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.
AFCON
Royal Air Maroc Announces Special $715 Round-Trip Packages for Nigerian Fans Heading to AFCON 2025
By Kunle Solaja.
Nigerian football fans now have even more reason to pack their bags for AFCON 2025, as Royal Air Maroc has unveiled special discounted travel packages for supporters travelling from Lagos and Abuja to Morocco.
Under the new offer, fans can secure a round-trip ticket for just $715, a significant reduction aimed at making the journey more affordable for the thousands of Nigerians expected to cheer on the Super Eagles at Africa’s biggest football festival.
Royal Air Maroc’s discounted fares for AFCON fans
The discounted air fare which also affect fans from 11 other African cities, is designed to make it easier and more affordable for football fans across Africa to attend the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The airline says the initiative is part of its commitment to ensuring that as many supporters as possible experience the excitement of AFCON 2025 live in Morocco’s world-class stadiums. With Nigeria poised to attract one of the largest travelling contingents, the discounted fares provide timely relief for fans planning early.
Royal Air Maroc encourages travellers to stay updated through its official channels for booking details and further announcements as the tournament approaches.
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AFCON
Mamelodi Sundowns Dominate as South Africa Becomes First Nation to Announce AFCON 2025 Preliminary Squad
South Africa has become the first country to unveil its provisional squad for the 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, and the announcement has underlined one clear reality: Mamelodi Sundowns remain the heartbeat of Bafana Bafana.
Coach Hugo Broos released a 54-man preliminary squad on Monday, and while home-based players dominated the list, it was Mamelodi Sundowns — runners-up in last season’s CAF Champions League and Africa’s most dominant club of the past decade — who supplied some of the most influential names.
With 10 Sundowns players included, the club once again proves its unmatched depth, quality, and consistency in producing elite talent for the national team. The champions’ representation rivals that of Orlando Pirates, who contributed 13 players, but the significance of Sundowns’ presence lies in their continued dominance of South African and continental football.
Among the standout inclusions is Themba Zwane, the 36-year-old Sundowns playmaker who, despite battling long-term knee injuries since last season, remains indispensable to Bafana Bafana. His creativity and leadership were critical in helping South Africa reach the semi-finals at the last AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, and Broos appears unwilling to risk a campaign without him.
The South African Football Association says the final 23-man squad will be confirmed “in the coming days,” well ahead of CAF’s December 11 deadline for all participating nations.
The preliminary list includes 12 foreign-based players, with the bulk of the squad reflecting the strength of South Africa’s domestic league — and particularly, its dominant champions.
South Africa’s Preliminary Squad for AFCON 2025 (Selected)
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Brandon Petersen (Kaizer Chiefs)
Defenders: Aubrey Modiba, Fawaaz Basadien, Thapelo Morena, Khuliso Mudau (all Mamelodi Sundowns); Siyabonga Ngezana (Steaua Bucharest); Ime Okon (Hannover 96)
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Bathusi Aubaas (both Mamelodi Sundowns); Sphephelo Sithole (Tondela); Luke le Roux (Portsmouth)
Forwards: Iqraam Rayners, Themba Zwane (both Mamelodi Sundowns); Lyle Foster (Burnley); Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Minnesota United)
With Mamelodi Sundowns continuing to set the pace in African club football, their strong influence on Bafana Bafana’s AFCON ambitions comes as no surprise.
As the countdown to Morocco 2025 intensifies, all eyes will be on whether South Africa’s most dominant club can transfer its winning DNA to the national team — and inspire a deep run at the continent’s premier tournament.
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AFCON
VIDEO- AFCON Countdown: Royal Air Maroc Unveils Star-Themed Aircraft to Celebrate Atlas Lions Ahead of Morocco 2025
With the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 just days away, excitement is soaring—literally. Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has unveiled a spectacular aircraft livery dedicated entirely to the Atlas Lions, featuring striking portraits of Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou, Brahim Díaz, Bilal El Khannouss and Youssef En-Nesyri.
The stunning tribute, created in partnership with the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), showcases Morocco’s brightest football icons and reflects the growing national momentum as the Kingdom prepares to host Africa’s premier tournament from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026.
This is the second special livery revealed by the national carrier. Earlier on November 1, RAM introduced an aircraft draped in the official AFCON 2025 colors, symbolizing the country’s readiness for a historic, festival-style edition of the competition. The new player-themed aircraft adds a powerful emotional touch, highlighting the pride and unity surrounding the Atlas Lions’ golden generation.
To meet the massive surge in travel expected during the month-long tournament, Royal Air Maroc is also rolling out an exceptional operational plan. More than 660 additional flights are being scheduled to ensure smooth movement for fans, teams, officials and media across the host cities—Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, Agadir and Fez.
The initiative stems from a strategic partnership signed in April between the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Royal Air Maroc, naming the airline an Official Global Partner for CAF’s flagship competitions, including AFCON.
As Morocco enters the final stretch of preparations, RAM’s latest tribute captures the spirit of national pride, continental unity and football passion that will electrify AFCON 2025—promising fans across Africa an unforgettable celebration both on the ground and in the skies.
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