AFCON
Afcon 2023 teams set up seven pre-tournament camps in the Middle East and Africa
With the clock ticking down to the 13 January kick-off date for the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, the 24 teams have set up seven camps in the Middle East, North Africa, South Africa and West Africa as well as some remaining at home.
The camps are in Saudi Arabia, UAE, West Africa, South Africa, Tunisia, Algeria as well as some remaining in their home countries.
In the United Arab Emirates are six teams from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Cape Verde Angola and Guinea.
Fourth in the last edition, Burkina Faso chose to set up camp in Dubai on December 28, where the Stallions will play a mini-tournament with Nigeria and the DR Congo.
The Congolese and Burkinabes will face off on January 10.
It’s worth noting that Sébastien Desabre’s men are expected in Abu Dhabi at the end of December.
These two teams will be joined by Cape Verde, fine-tunning its preparation in Abu Dhabi before flying to Rades in Tunisia where they will face the Carthage Eagles on January 10.
Abu Dhabi is a carefully considered choice for Kaba Diawara: “Initially, we will meet in Conakry on December 28 and do everything related to flag presentation, celebration, receiving the head of state, and saying goodbye to families on our soil.
“We will be in Abu Dhabi on the 31st to start training. We will leave there for Cote d’Ivoire on January 11 or 12, 2024,” explained the Guinean coach.
Nigeria chose to set up in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates during their preparation. The Super Eagles will face the DR Congo and Burkina Faso during this period.
Nigerians will likely encounter Angola, who also chose Dubai for their training camp.
At the Saudi Arabia training camp are the quartet of Cameroon, Gambia, Zambia, and Cape Verde which also will partly be in UAE and later Tunisia.
Cameroon and Gambia, the two teams set to face each other on January 23 in Group B of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, will prepare in the same country of Saudi Arabia.
According to the Cameroonian press, a contingent of 23 Indomitable Lions will travel to Jeddah on December 27.
Gambia will stay in Saudi Arabia from December 27 to January 5 before heading to Morocco, where a match against the Atlas Lions is planned on January 7.
After a brief gathering with local players, Zambia will fly to Riyadh, with a friendly match scheduled around January 7.
South Africa is another training centre where Ghana and Mozambique will be. Ghanaians will spend New Year’s Eve together in South Africa. The Black Stars will undergo a 10-day training camp where the press and the public will not be able to attend their sessions.
A test match against Botswana is scheduled for Chris Hughton’s men on January 8 before flying to Abidjan.
Mozambicans will also travel to South Africa before the Africa Cup of Nations.
The trio of Algeria, Guinea Bossau and Namibia opted to set up camp in West Africa
Algeria heads to Togo. From January 1 to 10, the Fennecs will conduct their preparation stage in Lomé. The 2021 African champions will play against Togo on January 5 and Burundi on January 9.
Guinea Bissau will go to Mali. The Djurtus will face the Eagles on January 3 before heading to Ivory Coast on January 7. Namibia will be in Ghana.
Both Mauritania and Zambia opted to set up training camp in Tunisia. After Abu Dhabi, Cape Verde will go to Tunisia, where a match against the Carthage Eagles is scheduled.
Mauritania will start its preparation in Tabarka, a coastal city in northwest Tunisia. Amir Abdou and his team will be there until January 11 and will face Tunisia on January 6.
Tanzania will prepare on the side of Annaba in Algeria. Two friendly matches against nations participating in the AFCON are under discussion.
Eight nations have decided to carry out their preparation at home, including Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Tunisia, Mali, Senegal, and Ivory Coast, the host country of the competition.
By Kunle Solaja.
The countdown to the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 has taken a vibrant turn, as the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has launched a nationwide campaign to engage citizens across the kingdom in what promises to be a grand celebration of African football.
The initiative, which began on November 11, will run for 30 days, covering all 12 regions of Morocco and reaching more than 60 municipalities. The first two stops of the tour were held in Tahannaout and Boufakrane, drawing enthusiastic participation from residents.
