AFCON
Cameroon Alleges Plans to Revoke Afcon 2019 Hosting Rights
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
In a thinly veiled displeasure, the Football Federation of Cameroon (FECAFOOT) has reacted to speculations that Cameroon is not ready to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
FECAFOOT remarked that despite the competition being two years away, “a campaign of intoxication and disinformation” has filled the air despite the efforts deployed and assurances of the Government of Cameroon.
In a press statement signed by Tombi A. Roko, the FECAFOOT president and sent to Sports Village Square on Monday night, the football governing body frowned at statements credited to Ahmad, the CAF president at a press conference in Burkina Faso.
The statement is in French but was translated via Google translator. According to FECAFOOT statement sent to Sports Village Square, Ahmad was quoted as saying: “in the current state of things, no site in Cameroon is able to host the African Cup of Nations football”. FECAFOOT remarked that it “is deeply concerned by the fact that these remarks are made even before the first inspection mission of the CAF, scheduled for 20 to 28 August 2017”.
According to FECAFOOT which strongly suspected that there were moves to revoke the hosting rights from Cameroon, it wondered the rationale behind the proposed inspection tour since it appeared to have made up its mind that Cameroon was not going to be ready to host the premier African football competition.
FECAFOOT remarked that it was curious that the date of the first CAF inspection mission was unilaterally changed from September to August 2017 without notice. It pointed out that the successful hosting of the African Women Championship late last year should be a pointer of the excellent service delivery that Cameroon can offer.
The women football tournament took place in Yaoundé, Mfandena, Buéa and Limbe. The football went on to remark that it got letter of commendation from CAF as well as from Coup de Cœur du Jury of the Heavent Awards in Cannes which rewards the best event performances around the world.
As regards the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, FECAFOOT remarked that , on the basis of the specifications agreed with CAF, launched a vast program of construction and rehabilitation of its sports infrastructures, valued at hundreds of billions Of CFA francs.
It pointed out it is receiving assistances from friendly countries. These were enumerated thus:
• Italy, for the construction by PICCINI of the sports complex of Olembé, which includes, in particular, a covered stadium with 60,000 seats and two training stadiums, various sports facilities and a four-star hotel with seventy rooms.
• Turkey, for the construction by YENIGUN of the Japoma sports complex, which includes a 50,000-seat stadium and two training stadiums, various sports facilities and accommodation facilities for seventy rooms;
• Canada for the rehabilitation of SODEVI, the Reunification Stadium and a stadium, as well as four training grounds in Bafoussam; – France, for the rehabilitation, by the company ALCOR, Stadiums of Mbappe Lepe and Bonamoussadi; –
• United Kingdom for the rehabilitation by MOTA ENGIL of the Stade Roumde Adjia de Garoua and the construction of an annex stadium and a four-star hotel with seventy rooms; –
• United States of America, for the rehabilitation by the company PRIME POTOMAC, of four training stages, the Hotel La Bénoué and the construction of a four-star hotel of seventy rooms;
• China, for the already effective construction of the Stadiums Omnisports of Limbé and Bafoussam, approved by the CAF.
Continuing, FECAFOOT remarked that it can also boast, in addition to the support of those friendly countries and partner companies, of the Cameroonian people’s full support for the proposed organization of Africa Cup of Nations 2019.
“It is difficult, after the above-mentioned remarks by the CAF President, not to pay attention to persistent rumours about the existence of a conspiracy to withdraw the organization of CAN 2019 in favour of another CAN country:
“It is particularly curious that it has been decided that the recent reforms made in the organization of the African Football Cup, apply immediately to CAN 2019. Such a situation, which unilaterally caused the specifications previously concluded between Cameroon and CAF, amounts to a change of the rules of the game during the game.
“However, it is settled case-law that changes in the conduct of a competition do not apply to the one to be organized immediately after their adoption. For example, the decision by the FIFA Council to change the format of the World Cup from 32 to 48 teams will not apply to Russia in 2018 or Qatar in 2022.
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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