Category: Football Africa

Senegal's Aliou Cisse named new Angola national head coach
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s Aliou Cisse named new Angola national head coach

The Angolan Football Federation (FAF) formally declared the appointment of Aliou Cisse as the new coach of the Angola national football team on April 9, 2026.

This news came just 24 hours after Cisse left his post with the Libyan national team, a position he had held for a short period since March 2025.

Fifty-year-old Aliou Cisse is well known for his incredible accomplishments, especially his triumphant stint with the Senegal national team, which he famously led to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph in 2022. His leadership abilities and coaching background have helped him become a sought-after person in African soccer.

Welcoming Aliou Cisse, head coach of the Angola national team, the FAF welcomed him via a post on their official Facebook page.

Cisse will have the difficulty of reenergizing the Angola side, which has battled in recent tournaments and missed qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

With the campaign scheduled to start in September, Angola is getting ready to begin its qualifying path for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations as it takes control. For Cisse to use his knowledge to steer Angola toward a prosperous future on the continental stage, expectations are great.

CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 Final Draw confirmed
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 Final Draw confirmed

A North African showdown is on the horizon at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026.

The host nation, Morocco, has been drawn into Group A alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia for the finals, which will take place from May 13 to June 2, 2026, at the Mohammed VI Complex in Rabat.

The Final Draw was held at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, featuring current African stars like Fiston Mayele (Pyramids FC and DR Congo), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly and Mali), and Ahmed Belhadji (Ceramica Cleopatra and Morocco), who helped kick off the event.

With only the top two teams from each group moving on to the quarter-finals, this competitive group echoes the recent UNAF qualifiers in Libya, which Morocco won.

In Group B, former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon will square off against Uganda and debutants DR Congo. Two-time winners Cameroon claimed the title as recently as 2019, while Côte d’Ivoire celebrated their triumph in 2013.

Meanwhile, last year’s runners-up, Mali, find themselves in Group C, where they will face Southern African nations Angola and Mozambique, along with East African side Tanzania. Mali previously lifted the trophy in 2015 and 2017.

Finally, Group D features the reigning champions, Senegal, who will take on the 2015 silver medalists, South Africa, Algeria, and two-time winners Ghana. Ghana enjoyed success as champions in 1995 and 1999.

The eight teams that reach the quarter-finals will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup, set to be hosted in Qatar later that year. Additionally, the third-placed teams in each group will compete in two playoff matches to determine the final two qualifiers.

Ten African nations will again be present at the global finals. 

TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026:

GROUP A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia

Groupe B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroun, Ouganda, RDC

GROUP C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique 

GROUP D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana 
Historic East Africa 2027 AFCON dates for tournament confirmed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Historic East Africa 2027 AFCON dates for the tournament confirmed

CAF has announced that the tournament will take place from June 19 to July 18 in East Africa, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

This will be the first time three East African nations host AFCON together, and the first in the region since 1976, when it last occurred in Ethiopia.

This edition marks the 70th anniversary of AFCON and will be the last held in an odd-numbered year, with the tournament switching to every four years starting in 2028.

The Local Organising Committee of Uganda confirmed the tournament dates. Uganda will use two main stadiums: Mandela National Stadium and Hoima City Stadium. Host cities in Kenya include Nairobi, Eldoret, and Kakamega, while Tanzania will see matches in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Dodoma, and Zanzibar.

Kenya recently met a key CAF deadline by paying a Ksh3.9 billion ($30 million) hosting fee, showing its commitment to the tournament. Uganda announced it will waive visa fees for visitors for three months around the event.

Qualifying matches took place during the March FIFA international break, with teams from Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea advancing. AFCON follows the 2024 African Nations Championship, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, where Morocco defeated Madagascar.

First leg AFCON 2027 preliminary qualifying advantage for Eritrea
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Eritrean athletes abscond in South Africa after qualification for AFCON qualifiers

Since 2009, more than 60 Eritrean football players have fled during international matches, prompting the Eritrean Football Federation to withdraw from significant competitions like the World Cup and AFCON qualifiers.

