AFCON
AFCON Morocco 2025: Morocco Raises the Bar With World Cup–Style Base Camps
By Kunle Solaja.
Morocco has once again underlined its growing status as Africa’s premier host of major football tournaments by introducing a landmark innovation for the Africa Cup of Nations, bringing the competition closer than ever to World Cup standards.
For the first time in the 68-year history of the Africa Cup of Nations, all participating teams will be based in exclusive training camps throughout the tournament.
When AFCON kicks off in Morocco on Sunday, each of the 24 qualified nations will operate from a dedicated base camp from start to finish — a concept long associated with FIFA World Cup organisation.
According to the AFCON 2025 Ultimate Guide, every team will enjoy a fully integrated base camp made up of a five-star hotel and a modern training centre reserved exclusively for its use.
In total, 24 such base camps have been designated across the Kingdom, marking an unprecedented structural leap for African football’s flagship competition.
“This arrangement ensures that each national team stays in its own exclusive base camp throughout the tournament,” the guide states, highlighting Morocco’s meticulous attention to detail and commitment to excellence.
The Nigeria Super Eagles will be based at Sahrai Hotel in Fez, a city noted as Morocco’s historic cultural capital. Their main rival in Group C, Tunisia, like several others, will be based in the capital city, Rabat, with The View hotel serving as its official team residence.
Scheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, AFCON Morocco 2025 represents a major turning point in the organisation of the tournament.
The introduction of base camps is designed to provide optimal preparation conditions, enhance sporting fairness and significantly improve logistical efficiency.
From a performance standpoint, the innovation is expected to have a direct impact. With access to high-quality training facilities and stable accommodation throughout the competition, teams can focus on recovery, tactical preparation, team bonding and mental well-being.
The reduction in constant travel — a long-standing challenge at previous AFCON editions — is also expected to limit fatigue and improve match quality.
Logistically, the base camp system allows for smoother coordination with local authorities, better security planning and more efficient management of team movements.
CAF officials say the camps were selected using strict criteria, including infrastructure quality, accessibility, security and proximity to match venues, ensuring international best practices are met.
Beyond football, the initiative reflects Morocco’s broader ambition to make AFCON 2025 a benchmark tournament.
Massive investments in stadiums, training centres, hotels and transport infrastructure form part of a wider strategy of sustainable development and regional enhancement, leaving a lasting legacy well beyond the final whistle.
By adopting organisational models inspired by the world’s biggest sporting events, Morocco — in partnership with CAF — is helping to modernise African football and elevate the global profile of the Africa Cup of Nations.
As the countdown to kick-off continues, the establishment of 24 World Cup–style base camps stands as a powerful symbol of a better-organised, fairer and more professional AFCON. In every sense, Morocco has raised the bar — and AFCON 2025 promises to be a defining chapter in the tournament’s history.
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
Ronaldo to Start for Portugal Against Nigeria in Friendly
Why Senegal Players Were Screened At US Airport
Nigeria, Portugal Renew Rare Rivalry in World Cup Dress Rehearsal
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
Attack-minded Ivorians bullish ahead of World Cup return
- World Cup6 days ago
Rema, Davido, Burna Boy and Ayra Starr Make FIFA’s Star-Studded World Cup 2026 Official Album
- World Cup6 days ago
FIFA bans vuvuzelas from World Cup stadiums
- World Cup6 days ago
Shakira to Headline FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony in Mexico
- International Football3 days ago
Eriksen Suffers Fresh Collapse During Denmark Friendly, Reviving Memories of Euro 2020 Ordeal
- World Cup1 week ago
Behold! Nigeria’s Gift to the World Cup: 11 Stars, No Super Eagles
- World Cup4 days ago
Pelé’s 1970 World Cup Hideaway Becomes Tourist Attraction as Mexico Hosts Tournament for Record Third Time
- Uncategorized5 days ago
Iran World Cup squad still in visa limbo 10 days before first match, ambassador says