AFCON
As Mauritania Arrive With Four Brothers, CAF Presents Other Siblings Who Played Together At AFCON –
- Mauritania to have four brothers in CAF AFCON 2023
- Hassan brothers the only siblings to have lifted the title together twice
- The Toure and Ayew brothers,with six intstances, have played the most AFCON titles together
The 34th edition of Africa’s biggest event, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in less than 48 hours, with 24 strong African nations set to battle it out for Africa’s most coveted title.
With all 24 teams raring to go, CAFOnline takes a look interesting statistical information of brothers playing in the same national team at the various editions of the AFCON.
In the history of the competition, six siblings have managed to win the trophy: the Ethiopians Italo and Luciano Vassalo in 1962, the Congolese Albert Bwanga and Robert Kazadi in 1974, the Cameroonians André and François Biyik in 1988, the Zambians Christopher and Felix Katongo in 2012, the Ivorians Yaya and Kolo Touré in 2015.
Egypt’s Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan have achieved the feat of winning two CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 1986 and 1998 together.
- Kolo and Yaya Touré (Cote d’Ivoire – AFCON 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013 & 2015)
Football-wise, Kolo and Yaya have experienced almost everything. For years, they were teammates and opponents in the English Premier League but when asked what their biggest emotion as players was, they pointed to their victory in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in 2015.
Before reaching the holy grail in Equatorial Guinea, the Touré brothers had played in five AFCON competitions.
- André and Jordan Ayew (Ghana – AFCON 2012, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021 & 2023)
AFCON 2023 will be the sixth edition that Abedi Pelé’s sons will play together. In 2015, André and Jordan Ayew were on the verge of winning their first continental title but couldn’t wrestle the might of Côte d’Ivoire during an endless penalty shootout.
- André Kana Biyik and François Omam Biyik (Cameroon – AFCON 1988, 1990 and 1992)
The two wield distinct skill sets. The youngest François, is an elegant striker; his goal scored in the 1990 World Cup against Diego Maradona’s Argentina lives on.
The two brothers played together in three AFCON competitions.
- Hossam and Ibrahim Hassan (Egypt 1986 & 1998)
Until now, no siblings have managed to do better than them. The Hassan brothers achieved the feat of winning two AFCON titles.
- Alain and Traoré (Burkina Faso – 2015 and 2017)
Finalists in 2013, and after an unsuccessful attempt in 2015, the two brothers had to settle for a bronze medal in 2017.
- Sambou and Mustapha Yatabaré (Mali – 2015 and 2017)
Now retired, the two Malian brothers defended the colors of Mali in 2015 and 2017. The two participations ended in elimination in the first round of the competition.
- Christopher and Felix Katongo (Zambia – 2012 and 2013)
Zambia won its first TotalEnergies CAF AFCON in 2012. Christopher Katongo participated in this fantastic odyssey alongside his younger brother Félix.
But this wasn’t a Zambian first. In 1994 and 1996, Kenneth and Mordon Malitoli became the first Zambian siblings to compete in the competition.
- Italo and Luciano Vassalo (Ethiopia – 1962)
Luciano and Italo Vassalo are the first brothers to have played in the same team during the 1962 edition in Addis Ababa. Luciano would later be crowned best player of the competition, a first for an Ethiopian player.
- Nouh Mohamed El Abd, Sidi Ahmed Mohamed El Abd, Lamine Ba and El Hadji Ba (Mauritania – 2023)
For the 2023 edition, four brothers are making an appearance for Mauritania. Nouh Mohamed El Abd and his little brother Sidi Ahmed Mohamed El Abd. Both players play at FC Nouadhibou, Nouh in defense and Sidi in the middle.
Lamine Ba will also be accompanied by his brother El Hadji. Born in France, Ba brothers will play their first Africa Cup of Nations with Mauritania.
- Albert Bwanga and Robert Kazadi (DR Congo – 1974)
Albert Bwanga and Robert Kazadi represented Democratic Republic of Congo. They are one of six siblings to have won the AFCON.
Ghana also had two pairs of brothers during the 2008 edition, Asamoah Gyan was accompanied by his big brother Baffour. The Kingston family was also represented by Richard and Laryea.
In 2004, Zimbabwean Peter Ndlovu played in the competition with his brother Adam.
During this same edition, Benin had Tchomogo Oumar and Seidath. In 2000, Salou, Bachirou and Tadjou brought joy to Togo, just like Mohamed and Musa Kallon with Sierra Leone in 1996. The 1994 AFCON saw Samir and Adel Sellimi defend the colors of Tunisia.
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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