AFCON
From Fortress to Football Theatre: Marrakech’s Grand Stade Gets a Makeover
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, Marrakech, Morocco.
At the northern entrance of Marrakech, Morocco’s fabled “Red City,” rises a sporting fortress that fuses history, culture, and modern innovation.
The Grand Stade de Marrakech, inaugurated in 2011, is set to host eight matches of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), including a potentially high-profile semi-final on January 10, 2026.
From a distance, the stadium could be mistaken for an ancient citadel. Its brown, earthy tones echo the city’s centuries-old red walls and the terracotta skyline that has earned Marrakech its evocative nickname of “Red City”.
Four towers, standing at each corner of the structure, are fitted with halogen lamps that cast a golden glow over the lush green pitch at night.
According to stadium officials, the design intentionally mirrors local architecture and fortifications — a subtle blend of tradition and modernity.
The Grand Stade de Marrakech, sits like a fortress at the northern entrance of Marrakech
What makes the Grand Stade truly unique is its rectangular form combined with elliptical athletics tracks — the first of its kind in the world.
Conceived by the Italian firm Gregotti Associati International, the arena comfortably seats 41,000 fans and projects both strength and elegance.
Managed by the state company SONARGES (La Société Nationale de Réalisation et de Gestion des Équipements Sportifs), it has recently undergone significant upgrades to meet CAF standards ahead of the continental showpiece.
Regional director Karaoui Morad explained that renovations have been planned in two phases.
The first, already completed, introduced more comfortable seating, two modern Videomatrix scoreboards, new eco-friendly lighting systems that reduce energy use by 60 per cent, and advanced security cameras.
Regional director of SONARGES, Karaoui Morad (Right) explains the technical aspects of the upgrade of Grand Stade de Marrakech.
The second phase, scheduled after AFCON, will prepare the stadium for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host.
This transformation will see the pitch lowered by 10 metres to expand capacity to 46,000 seats, the removal of the running tracks to bring fans closer to the action, and the addition of a full roof canopy.
For now, though, the stadium is set to write a new chapter in its history. On AFCON’s opening days, South Africa and Angola will christen the arena with its first-ever AFCON match.
From that moment, Marrakech’s desert fortress will not only echo with the chants of football fans but also stand as a symbol of Morocco’s growing stature on the world sporting stage.
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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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