The manufacturing secrets of the pitches for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Anticipated as one of the highlights of the Africa Cup of Nations, the 35th edition — to be held in Morocco from December 21 to January 18 — is expected to stand out notably for the quality of the pitches on which the 24 participating nations will play.

For several months, the lawns of the nine stadiums have been carefully maintained by the National Company for the Realization and Management of Sports Facilities (Sonarges). These include:

• Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex (Rabat)
• Olympic Stadium (Rabat)
• Moulay El Hassan Stadium (Rabat)
• Al Barid Stadium (Rabat)
• Mohamed V Complex (Casablanca)
• Adrar Stadium (Agadir)
• Grand Stadium of Tangier
• Grand Stadium of Marrakech
• Grand Stadium of Fes

Spread across six cities — including four venues in the capital — these nine stadiums boast quality lawns thanks to daily maintenance.

The goal is not simply to offer participants an adequate playing field, but to provide pitches as smooth as a “billiard table.”

And this is no small feat, with numerous factors contributing to it. According to Sonarges, the first consideration is the variety of grass used, which must be adapted to each season.

In fact, to ensure high-quality grass year-round, it is important to choose complementary varieties:

• Bermuda: ideal for warm periods, resistant to trampling, low water requirements, and perfect for summer months (from May to October);
• Ryegrass: a fast-growing winter variety, offering intense green color and ensuring grass density during colder months (from November to April).

It is this latter variety that Mohamed Salah, Victor Osimhen, and Nayef Aguerd, among other stars expected for the continental tournament, will tread upon.

Carefully Managing Transition Periods

In this regard, managing transition periods is crucial, as winter lawns germinate and sometimes create sparse areas.

At the same time, summer lawns slow their growth, reducing the density and regularity of the turf.

"Managing transition periods is crucial, as they occur when temperatures range between 18 and 20 °C. At this time, the ryegrass variety is germinating while Bermuda goes dormant, leaving the lawn aesthetically weak and sensitive," explains Amine Bouhamidi, an agronomist at Sonarges.

To succeed in this transition, several techniques are employed:

• Growth retardants to slow Bermuda’s development, and scarification to permanently eliminate its stems;
• Core aeration to improve soil ventilation and address accumulated issues;
• Coarse sanding to enhance surface uniformity;
• Overseeding with ryegrass, followed by light sanding.

Once the winter lawn is in place, it must be maintained to ensure both visual appeal and high performance. This continuous process unfolds as follows:

• regular mowing to maintain a uniform height;
• fertilization through nutrient application to stimulate growth and root development;
• appropriate irrigation with watering based on the lawn's actual needs to avoid water stress or excess;
• forced drainage for rapid water removal using pressure pumps;
• LED light therapy to aid photosynthesis stimulation even in winter or low light conditions;
• air and steam fans acting as regulators of lawn temperature and humidity.

A meticulously followed roadmap ensures lush, safe and aesthetically pleasing lawns — ready to host matches of Africa’s biggest competition.

https://medias24.com/categorie/sport/football/can-2025/le-guide-du-supporter/