AFCON
BIG TEAM, SOUTH AFRICA, SENEGAL BARE THEIR FANGS!
South Africa responded to their opening day 2-0 loss away to Ghana with a 1-0 victory at home against Sudan as the Bafana Bafana got their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign breathing.
Lebogang Phiri got the lone goal at the stroke of halftime as the home side got their three points with a clean sheet to top the cherry. Phiri struck a superb goal with a left footed shot into the box after Thulani Serero’s cross was deflected into his path.
The South Africans had bossed the game, limiting the Sudanese to play in their own half. As early as the first minute, Bafana had knocked on the door with Thapelo Morena’s shot from the six yard box going just wide.
In the third minute, Serero was denied by the keeper after picking out a Phiri cross before the former came knocking once again with a shot from range that went just over.
Lebo Mothiba should have given South Africa the lead on the quarter hour mark when he was picked out by a superb Percy Tau defense splitting pass, but the striker’s nifty touch at the edge of the six yard box was superbly kept out by the Sudanese keeper.
Kamohelo Mokotjo had another chance in the 25th minute off another Tau delivery but his shot from inside the box flew straight to the keeper’s arms.
In the second half, Sudan came back determined to have a way back into the game and their attacking decision pushed South Africa back.
They had chances to score with Atahir El Tahir striking a scorcher from distance inches over while Ramadan Agab had an effort from inside the box go wide.
Meanwhile in Mbabane, AFCON 2019 finalists Senegal defied a storm that halted the game to thrash hosts eSwatini 4-1 and move top of Group I with a 100pc record.
The game was stopped midway for a while due to a storm, but continued later after the match officials gave the game a go ahead.
Having missed a 10th minute penalty, Famara Diedhiou responded with a second half hattrick to send Senegal’s Teranga Lions roaring. Diedhiou broke the deadlock after 59 minutes before doubling the tally in the 66th.
Just two minutes later, he claimed the match ball with a third goal to give Senegal a comfortable hold of the game in difficult conditions. Fanelo Mamba pulled one back for the hosts in the 71st minute but just two minutes later, he moved from hero to villain after being sent off.
With a one-man advantage and the game long wrapped up, Senegal were cruising but added one for comfort 13 minutes to time through Papa Ndiaye.
With the opening day 2-0 victory over Congo, the Senegalese are now comfortably riding on the road to Cameroon ahead of the third qualification match day next year.
-CAF
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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