According to the LOC, the program aims to make AFCON 2025 truly a “CAN for all Moroccans” by bringing football excitement to every corner of the country, from major cities to remote communities.
At each stop, locals can take part in friendly football matches, interactive games, freestyle exhibitions, musical performances, and meet-and-greet sessions with Moroccan football legends. Merchandise stands and cultural showcases will also form part of the festivities, creating a carnival-like atmosphere ahead of the continental showpiece.
“This is more than a football tournament—it’s a national celebration,” an LOC spokesperson said. “We want every Moroccan, whether in urban centers or rural areas, to feel part of the story and share in the joy of hosting Africa’s biggest sporting event.”
The roadshow will continue through December, ensuring that by the time the tournament kicks off on December 21, 2025, the entire country will be united in festive anticipation of welcoming Africa to Morocco.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Nigeria, Moha OU Ali Tagma, has released detailed guidelines for Nigerian football fans seeking to obtain electronic visas to attend the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Ambassador Tagma explained that the process has been made simple and fully digital through Morocco’s official “YALLA” app, designed to streamline both visa and fan accreditation procedures for the continental showpiece, which kicks off on December 21, 2025.
According to the ambassador, Nigerian supporters intending to travel to Morocco for the tournament are required to follow these steps:
- Visit the official YALLA app website at https://www.yalla.morocco.ma for full details of the visa and fan registration process.
- Download the YALLA mobile app — available for iOS users via the Apple Store and for Android users via the Google Play Store.
- Apply for the mandatory FAN ID, and where necessary, submit an application for an E-Visa or Electronic Authorization to Visit Morocco (AEVM) through the YALLA platform.
- Once the FAN ID is approved, it must be entered on the official CAF ticketing website (https://tickets.cafonline.com) to purchase match tickets, gain stadium access, and enjoy designated fan zones.
Ambassador Tagma emphasized that the initiative aims to ensure a seamless, secure, and fan-friendly experience for all visitors, noting that e-visas for the tournament are free of charge.
For assistance, applicants can contact the AFCON 2025 Call Center at +212 530 302 030, which operates 24/7 in Arabic, French, and English, or email the AFCON 2025 support team at info@yallamorocco.ma.
The ambassador reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to welcoming fans from across the continent, saying the North African nation is “ready to host Africa in a spirit of unity, hospitality, and celebration of football excellence.”
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
With just weeks to go before the kick-off of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has announced that electronic visas (e-visas) for fans will be issued free of charge through the official YALLA app — a move designed to ease travel procedures and enhance access to stadiums across the country.
The initiative, launched in coordination with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Moroccan authorities, is aimed at encouraging greater fan participation from across the continent and beyond.
Organizers say the measure reflects Morocco’s commitment to hospitality, inclusivity, and efficient organization, hallmarks of its previous experience hosting international sporting events.
According to the LOC, the YALLA platform will serve as a one-stop portal for both Fan ID and e-visa applications, allowing supporters to complete both requirements simultaneously — a move expected to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and streamline travel preparations.
“This centralized system ensures a seamless experience for fans from the moment they begin planning their trip,” the committee stated, emphasizing that the process includes real-time monitoring and coordinated validation among the various government agencies involved.
Access to all AFCON 2025 match venues will require a mandatory Fan ID, which will serve as each supporter’s digital identification document for entry into stadiums and fan zones.
Fans can apply directly via the official website, www.yallamorocco.ma. A 24-hour multilingual help center has also been established to provide support in Arabic, French, and English, reachable via phone at +212 5 30 30 20 30 or by email at info@yallamorocco.ma.
By waiving e-visa fees, Morocco hopes to make travel more affordable and to foster a truly pan-African atmosphere during the tournament.
“The continent is invited, the doors are open, and the festive spirit can begin,” the LOC declared.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will bring together 24 of the continent’s top footballing nations, is scheduled to kick off on December 21, 2025, marking another milestone in Morocco’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s premier sporting destinations.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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