Sports
Nothing will stop AFCON 2025 from holding in Morocco – Motsepe assures
Patrice Motsepe, the head of African football’s governing body, expressed strong certainty on Monday that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will occur as scheduled in Morocco, despite ongoing widespread demonstrations against the government lasting over a week.
On Sunday, young demonstrators in Morocco rallied for the ninth consecutive evening, demanding an end to graft and a new administration.
The activists are pushing for improvements in public services like healthcare and schooling, while expressing frustration over economic disparities.
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Morocco plans to host the tournament from December 21 to January 18 across nine locations, featuring 24 teams in Africa’s top football event.
Prominent athletes, including Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Liverpool, and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain, are expected to feature.
At a yearly assembly of African football leaders in Kinshasa, Motsepe, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, declared: “We (CAF) are absolutely confident the AFCON will go ahead as planned.
“Morocco is plan A, Morocco is plan B and Morocco is plan C,” he told his audience, including FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“CAF will co-operate and work with the government and all the citizens of Morocco to host the most successful AFCON in history,” said Motsepe, a South African billionaire businessman.
Morocco previously organized the 1988 AFCON, a smaller eight-team event, but pulled out of hosting the 2015 edition due to concerns over the Ebola outbreak.
Motsepe indicated that CAF intends to relaunch the African Football League, which debuted with great fanfare but was halted in 2023 following a single modified version.
Rather than the original 24-team format with at least 14 games per side and substantial prizes for African clubs, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a simplified eight-team competition.
“There are ongoing discussions. We are very happy about the progress made. The African Football League is very important and it will continue,” said Motsepe, without giving details.
Motsepe took over CAF in 2021 from Ahmed Ahmed, who faced a FIFA ban for violations involving disloyalty, misuse of authority, and fund diversion, inheriting a financially strained organization.
Under his leadership, finances have stabilized, with a $9.48 million net gain reported for the 2023-24 period in Kinshasa, and projections of $28.45 million surplus for the coming year.
“We have been enormously successful in the last five years. Revenues have quadrupled. Zero tolerance of bribery and corruption is important. All the money goes into football development,” said the president.
“What member associations get has doubled. We want to pay players more and help our national teams. Football must develop and grow in Africa.
“We give $100,000 to each club that does not qualify for the group stage of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. It is not enough, but helps with transport and other things.”
Godswill Akpabio, Nigerian Senate President on Sunday hailed the Super Eagles for securing bronze at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, saying the efforts put in securing the victory reflected the Nigerian spirit.
Conveying his excitement through Eseme Eyiboh, his spokesman, Akpabio said in a statement, hours after the team secured a place on the medals list, after beating their Egyptian counterparts of penalties that the feat would be an inspiration to other Nigerians.
Eyiboh, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, quoted his boss as saying: “On behalf of my family, constituents and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to the Super Eagles on their outstanding achievement in securing the bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
“The match against the Pharaohs of Egypt was a testament to your skills and determination, and I commend you for your exceptional performance. Your victory is a reflection of the talent and resilience that Nigeria is known for, and we are proud to have you represent our country on the international stage.
“I urge you to celebrate this achievement with pride and use it as a motivation to strive for even greater heights in your future endeavours. Your achievement is a source of inspiration to millions of Nigerians, and we look forward to seeing your continued success.
“Once again, congratulations to the Super Eagles on this remarkable achievement. May your bronze medal serve as a reminder of your capabilities and the heights you can reach with hard work and determination.”
Godswill Akpabio, Nigeria’s Senate President, spared no words in eulogising the strong statement the Super Eagles of Nigeria, has been making since the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicked off on December 21 Morocco, one of them the decisive trouncing of the Desert Foxes of Algeria on Saturday.
Conveying his sentiments through Eseme Eyiboh, his spokesman, the Senate President, who described the Super Eagles as the pride of the nation, expressed great delight that by the victory, Nigeria had secured a spot in the Semi-Finals, urging the team to go for the top prize, which is the gold trophy itself.
Hear him: “I heartily congratulate the Super Eagles on their impressive 2-0 victory over Algeria, securing a well-deserved spot in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations,” Akpabio said while reacting to the outcome of the match played Saturday in Marrakech.
“I must say, you’re the pride of the nation. This achievement is a testament to the team’s unwavering dedication, resilience, and teamwork,” the Senate President told the high-flying Super Eagles.
Urging the players to maintain their focus and momentum as they face hosts Morocco in the semi-finals on Wednesday, he added: “We are proud of you; the 10th Senate and all Nigerians are behind you, cheering you on to bring home the trophy.”
In a surprising move that sent a buzz within the Nigerian sports circle, William Troost-Ekong, Super Eagles Captain, who led the team to win the silver medal two years ago, has just announced that he is quitting the team and international football, meaning Eric Chelle, Coach of the senior national team will now have to look for another leader.
In an outing titled: Honoured, Grateful, Forever a Super Eagle, he wrote: “Today, I’m announcing my retirement from international football. In 2015, a late call from the late Stephen Keshi changed my life. A month later, the Big Boss gave me my debut. His belief in me ignited the desire to follow his footsteps.
“Every single time I put on the iconic shirt to walk out onto the pitch I have thought about that exact moment. Going on to captain the Super Eagles was beyond my wildest dreams. I’m grateful to my fans, coaches, and teammates. Wearing the Super Eagles armband and representing more than 230 million Nigerians was an honour I will forever cherish.
“Nigeria took me in and trust me to lead and represent a nation of +230 million. From a boy born and raised in the Netherlands, to the Oyinbo Wall, and eventually skippo is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart.
“To have achieved 83 senior caps, played in five major tournaments, three medals, and broken a few records, I really lived my dreams. A bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, followed by playing at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, and three incredible AFCON tournaments, with a bronze and recently a silver medal, will remain unforgettable.”
“To every coach, member of staff,and most importantly my teammates and now brothers past and present, who has been part of my international journey, thank you.”
Recalling the emotions that went into the 2023 AFCON tournament, where he captained Nigeria to the final, scored in the decisive match, and was named Player of the Tournament, he added: “Being able to lead Nigeria to the 2023 AFCON, scoring in the final, and being named Player of the Tournament, was something so special.
“Till this day I still wish for a different ending. Becoming the highest scoring defender in AFCON history is a honour I share with every teammate who was part of those moments. I am at peace knowing that throughout all these milestones, I gave everything I had, not just for myself but to try and inspire the next generations, the same way I was inspired by the legends I looked up to.”
To the younger generation, he said he had the pleasure to fight shoulder to shoulder with them, adding: “It’s been so much fun to play alongside my Nigerian teammates. Watching them grow into leaders, time has come to pass on the responsibilities, to pass on the opportunity, and to pass on the captaincy.
“I am so proud to be part of a group that fully showed it is possible to come home, to play and represent our beloved nation. None of this will be possible without the people around me.
“To the Nigerian fans, the heartbeat of Nigerian football, your support has carried me through every high and every challenge. This isn’t a final goodbye, my work within Nigerian communities continues, just as my love and passion for the team will never fade.
“The last decade has been filed with commitment, pride and unforgotable memories. Wearing the Super Eagles shirt, has been more than playing football, has been a duty, a privilege, and an honour.”
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