AFCON
AHMAD, ROHR’S WIFE HAVE THE LAST LAUGH WITH BAREA!
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
It was nightmarish for the Super Eagles and their band of supporters as the team crumbled miserably 0-2 to unexpected assailants, Barea of Madagascar to drop to second position in Group B of the Africa Cup of Nations.
And so, ended an unbeaten run and an anticipated clean sheet. This is undoubtedly the biggest upset so far at the 2019 championship. This should also be one of the glorious moments for CAF president, Ahmad, whose country has pulled the big upset.
So will it be for the wife of Gernot Rohr, the Nigerian coach as her country has beaten the team of her husband! At least, there will not be domestic war.
Madagascar did not just pull an upset, the Alexandria’s win was the first time they have scored against Nigeria’s national team.
The bragging rights acquired now will see them facing a third-placed team from any of groups A, C and D.
From the blast of the whistle, it was obvious the Super Eagles were not in shape for a possible titanic battle. The defence was shaky, the midfield was loose the attackers were clay-footed.
Coach Rohr made changes in the starting lineup from the previous matches apparently believing the game would be a mere stroll in the park. Not a tea party at all as the Madagascans were out for serious business, knowing fully they had their destiny in their hand.
As early as 13th minute, the Super Eagles were already a goal down from a defensive blunder by Leon Balogun.
Lalaina Nomenjanahary took advantage of sloppy defending by Balogun to open the scoring.
From that moment, the Super Eagles became a struggling and confused bunch, failing to find their rhythm after the shock of a goal.
As the confusion persisted, Rohr introduced Wilfred Ndidi in place of Ugochukwu Ogu at the start of the second half. Barely seven minutes later, he committed a foul resulting to an ill-fated free kick. Lalaina Nomenjanahary took a rising shot that went into the far corner of the Nigerian net.
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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