CAF concludes two-day Senior Supervisors Commanders' workshop in Nairobi ahead of TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024
Dr. Christian Emeruwa, the Head of CAF's Safety and Security department is confident that the East African region is well on course ahead of its first ever joint major tournament, the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) set for August.
Dr. Emeruwa says he is impressed with the caliber of the security workforce and the zeal to work exhibited by personnel from all the host countries, after conducting the last of three workshops for senior supervisors in Nairobi on Friday.
'In terms of personnel, what we have seen is impressive and commendable. We are happy with the people we have trained. They have been very positive and receptive in terms of the training and we are confident that we have the right people. But, we still have some way to go in terms of getting enough material for the personnel to work,' Dr Emeruwa said.
He conducted the first workshop in Tanzania, culminating with practical work at the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup final between Simba SC and RS Berkane in Zanzibar before heading to Uganda.
He then conducted the workshop in Nairobi, bringing together 40 senior security personnel from the National Police Service as well as officials from both the Ministry of Sports and Interior Coordination.
'For us it is very important to get all the security stakeholders in a room and expose them to the CAF way of doing things. We are not here to teach them how to police the country. Football has its own security requirements and programs which are not openly available to the conventional police,' Dr Christian said.
He added; 'We needed to expose them to this kind of training and also let them know what is coming to them. CHAN is the second biggest tournament in CAF; it is not just a once-off game. We have tried to show them what has happened in other countries, and for a country well connected from the borders we expect quite a lot of people coming in for this tournament.'
The two-day workshop culminated in a practical session at the Nyayo National Stadium, one of the principal host stadia of the tournament. They were taken through various crowd control measures, including managing entry of spectators and manning ticket verification points.
'This was a brilliant platform for us to get rolling in terms of helping our security personnel understand how football security operations are done. It is very different from the normal day to day job of the police and there have been massive benefits from this training by CAF. Locally we have endeavored to train as many police officers as possible to ensure that we have a very safe CHAN in August,' said Austin Oduor, CAF's National Safety and Security Officer, Kenya.
The TotalEnergies CAF CHAN is scheduled for August, and this will be the first time three countries will be co-hosting the tournament specially tailor-made for locally-based players.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
a day ago
- CAF
Tunisian star Mariem Houij Dreams even bigger
Mariem Houij holds the record for the fastest goal in the history of the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (TotalEnergies) A quarterfinalist in 2022, she now aims to go even further in the competition She also discusses her role within the Carthage Eagles (Women's Team) If there were a single moment to sum up Mariem Houij's career, it would probably be this one: a sprint, a crisp strike, and a goal scored just 17 seconds into the game against Togo during the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations – the fastest goal in the tournament's history. That goal went viral and became a symbol of a player who constantly pushes her limits. At 30, the Tunisian striker is much more than a goal-scorer. She is a cornerstone, a role model, and an inspiration for a whole generation of young girls who dream of following in her footsteps. Since her debut with the national team, Mariem Houij has tirelessly represented the Carthage Eagles (Women's Team) with determination and passion. Eighteen years later, she's preparing for another TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON with a clear goal: to take Tunisia to the next level. Far from resting on her laurels, the player, who trained in Médenine and later played in Europe (notably in Turkey and France), continues to evolve her game while mentoring younger players, especially those from the diaspora. In this exclusive interview, Mariem Houij shares her most memorable moments, her ambitions for the next tournament, her deep connection to the national jersey, and her role in passing on knowledge. As soon as someone says "Mariem Houij", the first image that comes to mind is your lightning-fast goal – the fastest ever in the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON finals. Is this something people still talk to you about? Mariem Houij: That goal is undeniably a historic moment in my career and in