Africa

Nigerian Goalkeeping Legend Peter Rufai is dead

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

Football: Gabon forward Boupendza dies aged 28 in China

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

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

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

Football: Claude Le Roy holds special piece of Africa Cup of Nations history

23, January 2025

Football: Claude Le Roy holds special piece of Africa Cup of Nations history 0

Claude Le Roy’s first two TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals tournaments saw his team finished on the podium but the achievement that the popular Frenchman is most famous for is a record nine appearances as a coach.

His is a record that might take decades to beat. “Records are meant to be broken! But for me it’s a privilege that I had all these opportunities and even more important for me is the fact I was never sacked, I always decided to leave. And that’s a big privilege,” recalls the 76-year-old, who still follows the African game with a keen eye.

“And everywhere I worked, people always asked me to come back. I’m proud of that.”

His first game in 1986 was a thrilling 3-2 win over Zambia in Alexandria where Cameroon led slip a two-goal lead but then won the match with a late penalty while a burst of three goals in the space of six minutes saw them beat Algeria 3-2 to finish top of the group. After Roger Milla’s goal accounted for Cote d’Ivoire in the semi-final, Cameroon met host Egypt in the decider, going down on penalties 5-4 after a goalless draw.

Two years later, however, the Indomitable Lions were crowned champions, overcoming hosts Morocco in a fiery semi-final and then edging Nigeria in the final in Casablanca with Emmanuel Kunde’s second half penalty settling the outcome.

Le Roy coached Senegal at the 1990 and 1992 finals, finishing fourth the first time in Algeria but then being disappointingly eliminated by his old Cameroon charges in the quarter-finals when Senegal hosted the 1992 finals.

Le Roy missed the next six Cup of Nations finals before taking the Democratic Republic of Congo to the 2006 tournament in Egypt, where they reached the last eight.

In 2008, he coached a host nation for the second time, this time Ghana but there was a disappointing semi-final exit to Cameroon again.

In 2013, Le Roy was back with the Leopards but three draws in their first round meant they finished third in the group. It was the first time in seven tournaments the coach had not taken a side beyond the first round.

Congo had missed six successive finals before Le Roy qualified them for the 2015 edition in Equatorial Guinea and saw them to the quarter-finals as they won their group.

Le Roy’s last tournament was in Gabon in 2017 with Togo and his record 38 games as a coach at the finals has seen 16 wins, 12 draws and 10 losses with a positive goal tally of 44 scored to 38 conceded.

Le Roy at the Cup of Nations finals

1986 (Cameroon)

Cameroon 3 Zambia 2

Cameroon 1 Morocco 1

Algeria 2 Cameroon 3

Cameroon 1 Cote d’Ivoire 0

Egypt 0 Cameroon 0

1988 (Cameroon)

Cameroon 1 Egypt 0

Cameroon 1 Nigeria 1

Cameroon 0 Kenya 0

Morocco 0 Cameroon 1

Cameroon 1 Nigeria 0

1990 (Senegal)

Kenya 0 Senegal 0

Cameroon 0 Senegal 2

Senegal 0 Zambia 0

Algeria 2 Senegal 1

Senegal 0 Zambia 1

1992 (Senegal)

Senegal 1 Nigeria 2

Senegal 3 Kenya 0

Senegal 0 Cameroon 1

2006 (DR Congo)

DR Congo 2 Togo 0

Angola 0 DR Congo 0

Cameroon 2  DR Congo 0

Egypt 4 DR Congo 1

2008 (Ghana)

Ghana 2 Guinea 1

Ghana 1 Namibia 0

Ghana 2 Morocco 0

Ghana 2 Nigeria 1

Ghana 0 Cameroon 1

Ghana 4 Cote d’Ivoire 2

2013 (DR Congo)

DR Congo 2 Ghana 2

DR Congo 0 Niger 0

Mali 1 DR Congo 1

2015 (Congo)

Equatorial Guinea 1 Congo 1

Congo 1 Gabon 0

Burkina Faso 1 Congo 2

Congo 2 DR Congo 4

2017 (Togo)

Cote d’Ivoire 0 Togo 0

Morocco 3 Togo 1

DR Congo 3 Togo 1

Source: CAF

Football: Rigobert Song meets President Faustin Archange Touadéra

14, January 2025

Football: Rigobert Song meets President Faustin Archange Touadéra 0

Cameroon’s legendary footballer Rigobert Song has held talks at the Palais de la Renaissance in Bangui on Monday 13 January with Central African Republic President Faustin Archange Touadéra.

