Agadir Passes AFCON Test, Confirms Readiness for Major Continental Events
The city of Agadir has successfully passed its test in organizing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), affirming its position as a city capable of managing major sporting events to high standards and setting an exemplary model of organization and professionalism.
This success is a culmination of a national sports vision led by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has made sports a strategic lever for development and international outreach. The residents of the Souss-Massa region also played an active role in the success of this football celebration with their civilized spirit and collective commitment.
Players, official delegations, and representatives of football federations lauded the quality of organization in Agadir, encompassing infrastructure, hospitality, logistical, and security aspects, earning the city widespread praise from various observers.
The matches hosted at the Adrar Stadium (Grand Agadir Stadium) witnessed a remarkable public attendance, exceeding 200,000 spectators. This clearly indicates significant engagement with the event and simultaneously confirms the city's capacity to host prominent continental sporting events.
The local organizing committee, chaired by Ismail Zaitouni, played a pivotal role in coordinating all stakeholders, demonstrating high professionalism and the ability of local competencies to successfully manage major sporting events according to the standards adopted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The success is also attributed to the collective efforts of various departments, including local authorities, security agencies, the Royal Gendarmerie, Auxiliary Forces, and Civil Protection, alongside sanitation workers and technical staff, who worked silently to ensure the smooth running of the competitions under optimal conditions.
Health aspects were not overlooked in the organization, with medical and nursing teams playing an important role in monitoring matches inside and around the stadium. They demonstrated high efficiency and prompt intervention to ensure the safety of both players and fans.
The organization received close field monitoring from the Wali of the Souss-Massa region, Said Amzazi, who meticulously followed every detail of the event, as part of a vision to enhance Agadir's status as a sports and tourism destination at continental and international levels.
The Souss-Massa Regional Council, chaired by Karim Achengli, and the Communal Council of Agadir also contributed to providing all organizational and logistical requirements, alongside the efforts of the stadium management and its technical and administrative staff.
The success was further reinforced by statements from players, testimonies from football federation officials, and praise from CAF President Patrice Motsepe and Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) President Fouzi Lekjaa, all of which enhanced Agadir's image as an organized city meeting the aspirations of African football.
Agadir's success in hosting the AFCON matches confirms its capability to host larger events in the future, presenting strong credentials for Morocco in upcoming football tournaments.
