AFCON
AMAZING FACTS: 16 TAKE AWAYS AHEAD OF BENIN –NIGERIA AFCON QUALIFYING MATCH
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Neighbours, Benin Republic and Nigeria will be engaged in an Africa Cup of Nations qualification match this Saturday. Sports Village Square hereby presents some amazing facts ahead of the encounter.
- The Nigerian national team travelled by sea to Benin Republic for the match. It was the first time in 72 years that a Nigerian team made a sea voyage for a match. The first was on 16 August 1949 when the then UK Tourists boarded the RMSS Apapa to Liverpool and played their first international match in Sierra Leone on 8 October 1949 on their return sea voyage.
- The Super Eagles will be seeking their first victory in 497 days since they beat Lesotho 4-2 in Maseru in 2019. They have since gone four matches without a win, including throwing away a four-goal first have lead against Sierra Leone at home.
- Nigeria were the opponents of Benin Republic (then called Dahomey) when they played their first ever international match on 8 November 1959.
- Porto Novo, the venue of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match on Saturday was also the venue of the first ever Benin versus Nigeria match on 8 November 1959.
- Saturday’s match will be 21st encounter of both teams.
- Benin Republic have never beaten the Super Eagles of Nigeria. In 20 preceding matches, Nigeria won 15 and drew five.
- In total, Nigeria have scored 55 goals against Benin Republic. The scorer of the very first of the goals is Albert Onyeawuna in a Nigerian 1-0 triumph in Porto Novo in 1959.
- Both teams will qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, even before firing any shot if Sierra Leone fail to win the corresponding Group L match against Lesotho in Maseru. That match kicks off three hours to that of Benin versus Nigeria and would certainly be concluded except other factors creep in.
- Nigeria will be attempting their 19th appearance at the African premier football competition as against Benin Republic who have had just four appearances.
- It was against Benin Republic (then Dahomey) that Nigeria recorded their biggest win, a 10-1 victory on 29 November 1959.
- Nigeria’s first ever scorer of a hat trick is Abudu Buraimoh and it was in the 29 November 1959 match against Benin Republic. Elkanah Onyeali followed up in that same match by scoring four goals in the Nigerian 10-1 triumph.
- Nigeria have on Valentine date (14 February) beaten Benin Republic with magical 7-0 win. That was in 1977. They followed up with another 7-0 win on 14 January 1978.
- Retired Nigeria mesmerizing left winger, Adokiye Amiesimaka made his international debut while still being an undergraduate at the University of Lagos in a match against Benin Republic on 14 February 1977.
- Nigeria Professional League first top scorer, Ishaya Jatau scored his only international goal in a 1990 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Benin Republic in Cotonou on 30 September 1990.
- It was a Benin versus Nigeria match that ended the unbroken field appearances of Joseph Yobo in the Africa Cup of Nations matches from 2002 to 2010. Before the match of 16 January 2010 in Benguela, Angola, Yobo had played every of Nigeria’s 23 consecutive AFCON matches. It was in the 24th match which was against Benin Republic that he got injured in the 55th minute and had to be replaced by Onyekachi Apam.
- Over a decade ago, there existed ‘the other Super Eagles’ in Benin Republic as scores of their internationals were actually Nigerians. They included Muri Ogunbiyi, a native of Otta in Ogun State, Jonas Oketola, Emmanuel Fabiyi, Razak Omotoyossi, Babatounde Bello, Moussa Latounji and Wasiou Oladikpikpo among others.
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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