FIFA.com - News

African six eye Azerbaijan prize

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:59:00 GMT

There were no surprises as Africa’s first round of qualifying for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Azerbaijan 2012 came to a conclusion on Sunday, with six sides now left to fight it out for the three finals slots.

A showpiece rich on talent and thrills

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:45:00 GMT

Despite the absence of some of the continent’s biggest names, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off this weekend, promises to throw up more than a few surprises and thrills.

The Cup of Nations in numbers

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 08:54:00 GMT

First played over 50 years ago, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations is one of the world's most colourful and competitive tournaments. Here we look at 13 facts that you may not know about the continental finals.

Gambia turn to Bonu Johnson

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:55:00 GMT

Gambia has appointed former youth coach Peter Bonu Johnson as new manager of the country's senior national team.

Esperance get kind Champions League draw

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 23:50:00 GMT

Reigning CAF Champions League holders Esperance were given a favourable draw for their first game of the 2012 competition as the continental competition's early rounds were laid out.

Gambia part ways with Put

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 19:54:00 GMT

Gambia have relieved Paul Put of his head coaching duties following the national teams failure to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations.

Expectations thrown in African whirlwind

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 01:26:00 GMT

Nigeria and South Africa will join Egypt and Cameroon on the outside of the continental championship as they both stumbled at home, while the likes of Niger and Libya confirmed unlikely spots in the finals.

All to play for on Africa’s final weekend

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:42:00 GMT

Qualifying for the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations concludes this weekend with big guns Nigeria and South Africa needing to make up ground to reach the finals, and a host of outsiders aiming to make a bit of history.

Bah ruled out for six months

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:31:00 GMT

Augsburg have announced that their new midfielder Dawda Bah will be out of action for six months after the Gambian required knee surgery following an injury suffered in training.

Duo qualify as final day looms

Mon, 05 Sep 2011 03:43:00 GMT

Senegal and Burkina Faso were the big winners over the weekend as the pair booked passage to the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, but seven groups remain up for grabs with one qualifying round to go.

Niger edge closer, Uganda stumble

Sun, 04 Sep 2011 19:35:00 GMT

Niger edged closer to qualifying for next year's CAF Africa Cup of Nations with a win over South Africa, while Uganda lost to Angola and Nigeria beat Madagascar.

Burkinabe through, Egypt crash out

Sat, 03 Sep 2011 21:26:00 GMT

Burkina Faso booked their place at the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, while defending champions Egypt crashed out to Sierra Leone.

Do or die weekend in Africa

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 06:57:00 GMT

With all but a handful of teams still in the running to reach the 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, the continent is set for what should be a dramatic few days of qualifiers this weekend.

Côte d'Ivoire looking for a hat-trick

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:12:00 GMT

Africa's top-ranked side, Côte d'Ivoire, will be expected to cruise through Group C of African qualifying, with Morocco the most likely team to present the Ivorians with some difficulties.

Countdown to FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:53:00 GMT

Various beach soccer events and tournaments have been taking place over the past few months as the build-up to September's FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Ravenna/Italy 2011 gathers pace.

Narrow wins for Galaxy, FCD and Revs

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 07:14:00 GMT

Sean Franklin hit the only goal for Los Angeles Galaxy against Columbus Crew, while FC Dallas and New England Revolution emerged victorious. Elsewhere, Colorado Rapids beat New York Red Bulls 4-1.

African footballers blanket the globe

Wed, 04 May 2011 07:11:00 GMT

While the biggest names in African football still gravitate to the bright lights of Europe, more and more are making a living where one might not expect - from USA to Korea Republic Qatar, India, Myanmar and many places in between.

Nigeria complete African quartet

Sun, 24 Apr 2011 13:37:00 GMT

Nigeria beat Gambia 2-0 to close out the group stage at the African Youth Championship and finalise the four teams headed to the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Cameroon qualify for U-20 World Cup

Thu, 21 Apr 2011 17:11:00 GMT

Cameroon's Franck Ohandza scored the only goal of the game to beat Nigeria and qualify the West Africans for the African Youth Championship semi-finals and book a place at Colombia 2011.

Africa aiming for Ghana's footsteps

Fri, 15 Apr 2011 05:23:00 GMT

Africa's best U-20 teams will kick off their continental championship this weekend in South Africa knowing that their last champion, Ghana, went on to lift the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Gambia’s withdrawal sends Benin through

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 16:41:00 GMT

Benin have qualified for the second round of CAF qualifiers for the Men’s Olympic Tournament London 2012 after Gambia this week withdrew from the competition.

Favourites rack up goals in Africa

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 13:43:00 GMT

Former champions Raja Casablanca, ASEC Abidjan and Zamalek all got off to healthy starts in the first weekend of action in the CAF Champions League, scoring 21 goals between them.

Burkinabe thunder to African crown

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:26:00 GMT

Burkina Faso claimed their first African crown by beating hosts Rwanda in the CAF African U-17 Championship final. It was a dramatic conclusion to a rollercoaster tournament in which four teams qualified for Mexico 2011.

Ivorians, Congo join African contingent

Sat, 15 Jan 2011 18:52:00 GMT

Africa’s four representatives for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico later this year are set as Côte D’Ivoire and Congo won on Saturday to book their tickets.

