Hello, it has been a long day since I last published here, but I am glad to be back.
I am writing this fresh from the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025. The year 2025 has been particularly intense for me, with a full calendar of competitions including the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup, the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and the CHAN 2024 co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Each of these competitions was a success, and none of them happened by chance.
When we watch a football match, we usually focus on the ninety minutes, the players, the goals and the emotions. But a competition is not a single event. It is the result of dozens of matches, and every single match must be prepared, coordinated and delivered with precision.
Have you ever stopped to think about what actually happens behind the scenes of a football game?
This article is my attempt to shed light on the key operational roles involved in delivering a match, from the moment the stadium opens its doors to the final whistle.
It all starts with competition management. At the heart of match delivery is the General Coordinator, supported by one or two assistants. This role is central. The General Coordinator ensures that all competition requirements are met, coordinates with the teams, validates match readiness and oversees the entire match timeline. From pre-match meetings where teams present their equipment, to the precise timing of the pre-match ceremony, and finally giving the green light to the referee for kick-off, everything passes through this role.
Alongside the General Coordinator are the Match Commissioners. They represent the governing body, whether it is CAF, FIFA or a national federation. Their responsibility is to observe, document and report everything that happens during the match. Any incident, organisational issue or disciplinary matter is recorded in official reports that feed into competition governance.
Another key pillar is venue management. The Venue Manager is the person responsible for the stadium itself. This role sits at the crossroads of all stakeholders. Stadium operations, access plans, protocol flows, safety readiness and timing are all coordinated here. One of the most critical decisions the Venue Manager makes is authorising the opening of the stadium gates, usually three to four hours before kick-off.
Ticketing is another crucial function. The Ticketing Manager ensures that spectators can access the stadium smoothly and safely. In most competitions, ticket sales close at least twenty-four hours before the match to allow organisers to anticipate crowd size, adjust security resources and manage access flows accordingly.
Marketing and commercial operations play a central role in modern football. The Venue Marketing Officer is responsible for branding, sponsor visibility and commercial activations inside the stadium. This includes LED boards, backdrops, pitch-side branding, sponsor zones and activation areas. This role is particularly strategic because broadcasting and sponsorship rights are the main sources of revenue in football. Sponsors invest for visibility, and it is the responsibility of this team to ensure that what has been sold is delivered perfectly.
Media operations are equally critical. The Media Officer coordinates journalists, photographers and broadcasters. From accreditation to mixed zones, flash interview positions and press conference rooms, this role ensures that media professionals have access to players and coaches while respecting competition rules and security protocols. A well-run media operation directly impacts how the match is perceived globally.
Security is one of the most complex aspects of match delivery. The Security Officer oversees access control and crowd safety. In football, a venue is typically divided into multiple security zones, including public areas, the field of play, competition areas, operational zones, organiser zones, VIP and VVIP areas, media tribunes, broadcast zones and hospitality areas. Accreditation alone is often not sufficient. Additional zone-specific access authorisations are activated, usually around two hours before kick-off, to ensure strict control of sensitive areas.
Hospitality and guest management is another key component. This team is responsible for welcoming hospitality guests, VIPs and VVIPs, ensuring smooth access and a high-quality experience. Hospitality areas are often used by companies to host partners and clients, combining sport, networking and business in a unique environment. The quality of this experience has a direct impact on the perceived value of the event.
Volunteers are the backbone of many competitions. The Volunteer Manager coordinates all volunteer resources, from recruitment to deployment. Volunteers support accreditation points, spectator guidance, media operations and general venue assistance. Managing them efficiently is essential to maintaining service quality across the venue.
Finally, there are many supporting roles that are just as vital. Medical teams and ambulances are on standby throughout the event. Broadcast production teams ensure the match reaches millions of viewers. Protocol officers manage official delegations. Operations staff coordinate logistics, power, connectivity and last-minute adjustments.
All these roles work together, often under pressure, to deliver what the public experiences as a seamless football match.
Football may look simple from the stands or on television, but behind every game lies a complex operational ecosystem driven by people, processes and coordination.

If you would like to explore more behind-the-scenes topics, such as how sponsor activations are designed, what brands really value when investing in football, or how major events are operationally planned, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
The game starts long before kick-off.