NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
How is soccer keeping Niger girls in school?
In a nation where 3 out of every 4 adolescent girls dropped out of school and got married before the age of 18, football has emerged as a powerful tool to keep a substantial number in school.
FirstTouch’s Top 5 African Female Ballers of 2019
Worry not about the so called snoozing and losing, we got Africa’s top female players for 2019 right here.
2019/20 Absa Premiership Breakout Stars of the Season: Which players could blow?
Seven wonders of the world? The South African ABSA Premiership have seven of their own upcoming stars and you would want to remember their names before the world gets to meet them. You saw them here first.
The USA are back to back champs. Even though European nations are making progress, substance must always trump style.
A second consecutive and record 4th FIFA World Cup title is certainly something to shout about. The word is dominance, it spells dominance. However, hidden in the narrative are the stern challenges of Spain, France, England and the Netherlands, that the USWNT faced enroute to their 2019 title. Substance did trump style and we get to explore the meaning of the win, both for America and women’s football in general.
2019 WWC Review: After all the African teams failed to make it past the Round of 16, What’s next for the game in Africa?
The progress is evident, but we need more. We look back at Africa’s overall performance at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, seek to understand why, explore some of the challenges plaguing women’s football on the continent and suggest a few solutions.
UCL Review: Why Liverpool got blanked in Spain and Barcelona battered in England
A tale of two tales. Here is a review of how Messi pick-pocketed Liverpool and the Reds in turn completing a miraculous comeback against the Blaugrana on their way to the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League final in Madrid.
Liverpool’s African “imports” are out there making dreams come true
When’s the last time your team has had two African both finish with 20+ goals in all competitions? Klopp is probably the only one raising his hand. Even though Mane and Salah’s stellar seasons weren’t enough to secure Liverpool’s first Premier League title in almost 30 years, both could still make the difference in Madrid.
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?
Emmanuel Frimpong: The end of a chapter
For a long-time, the former Arsenal midfielder has had to play through the pain. Now, at the tender age of 27, the former Ghanaian international has decided to hang up his boots. Lest we forget, he has left us with solid memories created across his experience in the Premier League, Russian Premier League, UEFA Champions League, English Championship etc
Why Obi Mikel & Chukwueze were left out of the Nigerian squad for the upcoming AFCON Qualifier
Nigeria have already qualified for the 2019 AFCON finals to be held in Egypt later this year. In this piece, we provide an analysis as to why the Super Eagles have more to gain by leaving out former Chelsea midfielder, Obi Mikel and the highly rated Spanish La Liga youngster, Samuel Chukwueze.
MLS Preview: Top 10 Must Watch Players Of African Descent - #7 Emmanuel Boateng
Number 7 on our list is a Ghanaian who will be key to Zlatan’s pursuit to break “all of the records”. Emmanuel Boateng has just resigned for LA Galaxy after 87 appearances in three seasons with the club, scoring eight goals and adding 12 assists in the process.
Africans on the move and what they bring to their respective clubs
The 2019 January transfer window is now history. African players were once again on the move, from the Premier League, Turkish Super League, La Liga only to mention a few. In this piece you will find three of them as well as what their impact could be at their new clubs.
Vitesse, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord opening academies in Zimbabwe?
Westerhof plans to usher in a new methodology to accelerate African players’ growth to global stardom. Dutch Eredivisie’s Ajax has done it successfully with South Africa’s Ajax Cape Town club. Could Zimbabwe follow the same path?
The pursuit of justice for racial abuse on Kalidou Koulibaly continues
Arguably the best center back in the world currently, Koulibaly has more than just his career development to focus on. As a subject of racial abuse in the Italian Serie A, he faces no easy task in dealing with the emotions that come with all that. But alas, he is not alone. Friends and fans from the Premier League and Africa are all behind the Senegalese international.
Kevin Prince Boateng’s shocking move to Barcelona explained
After completing a shock January transfer switch to Barcelona, there is no questioning what the Ghanaian international can actually bring to the La Liga. After featuring for over 10 of Europe’s top clubs, playing in all sorts of positions - versatility and experience is what he is all about.
We argue Real Madrid could be fixed in two Senegalese signatures
Adding strength and dynamism to Real Madrid may not be rocket science after all. In Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly, Senegal might just be the answer to the 3-peat UEFA Champions League winners’ ills. Los Blancos are struggling to keep up with La Liga bitter rivals, Barcelona.
FT Sideline: Why has Aubameyang been so prolific?
The Gabonese captain has seamlessly switched to the Emirates stadium and has quickly become one of the Premier League’s most respected strikers. With 20 goals for Arsenal in 31 matches and joint EPL top scorer alongside Sergio Aguero this season, the numbers are starting to look like his Dortmund days. But what makes him tick?
2019 Women's AFCON Semis: Mali, Cameroon, South Africa & Nigeria go to war
The battle lines have been drawn, three 2019 FIFA World Cup places up for grabs as well as the much coveted Africa Women Cup of Nations gold. The three horses of the West and one representing the whole of Southern Africa - who will drop and who will have glory cast upon them?