FIFA.com - News

Giresse: We can’t afford any slip-ups

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 02:34:00 GMT

"The draw was kind on us because we managed to avoid the big names. Even so, there’s only one place available and we can’t afford any slip-ups,” Mali coach Alain Giresse.

Foxes hungry for more prey

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:47:00 GMT

Algeria will remain hopeful of a second successive FIFA World Cup finals after their Group H draw, but they will need to remain consistent with Mali ready to pounce and Benin hoping to spring a surprise.

New stars emerge in Angola

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:11:00 GMT

The Cup of Nations was a showcase for players seemingly on the cusp of greatness. We look at Egypt’s Gedo and a few other stars in the making.

Pharaohs march into last eight

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:03:00 GMT

Egypt beat Mozambique to secure a place in the last eight of the Cup of Nations in Angola, while Nigeria outlasted a tough challenge from Benin.

Cameroon and Nigeria celebrate

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:30:00 GMT

The Indomitable Lions and the Super Eagles booked their places at South Africa 2010, while Egypt and Algeria face play-off on Wednesday.

African qualifiers preview

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:19:00 GMT

Algeria or Egypt? Cameroon or Gabon? Tunisia or Nigeria? A dramatic conclusion ensues as Africa's last three places at the FIFA World Cup are seized.

Desert Warriors date with destiny

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 01:05:00 GMT

The penultimate qualifying matches for the South Africa 2010 may see Algeria qualify for the finals for the first time in more than 23 years.

Four places still up for grabs

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 08:12:00 GMT

FIFA.com looks at the preliminary picture in the Africa Zone with just two matchdays remaining in the final round of an exciting qualifying campaign.

Finals joy for Ghana

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:16:00 GMT

Ghana became the first African nation to win their way to the 2010 FIFA World Cup while Tunisia stole a late and potentially crucial point in Nigeria.

Qualification in sight for African trio

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:46:00 GMT

The current African Zone qualifiers for South Africa 2010 has seen several countries taking steady strides towards next year's event.

Home comforts for duo

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:12:00 GMT

Titi Camara guided Guinea to victory in their first South Africa 2010 qualifier since he took over and Frederic Kanoute scored in a key win for Mali.

African eagles top the bill

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:09:00 GMT

Some of Africa's contenders will go head-to-head this weekend in three of the continent's five South Africa 2010 preliminary groups.

Algeria on top in Africa

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:51:00 GMT

Some of Africa's traditional giants are in danger of missing South Africa 2010, while the likes of Algeria and Ghana impressed in the latest action.

Intrigue aplenty in Africa

Sun, 07 Jun 2009 22:05:00 GMT

Cameroon and Morocco fail to gain significant ground on Gabon after a draw, as Nigeria, Benin and the Ivory Coast earn wins to leapfrog rivals.

African contest hots up

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:30:00 GMT

Following some opening round shocks, FIFA World Cup qualifying in Africa could have a vastly clearer picture following this weekend's vital matches.

Benin still believe

Fri, 29 May 2009 13:11:00 GMT

With a nucleus of players who represented their U-20 side at Netherlands 2005, a fast-improving Benin are targeting a place at South Africa 2010.

Mali name 25-man squad

Fri, 22 May 2009 15:49:00 GMT

Mali have been buoyed by the return of Momo Sissoko and Driss Diakite to their squad for the South Africa 2010 qualifiers against Ghana and Benin.

Africa's French connection

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:30:00 GMT

French coaches have a history of plying their trade on the African continent, and FIFA.com casts an eye over some of the first, best and worst.

Upsets add to African intrigue

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 12:21:00 GMT

Gabon, Mozambique, Togo and Zambia pulled off surprise results to heighten the appeal of the final phase of African qualifying for South Africa 2010.

Slow starts for Egypt and Nigeria

Sun, 29 Mar 2009 21:21:00 GMT

Heavyweights Egypt and Nigeria failed to shine as the final stage of African competition got under way in what is shaping as a tight continental race.

Final surge begins in Africa

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 11:31:00 GMT

The final phase of African Zone qualifying for South Africa 2010 will begin this weekend, with 20 teams chasing five places at the FIFA World Cup.

Debut call-ups for Benin trio

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:52:00 GMT

Pascal Angan, John Glele and Reda Johnson could all experience their first taste of FIFA World Cup action against Ghana on Sunday.

Ghana welcome Essien back

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:44:00 GMT

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has returned to the Ghana squad to face Benin on Sunday, following his recovery from cruciate ligament damage.

Group D Quotes

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:57:00 GMT

Michel Dussuyer, Benin coach
We were expecting a difficult draw and we'll be up against teams who were all at the last Africa Cup of Nations. That means there is going to be some attractive games for our fans to enjoy, especially the derby matches against our neighbours Ghana and Mali.

Ghana lead Western duel

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:46:00 GMT

Ghana will be the fancied side in a South Africa 2010 qualifying Group D that also includes impressive Mali, Sudan and Benin.

Cameroon handed tough test

Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:25:00 GMT

The Indomitable Lions have been handed a group with Togo, Morocco and Gabon. Egypt, meanwhile, were placed with Rwanda, Algeria and Zambia.

Watch the draw live on FIFA.com!

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:52:00 GMT

Follow the draw for the final round of African Zone qualifiers for the 2010 FIFA World Cup streamed live on Wednesday at 12.00 CET.

African seeds established

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 09:08:00 GMT

Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria and Côte d'Ivoire are the seeded teams for the final round of African qualifying for South Africa 2010.

Joy for Africa's winning trio

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 21:41:00 GMT

There were celebrations for three teams in African qualifying on Sunday, as Burkina Faso, Egypt and Guinea all secured first place in their groups.

D-day in Africa

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:08:00 GMT

Egypt clinched Group 12 and a spot in the final round with a win over Djibouti, while Angola pipped Uganda to the runners-up spot in Group 3.

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.

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.

Benin through as Congo climb

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 19:06:00 GMT

Benin won to join Nigeria and Cameroon in the third phase of African Zone qualifying, while Côte d'Ivoire and Egypt are on the brink of progression.

Egypt gain advantage

Sun, 07 Sep 2008 14:50:00 GMT

Mohamed Aboutrika's 30th-minute strike gave Egypt a 1-0 win over Congo DR, opening up a three-point gap at the top of Group 12.

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.

Warm-up friendlies for African giants

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 07:43:00 GMT

In preparation for September's FIFA World Cup qualifiers, African teams are contesting a number of friendlies, with some new faces in the dugouts.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dussuyer signs as Benin coach

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 18:06:00 GMT

France's Michel Dussuyer confirmed Tuesday he has signed a two-year contract to coach Benin in place of German Reinhard Fabisch.

Ivorians and Togo slip up

Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:11:00 GMT

The Elephants' goalless draw in Madagascar and the Sparrowhawks' 2-1 defeat away to Swaziland were the biggest shocks in Sunday's qualifiers.

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.

New coach, similar squad

Tue, 27 May 2008 14:57:00 GMT

New Benin coach Patrick Aussems has kept faith with many of the Benin players used by his predecessor for Sunday's qualifier with Angola.

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.

Sessegnon signals Benin belief

Thu, 22 May 2008 11:23:00 GMT

After emerging as one of the top players in Ligue 1, Stephane Sessegnon is hoping to help Benin qualify for Angola 2010 and South Africa 2010.