AFCON
NB PLC HAILS NFF FOR HONOURING 1994 SUPER EAGLES AT NIGHT OF STARS
The high point of the second edition of the Nigeria Football Federation Award Night was the honour and tribute to the Class of 1994 of the Nigeria football team, the Super Eagles.
Almost half of the living members of the squad were on hand to receive the honour, 25 years after the team brail the trail to become Nigeria’s first ever squad at the FIFA World Cup.
In doing so, the 1994 Super Eagles also became the first Anglophone African team at the World Cup. Before the World Cup in June 1994, the team also won the Africa Cup of Nations, the first by any Nigerian squad outside the shores of the country.
The squad also became the first Nigerian side to feature in the ‘sacred’ turf of the old Wembley Stadium in November 1994.
Partners of the NFF and the official brewer of the beer of the Super Eagles, Nigeria Breweries (NB) were thrilled by the honour bestowed on the trail-blazing squad.
According to the Marketing Director of the NB, Emmanuel Oriakhi, the recognition of the 1994 Super Eagles was a masterstroke employed by the NFF.
Oriakhi recalled that the team not only brought honour to the country, it also attained the highest ranking of fifth position in the monthly rating of national teams which FIFA had been doing since 1993.
‘Recognising the exploits of that squad is a prerequisite for the advancement of subsequent squads Nigeria has been putting forward’, remarked Oriakhi.
He recalled that no fewer than six members of the squad constituted the record-making Nigerian team of 1996 that became the first team outside Europe to win the Olympic Games’ football event in 68 years.
Before that exploit, all the previous Olympic Games football gold medals had been won by European countries since the 1928 Olympics which was won by Uruguay.
“Significantly, no European team has won since the Nigerian team broke their reign 23 years ago”, remarked the NB Marketing Director who sees this as a further tribute to the heroic performance of the Nigerian team to which his company is a pillar.
He is of the opinion that the recognition of the 1994 squad will be an impetus to the current squad that will be featuring in the largest ever edition of the Africa Cup of Nations who could also put their names in gold.
“The squad enmeshed in the middle of the FIFA ranking table will be spurred to rise.
Nigerian Breweries Plc is a big supporter of sports in the country.
In February 2018, the nation’s pioneer brewer, through its premium beer, Star Lager as the official beer of the Super Eagles and with Amstel Malta as the official malt during of the national teams.
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
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.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
BREAKING: At last FIFA’s Axe falls on South Africa!
- World Cup1 week ago
South Africa to Appeal FIFA Ruling Over Mokoena Eligibility Case
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
Super Eagles Set for Double Friendly Showdown with Venezuela and Colombia in USA
- World Cup1 week ago
Sport Minister Orders Probe into SAFA over Bafana’s Costly Points Deduction
- World Cup6 days ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- CAF Confederation Cup1 week ago
Asante Kotoko End Kwara United’s Confederation Cup Campaign in Abeokuta
- U-20 FOOTBALL1 week ago
Two penalty appeal lost as Flying Eagles stumble at first hurdle
- World Cup4 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers