AFCON
AFCON: LAST 5 AFCON 2019 QUALIFIERS EMERGE TODAY
BY APESIN ADEMOLA.
On the last Matchday 6 encounters, five more slots are up for grabs and the class of Egypt 2019 Africa Cup of Nations will be completed. Nineteen finalists are already known, while matches in six centres on Sunday will determine the remaining qualifiers.
The Group E, which Nigeria won on Friday, will produce one of the
remaining five finalists. South Africa have a huge task in Sfax, Tunisia
against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights, who require maximum points to make it to
the tournament in Egypt. The Bafana Bafana, who are looking for at least a
point this time, could not break Libya’s defence in the first leg, which ended
with a barren score line.
Since their last head-to-head clash in Johannesburg last September 8, Libya
have lost back-to-back to Nigeria in Uyo and in Sfax, but walloped Seychelles
8-1 away, while South Africa forced Nigeria to 1-1 draw in Johannesburg and had
the same result in a friendly with Paraguay last November in Durban.
Group L offers tantalising fixtures on this last day of the qualifying series
with Emmanuel Amuneke believing in his squad to deliver Tanzania’s first
qualification for the tournament in 39 years. The ex-Nigerian international has
improved the quality and belief of the team since his appointment as Tanzania’s
national head coach last August 6, but his efforts will remain just that if the
Taifa Stars don’t get to participate in Egypt 2019.
Uganda have already won the group, while the battle for runners-up is a
three-horse race. Lesotho, in No 2, have same five points as Tanzania but a
better head-to-head record, while Cape Verde are a point behind both teams.
Tanzania will have to beat Uganda in Dar-es-Salam and hope that Lesotho don’t
equal the result to go through, while Cape Verde must have a better outcome
than Tanzania to make it.
Group G is even tighter as all four teams have their Egypt 2019 dream very much
intact. Zimbabwe have the easiest task as they need just one point to guarantee
qualification, and feature in the competition for the fourth time after the
2004, 2006 and 2017 editions.
Liberia are second in the group, one point behind Zimbabwe, and will celebrate
if they pick a point and Congo Republic don’t beat Zimbabwe, while DR
Congo have to win to qualify.
In Group D, the Squirrels of Benin Republic need just a point at home against Togo, who will qualify if they win.
Teams that have booked their places in Egypt 2019 include Nigeria, hosts Egypt, defending champions Cameroon, Ghana, Tunisia and Morocco. Also in the party will be Algeria, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Angola and Uganda. Madagascar, Burundi and Mauritania will be the debutante at the tournament which kicks off on June 21 at Cairo International Stadium and concludes on July 19.
It will be the 32nd edition of the competition featuring 24 teams for the first time in its 62-year history.
Sunday’s fixtures…
- Group E: Libya v South Africa (first leg 0-0) (6pm)
- Group G: Zimbabwe v Congo Republic (first leg 1-1), DR Congo v Liberia (first leg 1-1) (both 2pm)
- Group H: Central Africa Republic v Guinea (first leg Guinea 1-0) (3pm)
- Group D: Benin Republic v Togo (first leg 0-0) (4pm)
- Group L: Tanzania v Uganda (first leg 0-0), Cape Verde Islands v Lesotho (first leg 1-1) (both 4pm)
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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Morocco has received 723 high-end buses from Chinese manufacturer Yutong as part of preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which kicks off on December 21.
Yutong said on social media that the fleet “has officially rolled off the production line” and will provide “comprehensive transport services and reliable operational support” during the tournament.
An official handover ceremony was held on Friday at the company’s facility in Zhengzhou, Henan province, attended by Moroccan representatives and Yutong executives.
The buses were designed to cope with Morocco’s terrain and climate, including steep slopes, heat and sandstorms. They feature an independent front axle suspension to navigate narrow city streets and Yutong’s in-house “Blue Core System” for fuel efficiency.
The delivery is the largest single order of Chinese buses in Africa. Yutong will station more than 100 technicians in Morocco to provide training, maintenance and round-the-clock support during AFCON.
The deal is part of Morocco’s broader transport strategy, which includes plans to purchase 7,000 new buses by 2030—half of them electric—as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
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