AFCON
RETURNEE ‘EXILED’ PLAYER, THULANI SERERO CAUSES BAFANA COACH TO RESHAPE STARTING LINE UP
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Coach Stuart Baxter of Bafana Bafana has had his headaches compounded as he know think of including Thulani Serero in his starting line-up in the grudge-laden match with Nigeria on Saturday.
Serero has been a controversial footballer in South Africa having declined invitations in the past, especially in a vital World Cup 2018 qualifying duel with Senegal. He went on exile, so to say. He is now dubbed the prodigal son in South African football.
He had a change of mind and decided to be part of the match with Nigeria on Saturday. He however sustained injuries while on club assignment making him doubtful for the Nigerian encounter.
For the greater part of the week while the Bafana Bafana trained at Steyn City School in Johannesburg, Serero was not part of the genera; training sessions.
He was involved only in light exercises. But on Thursday, he seemed to have regained match fitness making Coach Baxter to try different attacking combinations.
Observers claim that Serero appeared in all the probable starting teams. According to SowetanLive, Baxter wouldn’t commit on whether he would be in the line-up, but insisted Serero was in the right frame of mind after a year out of the national team.
“He’s had an [ankle] injury that’s prevented him from proper training for the week. So it’s not just about throwing him in and let him swim or sink, but the players and staff have reacted well to him,” Baxter noted.
“If you look at the whole situation, it’s one where he took the initiative [to come back], and I believe he deserves that chance.
“If he starts or he’s on the bench, that’s not 100% yet.”
Bidvest Wits trio Sifiso Hlanti, Thulani Hlatshwayo, and Buhle Mkhwanazi are destined for their starting berths in defence, while Cape Town City fullback Thamsanqa Mkhize may get the nod ahead of Ramahlwe Mphahlele of Kaizer Chiefs.
Baxter further said all the players were ready and, in a last-ditch effort, he’s appealed for the nation’s support.
“Yeah, it’s very important. We can have our opinions about how things in the bigger perspective are going, but we are trying to develop a new team and at the same time win games – that’s not the easiest thing to do.
“I don’t think we should lose track of the fact that we all want the same thing; we are all taking part.
“I would like to make it intimidating there on the field for the Nigerians and intimidating up there [in the stands]. I hope all South Africans will come and support, give us that extra support.”
Meanwhile, Mphahlele said it was vital to go for a win.
“We will obviously go for a win to qualify. We are playing at home, but we can’t be naive and say we beat them [2-0] in Nigeria and therefore it’s an obvious game,” said the right-back,” said Mphahlele.
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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