AFCON
ROW IN GHANA OVER BLACK STARS’ AFCON 2019 BUDGET
BY CYPHER KWAKU DRIZZLE, ACCRA.
Ghana’s early exit from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations is still generating raucous reactions in the country. The country’s Minister of Sports, Isaac Kwame Asiamah told the Parliament that$4,564,532.00 was spent on the Ghana Black Stars out of the $6.3 million budgeted and that the remaining amount will be returned to the National coffers.
The budgeted amount has led to wild criticism considering that Algeria, the champions, got $4.5m as price.
The Black Stars was
eliminated at the round 16th stage of the competition yet managed to spend more
than the prize money of the winners. This has angered a lot of Ghanaian.
Award-winning Ghanaian journalist, Kwame Sefa
Kayi, on his show, Kokrokoo on Peace FM in Ghana, wondered the sense in
budgeting more than the prize money; worse spending such huge amount on a team,
which was exited at just the round 16th stage.
He added that the former Ghana Football
Association president, Kwesi Nyantakyi has been vindicated when he said that
some people just want to use the Black Stars as their source of revenue hence
the determination to get him off the Association.
In another development, Kofi
Amoah, the President of the Normalisation Committee of the Ghana FA confirmed
that the Black Stars players have been paid their allowances.
He revealed that prior to the players’ departure
for their training in Dubai, each player received $23,000 at the Tang Palace
Hotel Accra.
In another twist, a spokesman for the Normalisation Committee, Dan Kwaku Yeboah is quoted by Ghanaweb as lashing out at journalists criticizing the expenditure at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Journalists
and officials who benefited from what many have described an outrageous AFCON
budget yet have the nerves to criticize are hypocrites”, the publication quoted
Yeboah as saying.
“What is more painful is the fact that some of
them went to enjoy in Egypt but the same person is loud criticizing. Those days
we were talking about budgets if you gave us money we will not take because we
do not want out names to mentioned anywhere”, Yeboah reportedly disclosed on
Accra-based Peace FM monitored by MyNewsGh.com.
He was particularly shocked that those
journalists including officials have made a sudden U-turn and joined a section
of Ghanaians to bastardize the Normalisation Committee as well as the Ministry
of Youth and Sports over the $4.5 million budget.
“If you have enjoyed part of the budget you must
shut up. Making a U-turn to criticize the very move you benefited is hypocrisy.
During the reign of Nyantakyi when I spoke against the budget he met me on so
many occasions and gave me money I rejected it because I did not want any
trouble. But some of the journalists and officials took per diem but are heard
also talking”, he added.
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING: At last FIFA’s Axe falls on South Africa!
- World Cup1 week ago
South Africa to Appeal FIFA Ruling Over Mokoena Eligibility Case
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Super Eagles Set for Double Friendly Showdown with Venezuela and Colombia in USA
- World Cup1 week ago
Sport Minister Orders Probe into SAFA over Bafana’s Costly Points Deduction
- World Cup6 days ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- CAF Confederation Cup1 week ago
Asante Kotoko End Kwara United’s Confederation Cup Campaign in Abeokuta
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Two penalty appeal lost as Flying Eagles stumble at first hurdle
- World Cup4 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers