SLENA Receives Full Endorsement and Funding to Cover AFCON in Morocco.

By Sheku Sackoh Turay

The Sierra Leone News Agency (SLENA) has received full endorsement and funding to provide comprehensive coverage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the Kingdom of Morocco.

SLENA’s Senior News Editor, Sheku Sackoh Turay, who also serves as Vice President of the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL), has been officially assigned by the Managing Director of SLENA, Madam Yeama Sarah Thompson-Oguamah, to represent the agency at the continental tournament.

SLENA, as a long-standing partner of the Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA), has consistently participated in various capacity-building trainings and seminars organised in Rabat to enhance the professional competence of journalists across Africa. As part of this engagement, Mr. Turay is currently in Casablanca and will visit other major Moroccan cities during and after the tournament to report on the event and related activities.

Mr. Turay was previously accredited by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to cover the 2024 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. For this year’s tournament, SLENA’s Sports Desk is benefiting from the support of FAAPA, which has invited sports journalists from 25 African news agencies to participate in the Morocco edition of AFCON.

SLENA officially received the invitation through FAAPA and the National Association of Media and Publishers of Morocco (ANME), the country’s largest and most representative press organisation.

The official visit to the Kingdom of Morocco runs from 12 to 22 January 2026 in commemoration of the Africa Cup of Nations. According to ANME, the initiative is aimed at strengthening collaboration among African media institutions, promoting a deeper understanding of Moroccan culture and heritage, and fostering a strong professional and editorial network across the continent.

The tournament commenced on 21 December 2025 and is expected to conclude on 18 January 2026 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The 2025 AFCON marks the 35th edition of Africa’s premier football championship.