A few days ago, seven more players from the national team reportedly disappeared in South Africa after making history by advancing to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying stage for the first time in 19 years.

The players’ decision not to return home after their match against Eswatini has overshadowed Eritrea’s achievement. Out of ten locally based players, only three—Ablelom Teklezgi, Nahom Tadese, and Romel Abdu—returned.

Often called “African North Korea,” Eritrea faces criticism for its human rights and political repression. The national football team’s struggles reflect the government’s fear of athletes seeking asylum abroad.

Since 2009, a trend of defection during international fixtures has caused many players to flee, leading the Eritrean Football Federation to avoid major competitions due to potential political fallout. Since 2019, Eritrea has not competed internationally, driven by concerns over player defection.

Kalidou Koulibaly could announce international retirement from the World Cup
by Football Sierra Leone

Kalidou Koulibaly could announce his international retirement from the World Cup

Kalidou Koulibaly has hinted that the upcoming 2026 World Cup might be the last opportunity for Senegal fans to see him wearing the national team colours.

The 34-year-old centre-back made his debut for the Lions of Teranga against Namibia on September 5, 2015, and since then, he has accumulated over 100 caps for his country, often serving as captain.

Koulibaly secured his place in Senegalese history when he led Aliou Cisse’s team to their first Africa Cup of Nations title in February 2022, and he celebrated a second victory this year.

However, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently stripped Senegal of the trophy, declaring Morocco the champions after ruling that Pape Thiaw’s squad had forfeited the final match by leaving the field for 16 minutes.

As he gears up to captain the Lions of Teranga once again at the World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, Koulibaly acknowledges it may be time to pass the torch to younger players after this tournament.

“I believe this will be my last World Cup; I can’t see myself playing when I’m 39,” he shared in an interview with the Senegalese website ‘Media Car’. “There are young talents eager to represent the national team, and they deserve their chance. We’ll see what unfolds after the World Cup.

“When the moment is right, we’ll hand over the baton. I haven’t completely made up my mind yet; I have a general idea, but we’ll just have to wait and see. I prefer not to dwell too much on the future, but it’s clear that I’m approaching the end of my journey.”

Burundi and Ethiopia progress to Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Burundi and Ethiopia progress to Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers

Burundi and Ethiopia secured spots in the next round of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 qualifiers with strong performances on Tuesday.

Burundi defeated Chad 4-0, winning 8-0 On aggregate, while Ethiopia beat Sao Tome and Principe 1-0, advancing with a 4-0 aggregate score.

Burundi’s Strong Win Over Chad  

Burundi dominated Chad, following their 4-0 win in the first leg. They took control early, with Bienvenue Kanakimana scoring twice in the first half. Justin Girumugisha added a goal in the 70th minute, and Abdoul Karim scored the final goal. Burundi’s performance ensured its advancement to the next stage.

Ethiopia’s Solid Win at Home

Ethiopia continued their strong form with a 1-0 win at home, having already won 3-0 in the first leg. Chernet Gugsaa scored early, sealing Sao Tome’s hopes of a comeback. Ethiopia managed the match well, keeping their opponents at bay.

Looking Ahead

Both teams capitalised on their first-leg advantages, allowing them to play confidently in the second matches. Moving on is a significant step toward reaching the AFCON 2027 finals, hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. With improved performances, both teams aim to carry their momentum into the tougher rounds ahead.

DR Congo picks up Africa's final 2026 World Cup spot
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

DR Congo pick up Africa’s final 2026 World Cup spot

After 52 years since their last World Cup participation as Zaire in the 1974 finals in West Germany, where they fell to Scotland, Yugoslavia, and Brazil, the central African country is set to make their return.

In an intercontinental playoff going to extra time, the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Jamaica 1–0 on Tuesday.

