By Muhyideen Jimoh
Because the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco reaches the knockout stage, Saudi Arabia’s quiet sporting rise is including surprising spice, linking Africa’s greatest event to a fast-shifting international soccer order.
Saudi Arabia,which says it’s not investing in sports activities for spectacle alone, sees soccer as a strategic instrument: A platform for infrastructure growth, diplomacy and tender energy, driving financial diversification and long-term international relevance.
“We don’t host international sports activities occasions, simply to host them, however to go away a legacy that can affect society and create a greater future for the Kingdom,’ Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al_Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports activities stated.
Saudi Arabia’s affect at AFCON is oblique however seen, powered by African stars who now characteristic weekly within the Roshn Saudi League (RSL) alongside one of many recreation’s best icons, Cristiano Ronaldo.
In whole, 14 RSL-based gamers are competing at AFCON 2025, representing 9 African nations.
Hosts Morocco are anchored by Yassine Bounou and Jawad El Yamiq, whereas Senegal boast elite RSL firepower by Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly and Sadio Mané.
Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez, Ivory Coast’s Franck Kessié and Zambia’s Vogue Sakala additional underline how Saudi golf equipment are more and more shaping Africa’s elite expertise pipeline.
“With AFCON, you see how Saudi soccer now touches each continent
“The league has turn out to be a severe international platform,” Youssef el Fassi, a Riyadh-based soccer analyst stated.
Past gamers, AFCON 2025 additionally serves as a costume rehearsal for the way forward for international soccer internet hosting.
Morocco will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, whereas Saudi Arabia stands as the only real bidder for the 2034 version.
Saudi sports activities journalist Abdallah Alabidi believes Morocco is primed to shine on the world stage.
He stated, “Morocco is subtle and prepared,” Alabidi stated. “Its logistics, roads, tourism and sports activities infrastructure are world-class.”
He credit the reforms of King Mohammed VI for reshaping Morocco’s international picture.
He added, “Gulf international locations now see Morocco otherwise,” he added. “It’s a strategic sports activities and financial associate.”
From Riyadh to Rabat, sport has turn out to be coverage, branding and affect compressed into ninety minutes, and AFCON 2025 is the place these ambitions converge.(NANFeatures)
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