AFCON
Monday’s AFCON Draw may pit Nigeria against Chelle’s Mali or Cameroon
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Ranking among Africa’s top six teams in last December’s FIFA Ranking has landed Nigeria in Pot 1 which consists of Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire.
Consequently, the Super Eagles will not be pitched against any of the other teams in Pot 1.
But a potential clash with Nigeria’s new head coach’s country, Mali looms. Mali is on Pot 2 along with at least two other Super Eagles’ tough rivals, Cameroon and South Africa along with Tunisia DR Congo and Burkina Faso.
Nigeria’s new manager, Éric Sékou Chelle famously led Mali to beat Nigeria in a friendly match last year in Morocco.
It was the first time in 50 years that Mali had beaten Nigeria. Before then, the last time they met was at the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria, under coach Stephen Keshi who had previously coached Mali, won 4-1.
Nigeria beat Mali 4-1 in the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations at the Moses Mabhida-Stadium Durban, South Africa. -AFP-photo
Nigeria is destined to face any of those six countries. Pot 3 which also contains six teams harbours Benin Republic with which Nigeria has been having recurring fixtures lately. Both were pitted together in both the 2026 World Cup qualifying series and the preliminary competition that produced the 24 teams of Morocco 2025.
Were it to be the World Cup where teams that had met in the qualifying series are separated, both Nigeria and the Benin Republic will not be in the same final group.
But CAF seems not applying such a principle as happened in Cote d’Ivoire 2023. Both Nigeria and Guinea Bissau were put in the same group despite having been in the same qualifying group.
Should Nigeria and Benin be pitted together, the two neighbouring teams will be meeting five times since last year.
The Pot 4 is the only one in which Nigeria have no special link except with Zimbabwe who are in the same World Cup qualifying group with Nigeria.
The pot contains Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
The Draw Ceremony will take place at the Mohamed V National Theatre in Rabat, on Monday evening.
Three-time African champions Nigeria have been placed in Pot 1, alongside seven-time winners Egypt, three-time champions and Cup holders Cote d’Ivoire, two-time winners Algeria, hosts and 1976 champions Morocco and 2021 winners Senegal.
Pot 1: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire
Pot 2: Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia, South Africa, DR Congo, Burkina Faso
Pot 3: Gabon, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, Benin Republic
Pot 4: Mozambique, Comoros, Tanzania, Sudan, Zimbabwe, Botswana
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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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