Africa

7, January 2026

AFCON 2025: Tougher test awaits anxious hosts Morocco ⁰

Hosts Morocco can expect the first proper examination of their ability to go on and win the Africa Cup of Nations when they take on a feisty Cameroon in the quarter-finals at the weekend.

The top-ranked Moroccans were not stretched in the group phase of the tournament, where they finished top of the standings, nor in their last-16 clash against Tanzania on Sunday.

Yet they delivered only one convincing performance when they beat Zambia in their last of their group matches and against Cameroon in Rabat on Friday there will need to be a marked improvement if they are to advance towards the target of a first continental title in 50 years.

The home side were heavy pre-tournament favourites but have looked anxious and nervy at times, feeling the intense pressure and will be cautious of the threat that Cameroon pose. “We will try to disrupt them,” said Cameroon coach David Pagou, promising a physical battle.

The game will be one of the highlights of a blockbuster set of last-eight ties, with Algeria meeting Nigeria on Saturday and Egypt’s clash against defending champions Ivory Coast later on the same day also eagerly anticipated.

Only Senegal, who take on Mali in the first quarter-final in Tangier on Friday, are expected to ease through to the semi-finals, up against opponents who have made it to the latter stages of the tournament without winning a game.

Mali have drawn four successive matches in Morocco, advancing on post-match penalties over Tunisia in the last 16 despite being down to 10 men for most of the match. Their fighting spirit is not expected to be enough to hold out against Senegal’s attack, which has scored 10 goals at the tournament.

Algeria and Nigeria are the only teams to have won all four of their matches in Morocco and both have given strong indicators of their ability to take the title.

Ivory Coast were also in impressive form in the last 16 as they brushed aside Burkina Faso 3-0 on Tuesday and are set to reignite a Cup of Nations rivalry with Egypt, who are looking to give talisman Mohamed Salah international success to go along with his numerous achievements at club level with Liverpool.

“We’ll simply try to impose our rhythm (of play) on Egypt,” said Ivorian coach Emerse Fae.

The quarter-final winners advance to the last four to be played in Rabat and Tangier on January 14.

Source: Reuters

4, January 2026

Indomitable Lions beat Bafana Bafana to reach AFCON 2025 quarterfinals against Morocco ⁰

A statement win in the Round of 16. Cameroon showed efficiency and composure to knock out South Africa and book a quarterfinal date with the host.

An intense battle from the opening whistle

The AFCON 2025 Round of 16 clash got off to a fast, physical start as South Africa and Cameroon traded early momentum. Both sides tested the waters, with set pieces and direct play defining the opening exchanges.

Bafana Bafana looked to assert themselves through crosses and dead-ball situations, while the Indomitable Lions relied on pace, power and quick transitions going forward.

Tchamadeu breaks the deadlock

The breakthrough arrived in the 41st minute. Junior Tchamadeu capitalized on a well-worked move to beat the South African back line and give Cameroon a deserved lead heading into the break.

South Africa tried to respond before halftime, including a saved effort from Oswin Appollis, but lacked the final touch to draw level.

Kofane doubles the lead and Cameroon take control

The second half could not have started better for Cameroon. At 54 minutes, Christian Kofane struck to make it 2-0, putting immediate pressure on South Africa and shifting full control of the match to the Lions.

With the advantage secured, Cameroon managed the tempo intelligently, closing down spaces and looking to exploit gaps on the counter.

Late drama, but no comeback

Just when the match seemed settled, South Africa found a late lifeline. In the 88th minute, Evidence Maggopa attacked the space inside the box to meet a long delivery from Aubrey Modiba, pulling one back to make it 2–1 and adding real tension to the closing moments.

Despite a late push from Bafana Bafana, Cameroon held their nerve and protected the lead to secure their place in the AFCON 2025 quarterfinals.

Cameroon march on to a heavyweight quarterfinal

Solid at the back, clinical in front of goal and composed in key moments, Cameroon closed out a 2-1 victory to secure their place in the quarterfinals. Awaiting them is a blockbuster showdown against tournament hosts Morocco.

The Indomitable Lions move forward with confidence, while South Africa bow out after a spirited performance that ultimately fell short when it mattered most.

Source: beIN Sports

26, December 2025

AFCON organisers allowing fans in for free to fill empty stands ⁰

Organisers at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco are allowing supporters in for free after kick-off in matches where stadiums are not full, a Confederation of African Football (CAF) source told AFP.

The Group F game between Cameroon and Gabon on Wednesday in Agadir kicked off in front of almost empty stands, but the ground filled up significantly over the course of the first half despite incessant rain.

The official attendance was later announced as 35,200 inside a venue that can hold over 45,000.

There have been similar scenes at numerous matches across the opening days of the competition, even leading to confusion over the attendance figures themselves.

