African football boss Patrice Motsepe offered an emphatic defence of FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday, portraying him as a devoted steward of the game and friend of the continent. Infantino has faced growing criticism over FIFA’s decision to delay a suspension for United States striker Folarin Balogun at the recently concluded World Cup, as […]
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African results justify World Cup slots increase amid criticism
When four-time World Cup winners Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 tournament, then head coach Gennaro Gattuso lamented that Africa had so many places at the global showcase. “Africa deserves fewer World Cup slots,” he said, referring to the number of automatic qualifying places allocated to that continent rising from five to nine in […]
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Somalia football slowly becomes a women’s game
Hundreds of Somali spectators cheered as they watched two teams of young women play football in a Mogadishu stadium — an unimaginable scene in the conservative, conflict-hit country just a few years ago. Such events were heavily threatened until recently in Somalia’s capital by the Al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group Al-Shabaab, which frowns on entertainment like football, […]
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Senegal government calls for investigation into Cup of Nations decision
Senegal on Wednesday called for an “independent international investigation” into corruption following the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to strip the country of its Africa Cup of Nations title and award it to Morocco. The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), meanwhile, said it “wishes to welcome a decision that upholds the rules.” The controversy arose after […]
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Victor Osimhen finds scoring touch to give Nigeria cutting edge
If there was a moment that summed up Nigeria’s failed World Cup qualifying campaign, it was perhaps Victor Osimhen’s incredible miss during a crunch playoff against Gabon. The usually lethal striker somehow fired wide with just the goalkeeper to beat right at the end of normal time in the November game in Rabat. He did […]
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Africa Cup of Nations: Egypt dumps out holders Ivory Coast, Nigeria set ups semi with Morocco
Mohamed Salah’s Egypt knocked reigning champions Ivory Coast out of the Africa Cup of Nations.
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Africa Cup of Nations: From Diaz to ‘Mazadona,’ five new faces to watch in quarterfinals
The Africa Cup of Nations reaches the quarterfinal stage this weekend with a series of mouthwatering ties between the continent’s heavyweights
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DR Congo’s human statue becomes Africa’s most famous fan
Human statue Michel Kuka Mboladinga will be remembered as the tournament’s most remarkable supporter.
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Africa Cup of Nations: Tanzania holds Tunisia to end 45-year wait for knockout spot
Tanzania reached the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage for the first time, 45 years after their maiden appearance, by coming from behind to draw 1-1 with fellow qualifier Tunisia in Rabat on Tuesday.
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Morocco made to wait for Cup of Nations knockout place after Egypt advance
Hosts Morocco missed the chance to secure qualification for the knockout phase of the Africa Cup of Nations after drawing 1-1 with Mali on Friday, but Mohamed Salah’s penalty gave Egypt a 1-0 win over South Africa which took them through to the last 16. The Group A clash between Morocco and Mali at the […]