Cameroon Concord News gathered that discussions between the two men focused on the role of sport in youth development in CAR.

The visit is part of a CAR project aimed at strengthening relations with Cameroon.

Rigobert Song shared his expertise and experiences, emphasizing the transformative potential of sport in African societies.

CAR’s Minister Héritier Doneng who is in charge of youth and sport accompanied Song and presented the Central African government’s initiatives to promote sporting disciplines and mobilise young people around constructive projects.

By Rita Akana

Rigobert Song appointed as new Central African Republic manager

14, January 2025

Rigobert Song appointed as new Central African Republic manager 0

The former coach of the Indomitable Lions has been offered a job in the Central African Republic.

Rumours had been circulating on social media ever since Rigobert Song travelled to Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic on Monday.

Cameroon Concord News can now report that the news is official.

Rigobert Song has been appointed coach and manager of the Fauves of the Central African Republic.

The decree appointing Rigobert Song was signed by the Minister for the Promotion of Youth, Sport and Physical Education.

The details of the contract including the duration and salary to be paid to the legendary Cameroonian footballer have not been revealed.

Rigobert Song reportedly met with President Faustin Archange Touadera before the appointment was made official.

By Rita Akana

Dr Motsepe confers CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award to Biya and El-Sisi of Egypt

18, December 2024

Dr Motsepe confers CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award to Biya and El-Sisi of Egypt 0

The President of the Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”), Dr Patrice Motsepe, on Monday, 16 December 2024 conferred the CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2024 on Cameroon Head of State, President Paul Biya and Egypt Head of State President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

The CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award is in recognition and appreciation of the support and partnerships that exist in many African countries between the Head of State, the National Government and the Football Leadership in each of the 54 nations that are Members Associations of CAF.

Mr. Philippe Mbarga Mboa, Representative of President Paul Biya
Dr. Ashraf Sobhy , Representative of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi

Previous Winners

2022: The CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award 2022 was conferred on President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and King Mohammed VI of Morocco in recognition of their track record and extensive and far-reaching contributions to football in their countries, and to making African football globally competitive and self-sustaining.

Source: CAF

AFCON 2025: 19 countries secure tickets for Morocco

16, November 2024

AFCON 2025: 19 countries secure tickets for Morocco 0

With only a few matches left in the qualifiers, 19 teams have secured their places at the highly anticipated TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, set to be held in Morocco.

Friday’s results on Matchday 5 saw three more nations — securing their places in Africa’s flagship football competition with Zambia, Mali, Zimbabwe and Comoros sealing their slots.

Nigeria, Tunisia, South Africa, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon — clinched their spots, on Thursday joining a growing list of African football powerhouses ready for the tournament.

The confirmed teams represent a blend of regular AFCON contenders and rising forces in African football.

Host nation Morocco automatically qualified, alongside notable teams like Senegal and Algeria, who secured early qualification through consistent performances.

Egypt and title holders Cote d’Ivoire also bring strong legacies to the competition, with both countries boasting numerous AFCON titles.

Several teams have made a comeback to the continental stage.

DR Congo, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea will look to make an impact, while Uganda and Gabon are back with ambitions to advance deep into the tournament.

For South Africa, qualification marks a return to Africa’s biggest football stage after their impressive at the previous competition held in Cote d’Ivoire.

The qualification phase isn’t over yet. Matchday 5 matches continue into Saturday, with Matchday 6 next week set to confirm the remaining teams, rounding off the 24-nation lineup for Morocco 2025.

Anticipation is building as the final slots are contested, with top African teams and emerging challengers vying to be part of the action.

The 19 countries qualified for TotalEnergies CAF AFCON 2025

Morocco,Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Algeria, DR Congo, Senegal, Egypt, Angola

Equatorial Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, Uganda, South Africa, Gabon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Zambia, Mali, Zimbabwe, Comoros

Source: CAF

Africa Cup of Nations: Cameroon, Algeria qualify, Nigeria refuses to play in Libya

14, October 2024

Africa Cup of Nations: Cameroon, Algeria qualify, Nigeria refuses to play in Libya 0

Nigeria’s refusal to play an Africa Cup of Nations fixture in Libya after alleged “inhumane treatment” of their squad, overshadowed Algeria and Cameroon qualifying on Monday for the 2025 finals.