The crowd at Tuesday’s Group D encounter between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Benin at Rabat’s Al Medina Stadium – which filled up considerably over the course of the game – was initially announced as 6,703 before later being corrected to 13,073.

The CAF source indicated that organisers, in agreement with African football’s governing body, were opening stands around 20 minutes into games to allow fans gathered outside to enter without paying.

Filling stadiums is an important issue for Cup of Nations organisers in Morocco, for which a successful hosting of the tournament is key as it builds towards the 2030 World Cup to be jointly held in the North African country, Spain and Portugal.

CAF’s official ticketing platform on Thursday showed seats available for almost all remaining group matches for prices starting at 100 MAD (US$10.96).

The only matches shown as sell-outs were hosts Morocco’s games against Mali on Friday and Zambia on Monday, as well as Algeria against Burkina Faso on Sunday and Algeria versus Equatorial Guinea next Wednesday.

Source: AFP

20, December 2025

CAF move AFCON to every four years, launch new African Nations League ⁰

The Africa Cup of Nations will be played every four years from 2028, the Confederation of African Football have announced, with a new African Nations League taking place every year.

CAF president Dr. Patrice Motsepe made the announcement in Morocco on Saturday, ahead of the 2025 edition of AFCON, which kicks off with Comoros taking on the hosts on Sunday.

Motsepe said the 2027 Cup of Nations to be hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania will go ahead as planned and that the following edition — originally scheduled for 2029 — will be moved forward to take place in 2028. The next AFCON after that will be in 2032.

This would allow the first African Nations League to take place in 2029. Motsepe said it would involve each of the continent’s 54 members, divided into four geographical zones, with games in September and October before the finals are held in November.

“There’s going to be a competition every year where the best African players who play in Europe and worldwide will be with us on the continent,” Motsepe said.

He was unable to say when the 2028 AFCON could take place. Scheduling of Africa’s premier national competition has been a consistent issue. This year’s tournament was pushed back from a planned summer start so it wouldn’t clash with FIFA’s new Club World Cup competition.

“What’s going to happen now is you’ll have the equivalent of an AFCON every year,” Motsepe said. “You’ll have the best African players in the world participating and playing in African football at the highest level in the continent every year.”

Motsepe, who was flanked by FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström for the announcement, said CAF was “in discussions with all our stakeholders and taking into account the global fixtures.”

Grafström called it a “historic decision” and said FIFA would coordinate with CAF.

“First of all, it’s now up to CAF to decide where the [Africa Cup] competition will be played in 2028, and of course, to give the dates to us,” Grafström said. “I want to stay in touch in order to coordinate as much as possible the dates, like we did for this edition as well. It took a bit of time, but in the end the compromise was found, which was accepted by everyone.”

Switching the AFCON to a four-year cycle takes it in line with UEFA’s European Championship, the next of which will also be in 2028.

“The AFCON now will take place once every four years,” Motsepe said. “Because historically the AFCON was the prime focus where we could get resources to fund African football. In terms of this new dispensation, we will be getting resources every year.”

Having no AFCON in 2029 also means it won’t clash with the next Club World Cup competition.

Source: The Associated Press

20, December 2025

2025 AFCON: Indomitable Lions arrive in Morocco ⁰

Cameroon have touched down in Morocco ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with the Indomitable Lions looking to add another title to their storied legacy as five-time champions.

However, the team is facing internal turmoil, with coach Marc Brys at the center of controversy after being sacked by the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT) president Samuel Eto’o.

Despite this, Brys has selected his squad and begun training sessions in Casablanca, with players like Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba leading the charge.

Cameroon is in Group F, alongside Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Mozambique, and will face Gabon in their opening match on December 24.

Cameroon last won the competition in 2017 and will hope to add to their five titles.

Source: Kickoffghana

5, November 2025

Women’s soccer: Cameroon among four teams added to 2026 WAFCON after failing to qualify ⁰

The recently-added nations lost in the final qualifying round but were the highest ranked of those who did, deeming them eligible, by CAF’s executive committee, to be included in the expansion. Of them, only Mali featured in this summer’s tournament.

They will join Morocco (hosts), Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Cape Verde, South Africa and Senegal for the continent’s flagship tournament between March 17 and April 3 next year.

“The decision is in line with CAF’s strategic vision to strengthen the competitiveness and development of women’s football on the African continent,” the federation said in a release on Wednesday.

CAF had decided to host it in the summer — in line with the men’s edition — instead of the November-December slot but found a clash as Zambia and Nigeria qualified for the summer Olympics.

The men’s edition of the tournament is set to take place from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco, as Ivory Coast bid to defend their title.

Source: nytimes

7, October 2025

“AFCON will go ahead in Morocco despite anti-government protests” ⁰

African football boss Patrice Motsepe said on Monday he is “absolutely confident” the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will go ahead in Morocco, the scene of daily anti-government protests for more than a week.

Young Moroccans took to the streets on Sunday for a ninth straight night of protests, calling for an end to corruption and a change of government.

