AFCON
CAF President’s Club, Sundowns Is South Africa Bafana Bafana’s Backbone –
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
South Africa presented a closely-knitted and formidable side to get to their first semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in 24 years.
Paradoxically, it is the same team they last met in the semi-finals that they are facing again as they are pitched against their major rivals in the continent, the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
When they last met at the semi-finals, the Super Eagles almost effortlessly prevailed, 2-0 with all the two goals scored in the first minute and then in the 34th minute. Thanks to the brace of the pacey Tijani Babangida who exploited the sluggishness of Mark Fish in the South African defence.
But things and time have changed. Bafana Bafana are now closely knitted around one club – Mamelodi Sundowns owned by the CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe.
The CAF president’s investment in the club has not been in vein. Apart from winning the inaugural African Football League, the women’s sides are also the champions for the second time in the CAF Women’s League.
Dubbed as ‘Brazil of Africa’ on account of their yellow shirts over sky blue shorts, the club is not just the rave of the moment in South Africa, it has threatened the old order of continental inter-clubs competition.
The club which won the inaugural edition of the African Football League, is the engine room of Bafana Bafana. Ten members of the club make up the 27-man squad of South Africa.
Nine of them featured in Saturday’s energy-sapping clash with Cape Verde as they book their ticket to play against the Super Eagles. The nine include the Man-of-Match and captain, Rowen Williams.
Till date, like Nigeria’s Stanley Mwabali who also plays in the South African football league, Williams has had four clean sheets in a row. He has also set a rcord of stopping four penalties during the tie-breaking shoot-out.
In fact, in recent matches, the entire back four of South Africa is composed of players from Mamelodi Sundowns which Billionaire Motsepe bought nearly 20 years ago.
Seven of the Mamelodi Sundowns players were starters in that match while two others came in as substitutes.
Statistically, Mamelodi Sundowns holds the record of present the most players at the AFCON 2023.
This is coming in an era where most countries rely heavily on players based in Europe.
This is where the South African squad stands out.
It is an indication of the strength of their domestic league as well as the economy. Having the bulk of the players from the domestic league put their coach, the Belgian Hugo Broos at great advantage over other coaches.
He had more time to build a closely knitted squad who can find each other even with their eyes closed on the pitch.
Mamelodi Sundown players that featured at the quarter finals
- Rowen Williams – Goalkeeper/captain
- GomolemoKekana -Defender
- Thapelo Morena -Defender
- Khuliso Mudau-Defender
- ThembaZwane, striker
- Thapelo Maseko – Defender, a 63rdminute sub for Thapelo Morena
- Terrence Mashego– Defender, a 115th minute sub for Thapelo Maseko
- Nyiko Mobbie- Defender, a 103rd minute sub for Khuliso Mudau.
- Jayden Adams – Midfielder, a 91stminute sub for Themba Zwane
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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