Former Football Federation of Kenya President Sam Nyamweya met with all 47 County Football Association officials in Nakuru on Sunday to deliberate on next year’s election, slated for February 24th.
The officials lauded President William Ruto and Cabinet Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs Ababu Namwamba, for their efforts to successfully bid for the hosting of the 2027 African Cup of Nations tournament alongside neighbours Uganda and Tanzania and the 2024 Africa Nations Championships, which will be hosted in Kenya in September 2024.
The officials called for urgent intervention by the Sports Cabinet secretary to give a clear road map and ensure that elections will be conducted under the Sports Act as early as January 24th next year, to pave the way for preparation for the CHAN and AFCON tournaments.
The grassroots football leaders also urged the world football governing body FIFA and the continental body CAF to abide by the Kenyan Sports Act.
The meeting also joined other leaders and Kenyan fans to congratulate the Harambee Starlets under-20 team for progressing to the third round of the World Cup qualifier, where they are set to meet Cameroon.
“We want the elections to be done in a free and conducive environment where all the candidates are given respect and all competitors conduct their campaigns with decorum and decency, which will be the hallmark of our democracy.
I look forward to engaging other constituencies of FKF because they are part of the football family. The agenda is to make a clear roadmap for the football Kenya Federation elections.” said Nyamweya
Several candidates have already declared their interest in the top FKF job in next year’s election.
After the horrific earthquake that devastated Morocco, killing hundreds of people and injuring many more,King Mohammed VI said that the real values of the Moroccan soul had triumphed.
“This tragedy has demonstrated that genuine Moroccan values have triumphed.”
They have enabled our country to overcome adversity and crises, making us not only stronger, but also more determined to forge ahead, with unwavering confidence and optimism,” said the Sovereign in a speech to Parliament on the occasion of the first session of the third legislative year of the 11th Parliament, which began on Friday.
According to His the King, this “is the spirit, and those are the lofty values ingrained in our DNA.” We regard them as the foundation of our unity.
Moroccan society’s coherence and oneness.” “The Kingdom’s Constitution enshrined these rallying national values.”
They pertain to and are embodied by all aspects of our real Moroccan identity, and they are also totally consistent with global ideals,” HM the King stated.
More specifically, the Sovereign emphasizedthe following founding values of a unified national identity:
first, religious and spiritual values, at the forefront of which are the values of Maliki Sunni Islam, which is based on the Commandership of the Faithful and calls for moderation, openness to others, tolerance, and interfaith, intercultural coexistence.
This, according to the King, is what makes Morocco a model of coexistence among Moroccans, Muslims, and Jews alike.
Morocco believes that Africa, which now has a voice in the G20 through the African Union, will be able to maintain its proper role in other international groups, as stated by King Mohammed VI.
In a message to participants at the World Bank Group (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings, which are taking place from October 9 to 15 in Marrakech, the Sovereign stated that “as an African nation, Morocco fervently hopes that the Continent – which now has a voice within the G20 through the African Union – will be able to hold its rightful place in other international bodies and thus push forward its economic and social agendas.”
African countries are among those suffering the most from HM the King noted in this Message, which was read out by Omar Kabbaj, Advisor to His Majesty the King, that they are among the countries whose actions contribute the least to global warming.
In this context, the Sovereign urged for the revision of debt regulations and frameworks to better account for the limits that limit the ability of the most indebted low-income nations to be proactive and deal with variations.
“Africa will be home to a quarter of the world’s population by 2050.” It should profit from current conditions that allow it to increase its leeway and harness its potential to address the demands of African communities in an increasingly uncertain, disturbed world.
The Sovereign further noted that Morocco has prioritized South-South collaboration in its open door policy, “pursuing in this regard an approach based on co-development with our sister nations and friends on the Continent.”
Morocco Football Federation (FRMF) has appointed Spain World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda to head their women’s national team.
Vilda, who was sacked by the Spanish Football Federation after winning their maiden FIFA World Cup trophy in New Zealand and Australia, took over from the Frenchman, Reynald Pedros, who led Morocco to their first World Cup and became the first Arab side to qualify for the last 16.
The 42-year-old will be accompanied by his own coaching staff and has signed a four-year deal with the Atlas Lionesses, with the target of ensuring the North African team qualifies for the 2027 FIFA World Cup.
Visa, has announced the renewal of its partnership with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) until 2026, which establishes Visa as the exclusive digital payment provider for the upcoming 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Cote d’ Ivoire.
The partnership will then span two tournaments – including the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in 2024 and the Men’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 both of which will be hosted by Morocco – underscoring Visa’s legacy of empowering athletes and building a more inclusive world through sport.
As the exclusive digital payment provider for the tournament, Visa will bring its payment technology to customers and connect African football’s most passionate and engaged audiences through unique and unforgettable experiences during the tournament.
Visa will also launch its Player Escort Program for the tournament, offering children between the ages of 8 and 12, a once in a lifetime opportunity to walk alongside their favorite players on the pitch before the games.
