Planet Sport Football Africa

This week we take a look ahead to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, on next month in Morocco.Also we talk about African football history – how much of the continent’s history has not been documented.We find out about a new book about Enyimba of Nigeria and their CAF Champions League triumphs in 2003 and 2004, from author and regular PSFA contributor Solace Chukwu.And we talk about the business of football and how the power of the club manager has diminished or been removed in the EPL.

This week we continue to look back at the 2025 AFCON, with so many talking points, including the sanctions handed by CAF to Senegal and Morocco following the chaotic final.We look at the rise of local coaches – as they have now won four editions of the AFCON in a row.Also, CAF president Patrice Motsepe spoke about the importance of good stadiums and of good pitches for future AFCON hosts – who then can host future tournaments?Plus your views on whether moving to an AFCON every four years is a good idea.And Stuart on the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League group stage.

This week we review the 2025 AFCON – there was the most controversial final ever, but there were record revenues from an otherwise successful tournament.We go to Morocco and find how fans feel about star striker Brahim Diaz missing the penalty that would have given the Atlas Lions the trophy.We delve into the decision to reduce the AFCON to once every four years from 2028, and to introduce an annual African Nations League.Plus Stuart on the EPL and whether a Manchester United revival is underway.  

This week we’re looking ahead to the AFCON final, with hosts Morocco playing Senegal on Sunday.We assess the strengths of both teams, and we hear from former South Africa captain Dean Furman.Also we go to Lagos to get reaction after the Super Eagles lost on penalties to Morocco, having impressed throughout the tournament.Plus Stuart on the EPL and on coach Xabi Alonso’s departure from Real Madrid.

This week we’re in Rabat at the AFCON, as we look ahead to the quarter-finals – no small teams making it into the last eight this time around, as the top-ranked teams are through.We talk about the fallout between Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen and teammate Ademola Lookman – could this affect their performance against Algeria on Saturday?Plus Stuart on the EPL as Man United fire Ruben Amorim.

This week we’re in Casablanca and Rabat at the AFCON, as we look ahead to the knockout stage and get a feel of the sights and sounds of Morocco.With Nigeria and Algeria winning all three games in the group stage, who are the main contenders for glory.Plus Stuart on the EPL and a look at how much difference a world-class goalkeeper can make to a team.

This week we assess the early stages of the 2025 AFCON, with hosts Morocco making a winning start and good wins too for Senegal, Algeria and Tunisia. We also analyse the controversial decision to hold the Africa Cup of Nations every four years from 2028, rather than every two years.Plus Stuart on the EPL ahead of a busy period.

This week we look ahead to the 2025 AFCON, starting in Morocco on Sunday. We go to Casablanca and find out about the expectations of fans of the host nation.We also pick out some of the teams that we think are top contenders for the title, and we highlight some of the star players to watch.And away from the AFCON we have Stuart on the EPL and whether Mohamed Salah will play again for Liverpool after the Nations Cup.

This week we start looking ahead to the 2025 AFCON, and we ask what we can expect in Morocco – can they build on the success of the 2023 edition? We also look at the growing appeal of the tournament beyond Africa.We catch up on the draw for the 2026 Fifa World Cup – how many of the African teams can we expect to make it to the knockout stage?Plus Stuart on Mohamed Salah’s spectacular fallout with Liverpool.

This week we dig into the controversy in football in Cameroon, as Cameroon Football Federation president Samuel Eto'o fired national team coach Marc Brys three weeks ahead of the AFCON. We also look at FIFA’s decision to allow clubs to hold on to their AFCON players up to a week before the start of the tournament.We catch up on the first two matchdays in the CAF Champions League, as Morocco’s RS Berkane scored twice in stoppage time to beat Rivers United of Nigeria.We find out about life as a backup goalkeeper, as we talk to Nigeria national team reserve goalkeeper Adebayo Adeleye, who has only one appearance for the Super Eagles despite being in the squad 12 times.Plus Stuart on the EPL.

This week we look back at the CAF Women’s Champions League, as AS FAR of Morocco won a second title.We also assess the 48-team FIFA Under-17 Men’s World Cup, as the African teams put up a good showing.We look at the ins and outs of Arsenal ending their eight-year sponsorship deal with Visit Rwanda.And we talk about schools football, as qualifiers for the fourth edition of the CAF African Schools Football Championship are underway, and we hear from CAF president Patrice Motsepe.Plus Stuart on the EPL.

