Day 15 (Thursday, 1 January, 2026)
New Year, Closed Doors As Super Eagles Shut Out Media
BEHOLDING the Sights and Sound of Fez. That’s the simplest way to describe my day, New Year’s Day, 1st of January, 2026 in Fez, one of the six host cities of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
“Dear colleagues. The Super Eagles will be having closed door sessions today and tomorrow (Friday). (Coach Eric) Chelle says he needs time to prepare for the next round without any form of distraction. I hope to get permission to open the session on Saturday. If I get the green light, I will pass same info across. Happy new year to all.”
Also Read: AFCON 2025 Diary Day 14: Mozambique Await Super Eagles As Knockout Drama Takes Shape
That was the message put out to the Nigerian press corps here in Morocco by Super Eagles media officer, Promise Efoghe. AFCON 2025 was already on break, now the Eagles was closing out the media so they can train without any distraction, no problem with that. What else to do? I decided to ‘hit’ town to take in the sights and sounds of Fez. Here we go…..
Old Fez – The Ancient Medina And Spiritual Heart Of Morocco
Fez, written as ‘Fes’ in Arabic, is actually two-cities-in-one. There’s the Old Fez and there’s the New Fez. The Old Fez (Fez el-Bali) is the ‘Ancient Medina’ district that I have mentioned quite often in my diary. It is the ‘original’ Fez founded in 789 AD by the Idrisid dynasty, and the site of the famous Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque and Madrasat that is regarded by historians as the oldest university in the world. (I have said some of my Muslim prayers in the mosque).
Old Fez is also listed by the United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a World Heritage Site because its centuries-old architecture, infrastructure and culture have been largely preserved. The Old Fez or Ancient Medina is the cultural and religious capital of Morocco, and a magnet for tourists and foreign visitors.
New Fez – Modern City, French Roots And The Eagles’ Fortress
The New Fez, on the other hand, is the creation of French colonialists who arrived in Morocco in 1911 and started building modern cities (known as Villes Nouvelles) just outside the old cities. The New Fez is characterized by Western-style infrastructure and amenities, well-paved roads and modern buildings. Initially it was inhabited only by the European settlers, but now the locals also live there.
The brand new Fez Stadium Complex which the Super Eagles have turned into a fortress (may it continue against Mozambique in the Round of 16) is cited in New Fez. Shopping malls, modern restaurants, cinemas and parks are also a common sight as the modern city continues to expand.
Life Inside The Medina – Culture, Crafts, Cuisine And Warm Smiles
I have spent most of my time since I arrived in Fez in the Ancient Medina district where I stay in an apartment, rather than a hotel in the new part of the city. As a result, I have grown quite familiar with Old Fez’s narrow paths and alleys, it’s beautiful ceramics works and rich leather industry, it’s hard-working traders and craftsmen, it’s bustling market, the several mosques with beautiful interiors and minarets, it’s cuisine and lively restaurants where I eat the local couscous or sandwiches, it’s friendly people who salute me with “Nigeria!, Nigeria!!” all the time, and the Petit Taxis (Little Taxis) that connect Old Fez with the other side of the city.
Complete Sports United Takes In Fez On New Year’s Day
On New Year’s Day, I decided to explore both sides of Fez with my “Complete Sports United” team. Ace photographer Segun Ogunfeyitimi was a former full staff with me, Ganiyu Yusuf still is a correspondent photographer while James Agberebi works currently as a reporter with Completesports.com.
My Sights and Sounds of Fez begins today with a collection of Segun and Ganiyu’s photo shoots from Old Fez, to be followed tomorrow by their shots from New Fez. For a look at selected videos, please check my YouTube channel, @OfficialMuminiAlao or my sponsors channel, @mrchefnigeria6045.
You will also find video snippets on our other social media handles at the bottom of these photos.
Also Read: AFCON 2025 Diary Day 12: Osimhen’s Birthday Buzz, Ndidi’s Caution & Uganda’s Tough Talk
Happy new year 2026 to you, dear readers, with great compliments coming from Mr.ChefNigeria, Official Sponsors of the Super Eagles……
Join Me On Social Media…..
Aside from my Daily Dairy, I have been uploading some videos on social media since the start of the AFCON 2025. Please subscribe and watch on the following channels and/or handles……
• YouTube: @mrchefnigeria6045; @OfficialMuminiAlao
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By Mumini Alao, in Fez
Photos by Ganiyu Yusuf &
Segun Ogunfeyitimi