From a corner in the 100th minute, Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe scored the game-winning goal, hence guaranteeing Congo’s place in Group K against Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.

Having eliminated African powerhouses Nigeria and Cameroon to get to this playoff in Mexico, the Leopards’ path to the World Cup has been spectacular.

Though DR Congo dominated possession throughout the game versus Jamaica and battled to breach a strong defence, an early goal was disallowed for offside, and despite the continued threat of Cedric Bakambu, Jamaica had only one significant opportunity.

Tuanzebe finally found the net in extra time following a few near misses, giving Congo the lead and a historic return to the World Cup.

Ghana start new search for head coach ahead of World Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana start new search for head coach ahead of World Cup

Ghana is set to welcome a new coach for the upcoming World Cup in June after parting ways with Otto Ado following their disappointing 2-1 loss to Germany.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) have announced that Otto Addo will be stepping down.

The Hamburg-born former Bundesliga player has led the Ghanaian national team for the past two years. Unfortunately, the defeat in Stuttgart marked the fourth consecutive loss for the “Black Stars.”

As of now, it remains unclear who will take the helm after the 50-year-old Addo. Ghana’s group stage opponents in the World Cup will include England, Croatia, and Panama.

CAF announces shock expansion of AFCON from 24 to 28 teams
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF announces shock expansion of AFCON from 24 to 28 teams

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled plans to increase the number of teams competing in the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.

Currently, 24 teams participate in the tournament, which takes place every two years. However, CAF President Patrice Motsepe made a surprising announcement in Cairo on Sunday, revealing that this number will rise to 28 teams in future editions of the tournament.

Motsepe stated that this change reflects the organisation’s commitment to showcasing world-class football and welcoming the best African players from around the globe to compete on their home turf. However, he did not provide details on how or when these changes would be implemented.

This isn’t the first time the competition format has been altered; in 2019, the tournament expanded from 16 teams to its current 24. Yet again, Afcon is set for further modifications, as its biennial scheduling will shift to a model similar to that of Europe, taking place once every four years.

The 2027 edition will proceed as planned, leading into a special 2028 edition that will mark this transition.

To enhance the African football landscape, Motsepe also announced the introduction of a continental version of UEFA’s Nations League. This new competition will feature annual matches and a biennial final tournament comprising 16 teams.

These changes come against a backdrop of controversy surrounding the final of the 2025 edition in January. A match between Senegal and Morocco descended into chaos when Senegal walked off the pitch following a contentious penalty call.

Although they later returned to win the game, Morocco contested that Senegal’s departure amounted to a rule violation, leading to a successful appeal that saw Morocco retroactively declared the champions in March, nearly two months after the final took place.

In a show of defiance against this decision, Senegal has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and was seen parading the trophy in Paris over the weekend.

Samson Adamu, Caf's competitions director, will assume the role of acting general secretary.
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba resigns

Samson Adamu, Caf’s competitions director in the photo, will assume the role of acting general secretary following the resignation of General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba

The general secretary of the Confederation of African Football (Caf), Veron Mosengo-Omba, has resigned amid a tumultuous period for football in Africa.

His retirement follows the controversial decision to strip Senegal of hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and the last-minute postponement of the women’s tournament, plunging CAF into a crisis of confidence.

In his resignation statement, Mosengo-Omba noted, “Now that I’ve cleared the doubts some have cast on me, I can step down with peace of mind, knowing I leave Caf better positioned than ever.”

The 66-year-old faced criticism for extending his tenure past the organisation’s mandatory retirement age of 63 and was accused of creating a toxic work environment, although an investigation found no wrongdoing.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mosengo-Omba has served as General Secretary since March 2021. Samson Adamu, Caf’s competitions director, will assume the role of acting general secretary.

CAF is also awaiting a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding Senegal’s appeal against losing the Afcon title, which followed a controversial match against Morocco, where Senegal was declared to have forfeited after walking off the field in protest.