AFCON
AFCON 2025 Assignment, History Lesson: From Myth to Limestone at Hercules Cave
By Kunle Solaja, inside Hercules Cave, Tangier
If Cape Spartel felt like Geography coming alive, then the visit to Hercules Cave was history and mythology stepping out of the pages and into lived experience.
Once again, the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations proved to be more than a football assignment. It became an education—this time in legend, geology and the enduring dialogue between man and nature.
Situated just outside Tangier, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Hercules Cave is one of those places you think you know—until you actually go there.
I had heard the stories, seen the photographs, and read the guidebook references. But nothing quite prepares you for the sensation of standing inside a cave where myth, sea and stone seem to converse.
A Journey Framed by the Atlantic
The drive to Hercules Cave followed the familiar coastal rhythm of Tangier—rolling roads, ocean breezes and sudden openings where the Atlantic announces itself in waves and wind.
As with Cape Spartel, the journey itself felt deliberate, almost ceremonial, easing visitors away from the bustle of the city and into a quieter, older world.
The cave complex sits close to the shoreline, its entrance modest, almost deceptive. But once inside, the atmosphere changes immediately. The air cools, footsteps echo, and the outside world fades into filtered light and the distant sound of the sea.
Some visitors are going into the cave.
It has been designated as a Moroccan National Heritage since 1950. It costs 100 Moroccan Dirham, which is 10 euros, to visit the Cave.
Where Myth Meets Stone
A tour guide, simply called Rachid, explains the myth around the Cave. Legend has it that Hercules rested here after completing one of his twelve labours. Whether one believes the myth or not almost becomes irrelevant inside the cave.
Rachid tells the story of Hercules and the cave.
The stories linger in the shadows, giving the place a gravity that pure geology alone might not fully explain.
Nature, however, has clearly had the final word. The cave’s most famous feature is its sea-facing opening, shaped unmistakably like the map of Africa.
Through it, the Atlantic surges and retreats, carving, polishing and reshaping the limestone over centuries. Standing before that opening, watching waves crash and withdraw, one understands why the site has captured imaginations for generations.
An Unscripted Classroom
Like Cape Spartel, Hercules Cave functions as an open classroom. The walls tell stories of erosion and time, of water patiently sculpting rock. Guides explain how parts of the cave were naturally formed while others were expanded through human activity, blending natural history with human intervention.
Inside the cave. An opening that looks like a nature-carved outline map of Africa, seen as reversed from within, but depicting the actual when viewed from the Atlantic Ocean. Here, I stand by the bronze carvings of Hercules.
Light filters in unevenly, creating silhouettes and shadows that shift with the movement of the sun and sea. It is easy to linger, to forget time, and to reflect on how small human timelines are when placed against geological ages.
Tangier, Always Teaching
The wind followed us here too, sweeping in from the Atlantic, carrying salt and chill. Tangier, it seems, insists on reminding visitors of its elemental nature—sea, wind, rock and story bound tightly together.
What struck me most, once again, was symbolism. Just as Cape Spartel represents the meeting of two seas, Hercules Cave represents the meeting of myth and reality, of imagination and physical space. Morocco’s self-image as the Kingdom of Light feels especially apt here—light entering the cave, illuminating stone, history and legend all at once.
As the Africa Cup of Nations unfolds with its familiar drama of goals, tactics and results, these off-pitch journeys may well outlast the matches in memory. Hercules Cave, like Cape Spartel, reinforced a simple truth: travel, when allowed to breathe, becomes education. And in Tangier, every excursion seems determined to teach.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
JOIN THE SPORTS VILLAGE SQUARE CHANNEL ON:
https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Iwobi Salutes Nigerians Ahead of Landmark 100th Super Eagles Appearance
Falcons Truly Super in 3-0 Defeat of Senegal in Ikenne
Salami and Shooting Stars: A Family Legacy Intertwined with Continental Glory, Says Odegbami
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup1 week ago
Iran beat Gambia as federation seeks FIFA clarity over visas
- World Cup1 week ago
Attack-minded Ivorians bullish ahead of World Cup return
- World Cup5 days ago
Rema, Davido, Burna Boy and Ayra Starr Make FIFA’s Star-Studded World Cup 2026 Official Album
- World Cup4 days ago
Shakira to Headline FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony in Mexico
- World Cup4 days ago
FIFA bans vuvuzelas from World Cup stadiums
- International Football1 day ago
Eriksen Suffers Fresh Collapse During Denmark Friendly, Reviving Memories of Euro 2020 Ordeal
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Soname Rewards Flamingos with N4.5m Goal Bonus After Guinea Rout
- World Cup1 week ago
Behold! Nigeria’s Gift to the World Cup: 11 Stars, No Super Eagles