The protesters have demanded reforms to social services, especially health and education, and voiced anger over social inequality.

Morocco is scheduled to stage the Cup of Nations (AFCON) from December 21 to January 18 at nine venues, with 24 national teams competing in the premier African football competition.

Stars like Egypt and Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah and Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi are among the players set to participate.

Speaking during an annual gathering of African football bosses in Kinshasa, Confederation of African Football president Motsepe said: “We (CAF) are absolutely confident the AFCON will go ahead as planned.

“Morocco is plan A, Morocco is plan B and Morocco is plan C,” he told his audience, including FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

“CAF will co-operate and work with the government and all the citizens of Morocco to host the most successful AFCON in history,” said Motsepe, a South African billionaire businessman.

Morocco hosted the 1988 AFCON – then an eight-nation tournament – and withdrew as hosts of the 2015 version citing Ebola virus fears.

Source: AFP

3, July 2025

Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai is dead ⁰

According to Radio Nigeria, Nigerian goalkeeping legend, Peter Rufai, is dead. While the family is yet to issue an official statement, the news of his death has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian football community and beyond, as tributes begin to pour in for the iconic goalkeeper who stood tall between the posts for the Super Eagles.

Rufai was a central figure in Nigeria’s golden football era. He was the first-choice goalkeeper during the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph and represented Nigeria at two FIFA World Cups—USA ’94 and France ’98. Renowned for his leadership, reflexes, and charisma, Rufai earned over 60 caps for the national team and remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated goalkeepers.

Beyond his national team heroics, he had a successful club career across Europe, playing for clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. After retirement, he remained active in football development and youth mentoring through his Staruf Academy in Lagos.

Nicknamed Dodomayana—a nod to his regal heritage as the son of a traditional ruler—Rufai was admired for his discipline, professionalism, and advocacy for education among aspiring athletes.

More details on funeral arrangements are expected from the family in due course.

Source: Sportsvillagesquare

16, April 2025

Football: Gabon forward Boupendza dies aged 28 in China ⁰

Gabon international Aaron Boupendza has died at the age of 28 after reportedly falling from a building in China.

The forward featured for his country at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Cameroon and won a total of 35 caps for the Panthers.

He had joined Chinese club Zhejiang FC, based in the city of Hangzhou, from Romanian outfit Rapid Bucharest in January.

Boupendza began his career in his homeland with CF Mounana and went on to have spells with sides in France, Portugal, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Gabon’s football federation (Fegafoot) announced the news of his death on social media.

“Boupendza is remembered as a great striker who made his mark during the [Afcon] in Cameroon,” the statement said.

“Fegafoot and the Gabonese football family offer their sincere condolences to his family.”

Gabon’s president-elect Gen Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema was among those to pay tribute to Boupendza, describing him as “a talented centre-forward who brought honour to Gabonese football”.

Source: BBC

28, January 2025

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS: Cameroon drawn in Group F alongside Côte d’Ivoire ⁰

The 24 teams qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have learned their fates following the group stage draw held on Monday in Rabat. The tournament is set to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, and promises high-stakes matchups. Cameroon finds itself in a challenging Group F, where it will face defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, and Mozambique.

The most anticipated clash in this group is undoubtedly the showdown between Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire. Their last encounter took place during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers on November 16, 2021, when the Indomitable Lions secured a narrow 1-0 victory. However, this rematch comes with a different set of circumstances.

Cameroon’s assistant coach, Martin Ndtoungou Mpile, expressed confidence despite the group’s apparent difficulty. He stated that matches against Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon are familiar territory for the team. “We’re not starting as underdogs in this group. On the contrary, these are matchups we’ve known for a long time: Cameroon-Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon-Gabon. But it’s going to be tough. Now we need to prepare well. A strong mentality is essential to win the AFCON,” he said on public television.

On the Côte d’Ivoire side, Serge Aurier, captain of the Elephants, reacted to the draw with anticipation for intense matches in Group F. The former PSG defender acknowledged the challenges posed by all opponents, particularly Cameroon. “It will be difficult. Against Cameroon, we know those matches are tough. What makes Africa proud today is that all teams have improved. So, we can’t talk about just one standout team; it’s about the whole group. We just hope to get out of the group. We know our strength when we advance past the group stage, and based on what we showed in the last AFCON, we know what to do to go all the way,” he commented after the draw.

Cameroon topped Group J in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, bouncing back after an early elimination in the Round of 16 during the last tournament held in Côte d’Ivoire. Facing Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Namibia in their qualifying group, the Indomitable Lions finished first with 14 points (four wins, two draws, and no losses), five points ahead of Zimbabwe, which claimed the second qualifying spot. Cameroon scored eight goals and conceded just two during the campaign. Maintaining this level of performance will be crucial for their success in the upcoming competition.

Source: Sbbc