FIFA.com - News

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.

Leone Stars rising together

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 02:56:00 GMT

Sierra Leone have enjoyed an upswing in fortunes during their 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, resulting in a rise on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking and a growing sense of optimism.

Spain regain top amid significant movement

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 09:00:00 GMT

After just a one-month hiatus, Spain replaced the Netherlands at the top of the global ladder, while Uruguay and Portugal leapt into fourth and fifth respectively amid significant change.

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.

Tunisia eye return to glory days

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:15:00 GMT

Tunisia are the heavyweight team in African qualifying Group B and will be hard to beat in a section also containing Cape Verde Islands, Sierra Leone and the winner of the first round tie between Equatorial Guinea and Madagascar.

Mexico rocket ninth, Africans make ground

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 09:00:00 GMT

Mexico's CONCACAF Gold Cup triumph helped them return to the top ten for the first time since July 2007, while Côte d’Ivoire, Zimbabwe, Liberia, Comoros, Sierra Leone and Central African Republic also climbed impressively.

Eto'o miss costs Cameroon

Sat, 04 Jun 2011 23:16:00 GMT

Samuel Eto'o missed a late penalty as Cameroon were held to a 0-0 draw by Senegal, who remain in charge in Group E, while there were vital victories for Uganda, Zambia and Sierra Leone.

African Leagues review

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 14:45:00 GMT

Raja Casablanca took command of the Moroccan Botola with a 3-0 victory, while upstarts in Ghana, Kenya and Zimbabwe all made inroads in their respective title races.

Ghana spirits rise, Nigeria rout Ethiopia

Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:50:00 GMT

Ghana spirits were boosted with a 3-0 win over Congo, while Côte D'Ivoire, Zambia, Congo DR and Nigeria all came out on top in their respective 2012 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches.

Red cards mark first round climax

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 12:20:00 GMT

Cotonsport Garoua saw themselves into the second round of the CAF Champions League on away goals, but made hard work of it with three red cards against Burundi's Vital'O, while elsewhere football returned to Tunisia.

Egypt stunned in Niger amid upsets

Sun, 10 Oct 2010 23:55:00 GMT

Defeat for champions Egypt against Niger and surprise losses for both Algeria and Nigeria capped a poor round for the favourites in CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

Favourites look for revival

Fri, 08 Oct 2010 18:52:00 GMT

The North African trio of Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco look to get their qualifying campaigns back on track this weekend, while Javier Clemente leads Cameroon on a tricky trip to DR Congo.

Leoneans shooting for the Stars

Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:57:00 GMT

After a draw in Egypt to kick off AFCON qualifying, Sierra Leone are trying to keep the confidence going as they host South Africa in daunting Freetown.

Stars, shocks and a sacking in Africa

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 12:51:00 GMT

Rabah Saadane found himself out of a job after a weekend of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers that also ended in disappointment for Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.

Ghana, Nigeria stroll as Egypt held

Sun, 05 Sep 2010 18:05:00 GMT

Egypt were forced to come from behind to gain a share of the points in their opening CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone in Cairo, while Ghana and Nigeria scored comfortable home wins.

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.

Kallon shoots for further glory

Thu, 06 May 2010 09:20:00 GMT

Former Inter Milan ace Mohammed Kallon, now starring in China, dreams of captaining Sierra Leone to the world’s greatest stage in four years.

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.

Small countries, big names

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:59:00 GMT

Some of the greatest players in history hailed from less reputable footballing nations. FIFA.com takes you on a journey to revisit a few of the best.

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.

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.

Super Eagles stay perfect

Sat, 11 Oct 2008 19:07:00 GMT

Nigeria consolidated their leadership of Group Four of the qualifying tournament for South Africa 2010 with a 4-1 trouncing of Sierra Leone.

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.

Africa's battlelines are drawn

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 08:22:00 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 1-6.

Obi Mikel to skip Sierra Leone clash

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:08:00 GMT

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has been given the green light by Nigeria to skip Saturday's 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone.

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.

Cameroon make the cut

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 22:10:00 GMT

Cameroon made sure of their place in the final phase of African qualifying for South Africa 2010, while Burkina Faso drew with Tunisia.

Varied rewards for victors

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 22:32:00 GMT

A penultimate matchday rich on entertainment has been shy on draws so far, but there were different rewards for the teams claiming three points.

Race to join Nigeria resumes

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 23:28:00 GMT

The penultimate round of the second phase of African qualifying takes place this weekend. FIFA.com previews the action in Groups 1 to 6.

Super Eagles seal their place

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:53:00 GMT

With four wins in four games, Nigeria have already secured their berth in the final qualifying phase, while five others can join them in September.

No stopping Nigeria

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 22:37:00 GMT

The Super Eagles became the first side to qualify for phase three of the African preliminaries when they beat Equatorial Guinea 2-0 on Saturday.

Super Eagles on the brink

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:51:00 GMT

With another round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Africa this weekend, FIFA.com previews the upcoming encounters in Groups 1 to 6.

South Africa fall to Sierra Leone

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:29:00 GMT

2010 FIFA World Cup hosts South Africa are left searching for answers after suffering a shock 1-0 defeat to minnows Sierra Leone.

Tough day for Africa's big guns

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 20:11:00 GMT

Egypt, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Morocco, Cameroon, Angola and Mali all dropped precious points this Saturday on the road to South Africa 2010.

Bafana lose as Ivorians draw

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 15:56:00 GMT

In the South Africa 2010 qualifiers in Africa today, Ghana fell to Gabon, Côte d'Ivoire were held by Botswana and South Africa lost to Sierra Leone.

Quartet sight another stride

Thu, 12 Jun 2008 08:47:00 GMT

Angola, Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria will be out to put one foot in the next phase of African qualifying, while others will attempt to stay alive.

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.

Action hots up in Africa

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:04:00 GMT

After an intriguing opening week of FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Africa, the continent's giants return to face some worthy foes in Round 2.

Tunisia stunned, big guns sweat

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:44:00 GMT

Burkina Faso had the only shock of the day's 11 qualifiers when they beat Tunisia 2-1, while some of Africa's leading lights had close calls.

African giants seek redemption

Fri, 30 May 2008 08:45:00 GMT

FIFA World Cup qualifiers begin in earnest in Africa at the weekend, with Cameroon, Nigeria and Algeria aiming to atone for missing out in 2006.

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.

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.

African titans target top spot

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 21:26:00 GMT

As hosts, South Africa are assured of a place at their own FIFA World Cup, which is probably just as well given their opposition in Group 4.

Vogts (NGA): Certain we'll qualify

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 20:40:00 GMT

Berti Vogts:"I have to say I didn't pay too much attention to the draw, since our objective is to qualify, regardless of which other teams are in our group. And I'm certain that we'll succeed in doing that."