AFCON
A New Order Emerges At AFCON As All 2021 Quarter-finalists Are Booted Out! –
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
How are the mighty fallen is a Biblical statement that fits into the unfolding scenario at the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire. Those expected to reach for the skies have fallen. Those grudgingly regarded are still in the race!
As at the last matchday of Group A, hosts, Cote d’Ivoire had been written off following their 4-0 loss to assumed upstarts, Equatorial Guinea. Even the Super Eagles were grudgingly regarded as their victory over lowly ranked Guinea Bissau was through an own goal.
Record winners Egypt were misfiring and have now exited. Defending champions dusted all in the group stage and were seen as the team to beat. Just like the Super Eagles who had a perfect finish at the group stage of the 2021 edition, Senegal’s adventures terminated at the Round of 16.
It means that the ‘order’ of defending champions not having back-to-back victories is affirmed. Since Egypt won in 2010, no champion has successfully defended title.
Cote d’Ivoire rose from the brink of elimination back into reckoning. Top favourites, Morocco who handed the hosts the lifeline have surprisingly been eliminated.
Now the initial field of 24 has been narrowed to eight. Incidentally, all the eight teams at the last edition have also been eliminated.
Tunisia who shockingly ousted initial favourites, Nigeria at the 2021 edition could not even navigate their ways out of the group stage.
Another 2021 quarter-finalists, The Gambia finished bottom in Group C this time around. Cameroon got eliminated by their perennial nemesis, the Super Eagles at the Round of 16.
Burkina Faso got eliminated by their neighbours, Mali while Egypt and Morocco who were quarter-finalists at Cameroon 2021 have also been been eliminated.
The eight-team field to the title match is now narrowed to five from West Africa, two from Southern Africa while only DR Congo holds the flag for Central Africa.
The title race resumes on Friday as Nigeria take on Angola while DR Congo play against Guinea. On Saturday, Mali will take on Cote d’Ivoire while Cape Verde take on South Africa.
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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