AFCON
Jinxed Abiola National Stadium, vandalised two weeks ago is 19 today
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
It is 19 years today since the now renamed National Stadium in Abuja was commissioned by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The stadium which from 8 October 2011 when it hosted the 2-2 draw 2012 Africa Cup of Nations drawn match of Nigeria and Guinea, slumped to an abject state of disrepair was only recently resuscitated.
Parts of the installations on the pitch, especially the pitch panels, goal post nets and dug-outs were vandalised by irate fans protesting the Super Eagles’ loss of World Cup ticket to Ghana.
Incidentally, it was the third time the national team has failed to pick qualification ticket for major tournament and the youth side even failed to lift trophy.
First on 8 October 2005, despite massive 5-1 defeat of Zimbabwe at the stadium, Nigeria failed in the bid to pick the 2006 World Cup ticket, technically losing on head-to-head rule to Angola who won their own away game, 1-0 against Rwanda.
Like it happened last month in Abuja, Austin Eguavoen was also the Nigerian team handler. In the second instance of losing qualification ticket at the now 19-year old Abuja Stadium, Samson Siasia led the Super Eagles that conceded a goal in the last minute of the added time to end their encounter with Guinea 2-2 and lost out in the bid to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, the last official even-year edition.
The circle of not picking a qualification ticket at the stadium was completed last month in the World Cup playoff with Ghana. Before then, the Golden Eaglets, against all odds lost 0-1 to Switzerland in 15 November 2009 final match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup to cast speculations of possible jinx around the stadium that is fashioned after the Gottlieb Daimler Stadium, Stuttgart, one of the arenas for the Germany 2006 World Cup.
Also, at the 2003 African Games, Nigeria lost the gold medal match, 2-0 to Cameroon at the Abuja Stadium on 16 October 2003 to set the tone of missed tickets and trophies at the sumptuous arena.
However, on 12 December 2004, Enyimba picked the last of their two Champions League wins at the arena after winning 5-3 through penalty shootout against Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel.
When the Abuja Stadium was opened on 8 April 2003, the first match was between Shooting Stars of Ibadan and Sunshine Stars of Akure. Both teams are perennial strugglers in the Nigerian domestic league.
Shooting Stars’ Sikiru Lawal who scored the first goal at the stadium soon got relegated into anonymity. The same happened to Ghana’s Patrick Agyemany scorer of the first goal in the first international match at the stadium when Nigeria beat Ghana 3-1 on 30 May 2003.
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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