AFCON
Rohrs’ biggest test as Benin hold champions Senegal in CAF AFCON qualifier
Benin managed to hold reigning African champions, Senegal, to a 1-1 draw in a highly anticipated clash at the Stade de l’Amitié in Cotonou in their CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 qualifier on Saturday night.
It was a big test for Gernot Rohr, the former Nigeria manager now handling Benin.
A revamped Teranga Lions took to the pitch with Nicolas Jackson, Abdoulaye Seck, and Seny Dieng in the starting line-up but they were held in check by Cheetahs.
Defender Abdoulaye Seck put the visitors, who had all all their matches in the group prior Saturday’s match, into the lead before Abdoul Rachid Moumini piledriver restored parity.
In the absence of Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mané donned the captain’s armband, while Koulibaly provided support from the substitutes’ bench.
On the other side, Benin sought to secure victory to bolster their qualification hopes under the guidance of coach Gernot Rohr.
Having already secured their place in the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal displayed their determination from the 4th minute, as ackson’s powerful strike narrowly missed the target.
The Teranga Lions unleashed a series of offensive assaults, testing the resilience of the Benin defense, only to be denied by the upright or the outstanding goalkeeping skills of Saturnin Allagbe, the Cheetahs’ goalkeeper.
It was in the 44th minute that Senegal broke the deadlock. Sadio Mané’s perfectly placed cross found Jackson, whose header was met with an overzealous challenge by Abdoulaye Seck. The defender made no mistake, finding the back of the net and propelling Senegal into the lead.
However, the second half witnessed a shift in momentum as the Senegalese gradually lost their grip on the match, allowing Benin to capitalize on the situation.
In the 78th minute, Abdoul Rachid Moumini unleashed a thunderous strike that soared into the top corner of the net, leaving Seny Dieng, the Senegal goalkeeper, helpless.
Benin’s equalizer not only secured them a valuable point but also marked a notable achievement, as no team had managed to snatch points from the African champions in this group of qualifiers.
With the final matchday on the horizon, Benin’s qualification hopes now rest on their performance against Mozambique at the Estádio da Machava.
Post-Match Reactions:
“Both teams displayed exceptional football. One team showcased the qualities of the reigning African champion, while the other, our Benin team, demonstrated character by responding to Senegal’s challenge. We grew stronger throughout the match; although we were dominated in the first half, we managed to break free and impose our game in the second half. I was truly impressed by the fighting spirit of my team, and we must continue in this manner.” – Gernot Rohr, Benin coach.
“Compared to our training sessions, I witnessed some intriguing developments tonight. I am extremely satisfied with the performance that my team displayed. It was a well-contested match, although we didn’t emerge as victors. Our objective was to win all our matches in this qualifying campaign, but this time, a magnificent goal from the opposition prevented us from achieving that. I must admit, that goal took me by surprise; it happened in the blink of an eye.” – Aliou Cissé, Senegal coach.
-Cafonline
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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