Africa – Inside World Football

CAF pens partnership agreement with AGL to boost development

Andy Elliott — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 09:14:21 +0000

April 24 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Africa Global Logistics (AGL) have signed a partnership to boost the development of the African game.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the partnership covers the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as well as the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

CAF president Patrice Motsepe said: “AGL is a leading logistics company and its partnership with CAF reflects the substantial commitment by both parties to the development and growth of football for men and women in Africa.

Eintracht Frankfurt open up talent pathway with Ghana’s Accra Lions

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 03:35:25 +0000

April 23 – Eintracht Frankfurt have taken a step into the African football talent market with a strategic partnership with Ghanaian side Accra Lions FC, beginning in June 2025.

The agreement will allow the Bundesliga club to expand its international footprint while tapping into one of the most dynamic talent pipelines in West Africa. Accra Lions – one of Ghana’s youngest top-flight teams with an average squad age under 20 – finished second in the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League and have quickly gained a reputation for elite youth development since their founding in 2015.

French FA commits to MoU with Egyptian FA to help develop women’s game

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 01:50:13 +0000

April 9 – The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and the French Football Federation (FFF) have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a strategic partnership aimed at accelerating the growth of women’s football in Egypt.

The agreement was signed in Cairo by EFA President Hany Abu Rida and FFF President Philippe Diallo, as part of a state visit by French president Emanuel Macron to his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The MoU will see the federations collaborate on technical and structural initiatives,

Burundi boss Jérémie Manirakiza detained for supporting rebel M23 group

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 03:19:11 +0000

April 7 – Jérémie Manirakiza, the secretary general of the Burundi Football Federation (FFB), has been arrested at Bujumbura airport by intelligence services. He was been detained for his alleged support for the rebel military group M23.

Sportnewsafrica reports the arrest of Manirakiza (pictured right) for his alleged support for the rebel group that is operating with Rwandese backing on the territory of DR Congo.

The FFB secretary general allegedly wanted the M23 to do the same in Burundi to oust the President of the Republic,

Zambia leaves key women players at US clubs for fear of re-entry being refused

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 04:19:24 +0000

April 4 – The Trump administration has said it will welcome all for FIFA events over the next two years, however, the Zambia women’s national team is taking no chances and has removed four US-based players from their squad.

With Zambia due to play Thailand and either China or Uzbekistan in China this week, the Zambian Football Association has concerns about players leaving and re-entering the United States, hence the removal of Orlando Pride trio Barbra Banda (pictured),

Motsepe re-elected as CAF president promising cash for everyone

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 13:36:45 +0000

March 12 – In the latest football election by acclamation, Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected as the president of African football for another four years, promising the confederation electorate new riches of $1 billion.

The South African mining tycoon needed only the Confederation of African Football (CAF) members’ applause to secure a second term as the continent’s football chief. He ran unopposed, reflecting a growing trend in the game of ‘elections’ by acclamation.

CAF fills its committees and FIFA Council seats

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 12:46:30 +0000

March 12 – Egypt’s Hany Abo Rida and Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa have retained their seats on the FIFA Council, while Souleiman Waberi, Ahmed Yahya, Djibrilla Hamidou and Ibrahim Kanizat have been elected as the new African representatives. Samuel Eto’o has won a seat on the CAF executive committee.

At Wednesday’s extraordinary general assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo, Egypt, the continent’s six seats on FIFA’s highest decision-making body came up for election.

CAF’s Motsepe to continue trend of uncontested presidential re-elections

Andy Elliott — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 13:04:13 +0000

March 11 – South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe (pictured) will run unopposed to secure a second four-year term as African football boss at the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Wednesday.

