AFCON
UPDATE FROM CAF CONGRESS: AHMAD SEEKS FIFA’S HELP TO GET DIPLOMATIC STATUS FOR CAF FOREIGN STAFF
A cold war that has existed between the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Egyptian government came to the fore on Thursday at the CAF General Assembly.
CAF founded on 8 February 1957 in Khartoum, Sudan moved its offices to Cairo few months later after a fire outbreak in the offices of the Sudanese Football Association destroyed foundation documents.
During Thursday’s meeting CAF’s president Ahmad has asked
FIFA president, Gianni Infantino to help in finalizing the headquarters
agreement.
The hosting agreement between CAF and Egypt government started in 2007 for five years and was automatically extended in 2012 for another five years before expiring in 2017.
“Today CAF is in a precarious situation. Anything can happen here on our premises because we still do not have an agreement on our headquarters. This is why I am addressing you, the Presidents of Federations,” Ahmad told the CAF’s general assembly on Thursday.
“There are many challenges to overcome. Reforms will not be easy. Even our employees at CAF have trouble getting visas to work. Some come under tourist visa!,” the CAF president added.
EFA’s former boss responds
From his side, resigned Egyptian Football Association president and FIFA’s executive committee member Hani Abu Rida has denied Ahmad’s statements, confirming Egypt will always help the CAF and introduce all facilities to ease the federation’s missions.
“I affirm that the CAF is enjoying all privileges more than any federation in the world, including FIFA itself,” Abu Rida told the CAF’s general assembly.
“To give the CAF’s employees a diplomatic prescription should be passed from the parliament,” he added.
“I confirm that the matter is on its way to be solved,”
“Egypt is a country that works within the law and respects Africans, as well as secures complete protection for its workers,” the FIFA’s executive committee member announced.
“Egypt will always and forever host the CAF’s headquarters and has been since its establishment in 1957,” Abu Rida concluded.
The CAF’s general assembly that took place in Cairo early on Thursday comes one day ahead of the final game of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt between Algeria and Senegal.
Egypt proved to be a hero by hosting the 2019 African Cup of Nations (2019 AFCON) tournament after Cameroon, whom was originally granted hosting rights, was stripped of its duties after delays in preparations for the expanded 24-team tournament.
“We can’t ignore Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s cooperation in organising the competition in five months,” Ahmad Ahmad told a press conference last June.
“There were a lot of challenges concerning this tournament, but we tried to overcome them and organise a competition with 24 national teams,” he said.
Infantino congratulates Egypt
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino congratulated Egypt for its incredible organizing of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations during his attendance at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Congress’s headquarters in Cairo on Thursday.
“I congratulate Egypt for this great organizing of the Africa Cup of Nations, and for an incredible tournament,” Infantino said during the CAF congress.
He also emphasized that Egypt amazed the world with its magnificent infrastructure and perfect stadiums.
The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final game will be played between Algeria and Senegal at Cairo Stadium on Friday.
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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