Planet Sport Football Africa

This week we catch up on the CAF Champions League, as holders Mamelodi Sundowns failed to make the group stage.

And we look ahead to the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League, starting on Sunday in Egypt.

We have lots on the EPL, plus Yan Diomande’s good form at Real Madrid.

And we highlight the qualities that made Harry Kane a Ballon d’Or winner.

This week we look ahead to a big weekend in the CAF Champions League, with the second legs of the second preliminary round ties on this weekend, and with the winners qualifying for the group stage.
 
Also, as the Court of Arbitration for Sport issued a statement this week concerning the outcome of the 2025 AFCON final, we are getting a little closer to discovering whether Senegal’s appeal will be upheld, or if Morocco will be the champions, having been awarded the title by CAF.
 
We look the issue of the sexual abuse of youngsters playing football, as a coach in DR Congo who was banned from football for 20 years by Fifa, has now had his ban extended by five more years.
 
Also we talk about the colourful career of former Burundi and EPL striker Saido Berahino, who has retired from football at the age of 33 – he played for West Brom and Stoke, but had a career full of ups and downs.
 
Plus Stuart on a thrilling Matchday 3 in the Uefa Champions League and a look at the EPL, as Arsenal are yet to score from a set-piece this season.

This week we talk about the possibility that the Africa Cup of Nations could continue to be held every two years, with discussions under way to reverse its proposed switch to a four-year cycle.

Also, more money for national associations, as CAF has announced a 33% increase in the annual grants to the 54 CAF Member Associations, up to $700 000 per year.

We take a look at the ongoing CAF Futsal Afcon, with Morocco hosting for a third time in a row.

And Stuart takes a look at the UEFA Champions League and the EPL.

This week we talk about the CAF Strategy Conference in Cape Verde, as Caf President Patrice Motsepe tells Fifa President Gianni Infantino that he will get all of Africa’s 54 votes in the Fifa elections.

Also we analyse developments in Nigeria’s case challenging DR Congo's use of ineligible players in World Cup qualifying, as it appears that DR Congo were in the wrong.

And Stuart explores the possible punishments that Man City might face if their appeal fails after being found guilty of all charges related to breaches of Premier League financial rules.

This week we catch up on the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with Ghana losing their first two games, Nigeria in a shock 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau, and Eritrea back in the qualifiers after a long absence, and Somalia in the main phase of qualifying for the first time.
 
Also we assess Tunisia’s poor start, and Patrick Vieira’s start as Senegal coach, with four points from two games.

Also we talk about the situation at Manchester City with the club having been found guilty of all charges related to breaches of Premier League financial rules.

Plus City winger Jeremy Doku’s reflections on the World Cup and how the tournament saw many players displaying their faith.

This week we assess the position of Fifa president Gianni Infantino, as he has proposed an external review of how world football's governing body operates.

And we look at how, throughout recent events, CAF has remained quiet, and seemingly still a close ally of Infantino.

Also we hear from former Zimbabwe international George Mbwando, who’s back in the country after 30 years in Europe, mostly in Germany. Mbwando has been appointed Zimbabwe national U17 co-coach, and tells us how he was on a coaching course with now England coach Thomas Tuchel, but that he was not given opportunities in Germany.

Also we talk about Mikel Arteta’s contract extension with Arsenal, and Jose Mourinho’s modest start at Real Madrid.

Gianni Infantino image By Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=196249064

This week we catch up on the CAF Champions League, with the first qualifying round completed, and with Stade Malien of Mali surprisingly knocked out.

With Senegal national team goalkeeper Edouard Mendy retiring from international football, we ask if he ranks up there as one of Africa’s best-ever keepers.

We go back to the World Cup in the USA, and hear from Ghana’s assistant coach at the tournament, Roger de Sa, on the challenges in the preparations.

Plus more from Stuart on the business of football, and how players transfers can be focused on being a long-term investment, ever if the player doesn’t play much.

This week we take a look at the nominees for the Ballon d’Or, with plenty of African interest in various categories. Achraf Hakimi and Sadio Mane were nominated for the men’s award, there are two African players in the running for the women’s award, and three for the goalkeeper and young player awards.

Also we talk about Ivory Coast legend Yaya Touré’s first job as a head coach or manager, at Slovan Bratislava of Slovakia, who played PSG in the Uefa Champions League this week, as Toure became the first African coach in the group stage of the Champions League.

And Stuart has some fascinating analysis on how the business of football was the main factor in a high-spending transfer window.

This week we take a look at the just-ended transfer window, with Senegal internationals Iliman Ndiaye moving to Man City and Ibrahim Mbaye joining Aston Villa.

With this season’s Caf Champions League starting this weekend we look at some of the tricky match-ups in the first preliminary round.

Stuart gives his thoughts on Matchday 2 in the EPL, and we ask whether football is a religion to some people.

This week we have a lot on the transfer moves in the EPL, with Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi joining Manchester City and becoming the Premier League's most expensive teenager ever.

Also Carlos Baleba moving from Brighton to Man Utd, and an impressive start for Mali midfielder Mamadou Sangare at Brentford. 

Plus two Africans scoring in Hull’s surprise win over Man United, including Semi Ajayi back in the EPL.

And Stuart assesses the teams’ performances on Matchday 1.