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.
Morocco’s King Mohammed VI said on Thursday that African fraternity would prevail after what he described as “deplorable” acts that marred the closing minutes of the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal.
Senegal’s players walked off the pitch in protest at a VAR-awarded penalty before returning to beat hosts Morocco 1-0 after extra time on Sunday.
Groups of Senegalese fans clashed with Moroccan security as they tried to enter the pitch following the penalty decision.
Senegal has long been one of Morocco’s closest allies in Africa, where Moroccan firms and banks have expanded investments in recent years, strengthening the kingdom’s diplomatic influence.
Hours after the final, social media in both countries was under the spell of tension.
The final had been marred by “regrettable incidents” and “deplorable behaviour,” the king said in a palace statement.
“Once the passion and emotions have subsided, inter‑African fraternity will naturally prevail,” he said.
“Nothing can undermine the close ties forged over the centuries between our African peoples, nor the fruitful cooperation built with countries across the continent and strengthened by increasingly ambitious partnerships,” he added.
The tournament had also showcased Morocco’s development and represented “a success for all of Africa,” he said.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said it would take “appropriate action” after reviewing the match incidents, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino condemned the behaviour of Senegal’s players and members of the coaching staff.
-Reuters
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Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw said his decision to order a walk-off by his players in Sunday’s combustible Africa Cup of Nations final was driven by emotion and a feeling of injustice.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, Thiaw attempted to explain his actions, which have been widely condemned and for which he faces a possible sanction.
Senegal staged a lengthy protest after a penalty was awarded in the dying stages of Sunday’s game to hosts Morocco after a VAR review, walking off the pitch before returning to continue.
Morocco squandered the penalty, taking the match to extra time where Senegal scored to win 1-0 and claim a second Cup of Nations title in the last three editions.
“We experienced an exceptional tournament with magnificent organisation, which unfortunately ended in tragedy,” wrote the Senegalese coach.
“It was never my intention to go against the principles of the game that I love so much.”
“I simply tried to protect my players from injustice. What some will see as a violation of the rules is nothing more than an emotional reaction to the bias of the situation,” he continued.
“After discussions, we decided to resume the match and go for the trophy for you (Senegalese supporters). I apologise if I offended anyone, but football lovers will understand that emotion is an integral part of this sport.”
Senegal has been celebrating the win since the team arrived back in Dakar on Monday, with the 44-year-old Thiaw, who is a former international, paying tribute to his squad, who were all rewarded with bonuses of more than $130,000 as well as plots of coastal land for their efforts.
“My guys, these 28 warriors who gave sweat, blood, and soul for their nation,” the coach added.
“It’s a pleasure to lead you because, beyond being legends, you are exceptional people!”
A decision on possible sanctions for Senegal from the Confederation of African Football’s disciplinary committee is expected in the coming days.
-Reuters
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AFCON
CAF Rolls Out AFCON 2025 in Numbers: Nigeria’s Firepower on Display: The Stats Behind AFCON 2025’s Most Potent Attack
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations was never designed for the faint-hearted. From the opening whistle to the final seconds of the championship match, the tournament unfolded as a relentless exhibition of intensity, tactical discipline and elite athleticism.
According to statistics released by CAFOnline, AFCON 2025 was a competition defined by fine margins, unyielding duels and performances that underlined the growing maturity of African football on the global stage.
At the summit stood Senegal, crowned champions after a campaign marked by authority and control. The Teranga Lions blended efficiency with resilience, navigating the tournament with a champion’s composure.
Morocco, beaten finalists, reinforced their status as one of Africa’s most consistent and tactically refined sides, while Nigeria, finishing third, emerged as the competition’s most explosive attacking force, dominating several statistical categories.
Together, the trio shaped a demanding and densely contested tournament whose numbers tell a deeper story of a continent’s football evolution.
The Podium
- Champions: Senegal
- Runners-up: Morocco
- Third Place: Nigeria
Individual Brilliance
AFCON 2025 was illuminated by individual excellence. Senegal’s talisman Sadio Mané was named Player of the Tournament, reflecting his decisive influence throughout the competition. Morocco’s Brahim Díaz finished as Top Scorer with five goals, while compatriot Yassine Bounou claimed Best Goalkeeper honours after keeping five clean sheets.
Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman stood out creatively, topping the assist charts with four assists to earn the Best Playmaker award. Morocco’s exemplary conduct across the tournament was recognised with the Fair Play Award.
Team Performance Highlights as Nigeria enter limelight
The tournament produced a total of 121 goals, underlining its attacking tempo. Nigeria led the scoring charts with 14 goals, while also recording the highest average possession at 66 per cent and achieving the longest winning streak, five consecutive victories.
Senegal dominated in ball circulation, completing 3,562 passes, winning the most corners (44), and sharing the highest number of clean sheets (five) with Morocco. Morocco and Senegal also led in attacking intent, each registering 108 shots.
Defensively, Morocco, Comoros, DR Congo and Senegal conceded only two goals each, while Mozambique endured the toughest campaign at the back, conceding nine goals. Egypt topped the offside chart with 15 infringements, and Morocco and Mali converted the most penalties, three apiece.
Discipline and Fair Play
Discipline was tightly managed across the competition. A total of 210 yellow cards and nine red cards were shown. Senegal emerged as the most sanctioned team, collecting 17 yellow cards and one red.
Attendance and Atmosphere
The tournament’s biggest crowd gathered at Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat, where 66,526 spectators witnessed the heavyweight clash between Senegal and Morocco—an encounter befitting the competition’s highest standards.
As reflected in the data published by CAFOnline, AFCON 2025 was not merely a contest for silverware. It was a statement of Africa’s footballing evolution; tactically sharper, physically demanding and increasingly uncompromising. The numbers confirm it: African football is moving forward, and it is doing so at full speed.
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