African starlets ready for action

Thu, 06 Jan 2011 17:33:00 GMT

Gambia look to defend their crown as the African U-17 Championship begins this weekend in Rwanda with four spots at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico up for grabs.

Women's Round-up: October 2010

Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:42:00 GMT

FIFA.com scanned the globe for our October review of the women’s game, where we turn the spotlight on Jordan, Korea Republic, Paraguay and the Lowlands.

A long road for Nyassi

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 07:38:00 GMT

Sanna Nyassi, still just 21, has come a long way from his rural Gambian roots to Cup hero for Seattle Sounders. FIFA.com caught up with the African ace to chat about football, life and following a path forged by his twin brother.

Cameroon stumble in busy day of qualifiers

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 00:02:00 GMT

The latest round of 2012 African Nations Cup qualifiers saw Cameroon stumble at home, Côte d'Ivoire maintain their perfect start and Morocco claim their first points.

Malawi shock Tunisia, stalemate for Morocco

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 14:50:00 GMT

Malawi overcame a two-goal deficit to hold Tunisia 2-2 in a 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations thriller this weekend, as Morocco drew a blank with Central African Republic.

Giants begin journey to 2012

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:44:00 GMT

Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia will get their qualifying campaigns underway with easy home games, while Congo DR and Senegal will collide in the pick of the weekend’s fixtures.

Mexico blow past Gambia

Sun, 30 May 2010 20:24:00 GMT

Javier Hernandez and Adolfo Bautista each netted twice as Mexico completed their FIFA World Cup preparations with an easy 5-1 win over Gambia.

African journalists train for the FIFA World Cup

Mon, 10 May 2010 19:20:00 GMT

As part of a programme run by the AFP Foundation and financed by FIFA, some 270 African sports journalists, editors and photographers attended a training programme which concluded on 5 May 2010.

Ambitious Gambia aim high

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:31:00 GMT

Despite being of one of Africa’s smallest nations, Gambia have strong ambitions and are looking to build further on recent Ranking improvements.

Drogba named Africa's best

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:52:00 GMT

Côte d'Ivoire and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been crowned African Player of the Year for 2009 ahead of Michael Essien and Samuel Eto'o.

Shocks aplenty in African openers

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:02:00 GMT

The continental club showpiece in Africa began in dramatic fashion with three former champions overpowered in the first leg of the opening round.

The game's terrible twins

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 08:21:00 GMT

FIFA.com tells the story of football's twins, the siblings who invariably spell double trouble whether lining up together or crossing swords.

Iran make history in Group C

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:05:00 GMT

The Iranians roared to top spot in Group C in Calabar and were followed through by Colombia, while the Dutch and Gambia packed their bags.

An artist with the ball

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:37:00 GMT

FIFA.com sat down for a sociable drink with one James Sunday Mathew, who has been dazzling Calabar with mind-boggling feats of ball-juggling.

Oranje nervous, Kiwis make history

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:11:00 GMT

New Zealand earned a draw with Turkey to advance to the last 16, while the Dutch were beaten by Iran and now face an anxious wait.

Revived Gambians go home

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:56:00 GMT

Gambia drew Colombia 2-2 in Calabar for their first point of these finals, but it wasn't enough to keep their hopes of a knockout place alive.

Mendoza, Calabar's Colombian son

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:19:00 GMT

Colombia's young wizards, and winger Stiveen Mendoza in particular, have captured the hearts of Calabar, the spiritual home of Nigerian football.

Bojang: All is not lost

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:59:00 GMT

Gambia's captain tells FIFA.com why he thinks his Baby Scorpions, winless in two games, might just be able to sneak their way into the knockout rounds.

Last chance for Baby Scorpions

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:19:00 GMT

Group C leaders Colombia take on Gambia, who need three points to keep hope alive, in their final match of the section on 31 October in Calabar.

High drama in the rain

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:20:00 GMT

Torrential rain created havoc at the end of day five at Nigeria 2009, which began with the Dutch reviving their challenge at the expense of Gambia.

Oranje back in the hunt

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:50:00 GMT

The Netherlands put aside the disappointment of opening-day defeat to beat Gambia 2-1 and put their Nigeria 2009 campaign back on the rails.

The Oranje's young Turk

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:01:00 GMT

FIFA.com sat down for a chat with Netherlands captain Oguzhan Ozyakup, the Oranje's young Arsenal-based midfielder with firm roots in Turkey.

Desperate times for Dutch, Gambia

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:22:00 GMT

The Netherlands and Gambia - both losers in their opening Group C matches - will meet Tuesday in Calabar with points on their mind.

Harsh lessons for African pair

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:40:00 GMT

On another night of intense action at Nigeria 2009, the fact that relatively few goals were scored did little to detract from a number of historic firsts.

Iran hang on against Gambia

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:13:00 GMT

A goal in each half saw Iran - best in Asia during qualifying - edge nine-man African champions Gambia in the first match from Calabar.

Baby Scorpions hope to sting

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:01:00 GMT

African champions Gambia arrive at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in nearby Nigeria with high hopes despite some recent changes to the squad.