AFCON
LIKE BONFRERE JO, WILL SIERRA LEONE SPELL DOOM FOR ROHR?
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Traditionally, Nigeria’s technical adviser, Gernot Rohr wears deep blue shirts on match days.
But he may have been constrained to change to white on Friday when the Super Eagles met Sierra Leone whose jersey colour was similar to Rohr’s favourite deep blue.
His spirit must have risen when the Super Eagles took a four goal lead in the opening 30 minutes of their now never to be forgotten 4-4 draw with unlikely heroes, Sierra Leone.
As the Leone Stars were reawaken in the second half of the match, Rohr got completely lost and perhaps was looking for possibly divine intervention to be able to escape what looked like a doomsday that was lurking.
His assemblage of the highest number of Nigerian players in the Diaspora appears to have backfired. From awful goalkeeping to leaky defence wall, the previously lively Nigerian squad had turned to a laborious outfit.
In three Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches spanning exactly one year from 12 November 2019 to 13 November 2020, Gernot Rohr’s defence line has conceded seven goals.
Sadly, the seven goals in three matches were in encounters with lower ranked teams in Africa – Benin Republic, Lesotho and Sierra Leone.
On Friday, while it took Nigeria 30 minutes to score four goals, Sierra Leone responded with three quick fire goals in a space of 14 minutes.
Had there been a longer added time in Friday’s encounter, the soul-lifted Sierra Leoneans appeared to be the side that could have gotten a winner and possibly throw into the trash can, the memorable ‘Damman Miracle’ which Nigeria had at the U-20 World Cup 31 years ago in Saudi Arabia.
Could this be the beginning of the end? Nigeria will be facing Sierra Leone again in Freetown. Can a defeat be averted? A shock defeat of Nigeria by Sierra Leone in Freetown 19 years ago ended the coaching career of Bonfrere Johannes with the Super Eagles.
Not only that, goalkeeper of the day, Peterside Idah had his last cap with the team to join Kunle Awesu who also played his last international match with Sierra Leone 25 years earlier.
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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