AFCON
CAF Enters Negotiation With FIFA, Morocco And European Clubs Over AFCON 2025 Timing –
Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reportedly in negotiation with different stakeholders over the timing of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Morocco.
The flagship African sports event has not been able to get a definite calendar since 2012 when it was shifted to the odd years to avoid clash with the World Cup.
In some instances, not only timing has been the issue, the host countries have had to change as it had happened in the last five editions.
Morocco, the next hosts have opted for summer, which was CAF’s initial accepted calendar starting with the 2019 edition which shifted from initial host nation, Cameroon to Egypt.
According to information gleaned from Morocco World News, CAF is in discussion with different stakeholders to set a date for the 2025 edition. Veron Mosengo-Omba, the Secretary General of the CAF is quoted by Kenyan sports journalist Eric Njiru on X, formerly Twitter, that Mosengo-Omba informed that discussions are still ongoing between CAF, FIFA, and the European Clubs Association along with Moroccan officials to determine the timing of the competition.
The CAF official explained that they are delaying announcing the date to avoid it potentially coinciding with other significant international competitions, particularly the inaugural edition of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, which is slated for the summer of 2025 with 32 participating teams.
“In order to see when we have the final [we] need also to meet the players. They need to rest after this competition. So the discussion is still ongoing,” Mosengo-Omba stated. Players who play for the national teams participating in the AFCON also play for FIFA international clubs, posing a challenge in timing to make sure that they can perform in both tournaments.
Patrice Motsepe, President of CAF, echoed Mosengo-Omba’s statement, emphasizing the importance of finding a suitable date to avoid conflicting with major global events.
Motsepe revealed that discussions have taken place with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to address these scheduling concerns.
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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