AFCON
Exclusive! Gernot Rohr overtakes Clemens Westerhof
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
On Sunday 15 August 2021,Sports Village Square recalls that it was 32 years since Dutchman, Clemens Westerhof was signed as the Super Eagles’ head coach. He went on to spend 1,787 days on the saddle till he walked away on 6 July 1994.
He was therefore Nigeria’s coach for four years, 10 months and 22 days, the longest ever until the beginning of this month. The pendulum on longevity in the service to the Super Eagles has now shifted to the man currently on the saddle – Gernot Rohr who is now the longest serving Nigerian coach.
Employed on 5 August 2016, Rohr has now spent 1,835 days (five years and eight days) on the saddle – 47 days more than that of Westerhof.
Both coaches qualified Nigeria for the World Cup finals, taking Nigeria to World Cup finals in the territories of the two world’s super powers.
While Westerhof took Nigeria to the West at USA ‘94, Rohr guarded the Super Eagles to the opposite direction, taking Nigeri a to the East – Russia 2018.
Algeria also posed common denominator for both as their respective World Cup qualifying matches were away duels against Algeria.
Coincidentally, on-field results of the matches were 1-1, with Nigeria scoring first.
as Westerhof took Nigeria to the USA -94 while Rohr did the same by taking Nigeria to Russia 2018.
Incidentally, both World Cup editions were hosted by the political super powers – USA and Russia. In Westerhof’s four years, 10 months and 22 days as Nigeria’s manager, the team played 52 matches, won 27, drew 13 and lost 12.
Apart from the qualification for World Cup, Westerhof’s teams made it to the podium at the Africa Cup of Nations three times, winning in 1994 and getting the second and third places in 1990 and 1992.
As at this Monday 16 August 15, 2021, Rohr’s 1,835 days (five years and eight days) have seen him taking Nigeria to the third place of the Africa Cup of Nations at Egypt 2019 and will be hoping for an improved achievement in the next edition which final draw holds on Tuesday.
He is under contract till 31 December 2022 – a period covering till the end of Qatar 2022. If he qualifies the Super Eagles, he becomes the first coach to qualify the team to two World Cup editions and consecutively too.
His score card so far read: 48 matches as against Westerhof’s 52. Out of the 48 matches, Nigeria under Rohr won 22, drew 13 and lost 13 including the 4-0 loss to Mexico in which he was drafted as a last minute replacement to Austin Eguavoen.
Prosecution of friendly matches dents Rohr’s record as his team won just three out of 18 since he became Nigeria’s manager in August 2016. In 30 competitive matches, his Super Eagles won 19, drew six and lost five.
Overall, Rohr trails Amodu Shuaibu and Clemens Westerhof in the number of matches Nigeria played.
In the four spells of Shuabu as Nigeria’s manager (1994-97, 1999, 2001/02, 2008-2010) Nigeria played 53 matches, one more than Westerhof grossed.
With just five matches short of the record of Shuaibu, Rohr will most likely overtake him and Westerhof by the time the Super Eagles play their World Cup qualifying matches and the group games of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon next January.
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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