Planet Sport Football Africa

On this week’s show we talk about the Confederation of African Football president Ahmad being banned for five years by FIFA for breaching various codes of ethics, and we assess his three years in charge. And, with the CAF Champions League final on this weekend, the 2020/2021 Champions League and Confederation Cup also get underway, starting three months late. But despite the delay, CAF think that all will go well. Also, tributes come from African stars following the death of Argentina legend Diego Maradona.

On this week’s show we take a look at the latest round of 2021 Afcon qualifiers, with Algeria among the four teams to have made it with two games to spare, while Nigeria and Ghana still have to wait. Comoros are edging towards a first qualification, and the likes of Sudan are still in the race. Plus Stuart assesses how the African players are doing in the EPL so far.

On this week’s show we look at the race to be president of the Confederation of African Football, with South African Patrice Motsepe, one of Africa's richest men, among those challenging the current president Ahmad. And we have lots on women’s football, as the Cosafa Women’s Championship has featured three of Africa’s top players, and we hear from one of them – Zambia striker Barbra Banda. Plus Stuart on the requests for a return to five substitutes in the EPL.

On this week’s show we find out about the Aussie Afcon, as 16 African nations are represented in the biggest community football tournament in Australia, kicking off this weekend. As Spanish La Liga club Real Betis launched their first academy in sub-Saharan Africa in Zimbabwe, we hear about the potential benefits. And Stuart looks at the problems at Manchester United.

On this week’s show we focus on scouting of African players, and we speak to Arsenal’s former head of global scouting, Francis Cagigao. He explains how sophisticated the scouting system is at big European clubs, and how Africa needs to invest more in scouting structures. Plus Stuart tell us about the legend Pele, who turned 80 recently.

On this week’s show we catch up on the action in the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup, with games having been held in Morocco, and affected by Covid-19. Also news from Kenya as Jacob Mulee becomes national team coach for a fifth time! We have a roundup of plans for the return of domestic football in Africa, and Stuart on the drama in the EPL as Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk is out for the rest of the season.

On this week’s show, we take a look at statistics and record-keeping in African football. There’s a huge contrast between the record-keeping in football in most African countries and the European leagues. We speak to African football expert Nuhu Adams in Ghana – Nuhu believes that the lack of basic records and statistics is affecting the progress of African football. And, continental action is back this weekend – we preview the first legs of the CAF Champions League semi-finals. Plus Stuart on the EPL and how Covid-19 might affect things in the coming months.

As teams are getting ready for next month’s AFCON qualifiers, on this week’s show we’re asking what it takes for small teams to become competitive. We’ve seen more and more smaller teams cause upsets over the years, like Madagascar, who went all the way to the AFCON quarter-finals on their debut last year. We hear from Lesotho coach Thabo Senong, who hopes to take the team forward. Plus a look at the transfers, as Arsenal signed Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey on deadline day.

On this week’s show we focus on racism in football, and hear from FIFA secretary-general Fatma Samoura, who says that FIFA’s main strategy to deal with racism in the game is their anti-discrimination policies and grassroots education campaigns. But there was much surprise and criticism when a Fifa Taskforce Against Racism and Discrimination was disbanded four years ago, after meeting only three times, and we get the views of renowned African football journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, who was a member of the Taskforce. Plus, South African coach Pitso Mosimane joins Al Ahly, and lots on the EPL as debate over the handball law dominated Matchday 3.

On this week’s show we have a very bizarre story from Zimbabwe, as four Ghanaian players were stuck in the country for six months after being allegedly deceived by two officials that they were going to sign for a newly-formed club in Division 1 and earn $10 000 a month! The club doesn’t exist, and the players couldn’t go back home because of the lockdown. Plus lots on a goals-mad EPL.