AFCON
CAF fines Nigeria and Algeria for match-fixing
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
On this day, 40 years ago Nigeria and Algeria played their last Group B match in the Africa Cup of Nations in Bouake, Cote d’Ivoire. It remains one of the most controversial matches in the tournament’s history.
Nigeria won just one match in the series and yet came back with a silver medal.
Nigeria and Algeria played spinelessly to end tie at 0-0 fuelling allegations that both teams had agreed on an accord to eliminate defending champions, Ghana.
With players just knocking the ball about in the midfield and strikers even refusing to aim at goal, opting to kick the ball back into their territory, no one was left in doubt about the intentions of the 22 players on the pitch.
The ticket holding spectators were enraged.
So dismaying was the play that the Guinean referee, Karim Camara issued a yellow card to skippers Stephen Keshi of Nigeria and Ali Feghani of Algeria. The gesture was actually a general caution to both teams for ‘unsporting’ behaviour.
After three hours of deliberation, CAF fined Algeria and Nigeria $6,000. At the time, it was initially a subject of speculations on whether both team conspired. Sports Village Square can confirm that there were strong elements indicating match fixing.
A member of the squad, now deceased during a social gathering actually confessed to be at the centre of the deal after a chance meeting with Algeria’s captain, Ali Feghani whom he had known before.
The deal: “Nigeria-Algeria play 0-0; Ghana, Malawi go home”. Weeks later, Henry Nwosu, a member of the Nigerian squad granted an interview to the evening newspaper of The Guardian, Guardian Express, confirming the conspiracy.
From Algeria later came another confirmation.
A former Algeria midfielder Mohammed Shoaib revealed there was a connivance to get the defending champions, Ghana eliminated.
Going into the last match, Ghana, defeated in the opening match by Nigeria, needed to beat Malawi in their last group match in addition to expecting Nigeria to be beaten by Algeria.
Nigeria needed a draw to advance to the semi-final along with Algeria.
The Algerians recalled their own fate in the World Cup two years earlier in what was globally called the ‘Gijon Swindle’. At the time, West Germany and Austria, neighbours conspired to eliminate Algeria in a Spain ‘82 duel at Gijon.
Owing to the the tiebreaker rules in the group stage, a West German win by one or two goals would ensure that both Austria and West Germany advanced to the next round. West Germany scored the only goal in the first 10 minutes of the match, which progressively deteriorated to a virtual standstill in the second half.
Despite widespread condemnation and a formal complaint lodged by Algeria who bore the consequences, FIFA did not take any action.
Later, an Austrian player Reinhold Hintermaier admitted the match was fixed. That is the reason why group stage now ensures that the final two games in each group would be played simultaneously.
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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