AFCON
Super Eagles to face formidable opposition from Pot 2 of Africa Cup of Nations draw
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
Nigeria Super Eagles fortuitously made it into the seeded sides courtesy of Algeria’s double qualification for seeding.
Only top four teams in the current rankings are seeded. Nigeria are currently number five in the continent.
But Algeria, ranked number three have additional seeding benefit as Africa Cup holders, thus enabling the fifth-placed Nigeria to get into Pot 1.
Nigeria have therefore averted a group clash with Cameroon, Algeria, Senegal, Tunisia and Morocco.
But a clash with anyone among Egypt, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire or Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea is in the offing.
Nigeria last met Egypt in 2010, beating Nigeria 3-1 in a group game opener. Egypt are the most successful team in the Africa Cup history having won a record seven times.
Ghana Black Stars in Pot 2 are also possible of giving Nigeria dreadful problems if drawn with the Super Eagles.
They are Nigeria’s arch-rivals and have won the Africa Cup on four occassions. A fixture with Ghana always raise tension.
Cote d’Ivoire are the third possible team Nigeria may have to face among the Pot 2 sides.
They rank among the super powers of African football especially in their golden era when they paraded the likes of Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Kolo Toure and Yaya Toure among others.
They are two-time Africa Cup holders who were pre tournament’s favourites in 2013 before the Super Eagles upstaged them in the quarter-finals. It was the match that was the turning point for the Super Eagles and raised their morale, leading to eventual cup victory.
Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea are the other possible candidates to be drawn against Nigeria from Pot 2.
Nigeria beat Mali 4-1 in the 2013 semi-finals and Burkina Faso, 1-0 in the final. A likely fixture with any of the two is likely to evoke vengeance.
It was against Guinea that Nigeria became the first team to book a knock-out stage in 2019. Coincidentally, the match was played on 26 June, the 70th anniversary of the first call-up of players for the Nigerian national team in 1949.
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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