the history of the WAFCON. People still talk to me about it today in Tunisia. It's always gratifying to see how much it impacted people. How do you feel approaching this upcoming TotalEnergies WAFCON?I'm training seriously, even though the national league season is over, because we'll be facing top-tier teams like Nigeria, Algeria, and Botswana. As a striker, I aim to contribute positively to the team's performance by scoring goals to raise the profile of our team and promote Tunisian women's football. What does it mean to you to wear the Tunisian jersey in such a prestigious competition? Wearing the Tunisian jersey has always been a childhood dream. I've been with the national team for a long time, and I still feel immense pride every time I'm called up. Competing in continental tournaments and scoring goals there is a real privilege. The feeling never gets old—it grows stronger each time. How did you prepare mentally and physically for the tournament?I've dedicated these past two months to optimal physical preparation. Mentally, just hearing the Tunisian national anthem is enough to fire me up. It gives me the energy and drive to represent our country with determination. Tunisia is in Group B with Nigeria, Algeria, and Botswana. What are your thoughts on this group? Nigeria is the most decorated team in the WAFCON. In the last edition, they were eliminated in the semifinals by host nation Morocco. We beat Botswana in a friendly last year in Tunis. As for Algeria, their playing style is similar to ours, and we've won both of our recent matches against them. That said, official matches are completely different from friendlies. Our coaching staff is analysing every opponent in detail to prepare us well. What are Tunisia's goals for this TotalEnergies WAFCON?We want to deliver a strong performance and reach the knockout stages. In the last edition, we made it past the group stage for the first time in 12 years before being knocked out by the defending champions, South Africa. That was a major step forward. Now, we aim to go even further and make our country proud. What do you see as the strengths of your team? It's hard to reveal specific strengths, but what really sets us apart is our unity, our teamwork, and the absence of ego. We're a cohesive group without a "star system" – and that's our biggest strength. What lessons did you take from the 2022 edition in Morocco?Many players from the current squad weren't there in 2022, but the team spirit remains the same. We're focused on improving our fitness because playing six matches in two weeks requires serious preparation. Our coaching staff plays a key role in refining our tactical approach. How do you see the evolution of women's football in Tunisia in recent years? The federation is giving more attention to women's football now. Today, 22 players in the national team play for professional clubs. Some of us, including me, started in Tunisia and then moved abroad, which shows how much progress has been made. Ten years ago, only two or three players were playing outside the country. That says a lot. As a senior player, do you feel a special responsibility toward younger players?Absolutely. I need to support them, especially those who have never lived in Tunisia or don't speak Arabic. It's essential to remind them of the meaning of our mission and the hopes we carry. This shared awareness pushes us to always give our best. What are your personal goals for this TotalEnergies WAFCON? I never approach a competition with a personal mindset. My goal is above all collective – to help our team shine. As a striker, of course I want to score, and I work hard at it. I'd love to replicate the historic goal I scored in the last edition and keep my status as top scorer, just like in the qualifiers where I scored six goals in four matches. Do you have a role model or a player who inspires you in your career? If so, why? Nowadays, the level in women's football is pretty balanced, but if I had to name one icon, it would be Marta Vieira da Silva. She's a huge inspiration for the whole women's football community because of her talent and longevity. What is your best memory with the national team? Without hesitation, my goal in the 2022 edition. It's etched in my memory. Achieving something like that in such a short time is a challenge in itself, and I'd love to experience that kind of moment again. If you could dream up the perfect scenario for this TotalEnergies WAFCON, what would it look like? The ideal scenario would be reaching the final. We have a strong, long-standing group that has been reinforced with new players due to the postponement of the 2024 edition to 2025. We're ready to take on the challenge and give Tunisia—and the entire continent—a memorable performance. What would you say to the young Mariem Houij who dreamed of becoming a professional footballer? I'd tell her to persevere, be patient, and never pay attention to discouraging words. Only hard work pays off. With courage and discipline, dreams are within reach.
