AFCON
CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 countdown marks 150 Days to kick off
The countdown to the biggest event on African soil officially marks the 150-day to kickoff milestone, as excitement across Africa and the rest of the world continues to build up to the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023.
The 34th edition of the most sought-after African contest gets underway in Cote d’Ivoire between 13 January and 11 February and will play host to 24 strong African nations in what promises to be another memorable edition of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations competition.
This will be the second time the West African nation plays host to the competition after the memorable 1984 edition that saw the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon lift their first AFCON title with a 3-1 victory over Nigeria.
With 150 days to go to kick off, the host nation, through its Local Organising Committee (COCAN) and under CAF’s guidance, is working tirelessly around the clock to ensure that the upcoming edition is another global success per recent CAF competitions.
As in 2019 and 2021, 24 nations will participate in the 2023 edition, resulting in an even more competitive contest over the four-week period.
Five cities will host the competition, affording the thousands of travelling fans wider options of enjoying Cote d’Ivoire’s beautiful culture and rich heritage.
In addition to the regular visits that the various CAF Departments have and continue to make at all five host cities, the host nation will be afforded an opportunity to assess their state of readiness when they host the third edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League in November.
The city of Abidjan, which is set to host the opening and closing ceremony, has already taken CAF into its confidence with the successful hosting of two major CAF events recently, being the 45th CAF Ordinary General Assembly as well as the Official Draw of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ African Preliminary Qualifiers.
As the countdown to Africa’s most significant event continues, CAF will be rolling out various marketing and fan engagement campaigns to get Africa and the rest of the world geared up for another exciting spectacle of premium African football.
Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 Host Cities & Stadiums:
HOST CITIES
- Abidjan
- Bouake
- Korhogo
- Yamoussoukro
- San Pedro
OFFICIAL STADIUMS
- Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium – Ebimpe
- Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium – Abidjan
- Stade De La Paix – Bouake
- Stade Amadou Gon Coulibaly – Korhogo
- Charles Konan Banny Stadium – Yamoussoukro
- Laurent Pokou Stadium – San Pedro
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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