AFCON
Nature Meets Architecture: Grand Stade d’Agadir Prepares for AFCON 2025
By KUNLE SOLAJA, Agadir, Morocco.
At the foot of Morocco’s mighty Atlas Mountains, where the country’s national football team—the Atlas Lions—draws their proud name, rises a stadium that mirrors its surroundings.
The Grand Stade d’Agadir, one of the venues for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations this December, is not just a sports arena; it is a bold attempt to blend nature with architecture.
From afar, the stadium seems carved out of the brown slopes of the mountains. Its steep exterior walls, painted in earthy tones, echo the rugged terrain around it.
Step inside, however, and the scene changes: a sea of green seats blends seamlessly with the lush playing turf, interrupted only by pockets of red in the grand pavilion—a subtle nod to Morocco’s national colours.
On Monday, stadium director Hitcham Allouli revealed that while the current capacity of 42,480 will remain for AFCON, a more ambitious second phase of renovation will follow in preparation for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host.
Grand Stade d’Agadir director, Hitcham Alloul with Sports Village Square’s Kunle Solaja
“The first phase focused on minor upgrades—improving vegetation around the arena, expanding parking space, and adding modern facilities like ticketing and accreditation booths,” Allouli explained. “But the next stage will be transformative.”
That transformation includes lowering the pitch by 10 metres to increase capacity by about 4,000 seats, removing the athletics track to bring fans closer to the action, and extending the upper terrace into a fully covered sports city.
The shape of what Grand Stade de Agadir will look like towards the 20230 World Cup.
The model follows the grandeur of the Grand Stade de Tanger, Morocco’s northern showpiece.
Security has also been modernised, with the introduction of facial recognition cameras, aligning the stadium with international standards.
The locker room at the Grand Stade Agadir
The journey of the Grand Stade d’Agadir reflects Morocco’s long quest for global football recognition.
Originally designed as part of the country’s 2010 World Cup bid, construction began in 2003 but stalled after South Africa won hosting rights.
Work resumed in 2007, and by October 2013, the arena was complete, making its debut on the global stage during the FIFA Club World Cup.
Designed by Moroccan architect Saad Benkirane in collaboration with Gregotti Associati International, the stadium is an architectural ode to its environment.
Its sloped exterior elevations mimic the Atlas foothills, while its interior is tailored for international sport and comfort: a natural grass pitch, a media tribune for 288 journalists, 12 commentary boxes, three VVIP zones (each seating 250 guests), and 12 luxury lounges that can accommodate 300.
Players’ facilities include modern locker rooms, ice baths, and saunas.
As AFCON 2025 draws near, the Grand Stade d’Agadir is set to welcome Africa’s finest footballers while showcasing Morocco’s ability to fuse natural beauty with modern sporting ambition.
Its mountainside silhouette will remind fans and players alike that football here is played under the watchful gaze of the Atlas.
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Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
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By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
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