AFCON
AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS 2019 DRAW IS HERE!
At the foot of the famous pyramids in Egypt in front of the Sphinx, the air is pregnant with expectation as one of the ‘seven wonders of the world’ prepares to roll its red carpet for African football royalty ahead of Friday evening’s 2019 African Cup of Nations draw.
Under the scorching sun, the cool afternoon breeze sweeps away as workers at the venue battle against time to get the venue ready for Friday’s draw.
Members of the live production crew are putting up the equipment ready to beam the action live to millions of audiences across the world as teams get ready to know who they will face for the tournament that kicks off on June 21 running all the way to July 19.
On the ground, the support staff is preparing the magnificent venue to ensure it sparkles while the reception area is getting laid up ready for the after-party that will follow the draw.
Giza, where the pyramids are located in Egypt is an iconic part of Egyptian history and it was always a brilliant idea to bring the draw to this location as it hugely relates to the host country and its identity to the rest of the world.
In Cairo, the buzz and excitement is already building with millions eagerly anticipating the draw as they look to claim the African title they narrowly lost to Cameroon two years ago in Gabon. At the pyramids in Giza, not only are the tourists wowed by the beautiful set up of the draw but are also looking forward to know who their favorite teams will face.
Within the city and around Giza, Egyptians are looking forward with a lot of excitement to know which group they will fall in as they host the tournament for a fifth time, this time hoping to win it at home.
“We are eager to know our opponents at this AFCON. I hope that the teammates of Mohamed Salah will fall into an easy group, which will allow us to play the first round without pressure before to begin the other tours that will certainly be decisive,” one of the enthusiastic supporter saus.
For Asma, a 25-year-old student at Cairo University, the draw marks the kick-off of the African football’s apex competition.
“A few weeks before the beginning of the AFCON, we are all waiting for this ceremony of the draw because for us it marks the kick-off of a competition that we have not organized since 2006. Now, it will be necessary to wait for the composition groups but we hope to be part of an easy group and make good figure and why not having a seventh star on our jersey,” Asma says.
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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