AFCON
No Mikel, No Super Eagles, Says Odegbami
BY BOLAJI OKUNOLA
The shock 0-2 defeat that South Africa meted to the Super Eagles in the match day 1 of the Africa Cup of Nations 2019 qualifiers has continued to have its ripple effects.
Nigeria’s loss at home, just the same way the road to 2015 edition began, has signalled the possibility of another miss out in the next continental fiesta.
Former national team player and captain, Segun Odegbami, has blamed the loss on the lack of matured leadership of the Nigerian team on the pitch.
Odegbami, a speedy master of the right wing and one of the iconic strikers Africa ever produced told the Village Sports Square that the absence of John Mikel Obi was very glaring in the Nigerian side.
To him, Mike would have brought stability and balance to bear in the Super Eagles’ midfield thus aiding the attacking trio of Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi and Oghenekahro Etebo.
“Mikel is currently the most mature player the Super Eagles have. Although the likes of Winfred Ndidi and host of others are also trying their best but I think, with Mikel’s presence, the Super Eagles would have been able to cage the South Africans.
“I can’t blame the coach. He featured his best players and I think soccer enthusiasts in the country have done their best by giving him free hands to select players.”
“No one can dictate to the coach. I am sure with the few games played under his guidance; he has known his strength and weaknesses.
I hope we can regain our strength in our next games which are very crucial. I repeat, No one can dictate to Rohr but I think the presence of Mikel in the next game may make a difference.”
“I am not saying Winfred Ndidi hasn’t done well, but I don’t think he is ripe enough to coordinate Super Eagles’ midfield like Mikel, would have done”.
He believes Nigeria have to go back to the drawing board to map out ways of getting better results in the next five matches of the qualifying series.
The Super Eagles are currently third on the log and will be away to Seychelles in the next match day in March 2018. While top dogs, South Africa and Libya will meet in South Africa.
Whatever the outcome of those matches, the competition will have to go very deep before Nigeria can emerge as possible leader of the group.
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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