AFCON
VICTOR MOSES STILL ON INTERNATIONAL RETIREMENT, SAYS ROHR
Victor Moses is still not in the reckoning as the Nigeria Super Eagles prepare for their return to the Africa Cup of Nations, which they last participated in five years ago and also won.
Incidentally, Moses played a key role in the exploits at South Africa 2013. Super Eagles coach, Gernot Rohr in ruling out the possible return of Moses remarked that the wingback has not reversed his decision to quit the national team.
Sports Village Square recalls that the Chelsea loanee who is enjoying a new lease of life at Turkish side Fenerbahce, announced his international retirement after Nigeria’s elimination at the Russia 2018 World Cup.
He scored Nigeria’s last goal of the tournament through a penalty kick against Argentina in an eventual 2-1 loss.
At Fernerbahce, he is gradually picking of his form and has scored two goals in the last six matches in the Super Lig, and there was speculation he was to be recalled for this month’s games against Seychelles and Egypt, which has not happened.
Having represented the Super Eagles at the World Cup, Moses called time on his international career in August 2018, citing family and career concerns.
Nigeria’s coach, Rohr told CAF websit : ”I was against his international retirement and, if he changed his mind, he must tell me but I have no information about it. We’ll see,” observed Rohr at the weekend.
On the situation of his captain, John Mikel Obi who was omitted from the latest Super Eagles roster released last week, Rohr said : ”He (Mikel) has arrived in Middlesbrough recently. He told me he was not ready and needs to work after his knee injury in China.
”He did not play all winter either. He is not ruled out for the AFCON but could not make that match in Asaba. We will see for the future,” stressed Rohr.
A former England U-17 international, Moses appeared in 37 matches for the Super Eagles and won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Rohr also defended his decision to hand maiden call-ups to striker Paul Onuachu and defender Valentine Ozornwafor for the upcoming games against Seychelles and Egypt.
The invitation of the FC Midtjylland star was a good public relations move as several Super Eagles fans wanted him in the team thanks to his rich vein of scoring form in Denmark, while the Enyimba defender was one of the players who shone for the Flying Eagles as they qualified for the 2019 FIFA Under-20 World Cup last month.
On Onuachu, Rohr said: ”He has the experience of Europe at the height of his 24 years.
”His size is obviously his strength with his 2m01 and the beautiful goals scored in the Danish championship. This is another profile for us in attack,” observed Rohr with pride.
Explaining the choice of Ozornwafor, the German tactician stated : ”I expect this player to bring his freshness, his physical strength (1m97) and technical quality left-handed.
”It also offers us an additional option since we have a lot of right-handed advocates. I saw him in Niger at the CAN and I like his aerial game.”
Onuachu is the only Scandinavian-based player named to the Super Eagles latest roster while Ozornwafor is the only home-based outfield player selected.
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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