AFCON
From Fortress to Football Theatre: Marrakech’s Grand Stade Gets a Makeover
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, Marrakech, Morocco.
At the northern entrance of Marrakech, Morocco’s fabled “Red City,” rises a sporting fortress that fuses history, culture, and modern innovation.
The Grand Stade de Marrakech, inaugurated in 2011, is set to host eight matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), including a potentially high-profile semi-final on January 10, 2026.
From a distance, the stadium could be mistaken for an ancient citadel. Its brown, earthy tones echo the city’s centuries-old red walls and the terracotta skyline that has earned Marrakech its evocative nickname of “Red City”.
Four towers, standing at each corner of the structure, are fitted with halogen lamps that cast a golden glow over the lush green pitch at night.
According to stadium officials, the design intentionally mirrors local architecture and fortifications — a subtle blend of tradition and modernity.
The Grand Stade de Marrakech, sits like a fortress at the northern entrance of Marrakech
What makes the Grand Stade truly unique is its rectangular form combined with elliptical athletics tracks — the first of its kind in the world.
Conceived by the Italian firm Gregotti Associati International, the arena comfortably seats 41,000 fans and projects both strength and elegance.
Managed by the state company SONARGES (La Société Nationale de Réalisation et de Gestion des Équipements Sportifs), it has recently undergone significant upgrades to meet CAF standards ahead of the continental showpiece.
Regional director Karaoui Morad explained that renovations have been planned in two phases.
The first, already completed, introduced more comfortable seating, two modern Videomatrix scoreboards, new eco-friendly lighting systems that reduce energy use by 60 per cent, and advanced security cameras.
Regional director of SONARGES, Karaoui Morad (Right) explains the technical aspects of the upgrade of Grand Stade de Marrakech.
The second phase, scheduled after AFCON, will prepare the stadium for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host.
This transformation will see the pitch lowered by 10 metres to expand capacity to 46,000 seats, the removal of the running tracks to bring fans closer to the action, and the addition of a full roof canopy.
For now, though, the stadium is set to write a new chapter in its history. On AFCON’s opening days, South Africa and Angola will christen the arena with its first-ever AFCON match.
From that moment, Marrakech’s desert fortress will not only echo with the chants of football fans but also stand as a symbol of Morocco’s growing stature on the world sporting stage.
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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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