Planet Sport Football Africa

On this week's show we take a look at the area of the importance of the mental attitude of football players, and whether Africa is too far behind in this area. These days it's said that football is not just about the physical side, but that the mental side of things also determines how a player performs. It's not easy for African players, there can be many challenges and distractions. We speak to Nigeria's Emmanuel Amunike.

On this week's show we ask whether football was better in the old days. In many countries around Africa, retired great players will tell you that football was so much better in their era than today's. They might say that they were more committed, more entertaining and that they would have gone further with the opportunities that African players have today. But how far true is that?

On this week's show we focus on one of the greatest African players ever, Nigeria's Nwankwo Kanu, who played for five seasons at Arsenal and was twice named African Footballer of the Year. We talk about Sofiane Boufal, who's making his mark at Southampton in the English Premier League, and we speak to Jordan Botaka, a DR Congo striker who plays in Belgium with St Truidense. Botaka still believes that the DRC can qualify for next year's World Cup. And we look forward to the CAF Champions League two-legged final between Egypt's Al Ahly and Wydad Casablanca from Morocco.

On this week's show we catch up with the latest African football news, as Morocco will replace Kenya as hosts of the 2018 African Nations Championship – will they do a good job? We speak to Nigeria midfielder John Ogu, who plays his club football in Israel with Hapoel Beer Sheva. And we ask if it's a good place to be in terms of being noticed. Plus news from the Under-17 World Cup.

On this week's show we talk about the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, as Nigeria and Egypt have made it to Russia 2018, while Ivory Coast are in a precarious situation. We have an in-depth interview with Ghana defender Jonathan Mensah, who tells us about life in the USA, his faith and his best moments with the Black Stars. We also zoom in on the Uefa Champions League, as 39 Africans are among the 32 teams playing in the group stage.

On this week's show we look at Africa's chances at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in India, with four teams representing the continent. We have an interview with young Nigerian goalkeeper Dele Alampasu, the goalkeeper of the tournament at the 2013 edition of the Under-17 World Cup, and one of few young African goalkeepers to have made it in Europe, currently playing in Portugal. Also, perhaps better times ahead for Senegal's Diafra Sakho after a quiet season last time, getting the winner for West Ham last weekend.

On this week's show we catch up with one of the greatest African footballers of all time, Nigeria's Jay Jay Okocha, arguably the most skilful African footballer of all time. Okocha gives his views on what needs to be done in Nigerian football to get back to those glory days of the 1990s. Also we catch up with how the top African players are doing in China. And, as Kenya has had the right to host the 2018 African Nations Championship taken away, who might replace them?

This week's show comes from the Wafu Cup in Ghana. We focus on football here in Ghana and get the views of a leading sports journalist. We also experience some of the country's culture, and we ask how significant is the appointment of Ivory Coast great Kolo Toure as technical assistant of Scottish club Celtic.

On this week's show we speak to a rising star in African football – Nigeria goalkeeper Ikechukwu Ezenwa, who made his full debut for the Super Eagles against Cameroon in the recent World Cup qualifiers.

We have a special report from Cameroon on the team failing to qualify for next year's World Cup, with reaction from fans, analysts and former players. Plus news from the EPL as Senegal's Sadio Mane gets a somewhat controversial red card.

On this week's show we speak to Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo, back in the national team after a disappointing spell at Watford, which saw him move to China. We have your thoughts on refereeing in Africa, and we hear from former EPL referee Bob Hamer on how the Premier League era changed the game in England. And Stuart takes a look at the main African moves in an action-packed transfer window.