CAF
a day ago
- CAF
Moïne Chaâbani reflects on TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup success
RS Berkane's head coach, Moïne Chaâbani, has expressed his pride in guiding the Moroccan club to victory in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup following their recent triumph over Tanzania's Simba SC. The Tunisian manager emphasised that this continental title was one of the club's primary objectives this season, particularly after the disappointment of losing last year's final to Egypt's Zamalek, which denied Berkane a third title. Speaking exclusively to CAFOnline, Chaâbani reflected on the key factors that led to RS Berkane's third TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title. Congratulations on winning the CAF Confederation Cup TotalEnergies. How does it feel to lift a continental trophy with RS Berkane? Firstly, thank you very much for the kind words. Of course, it's an incredible feeling of pride and honour. This trophy was one of our main targets this season, especially after the disappointment of last year's final loss. This is your second title of the season with RS Berkane, having also secured the Moroccan league title the first in the club's history. What are your thoughts on achieving the double? This title adds to what was already a significant achievement winning the Moroccan Botola Pro, which was very tough. But thanks to the collective efforts of everyone at the club, we were able to win it deservedly. I'm especially proud to have claimed my first trophy with this dear club. You've now joined the elite list of coaches to have won both the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League twice with Espérance Tunis and the CAF Confederation Cup now with Berkane. What does that mean to you? Winning the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League twice before made this new continental title even more special. Thank God, the dream came true. I'd like to thank everyone who played a part in this success, whether directly or indirectly. You lost the TotalEnergies Confederation Cup final last season to Zamalek. Was that a strong motivation for this season's success? Yes, continuing the work we started last season was one of the key reasons behind this year's success. That defeat fuelled our determination to come back stronger. Looking back, what do you think was the key factor behind RS Berkane's success and the double this season? We had an intense and demanding pre-season. I want to thank all the players for the sacrifices and the huge effort they put in throughout the campaign. After winning the Moroccan league, RS Berkane will now compete in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League next season. What are your expectations, and do you believe the team is ready to win it after three CAF Confederation Cup titles? As we head into next season's CAF Champions League, I believe RS Berkane has now gained enough experience on the African stage. Of course, the competition will be tougher than the Confederation Cup, but I genuinely believe this team can go all the way and win the CAF Champions League, God willing. Finally, a message to the RS Berkane fans who supported the team throughout the season. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all the RS Berkane fans for their incredible support this season.
CAF
a day ago
- CAF
COSAFA Cup 2025: The perfect tune-up for TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 contenders
The COSAFA Cup in Bloemfontein, South Africa is more than just a regional tournament—it's a crucial preparation platform for eight teams heading to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. Southern African national teams are gearing up for another exciting edition of the COSAFA Cup, set to be hosted in Bloemfontein, South Africa between 4 – 15 June. This year's edition carries even more significance for 8 of the 14 participating nations, who will not only be aiming at lifting the regional title, but fine-tuning their squads ahead of two crucial CAF competitions set for later this year. Angola, Botswana, Comoros, South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe and East African invitational side, Tanzania head to the regional tournament with the aim of strategically using this competition to refine their tactics, assess squad depth, and build momentum this year's TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. Of the seven COSAFA nations that have qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON, only South Africa and Zambia have went on to lift to continental crown, while East African nation, Tanzania are yet to lift the coveted TotalEnergies CAF AFCON title. South Africa, drawn in Group A alongside Zimbabwe and Mozambique, will be eager to make the most of home advantage. Coach Hugo Broos, who guided Bafana Bafana to an impressive podium finish in Cote d'Ivoire last year has emphasised the importance of squad rotation, and the COSAFA Cup provides the perfect setting to test different combinations. Zimbabwe, returning to the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON finals after missing the last edition, will focus on squad cohesion and tactical discipline. Mozambique, last year's COSAFA Cup bronze medallists, will aim to sharpen their attacking play and defensive organization. Angola, Botswana, and Zambia find themselves in Group D of the COSAFA Cup, making it one of the most competitive pools that will work toward their advantage in their fine-tuning of their squads. Angola, the defending COSAFA champions, will want to ensure their defensive stability matches their offensive prowess. Botswana, eager to make a statement, will focus on improving their attacking efficiency and defensive resilience. Zambia, a former TotalEnergies CAF AFCON champion (2012), has a rich history in the competition and will look to use their experience to gain an edge. Comoros and Tanzania, drawn together in Group C, will also benefit from the COSAFA Cup experience. Comoros, a rising force in African football, will aim to strengthen their squad chemistry and tactical discipline. Tanzania's inclusion in the tournament adds an interesting dynamic, as they are preparing for both the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON and CAF African Nations Championship later in the year. Beyond individual team preparations, the COSAFA Cup serves as a platform for players to showcase their talent and stake their claim for a spot in the final AFCON squads. Coaches will have the chance to experiment with formations, test new combinations, and assess their squad's adaptability under tournament conditions. The intensity of the matches will provide a realistic preview of the challenges awaiting them in Morocco.
