FIFA.com - News

First roll of the dice for African hopefuls

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 05:22:00 GMT

The long road to Brazil commences in Africa on Friday as the first round of qualifying kicks off featuring 22 teams, each seeking to keep their 2014 FIFA World Cup™ dreams alive.

Modernisation the watchword for Mauritania

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:49:00 GMT

Elected President of the Mauritanian FA this July, Ahmed Merhba Ould Abderrahmane paid a visit to the Home of FIFA and spoke to FIFA.com about the challenges he faces in his new post.

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.

Kabylie, Maghreb aiming to avoid upsets

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:07:00 GMT

Algerian giants JS Kabylie will carry just a one-goal cushion into the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup tie away to Mauritanian minnows Tevragh Zeina, while Moroccan heavyweights Maghreb Fes travel to Sahel following a goalless draw.

Cup sees rare Mauritania club success

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:57:00 GMT

Mauritania were celebrating some CAF Confederation Cup heroics today from Tevargh Zeina, who made the last-32 for the first time in their four appearances beating AS Real of Mali, but will now meet mighty Algerians Kabylie.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Culture Foot Solidaire protecting youth

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 15:13:00 GMT

The second edition of the International Conference on Young African Footballers will focus on the protection of under-age footballers.

Joy and pain in Africa

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 18:27:00 GMT

Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda and Sudan are among the teams through to the final round of CAF qualifying, but Senegal and Congo DR are out.

Big names make no mistake

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:35:00 GMT

Senegal were the only major side to fall as Round Three of the African qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa entered the final straight.

Fairy tale endings still open

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:27:00 GMT

With 17 places in the next round up for grabs on the final weekend of the first group phase, FIFA.com previews the action in Groups 7-12.

All to play for in Africa

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 09:43:00 GMT

With so many places still up for grabs and a plethora of potential outcomes, FIFA.com takes you through the possible scenarios group-by-group.

Chamakh down but not out

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:11:00 GMT

FIFA.com hears from Bordeaux's Moroccan striker Marouane Chamakh, who's eager to play his part in the Atlas Lions' South Africa 2010 bid.

FIFA determines kick-off times

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:19:00 GMT

FIFA has decided against all games on the final matchday of the African Zone qualifying for South Africa 2010 kicking off simultaneously.

Ethiopia excluded from the preliminary competition

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:57:00 GMT

The Bureau of the Organising Committee has decided to exclude the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) from the preliminary competition.

African hopefuls on the brink

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 02:07:00 GMT

In the second half of FIFA.com's preview of this weekend's African qualifiers for South Africa 2010, we look ahead to the action in Groups 7 to 12.

Burkina Faso setting breakneck pace

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:05:00 GMT

Groups 7 to 12 of the African qualifiers have thrown up surprises aplenty; none bigger than Burkina Faso being the only team on maximum points.

Big guns sign off in style

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 21:33:00 GMT

Congo DR, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Egypt and Mali all picked up important wins to help their bids to reach South Africa 2010.

Ghana and Guinea go top

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:20:00 GMT

In the latest FIFA World Cup qualifying action in Africa, Ghana and Guinea each moved to the top of their respective group after winning at home.

Shock leaders aim to keep hold

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:56:00 GMT

FIFA.com continues its in-depth preview of this weekend's qualifying action in Africa with a look at the crucial fixtures in Groups 7 through 12.

Ethiopia get off the mark

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:28:00 GMT

In the battle of the bottom pair in Group 8 of the African Zone qualifiers, Ethiopia downed Mauritania 1-0 to get their first points on the board.

Big guns look to bounce back

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 08:12:00 GMT

Côte d'Ivoire and Tunisia are two of the teams aiming to get their stuttering South Africa 2010 qualifying bids back on track this weekend.

Big guns fire in Africa

Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:38:00 GMT

There were no major surprises on Saturday as Africa's traditional superpowers swept the board in the latest round of qualifiers for South Africa 2010.

Dangerous ground for favourites

Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:37:00 GMT

In groups 7 to 12, Tunisia, Egypt, Côte d'Ivoire, Morocco and Mali all face tough away fixtures in the second round of South Africa 2010 qualifiers.

