HIBAPRESS – Sport
The talk of some Algerian channels about the buses used to transport the national teams and official delegations during the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco sparked controversy on social media, as these channels tried to portray the Moroccan buses as merely "rentals from Spain".
But the reality shows that the buses are not owned by the Spanish company Irizar, as stated in some statements, but they are buses manufactured in the factory of the city of Skhirat in Morocco, and they have been part of the national transport fleet between cities for years, i.e. before hosting the tournament. These buses were used during the African Cup of Nations through Moroccan tourism companies, as they are leased to CAF according to the international practices followed, as the African Football Confederation does not buy buses, but only rents them. This means that the buses witnessed by the tournament are no longer owned by a Spanish company, but by Moroccan tourism companies that have owned them for a long time and have been pre-numbered, and that their participation in the tournament was not new or temporary as a result of the event only. This organization confirms Morocco's professionalism in hosting the competition, as the buses provided comfort and safety to the national teams and official delegations, especially the Egyptian national team, which received great support during its movements. In contrast, some media justifications tried to portray the Moroccan fleet as completely borrowed from abroad, which implicitly reflects an admission that other countries, such as Algeria, rely on older, lower-quality buses compared to Morocco. In addition to that, Morocco has proven a high ability in the logistical and professional organization of the tournament, starting from transportation and accommodation to the infrastructure of the stadiums, which enhanced its image on the continental level, and made the 2025 African Cup of Nations an exceptional event in terms of the quality and services provided to the teams and the fans.
