AFCON
Facts & Figures As Tunisia Take On Namibia In AFCON Group E –
Mali will begin their Cup of Nations campaign this Tuesday when they play South Africa in their Group E at the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
Ahead of the match, CafOnline.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures of the two sides below:
- This will be the third encounter between Mali and South Africa at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. The two previous meetings saw Mali prevail, both times in the quarter-finals: 2-0 in the 2002 edition and on penalties in 2013 (1-1 after extra-time, 3-1 on penalties).
- This is Mali’s 13th participation in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, including their ninth in a row; no side has played as many games as Mali (54) at AFCON without ever winning the trophy. Their best performance dates back to 1972 – Mali lost 3-2 in the final against Congo.
- Mali have never lost their opening game at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (W7 D5). However, they have also never won consecutive matches at a single tournament since 2004.
- Only Nigeria (22) scored more goals than Mali (15) in the qualifiers for this year’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations whilst only Tunisia (1) conceded fewer (2 pour les Aigles).
- Four of Mali’s last nine goals at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations have been scored from the penalty spot. The last three penalties were all converted by Ibrahima Koné in the 2021 edition.
- This is South Africa’s 11th participation in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, and their first since 2019. Their only AFCON title dates back to 1996, as hosts.
- South Africa reached the final four of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in each of their first three participations (1st in 1996, 2nd in 1998, 3rd in 2000). Since then, they have never progressed further than the quarter-finals, winning only three of their last 20 matches (D7 L10).
- South Africa have never scored more than one goal in their last nine matches at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations. The last time they did was against Morocco in the 2013 group stages (2-2).
- Among the 24 teams that will feature in Côte d’Ivoire, none conceded more goals per game than South Africa in CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2023 qualifiers (1.5 per game, 6 in 4 games).
- Moussa Doumbia has assisted Mali’s last three goals scored in open play at the African Cup of Nations. He’s scored six goals for the Mali national team, more than any other player in the squad for the 2023 AFCON.
- South Africa boss Hugo Broos is taking part in his second CAF Africa Cup of Nations as manager – he led Cameroon to the trophy in 2017.
-CAF
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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