A historic and symbolic moment unfolded on Tuesday in Tangiers as TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 mascot, Assad, welcomed a special guest in the form of Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026 counterpart Ayo, marking a unique collaboration between two major global sporting movements.
The Assad and Ayo activation represented a strong statement of intent as it reinforced the Confédération Africaine de Football’s (CAF) strategic role in partnering with international sporting bodies to exchange ideas and place African youth at the heart of major global sporting events.
The moment symbolised a powerful bridge between sporting codes as Senegal prepares to host the first-ever African edition of the Youth Olympic Games, scheduled to take place from 31 October to 13 November 2026 in Dakar.
Ayo’s arrival in Morocco came ahead of Senegal’s Group D encounter against Benin, creating a vibrant meeting point between African football and the wider Olympic and global sporting family.
The presence of the Youth Olympic Games mascot at the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON highlighted Africa’s growing stature as a trusted destination for major international sporting events.
The Youth Olympic Games 2026 being hosted in Senegal follows a landmark period for the continent, with Morocco also set to co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2030, further underlining global confidence in Africa’s organisational and hosting capabilities.
In a colourful celebration of youth, culture and shared values, Assad and Ayo delighted fans across Tangiers, engaging with supporters through a dynamic cross-activation that brought excitement, colour and unity to the host city.
The festivities continued inside the stadium, where both mascots interacted with fans in the build-up to one of the concluding Group D fixtures of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025.
The meeting of the two mascots served as a powerful reminder of sport’s ability to transcend disciplines, while positively positioning Africa on the global stage.
