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AFCON

Super Eagles-attired like AFCON debutants, Comoros unveil squad

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With 16 days  to go before the kick-off to Africa’s most prestigious tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021, Green and white attired  debutants Comoros have officially announced their 26-man squad to represent the nation, as the islanders prepare to go into camp for their maiden AFCON appearance.

Under the stewardship of coach Amir Abdou, The Coelacanths who are currently ranked 38th on the continent did the unimaginable by securing a ticket to Cameroon ahead of their more fancied group opponents and go into the tournament as one the underdogs in the 24-nation showpiece.

Drawn in a fierce Group C that consists of two previous African champions in Morocco and Ghana as well as Gabon, coach Abdou’s side will have to all to do as they prepare to etch their names in the African football history books, starting with a clash against The Panthers of Gabon on 10 January.

Abdou has kept a majority of the squad that secured the nation’s spot in Cameroon, with key players such as Faiz Selemani, who’s solitary goal against Togo that buoyed the islanders’ qualification chances, set to lead the attack.

With all eyes set on their more fancied Group C opponents, Comoros head to Cameroon with less pressure but their impressive performance in the qualifiers have certainly raised a certain level of expectation in what promises to be an exciting debut for them.

Striking a fine balance between youth and experience, young defenders such as Kassim M’Dahoma who currently plies his trade in France with Avranches will be looking to feed off the experience of the more seasoned campaigners such as captain Nadjim Abdou who also plays his football in France for Martigues.

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Comoros Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Salim Ben Boina (Endoume, France), Ali Ahamada (SK Brann Bergen, Norway), Moyadh Ousseni (Frejus, France)

Defenders: Nadim Abdou (FC Marigues, France), Benjaloud Youssouf (La Berrichonne De Chatauroux, France), Abdallah Ali Mohamed (US Avranches, France), Kassim Mdahoma (US Avranches, France), Younn Zahary (Cholet, France), Chaker Alhadhur (AC Ajaccio, France), Mohamed Youssouf (AC Ajaccio, France), Kassim Abdallah (Marignane Cignac, France)

Midfielders: Fouhad Bachirou (Omonia Nicosie, Cyprus), Youssouf M’Changama (EA Guingamp, France), Yacine Bourhane (Go Ahead Eagles, Netherlands), Nakibou Aboubakari (FC Sete 34, France), Iyad Mohamed (AJ Auxerre, France), Rafidine Abdullah (FCS Luasanne, Switzerland)

Forwards: Faiz Selemani (Kortijk, Belgium), Mohamed El Fardou (Red Star Belgrade, Serbia), Nasser Chamed (Gaz Metan Medias, Romania), Ahmed Mogni (FC Annecy, France), Faiz Mattoir (Cholet, France), Ali M’Madi (SAS Epinal, France), Said Bakari (RKC Waalwijk,Netherlands), Moussa Djoumoi (AS Sait-Priest, France), Mohamed M’Changama (FC Nouadhibou, Mauritania)

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Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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AFCON

Nigerians, other nationals can apply, as CAF and Morocco Launch Volunteer Programme for AFCON 2025

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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:

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  • 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

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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).

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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

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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.

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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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