Smahill Diaby, Vice President, Cluster Country Manager, Visa Western and Central Africa (Right) and Véron Mosengo-Omba, General Secretary of Confederation of African Football (CAF) during the signing ceremony in Abidjan
The TotalEnergies AFCON 2024 tournament in Cote d’Ivoire will see 24 teams playing 52 matches across six stadiums with Visa providing its digital payment technology at all venues and for tickets bought in-person and online.
“The Africa Cup of Nations is one of the largest and most-loved football tournaments globally, with millions of fans tuning in from around the world to watch Africa’s best teams and players,” says Aida Diarra, Senior Vice President and Head of Sub-Saharan Africa at Visa
“Our partnership with CAF and the upcoming tournament in Cote d’Ivoire provides a platform for us to enhance the overall fan experience and further connect with our clients, partners, consumers and the communities in which we do business.
We are looking forward to bringing new unique payment and fan experiences that will make the tournament truly memorable for fans everywhere.”
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe said: “We welcome VISA which is a reputable and established global brand to the African Football Family.
This partnership will contribute to increasing the popularity and attractiveness of CAF Competitions amongst football fans and spectators in Africa and worldwide.
The TotalEnergies AFCON Cameroon 2021 was watched by more than 600 million people in approximately 180 Countries in Africa and Worldwide.
We are confident that the TotalEnergies AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 will bring together and engage more football fans and spectators.
We are also delighted that VISA shares our commitment to invest, develop and grow Schools Football for Boys and Girls and Women’s Football on the African Continent.”
King Mohammed VI of Morocco,who chairs the current session of the Council of the League of Arab States at the ministerial level, has called for an emergency meeting to deliberate on ongoing Gaza Strip attacks by the Israeli military as a retaliation for the Hamas invasion.
King Mohammed VI has called for an urgent meeting for consultation and coordination on the deteriorating situation in the Gaza strip and the outbreak of military actions targeting civilians, as well as for the search for ways to halt this dangerous escalation, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates.
According to the statement from the Royal Kingdom of Morocco, intensive consultations are underway for the meeting to be held this week at the headquarters of the League of Arab States in Cairo, the ministry noted in a statement.
Over 300 people have been killed following Israeli military attacks on Palestinians near the Gaza Strip.
Over 100 teams—88 men and 15 women—are expected to compete in this year’s 9th edition of the Tim Wanyonyi Super Cup, which got underway on Saturday in various grounds across Westlands constituency,Nairobi county.
In some of the day 1 results, City Park FC beat Deep Sea United by a solitary goal at the Aga Khan High School ground,while Kangemi High School dispatched Hospital Hill 5-4 via penalty shootout after a 2-2 score line in regulation time in an exhibition match to lift the boys title.
Kabete Vet Lab beat favorites Highrige Girls to bag the women’s exhibition title, while Runda Rugby beat Kabete Stallions 19-14 to win the rugby title.
The tournament is set to be played in Westlands constituency over a period of one month, with the finals slated for November 25th.
Overall winners in each category will be rewarded with trophies and Ksh 100,000 each, with the tournament being sponsored by area member of parliament Tim Wanyonyi.
The Kingdom of Morocco has expressed concern at the deterioration of the situation and the outbreak of military action in the Gaza Strip and condemned attacks against civilians.
Morocco called for restraint and respect for the sanctity of life amidst the attacks from Israeli forces in Palestine and the Hamas attack on Israel’s military along the Gaza strip.
“The Kingdom, which has repeatedly warned of the repercussions of the political deadlock on peace in the region and of the risks of aggravated tensions resulting from it, calls for an immediate halt to all acts of violence and a return to calm, while avoiding all forms of escalation that could undermine the chances of peace in the region, added the same source.
The Kingdom of Morocco, whose sovereign, HM King Mohammed VI, chairs the Al Quds Committee, stresses that dialogue and negotiations remain the only way to achieve a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian question, based on the resolutions of international legality and the two-state principle, as agreed internationally, concluded the statement.
Israel’s military launched air strikes on Gaza in response to a barrage of more than 2,000 rockets fired from the Gaza Strip that killed at least 22 Israelis and wounded hundreds early Saturday
Morocco was selected to host the 35th edition of Africa’s most prestigious football tournament, the African Cup of Nations finals, in 2025.
The CAF Executive Committee unanimously voted for Morocco to stage the finals for the second time and the first edition in the country since the 1988 edition.
Atlas Lions at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Among the major strengths of the royal kingdom of Morocco are its state-of-the art facilities, with most of its stadia already tested and proven for staging major tournaments such as the FIFA Club World Cup, which was held in February 2023, the AFCON Under 23, which also served as Olympic qualifiers in June, as well as the 2018 Africa Nations Championships and the 2022 CAF Women Champions League.
The country boasts six venues earmarked for the 2025 AFCON that were included in their bid, which are: Casablanca’s Mohammed V Complex (45,000 seats), Rabat’s Moulay Abdellah Complex (53,000), Grand Stade de Marrakech (45,240), Agadir’s Stade Adrar (45,480), Grand Stade de Tanger (45,000), and Grand Stade de Fez (37,000).
1. Mohammed V Complex:
The oldest stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, has a capacity to accommodate 45,000 fans and was inaugurated on March 6, 1955, before being renovated three times in 1981, 2000, 2007, and 2015.
