Marrakech – Tangier recently hosted a symbolic, yet strategic, moment for African sport as Ayo, the official mascot of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, met Assad, the emblem of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, which is currently running in Morocco.
The lions’ encounter brought together two of the continent’s most significant sporting events, showcasing continuity, cooperation, and shared ambition.
The meeting took place at Tangier Stadium, where Ayo was welcomed by Assad and introduced to one of the key venues of AFCON 2025.
Tangier’s role was deliberate. As a city connecting Africa to the world and host to Senegal’s national team during AFCON, it served as a natural backdrop for this symbolic handover between Morocco 2025 and Dakar 2026.
Through this initiative, Dakar 2026 reaffirmed its intention to position the Youth Olympic Games within a strong African dynamic, extending its reach beyond national borders and placing African youth at the center of the continent’s sporting future.