Eto'o scores in Cameroon win

Sat, 31 May 2008 21:55:00 GMT

Cameroon, Namibia, Uganda, Rwanda and Malawi each recorded victories on Saturday in qualifying for South Africa 2008.

Tight race in store

Sat, 31 May 2008 20:32:00 GMT

Except for Malawi's romp against Djibouti, it was a day of close encounters in Africa as Round 2 of the South Africa 2010 qualifiers began.

Pretenders take aim in Africa

Fri, 30 May 2008 09:44:00 GMT

Côte d'Ivoire lead the charge of a 'new generation' in Africa. FIFA.com previews the weekend's qualifying action in groups seven through 12.

Africans prepare for take-off

Tue, 27 May 2008 14:12:00 GMT

With the continental qualifiers for South Africa 2010 fast approaching, African sides have been fine-tuning their preparations at home and abroad.

Trio hit trebles as holders cruise

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:51:00 GMT

Fankele Traore, Edward Sadomba and Stephen Worgu all hit hat-tricks as their sides ran out winners in their second round, first leg matches.

Moizan to coach minnows Mauritania

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 19:58:12 GMT

Frenchman Alain Moizan has been named coach of Mauritania, the national football association confirmed on Monday.

What is the most exciting league?

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 09:58:00 GMT

Planet football is home to a number of captivating national championships. But which, do you feel, is the most most exciting league in the world?

African road becoming clearer

Fri, 14 Dec 2007 14:42:00 GMT

Following the draw for the South Africa 2010 preliminary competition, FIFA has confirmed the dates and format of the qualifying matchdays.

Morocco in the clear

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:36:41 GMT

The question in Group 8 is whether anyone can trouble the Atlas Lions. Ethiopia appear only slightly better placed to cause an upset.

Boukhreiss (MTN): We have a chance

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:06:00 GMT

Mohamed Salem Boukhreiss, Mauritania: "You can't say it's been a good or a bad draw as there are always difficult teams."

Blatter meets Mauritanian FA

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 17:52:37 GMT

Joseph S. Blatter received a delegation from the Mauritanian Football Association in Durban on 24 November ahead of the Preliminary Draw.

Drama at the Draw

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 17:17:00 GMT

A thrilling Preliminary Draw to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa took place in Durban today, with 170 teams discovering their tasks.

Africa, the realm of surprises

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 17:44:00 GMT

Earning a ticket to the FIFA World Cup is never straightforward, as a look back at some of the more memorable qualifying campaigns in Africa reveals.

Aboutrika: the toast of Africa

Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:39:32 GMT

Al Ahly fans came out in force to ensure that Mohamed Aboutrika dominated FIFA.com's latest Have Your Say topic on Africa's best player.

Who is the best African player?

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:23:00 GMT

Africa is undoubtedly responsible for producing several of the world's finest footballers. The question is: who is the pick of the bunch?

Trio complete Ghanaian field

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:33:52 GMT

Benin, Egypt and Mali all won to become the last three sides to book their places at the 16-team CAF Africa Cup of Nations Ghana 2008.

Ghana race enters final straight

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 10:04:00 GMT

The lineup for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations will become clearer this weekend when qualifying concludes in all but two of the 12 groups.

Sports coaching course in Senegal

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:58:00 GMT

As part of its partnership with the International Centre for Sports Studies, Dakar's Cheikh Anta Diop University will be organising a second session of its sports management course.

Cameroon lead by example

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 07:34:49 GMT

As one of only two teams to have won away from home this weekend, Cameroon took the plaudits in this fourth round of qualifiers for Ghana 2008.

New and old take gold in Africa

Wed, 30 May 2007 18:29:10 GMT

There are familiar faces among the domestic league winners in Africa in recent weeks but also a handful of newcomers to give a touch of variety.

African new boys eye the prize

Fri, 20 Apr 2007 09:24:00 GMT

The weekend's third-round, second-leg matches in the CAF Champions League offer up an opportunity for fresh faces in the latter stages.

Sundowns hoping to stop Ahly

Thu, 05 Apr 2007 12:43:00 GMT

There is a great deal of goodwill ahead of the clash between Mamelodi Sundowns and holders Al Ahly in the last 16.