NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
Will this be Leicester’s strongest season in the Premier League since their 2016 Championship?
How tameable if at all, are Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes this 2019/20 Premier League season? Not so much is the short answer.
Is VAR a superhero or a villain in the future of global football?
Even after having a major run out in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, VAR looked all new during the women’s world cup and particularly the Copa America, dishing out some fresh controversies. Even Messi came out a supposed victim of the technology more than once. But what is it really to global football, a friend or a foe?
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.
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.
FT's 10 Best Moments of 2018: #6 Riyad Mahrez gets his move to Manchester
Riyad Mahrez, came to the English Premier League, made his name, and conquered in Leicester colors. Now the long awaited move to a top European club has finally materialized for the Algerian. With 7 goals and 6 assists under Guardiola, it’s safe to say Mahrez is enjoying his time so far in Manchester.
CAF Champions League: First leg of the final marred with VAR controversy
The Video Assistant Referee technology is still in its infancy stages and has typically caused a fair share of controversies in Africa. Quite recently in the first leg of the 2018 CAF Champions League final held in Egypt where Al Ahly welcomed Esperance of Tunisia. More in this story.
FT Coach Tribute: The job where there's more than meets the eye
They are usually bashed more than they are celebrated. But coaches help craft the EPL, Absa Premiership, MLS, La Liga or any other football community we belong to. As we celebrate coaches at FirstTouch, we invite you to peep into their everyday lives in three minutes.
EPL: Matchday 10 African Round Up
Eager to catch up with how your favorite African players plying their trade in the English Premier League fared in two minutes? Checkout out matchday 10 review.
2019 AFCON Qualifiers - Big wins, Bailly redemption & Salah's corner kick goal
We made sure you wouldn’t miss the updates from the Friday Goal Festival as the 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations Qualifiers took a new twist. Have you seen Salah’s corner kick goal? Get updated and share with us how your favorite team is faring.
Is Dembele ready to share Messi's Barcelona "burden"?
Barcelona seem to be in need of a fix right now and yes, Messi could be it. But for how long will the La Liga giants hinge on the five time World’s Best Player’s abilities? With the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner, Ousmane Dembele looking a different player, is it perhaps time for the five time Champions League winners to think ahead and find new heroes?
What you need to know about the men's AFCON 2019
Are you wondering when and where to catch the AFCON 2019 qualifiers or you want to know the most successful team in the tournament, memories of previous tournaments that will live forever? All of the EPL, Serie A, Bundesliga, La Liga, ABSA and many other leagues’ talented players on show.
Do the FIFA POTY Nominees hint at a new era?
It’s the first time since 2006 that Messi is missing from the the list of top three male footballers, an African makes the cut for the FIFA Best Awards since George Weah, unfamiliar goalkeepers contending the prime glove award and FIFA World Cup 2018 standout performers dominant. Is a new era in our midst?
FT World Cup 2018: Belgium vs Tunisia, A Seven Goal Frenzy
The best was the last. Belgium vs Tunisia provided the most entertaining game we could have hoped to watch.
FT World Cup 2018: Live From Russia - Cristiano Proves Decisive Against Morocco
Football can be a cruel sport. Sometimes the better team does not always win. Sometimes, the best player in the field (world) provides the most important moment in a match.
FT World Cup 2018: Live From Russia - We Witnessed A Monumental Upset
Germany vs Mexico. This is why they play the game.
FT World Cup 2018: Live From Russia - Saudi Arabia meets Russia in the Luzhniki
Our first World Cup game was the perfect introduction to the the joy of the tournament and sharing emotions with the Russian people.
FT World Cup 2018: Live From Russia - Day 1 Destination Moscow
FirstTouch is in Russia this summer covering the World Cup 2018 tournament.
Impact of Football on Fans
This article takes a look at the emotions evoked by the sport to the fans who watch the UEFA Champions League tournament. It gives example of different scenarios that teams find themselves in and how that impacts their audience.