Mohammed V Stadium is built on an area of 12 hectares (12,262 square meters) and is considered a masterpiece of Moroccan sports.
Mohammed V Stadium
The stadium has a natural grass surface and is the home venue for two of the most successful clubs in Morocco, Raja and Wydad Athletic, both based in Casablanca.
2. Grand Stade de Agadir
It’s a 45,000-seat stadium in Agadir City with a natural grass playing surface that was officially opened in 2013.
It was designated to form part of Morocco’s bid for the 2030 FIFA World Cup and is used by Hassania Union Sport.
Early construction works kicked off in 2003, but work progressed slowly and stalled when South Africa got awarded the World Cup instead of Morocco.
It took until 2007 for work to recommence, after which the stadium was scheduled to open in late 2009.
While most of the stands had been built by 2009, work stopped again due to financial difficulties and only progressed slowly in the next few years.
Grande stade de Adrar Agadir
Grand Stade Adrar Agadir was finally completed in early 2013 and officially opened on October 11, 2013 with a match between Hassania and Algerian side Kabylie.
3.Grande Stade de Marrakech
The Grand Stade de Marrakech was built to provide the city of Marrakesh with a new and modern venue to replace the old Stade El Harti.
Construction of Stade de Marrakech started in 2003, and the completed stadium opened seven years later on January 5, 2011.
In 2013 and 2014, Stade de Marrakech was one of the playing venues of the FIFA Club World Cup and hosted the final in both years.
Grande Stade de Marrakech
The stadium has a capacity of 45,000 seats and is the home venue for Kawkab AC Marrakech.
4. Complex Sportif Moulay Abdallah
Complexe Sportif Moulay Abdallah opened in 1983, underwent some further renovations in 2000, and is located in Rabat City.
The stadium is part of a larger sports complex that includes an indoor arena and swimming pool. It has been regularly used for matches by the Moroccan international team.
Complexe Sportif Moulay Abdallah was selected as one of the playing venues for the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup, hosting, among others, the two quarter-final matches.
Prince Mouley Stadium
Complexe Sportif Moulay Abdallah is located in the south-west of the city of Rabat, about 8 kilometers from the city center, main railway station, and medina.
The stadium is home to AS FAR de Rabat and Fath Union Sport.
5.The Grand Stade de Tanger
The Grand Stade de Tanger, also known as the Ibn Batouta Stadium, is a football and track stadium located in the city of Tangier, Northern Morocco.
It is home to the football team Ittihad Tanger, which has a capacity of 65,000 people.
Grande Stade de Tangier
The construction of the stadium began in 2002, took nine years to complete, and has a natural grass playing surface.
6.Grande Stade de Fez
The stadium is located in Fez City and has a capacity to host 45,000 people. It has a natural grass playing surface and was opened in 2007.
It is the home stadium for Wydad de Fez and Magreb de Fez.eb de Fez .
Fez Stadium
Besides the six venues assigned for the 2025 AFCON tournaments, the country also boasts of sufficient training venues for national teams during the month-long competition, among them being the Mohammed VI Sports Complex, which was constructed for 16.8 million dollars and inaugurated in 2019 on a 29-hectare piece of land in the heart of Sale city, north-west of Rabat city.
It features four natural grass football fields; three artificial turf football fields; a covered football pitch; a hybrid football field; a re-training room that can host futsal matches; an outdoor Olympic-sized pool; two tennis courts; and a beach soccer field.
The complex also includes a new-generation sports and performance medicine center that meets FIFA standards in the field and has physiotherapy, stress testing, dentistry, ophthalmology, trauma, psychology, podiatry, nutritional medicine, radiology, ultrasound, electrotherapy, bone densitometry, and cryotherapy, in addition to an emergency mobile medical unit.
Mohammed VI sports Complex
It can accommodate the national team A (66 rooms and 4 suites), the U23 and U17 teams, respectively, with a 150-bed capacity and an 80-bed capacity, as well as goalkeepers (54 rooms).
The hospitality industry in Morocco is a combination of domestic independent hotels and international hotels and their brand chains.
Morocco is served with good and smooth road network ,two international airports in Rabat and Casablanca and speed trains which facilitates transportation from one city to another.
Coupled with historical performance of the Atlas Lions, at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar where they finished 4th becoming the 1st African nation to achieve the fete, Morocco is prepared to stage a memorable tournament.
King Mohammed VI of Morocco has expressed and received with joy and satisfaction the decision by the FIFA governing council to award the 2030 FIFA World Cup hosting rights to the three Mediterranean neighbors of Morocco, Spain, and Portugal.
In his statement, which was released on Wednesday evening shortly after the big announcement, he congratulated the three countries on the milestone achievement, reiterating his country’s commitment to deliver a successful football bonanza in collaboration with the Spanish and Portuguese governments.
The announcement gives the African continent an opportunity to stage the global showpiece for only the second time since it was staged in South Africa in 2030.
The three hosts of Morocco, Spain, and Portugal automatically qualify for the 2030 edition as joint hosts.
Morocco has successfully staged the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament, and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
