cameroon heading into the penultimate round of group matches, responded through Yassine Meriah
Substitute Seifeddine Jaziri would score a double in the second half with Mohamed Drager and Anis Slimane scoring one a piece for the Carthage Eagles.
The Libyans had a good start to the match and went ahead after 21 minutes when Ellafi rose highest inside the box to bounce a header off Mohamed Aleyat’s cross.
They would have made it 2-0 in the 34th minute but Tunisia defender Meriah cleared off the line after keeper Farouk Ben Mustapha had seen Hamdou Elhouni’s shot slip through his fingers.
On the other end, Meriah became a hero once again in the space of four minutes when he drew his side level after controlling Drager’s cross from the left and volleying it over the advancing keeper.
Libya looked to crumble in the second half and three minutes in, they were 2-1 down when Jaziri headed home from inside the box barely two minutes after coming on.
In the 50th minute, they were 3-1 up when Drager slid the ball through the keeper’s legs after a quick counter which saw Saif Edine Khaoui set him up.
The Libyans responded four minutes later when Ellafi scored his second with a calm lob over the keeper after controlling a cross from the left on his chest.
The home side smelt a comeback and hoped to get themselves back into the game. Motassem Masoud had a header saved by Ben Mustapha while Muatez Husayn also saw his shot from distance turned behind by the keeper.
With those misses, they were punished with Slimane’s well taken shot from distance making it four before Jaziri completed his brace in added time.
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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