AFCON
Morocco 2025 AFCON To Hold In Summer –
As a departure from Cameroon 2021 and Cote d’Ivoire 2023, Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will hold in Summer and not in January/February.
The Moroccan Royal Federation of Football (FRMF) announced that the tournament they are hosting is set to take place during the summer.
The new period serves all purposes as it will also enable CAF to have enough time for the qualifying series which will have been very difficult if it were to hold in January 2025. Already, this year is loaded with the qualifying series for the 2026 World Cup holding in the available international window this year.
The Moroccan Royal Federation of Football announced on Monday the new period for the final tournament following a series of evaluation meetings between FMRF President Fouzi Lekjaa and the national team’s head coach Walid Regragui to discuss the Atlas Lions’ performance at the 2023 AFCON held in Côte d’Ivoire.
The Moroccan national team, who entered the ongoing tournament as one of the favorites to win the AFCON title, was unfortunately eliminated after losing to South Africa 2-0 in the Round of 16.
The early elimination sparked disappointment among Moroccan fans, with many raising questions about the future of Regragui with the team and the Atlas Lions’ readiness for upcoming tournaments
However, the federation said it has “renewed its trust” in Regragui and pledged to provide all necessary resources to ensure the national team’s success.
Looking ahead to AFCON 2025, FRMF called for increased support from fans, especially those who attended the matches in Côte d’Ivoire, as the team strives for redemption in the upcoming tournament.
During the evaluation sessions, Regragui reviewed the team’s preparations for the continental tournament, emphasizing the need to learn from past experiences, especially their last match against South Africa.
In addition, Lekjaa stressed the importance of continued dedication to secure a deserving place for the team in upcoming competitions, including the remaining qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking in a press conference following the loss against South Africa, Regragui took full accountability for the team’s elimination.
“I take full responsibility, and I don’t hide behind any excuses,” the coach said while stressing that there was no reason to blame the players for their performance.
He went on to emphasize the need for collective decision-making after evaluating the team’s performance and considering potential changes.
“Yes we failed, but we will all sit together … we have time right now … and we will make the best decision for Morocco,” he said.
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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