AFCON
CAF names Lookman among five players to watch at Morocco 2025
With five days until the final draw of 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is held in Morocco, anticipation is building.
For many of Africa’s brightest football talents, this will be a golden opportunity to showcase their skills on one of the continent’s biggest stages.
Here’s a look at five players expected to shine during this prestigious tournament.
Ademola Lookman (Nigeria, Atalanta Bergamo)
Crowned African Player of the Year at the CAF Awards on December 16, 2024, in Marrakech, Ademola Lookman will undoubtedly be one of the most closely watched stars at the 2025 AFCON.
The Atalanta Bergamo forward earned the accolade following a spectacular season where he guided his club to UEFA Europa League glory with a historic hat-trick in the final against Bayer Leverkusen.
Last season, Lookman scored an impressive 27 goals and provided 13 assists, form he has carried into the current campaign with 11 goals in 18 matches.
At the previous AFCON, he contributed three goals to Nigeria’s remarkable run to the final, where they fell 2-1 to hosts Côte d’Ivoire.
The Super Eagles will rely heavily on his offensive prowess in Morocco.
Carlos Baleba (Cameroon, Brighton)
At just 20 years old, Carlos Baleba has established himself as a midfield powerhouse for both Brighton and the Cameroon national team.
Under the guidance of Belgian coach Marc Brys, Baleba played a pivotal role in Cameroon’s flawless qualification for AFCON 2025, finishing atop Group J with 14 points.
His performances in the English Premier League have also attracted interest from Europe’s top clubs.
Set to make his AFCON debut, the former Elite Academy product from Cameroon is poised to make a significant impact on the tournament. His blend of talent and confidence could be key to the Indomitable Lions’ success.
Carlos Baleba (Cameroon, Brighton)
At just 20 years old, Carlos Baleba has established himself as a midfield powerhouse for both Brighton and the Cameroon national team.
Under the guidance of Belgian coach Marc Brys, Baleba played a pivotal role in Cameroon’s flawless qualification for AFCON 2025, finishing atop Group J with 14 points.
His performances in the English Premier League have also attracted interest from Europe’s top clubs.
Set to make his AFCON debut, the former Elite Academy product from Cameroon is poised to make a significant impact on the tournament.
His blend of talent and confidence could be key to the Indomitable Lions’ success.
Brahim Diaz (Morocco, Real Madrid)
Brahim Diaz is set to make his AFCON debut on home soil for Morocco after choosing to represent the country of his heritage over Spain. During the qualification phase, Diaz was outstanding, finishing as the top scorer with seven goals in six matches.
The 25-year-old attacking midfielder from Real Madrid will bolster the Atlas Lions as they aim to end a title drought that dates back to 1976. With the Moroccan crowd behind him, Diaz could be the driving force Morocco needs to clinch the trophy at home.
Simon Adingra (Côte d’Ivoire, Brighton)
Simon Adingra left an indelible mark on the last AFCON, where Côte d’Ivoire triumphed on home soil.
Despite being sidelined during the group stage due to injury, Adingra’s two assists in the final helped secure a 2-1 victory over Nigeria, earning him the Man of the Match award.
At 22, Adingra continues to shine in the Premier League with Brighton, gaining invaluable experience that will benefit the Elephants in Morocco.
With his creative flair and maturity, he is poised to play a pivotal role in Côte d’Ivoire’s title defence.
Ronwen Williams (South Africa, Mamelodi Sundowns)
Ronwen Williams’ heroics during the last AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire are still fresh in memory.
His spectacular saves, both during matches and penalty shootouts, helped South Africa claim a commendable third-place finish.
The 32-year-old goalkeeper was named African Goalkeeper of the Year at the CAF Awards 2024 and was also recognized as the Best Interclub Player for his performances in the CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns.
With his form still peaking, Williams is expected to deliver more show-stopping moments in Morocco.
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Technical Director of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Coach Augustine Eguavoen, has strongly condemned media reports suggesting that he is being considered to take over as Super Eagles Head Coach ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) should current handler Eric Chelle fail to secure qualification for next year’s FIFA World Cup.
Speaking on Wednesday, the former Super Eagles captain described the reports as false, misleading, and damaging, insisting that he maintains a cordial and professional relationship with Coach Chelle.
“I feel very hurt by these baseless rumours because I really have no idea where they are coming from,” Eguavoen said. “I have a very good working relationship with Coach Eric Chelle, and I have absolutely no interest in taking over the squad. I am praying for him to succeed.”
Eguavoen, who has previously served as interim head coach of the national team, expressed frustration that such speculation was resurfacing, warning that it could undermine team unity ahead of major assignments.
“This was how the same speculators created schism and disaffection between myself and Gernot Rohr, and later José Peseiro, when they coached the Super Eagles at different periods,” he recalled. “It is uncalled-for. We all need to work together to see the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup and win the forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.”
The NFF Technical Director reiterated his commitment to supporting the technical crew and fostering a collaborative atmosphere that will enable Nigeria’s senior team to achieve its set goals.
“Our collective focus should be on progress, not distractions,” he added. “Everyone in the system is working towards one goal — success for Nigeria.”
The Super Eagles are currently deep in preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, while their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign resumes later this year.
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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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