FIFA.com - News

Favourites struggle as Eto'o returns

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 19:44:00 GMT

The last two African champions only managed draws in the latest round of African qualifying for 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™, but Cameroon icon Samuel Eto'o led his side to victory over Togo with a brace. FIFA.com reviews the action.

Late goals go North Africa's way

Sun, 10 Jun 2012 22:29:00 GMT

Libya and Egypt both secured dramatic late wins on Sunday as Africa's FIFA World Cup™ qualifying group stage continued in thrilling fashion.

Crunch clashes come early in Africa

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 04:18:00 GMT

Algeria are just one of the African favourites making tricky away debuts this weekend in Brazil 2014 qualifying, while Ghana travel to face continental champions Zambia. FIFA.com previews a heavy schedule of crucial fixtures in Africa.

Bafana Bafana sack Mosimane

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 10:24:00 GMT

South Africa have sacked Pitso Mosimane following a disappointing draw with Ethiopia and placed Steve Komphela in temporary charge.

Bafana falter on day of frustration

Sun, 03 Jun 2012 21:49:00 GMT

It was a tough day for strikers in Africa as Bafana Bafana were held at home by Ethiopia, Nigeria just earned a win and no side managed more than a single goal.

Bishaw: Belief is essential against Bafana

Fri, 01 Jun 2012 04:30:00 GMT

Despite facing a challenging trip to South Africa in Brazil 2014 qualifying, veteran Ethiopia coach Sewnet Bishaw says his players are ready to fight for points in Rustenburg.

African favourites seek home comfort

Thu, 31 May 2012 02:41:00 GMT

The Brazil 2014 preliminaries reach the group stage in Africa this weekend with a host of continental giants seeking to ease anxieties by making a positive start to their respective campaigns.

Delights and disappointments

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 06:00:00 GMT

Asian and Caribbean upsets, tight battles in South America and a first-ever win for American Samoa were among the latest qualifying tales as the race for Brazil 2014 heated up.

Teferra: Mentality is key for Ethiopia

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:31:00 GMT

The most experienced Ethiopian football player at the age of 25, Fikru Teferra says that the Walya Antelopes are aiming to hit a peak in Brazil 2014 qualifying after beating Somalia in the opening round.

Ethiopia hit Somalia for five to progress

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 16:43:00 GMT

Omod Okwury scored within in five minutes, and two goals each from Shimeles Belkele and Getaneh Kebede completed a 5-0 win for Ethiopia over Somalia in the second leg of their first round qualifier for Brazil 2014.

Adebayor leads Togo as minnows fall

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:51:00 GMT

Emmanuel Adebayor returned to the Togo side to help them become one of ten teams into the group stage of African qualifying for Brazil 2014, which also included Kenya, who eased by Seychelles.

Somalia, Ethiopia play out stalemate

Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:24:00 GMT

All is still to play for in the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying tie between Somalia and Ethiopia after the two sides drew 0-0 in their first leg in Djibouti today.

Africa sets off on road to Brazil

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 07:38:00 GMT

The long journey for African representatives aiming to reach Brazil 2014 commences this weekend with 22 nations participating in Round One.

Mosimane: Attitude and emotion key factors

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 09:13:00 GMT

"Botswana is a local derby. Most of their players play in South Africa and against them, the attitude and the emotions will be the key factors,” Pitso Mosimane, South Africa coach.

Rising neighbours look to test Bafana

Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:17:00 GMT

Previous FIFA World Cup hosts South Africa will be pleased with their draw in Group A of African qualifying, but nevertheless will face strong challenges from Botswana and Central African Republic.

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.

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.

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.

Ethiopia-Morocco qualifier postponed

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 10:03:00 GMT

FIFA today confirmed that the forthcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup preliminary match between Ethiopia and Morocco has been postponed.

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.

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.

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.

Togo edge Zambia in key qualifier

Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:31:00 GMT

Togo overcame the handicap of being barred from playing at home to edge Zambia 1-0 this weekend in a key 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

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.

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."

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.