“This is getting scary,” said forward Victor Boniface on social media after the Nigerian squad were stranded at an airport 225 kilometres (140 miles) by road from Benghazi, the match venue.

“We have been stuck at the airport for almost 13 hours with no food, Wi-Fi or place to sleep. Africa, we can do better,” he added on X (formerly twitter).

Former African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba, who accompanied Nigeria to north Africa, told AFP: “If CAF know their job, Libya ought to be banned from international football.”

Nigeria beat Libya 1-0 in Uyo last Friday in Group D and the teams were set to meet again in the fourth round in Benghazi on Tuesday.

Furious at the way they were allegedly treated, the Nigerian delegation returned home on Monday, a CAF official confirmed to AFP.

A Libyan Football Federation statement said: “We reject any claims that suggest foul play or sabotage in this situation.

“There are no grounds to accuse the… Libyan Football Federation of deliberately orchestrating the incident. Such actions are inconsistent with our values and principles.

“It is important to highlight that just last week our own national team faced significant challenges upon arrival in Nigeria.”

CAF reacted to the incident by saying in a statement that they had been in contact with Libyan and Nigerian authorities.

“The matter has been referred to the CAF disciplinary board for investigation and appropriate action will be taken against those who violated CAF statutes and regulations,” it said.

Free-kick sinks Kenya

Ahead of the Group D fixtures on Tuesday — Rwanda host Benin in the other — Nigeria and Benin were well placed to fill the top two places and qualify for the finals.

Three-time AFCON champions Nigeria have seven points, Benin six, Rwanda two and Libya one, halfway through the six-round qualifying competition.

In Group J, Cameroon substitute Boris Enow beat Kenya goalkeeper Bryne Omondi off a free-kick outside the area to give the five-time AFCON title-holders a 1-0 win and qualification.

Kenya, beaten 4-1 in Yaoundé last Friday, were forced to move the home fixture to Uganda as stadiums in Nairobi are being renovated for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Second-placed Zimbabwe beat Namibia 3-1 to move four points ahead of Kenya in the fight for the other qualifying place. The rivals meet next month in the penultimate round.

Borussia Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini converted an 18th-minute penalty to earn two-time AFCON champions Algeria a 1-0 Group E win over Togo in Lome.

Algeria have a maximum 12 points from four outings and second-placed Equatorial Guinea are likely to join them at the 2025 tournament, which Morocco will host.

Substitute Dorian Hanza scored in added time to give Equatorial Guinea a 2-1 win against Liberia in Paynesville, and a five-point advantage over Togo.

Captain Elias ‘Domingues’ Pelembe, who turns 41 in November, opened the scoring for Mozambique in a 3-0 Group I victory over Eswatini. It moved the Mambas (snakes) above Mali to first place.

However, Mali will qualify if they win in Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday. The fixture is one of 16 scheduled.

Source: AFP

Ugandan Deputy Speaker meets Andre Onana

13, October 2024

Ugandan Deputy Speaker meets Andre Onana 0

Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, and his son had a memorable encounter with Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana during the player’s visit to Uganda ahead of Cameroon’s AFCON 2025 qualifier match against Kenya.

Tayebwa, an ardent Manchester United fan, expressed his excitement at seeing an African footballer succeed at one of the world’s biggest clubs.

“We are thrilled to see an African, particularly from our continent, playing at such a prestigious level with Manchester United. Onana has settled in well, and we continue to pray for his success,” Tayebwa said.

In a light-hearted moment, Tayebwa joked about researching whether Onana has any Ugandan roots, noting the shared heritage between Uganda’s Bakiga people and Cameroon.

He also revealed that Onana had invited him and his son to watch a live match at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s home ground, a gesture Tayebwa welcomed with enthusiasm.

Onana is in Uganda as part of the Cameroon national team’s preparations for their AFCON qualifier at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

Source: Nilepost

«< 2 3 4 5 6 >»
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance (opens in a new tab)
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.