This week we talk about Achraf Hakimi winning the African Footballer of the Year award, capping off an amazing year for the Moroccan star.We analyse the World Cup play-offs, as Nigeria miss out again and DR Congo make it to the inter-continental play-offs.We catch up on the Fifa U17 World Cup, and the CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt. Plus Stuart on the EPL, as Pep Guardiola reached 1000 games as a manager.

This week we talk about the World Cup play-offs, as Nigeria play DR Congo on Sunday for a place in the inter-continental play-offs.We catch up on the Fifa U17 World Cup, where Morocco beat New Caledonia 16-0 in a group game, in a record-breaking scoreline.Also the latest on the CAF Women’s Champions League in Egypt, with debutants ASEC Mimosas of Cote d’Ivoire among the teams making good starts.And we focus on club management, as FIFA has been in several countries running the African Edition of the Essential Course in Club Management. Plus Stuart on the EPL, as Liverpool’s rough patch continues.

This week we look ahead to the CAF Women’s Champions League, which starts on Saturday in Egypt, with some new names there and some more established ones too.We analyse the draw for the CAF Men’s Champions League, with reigning champions Pyramids of Egypt and Confederation Cup winners RS Berkane of Morocco in the same group.We catch up on the FIFA U17 men’s World Cup, with many of the African teams making a good start.And we speak to Benjamin Fredrick, the 20-year-old defender who has broken into the Nigeria national team, since being loaned from Brentford to Belgian side FCV Dender.

This week we catch up on the teams that have made the group stage of the CAF Champions League, as South Africa’s Orlando Pirates missed out.Also we go to Morocco and find out about the Mohammed VI Football Academy, a key factor in Morocco’s success in winning the Fifa Under-20 World Cup.We look ahead to the Fifa U-17 Men’s World Cup, which starts on Monday in Qatar.And Alex Iwobi has become the first Nigerian to make 300 appearances in the EPL, and only the fifth African ever to reach that milestone.

This week we talk about Morocco’s success in winning the Fifa Under-20 World Cup in Chile, becoming the second African team to win the trophy.Also, Achraf Hakimi heads the 10-man shortlist for the African Footballer of the Year award. We look at the main contenders. We speak to Nigeria and Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka, on life in London and on missing Joane Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo, who left the Bees.And we have Stuart’s thoughts on Man United’s win over Liverpool.

This week we talk World Cup qualifying as the games concluded with Cape Verde claiming a historic maiden qualification, and with Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, South Africa and Ghana also making it in the last round of matches.We analyse the action and also take a look at the play-offs.Also, Morocco are through to the final of the Under-20 World Cup, and they will become the second African team to win the tournament if they can beat Argentina on Sunday.And Stuart looks ahead to the action in the EPL and assesses the managerial changes so far.

This week we talk World Cup qualifying as Egypt and Algeria book their spots, while Ghana are almost there and Cape Verde’s possible maiden qualification will go down to the final day.Also, CAF has announced a return to profitability after several years of losses – we look at the details.And former England striker Gary Lineker has apologised to Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen after questioning his character, and Stuart looks at the issues that Liverpool are facing.

This week we talk World Cup qualifying as South Africa have been docked three points, leaving Group C wide open.With Morocco hosting the AFCON in December and co-hosting the World Cup in 2030, three people are reported to have died as hundreds of young protesters have taken to the streets across Morocco to protest against the cost of the tournaments.And as Angola fire coach Pedro Goncalves, we talk about Frenchman Patrice Beaumelle the new Angola coach, perhaps the most legendary assistant coach in African football. Plus lots on the Uefa Champions League and the EPL – is there any need for Liverpool fans to panic?

This week we analyse the Ballon d’Or awards, as Mohamed Salah took fourth place behind Ousmane Dembele, and Achraf Hakimi was sixth – did they deserve higher rankings?Also, as Luca Zidane, the son of France legend Zinedine Zidane, has switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria, we ask whether Zinedine Zidane could have been the best African player ever.And with Nigeria forward Tolu Arokodare getting his first goal for Wolves, we find out about his outlook on football.