For a long time, Motsepe remained non-committal towards a new term, but in October he confirmed that he would seek a second term “following requests from numerous CAF member association presidents, zonal union presidents and key stakeholders”,

CAS overturns CAF decision to allow Samuel Eto’o to run for seat on ExCo

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 12:21:14 +0000

March 10 – Fecafoot boss Samuel Eto’o has scored a victory at the highest court in sport to allow him to run for an executive committee seat at the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in favour of Eto’o following his appeal against a CAF decision to exclude him from the executive committee elections that will be staged this week in Cairo, Egypt.

“The CAS panel considered that it was presented sufficient information to overturn the CAF executive committee’s decision concerning Mr Eto’o’s ineligibility,” CAS said in a statement.

Ghana FA renews sponsorship with Decathlon to develop the game from grassroots to elite

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 03:23:03 +0000

March 7 – The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has renewed its partnership with Decathlon Ghana, reaffirming a collaboration that has been a steady pillar of support for football development in the country over the past four years.

The signing ceremony, held on March 5 at the Decathlon Superstore in Accra Mall, brought together key figures from both organisations, all apparently eager to stress their shared ambition for the future of Ghanaian football. The original deal,

FIFA pens Nouvobanq deal ahead of Beach Soccer World Cup

Andy Elliott — Thu, 06 Mar 2025 09:29:02 +0000

March 6 – FIFA has partnered with Seychelles banking entity Nouvobanq as a sponsor of this year’s Beach Soccer World Cup in the country.

The world governing body announced the partnership with the bank on Wednesday but did not reveal the terms.

“As we continue to deliver on our commitment to making football truly global, the upcoming tournament will make history for the Seychelles and the region,” said Romy Gai,

Gabon’s Patrick Assoumou Eyi handed lifetime ban for sexual abuse

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 02:46:18 +0000

March 4 – FIFA’s Ethics Committee has issued a lifetime ban on Patrick Assoumou Eyi for sexual abuse. The former coach of the Gabon U-17 men’s national team has also been handed a CHF1 million fine.

In issuing the judgement, FIFA said Eyi (pictured) was found “guilty of abusing his position and committing repeated acts of sexual abuse against multiple players…

“The investigation into Mr Eyi concerns complaints from at least four football players who accused him of sexual abuse between 2006 and 2021.

Benni McCarthy to take over Kenya national team ahead of 2027 AFCON hosting

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 06:31:29 +0000

March 3 – Benni McCarthy will become the new manager of Kenya after agreeing to the role in principle.

The South African will take over from Francis Kimanzi, who has been managing the Harambee Stars on an interim basis after Turkish coach Engin Firat left the role last year due to non-payment of salary arrears. McCarthy will not bring his own backroom staff, but the current coaching team will be retained.

The South African has managerial experience at Cape Town City and AmaZulu.

CAS backs Algerian FA in Western Sahara shirt controversy

Andy Elliott — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 11:21:15 +0000

February 27 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled in favour of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) in its dispute with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), and Moroccan club RS Berkane over the team’s controversial shirts.

The ruling overturns CAF’s earlier approval of the kit, which displayed a map of Morocco that included the contested territory of Western Sahara.

The case,

Tunisia’s Wadie Jary remains a FIFA insider despite being sentenced to 4-year jail term

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 14:22:39 +0000

February 26 – Tunisia’s Wadie Jary remains listed as a member of FIFA’s member associations committee even though he was convicted of corruption and handed a four-year prison sentence.

Last week, the former president of the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) was sentenced to four years in prison because of an “unlawful contract between the FTF and a technical director” during his reign, but Wary remains listed as a member of FIFA’s member associations committee on the global governing body’s website.

Top player, top tournament? Is AFCON why Salah won’t win Ballon d’Or?

Paul Nicholson — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 05:00:51 +0000

February 26 – Former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher has drawn the ire of former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand with his comments disparaging the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Carragher was talking in the aftermath of Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Manchester City and suggested that Liverpool forward, Mohamed Salah, will struggle to win the Ballon d’Or because he plays for Egypt.

Salah, who is setting the Premier League on fire this season has never finished higher than 5th for Europe’s most prestigious individual award.