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AFCON

SENEGAL CONTINUES PERFECT RUN IN AFCON QUALIFIERS

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Senegal’s Teranga Lions completed their perfect start for the Cameroon 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Group I campaign, winning their third game in as many matches by a 2-0 victory over Guinea Bissau at the Lat Dior stadium in Thies on Wednesday.

Liverpool striker Sadio Mane scored from the spot just before the break, and Opa Nguette added a second half goal as Senegal gathered their ninth point to consolidate their grip on the group’s summit.

Aliou Cisse troops started the game on a high note and had their first sight at goal through Ismaila Sarr after 14 minutes.

Guinea Bissau who are eyeing a third consecutive AFCON appearance had their first chance via Piqueti Silva after 25 minutes but found the safe hands of Senegal’s Edouard Mendy.

D Silva could have opened the score for the visitors after 34 minutes, but his shot missed the target by a small margin.

And at the brink of halftime Senegal had a penalty for a foul on Sarr inside the area. Mane made no mistake from the spot as the Teranga Lions went to halftime leading 1-0.

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After the break it was a similar story, and 16 minutes from full time Ngueet doubled Senegal’s lead scoring from a close ramge being assisted by 2019 African Player of the Year Mane.

With nine points from nine, Senegal seems to already have one foot in Cameroon.

Mauritania 1 – 1 Burundi

A superb free kick from Saidi Ntibazonkiza in the 80th minute gave Burundi their first point of Group E, after snatching a precious draw from Mauritania in Nouakchott.

The Mourabitounes took the lead in a similar pattern, when Bakary N’diaye scored at the half hour mark from a freekick. Mauritania had the lion share of possession and chances in the first half but could only manage a lone goal lead.

This advantage lasted till the 80th minute, before The Swallows of Burundi managed the equalizer as Ntibazonkiza’s freekick was too much for Mauritania’s goalkeeper Namori Diaw.

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It was a disappointment for Corentin Martins’ men who thought they had won the game. Both sides lock horns in Bujumbura after four days.

-Cafonline

Kunle Solaja is the author of landmark books on sports and journalism as well as being a multiple award-winning journalist and editor of long standing. He is easily Nigeria’s foremost soccer diarist and Africa's most capped FIFA World Cup journalist, having attended all FIFA World Cup finals from Italia ’90 to Qatar 2022. He was honoured at the Qatar 2022 World Cup by FIFA and AIPS.

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AFCON

Nigerians, other nationals can apply, as CAF and Morocco Launch Volunteer Programme for AFCON 2025

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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:

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  • 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

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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).

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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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AFCON

Morocco Takes Delivery of 723 Chinese Buses Ahead of AFCON

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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.

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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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