NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
To what extent are local football associations determining results by successive pay-dispute rows?
Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Cameroon, only to mention but a few, are some of the sides that have had their overall performances negatively impacted by off the pitch scandals of late or non-payment resulting from maladministration and corruption. What’s local football associations’ role in this? How far does the cancer go? Simiso answers it all.
FT's AFCON 2019 Ultimate XI
It’s sort of a tradition to sum up the biggest performers of a tournament at the end of it. Here’s the best eleven from the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations tournament who stood out for their nations and entertained neutrals. No one could have anticipated that the 21-year-old Algerian midfielder, Ismael Bennacer would headline it. Check out who else made the list.
Winners and Losers from AFCON 19
As planned from the get go, there was only going to be one winner amongst the 24 AFCON 2019 finalists. Champions Algeria are the most obvious one, but who else achieved smaller wins that could set them up for a more successful future and who had a tournament they need to quickly forget.
Group D, the “Group of Death” - Namibia, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Morocco
What happens when Atlas Lions, Brave Warriors, Hyped-up Boys and Elephants want the same thing? Well, we can only guess. But one thing is for sure, it will be one hell of a battle.
Who are Burundi, Madagascar and Mauritania?
There are a couple of fairy-tales as well in the 32nd edition of the AFCON tournament. Nations who have written new histories for their peoples and glad are we, to ride into the three-way dreamland.
Who are the favorites: Senegal, Nigeria, and Egypt?
Well, the writing is on the wall; Nigeria, Egypt and Senegal are undoubtedly top favorites to claim the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations title. But what makes them the teams to beat, what do they have up their sleeves?
Why the 2019 AFCON Draw seems not to be making a lot of sense?
The official countdown towards the June 2019 AFCON finals officially started as the draw reached a conclusion in Egypt. However, the procedure of the draw that relied on nations’ positions on the most recent FIFA World rankings left us with more questions than answers.
The recurring and disturbing horror of footballers’ relatives kidnapped for ransom
Joseph Yobo, John Obi Mikel and most recently, Samuel Kalu have had their parents abducted for ransom money. When and how will authorities put an end to this vicious cycle in Nigeria?
The Ivorian attack can give anyone a run for their money at AFCON 2019
All of Lyon’s Cornet, Crystal Palace’s Zaha and Nicolas Pepe of Lille wear the same national colors, that is the Elephants’ orange. How do you stop that kind of attack, if at all?
FT 2019 Preview: AFCON19 is on the way!
On the back of Egypt’s appointing of the AFCON 2019 hosting rights, we are excited for Africa’s biggest soccer showcase, returning in June 2019. The single most important exhibition of upcoming, prime and experienced footballers who have carried the African banner at home and abroad. AFCON 2019 is one of the few events that matters this coming June.
2019 AFCON Qualifiers: Zambia out, Mauritania in, Ghana revived & complete round-up
Want to know who’s made it, who’s not gonna make it, who’s killing it and more. Get up to date with our latest news from 2019 AFCON qualifiers.
2019 AFCON Qualifiers: Ghana resume campaign, North African derby, Zambia must win & more
Yes, the 2019 AFCON qualifers are drawing to a close and the Cameroon 2019 finals to be held in June are nearer than before. We made a list of this weekend’s matchday 5 fixtures you don’t want to miss!
Is South Africa's Ligue 1-based, Lebo Mothiba underrated?
The 22-year-old RC Strasbourg forward spoiled Thierry Henry’s managerial debut by banging the second goal as AS Monaco lost 2-1. The young forward has largely flown under the radar, but sure looks like a real talent, and a welcome gift to the Bafana side.
Nations In Focus Series: DR Congo, the unsung hero of African football
In this series, we explore what makes each footballing nation in Africa unique. First up is the Central African country, DR Congo, two AFCON and eight continental club titles in the form of the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederations Cup. They are quite an “introverted” nation but not on the pitch
2019 AFCON Qualifiers: Three things we learned from Matchday 2
Eager to get up to speed on how the 2018 FIFA World Cup African standout performers, Senegal surprisingly had to settle for a surprise draw at Madagascar or review all the key moments we captured from matchday two of the 2019 AFCON qualifiers?
Mo Salah: The conundrums of the Egyptian's "King" status
FIFA Best Footballer of the world finalist, 2017 CAF Player of the Year, 2017/18 EPL Top Goal Scorerç Liverpool’s player of the season and many other countless award winner, Mohamed Salah is involved in a less than ideal relationship with local Egyptian officials.
Guinea: Football Federation ties down three exciting talents
Guinea's national team just got a whole lot better
Internationals: Choupo-Moting and Kameni in Cameroon’s squad for Kuwait friendly
Choupo-Moting and Kameni in Cameroon’s squad for Kuwait friendly