AFCON
Egypt seeks eighth title in Cote d’Ivoire
Egypt is set to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations for the 26th time making it the team with the highest number of appearances.
- Egypt will participate in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations for the 26th time in its history
- The Pharaohs are in Group B alongside Mozambique, Ghana, and Cape Verde.
- Egypt holds the record for the most titles won with SEVEN trophies in its cabinet
The Pharaohs hold the record for the most titles won in Africa’s flagship football cxompetition with seven final triumphs.
Egypt also holds the record for hosting the tournament more times than any other country, having staged the event five times, with the latest being in 2019.
The Egyptian national team, the runner-up in the last edition in 2021, aims to reclaim continental glory and return to the winner’s podium, which it hasn’t reached since the 2010 edition in Angola.
The seven-time winners have been placed in Grpup B to face Mozambique, Ghana, and Cape Verde.
Egypt’s Group B matches
January 14, 2024
– Egypt vs. Mozambique at 17:00 GMT, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.
January 18, 2024
– Egypt vs. Ghana at 20:00 GMT, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.
January 22, 2024
– Cape Verde vs. Egypt at 20:00 GMT, Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.
How Egypt Qualified
The Egyptian national team finished top of Group D of the qualifiers, accumulating 15 points from winning 5 matches and losing one match. The defeat occurred in the away match against Ethiopia in the second round. Egypt’s attack scored a total of 10 goals, while its defence conceded only three goals.
Player to Watch: Omar Marmoush
Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush, who plays for Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga, is one of the key players to watch in Cote d’Ivoire. The 24-year-old, known for his versatility as a left-winger and a striker, possesses speed, excellent dribbling skills, and the ability to easily penetrate the opponent’s defence. Marmoush aims to showcase his technical abilities during the competition and demonstrate his goal-scoring prowess.
Coach: Rui Vitoria
The Egyptian Football Association appointed Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria as the head coach of the national team in July 2022. The 53-year-old coach seeks to lead the Egyptian team to its eighth continental title, especially after reaching the final as the runner-up in the previous edition in 2021. Vitoria’s coaching style emphasises intense pressure and direct attacking play, particularly in the first half, while focusing on defensive solidity and counter-attacks in the second half.
Egypt’s Record in Africa Cup of Nations
– 1957: Champion
– 1959: Champion
– 1962: Runner-up
– 1963: Bronze Medal
– 1970: Bronze Medal
– 1972: Did not qualify
– 1974: Bronze Medal
– 1980: Fourth Place
– 1984: Fourth Place
– 1986: Champion
– 1988: Group Stage
– 1990: Group Stage
– 1992: Group Stage
– 1994: Quarter-finals
– 1996: Quarter-finals
– 1998: Champion
– 2000: Quarter-finals
– 2002: Quarter-finals
– 2004: Group Stage
– 2006: Champion
– 2008: Champion
– 2010: Champion
– 2012: Did not qualify
– 2013: Did not qualify
– 2015: Did not qualify
– 2017: Runner-up
– 2019: Round of 16
– 2021: Runner-up
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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