AFCON
FORMER COLLEAGUES PAY TRIBUTE TO ITALIA ’90 CAMEROON SKIPPER, STEPHEN TATAW
The class of 1990 to 1994 Cameroon Indomitable Lions has been paying tributes to their captain, Stephen Tataw who died in Yaoundé last Friday.
Sports Village Square gathered from Cameroon Insider, a biweekly publication from the stable of Cameroon News and Publishing Corporation that Joseph Antoine Bell, François Omam-Biyik, former teammate and Rigobert Song among others have expressed their sadness over the death of Tataw, whom they described as an inspirational leader.
Antoine Bell, the former Cameroon goalkeeper remarked: “I was devastated and shocked when I heard Stephen Tataw had died.
“We did not know he was sick. It’s Ndip Akem who posted the information of his illness in the 1990 group and before we could find out what was wrong with him and where he was hospitalised, the bad news of his death was announced.
“Stephen Tataw was a unique leader. He had a listening ear to player’s worries and always tabled them to football stakeholders for solutions.
“For someone from an English-speaking background, he equally spoke very fluent Bassa and most times that was the language we communicated with on the field.”
François Omam-Biyik, whose towering 67th minute header 30 years ago enabled Cameroon shock Argentina 1-0 at the Italia ’90 also spoke in similar vein.
“I’m still to believe he is dead. I could barely catch sleep at night and I think that’s how it’s going to be for the next days.
“Stephen Tataw and I had a very good relationship. He was a nice person and spoke very few words. He was also very discreet and I think that’s one of the qualities that made the coach name him captain.
“He was also fearless I can remember when exchanging pennants with Maradona during our match in the 1990, Maradona tapped his shoulder to encourage him. But Tataw did same to Maradona looking him straight in the eyes. We have lost a great man.”
“I had the opportunity to know and meet him during the 1994 World Cup and at that time I was still very young”, remarked Rigobert Song who captained Cameroon to beat Nigeria to the Africa Cup of Nations in Lagos in 2000.
Continuing, Song, a Liverpool legend remarked: “He greatly touched my life… he was modest, reserved but yet very efficient in and out of the field.
“Whenever he called me captain, I always told him you are the true captain. This is a major loss for us. Man proposes and God disposes.”
Bertin Ebwellé Ndingué, another member of the Italia ’90 squad remarked: “Cameroon has lost one of its emblematic figures in football.
“He was a defence monster. Both of us met in the 1980’s in Tonnerre Kalara Club. He came from Cammark Kumba and I from Lions of Yaounde and we established a great relationship.
“My first steps in learning how to drive a car was in his vehicle. His courage and imposing leadership will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace.”
The late Tataw was in the winning team of the Africa Cup of Nations in 1988 in Morocco, beating Nigeria 1-0.
His death was announced by Mbombo Njoya, the president of Cameroon football governing body, (FECAFOOT) on his Twitter last Friday: “It is with sad emotions that I learned the death of former Indomitable Lions Captain Stephan Tataw today.”
Stephen Tataw was best known for leading Cameroon against all odds to the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 1990. Cameroon beat Argentina with Diego Maradona as captain in the opening match of the tournament to become the first African country to reach that stage of the competition.
He again captained the Lions four years later at the USA ‘94 World Cup.
Born in Ekona, on 31 March 1963, Stephen Tataw started his footballing career with Cammark of Kumba but rose to the limelight when he joined Tonnerre Kalara Club of Yaoundé in 1988 where he spent three years.
From Tonnerre he joined Olympic Mvolye in 1992. After the 1990 World Cup, Stephen Tataw had unsuccessful stints with English League First Division club Queens Park Rangers on trial and Second Division club Brighton & Hove Albion.
In 1995, he joined Tosu Futures of Japan. He became the first African footballer to play for a professional Japanese club.
Before his death, Tataw was a member of FECAFOOT’s Technical Football Department. His last public appearance was during the draws of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) at the Yaoundé Multipurpose Sports Complex. He walked in with the trophy.
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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