NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
How did Borussia Dortmund become a factory for talent?
Here is a story of a club that has continually reinvented itself and now stands tall as one of the top destinations for highly-rated football talent.
Will racism ever end in Serie A?
Racism incidents have spiked in the Italian Serie A over the last couple of months. The real question is how do they move on and perhaps save the reputation of one of the best leagues in the world.
How have Atalanta become Serie A Giants?
Italy and Europe have a new football giant, ‘The Goddess’ of Bergamo. Atalanta have built-up their progression on sustainable structures that could see them in the big circles for the foreseeable future.
Are Juventus Serie A Favorites?
Let’s face it. The competition in Serie A had for a long time rendered the league less interesting, with Juve winning the Scudetto eight consecutive times. Accompanied by the arrival of Ronaldo, viewers who had turned a blind eye on the Italian top-flight found a reason to reconsider. But with Serie A beginning to attract top talent again, parity may soon return to the league.
Even without a Top 4 finish, Emery deserves some accolades
Unai Emery and Arsenal were faced with the tantalizing prospect of landing a Premier League Top 4 spot and bringing Champions League football back to the club. Considering the all-round changes, they have undergone as a club and stiff competition from their top 6 rivals, the Spaniard could be deserving a mighty shout-out as the Gunners still have a chance.
UCL: Ajax schooling Real Madrid, the climax of football entertainment
Ajax were fearless and unrelenting in their pursuit of the champions’ scalp. They came to the Bernabeu, saw and conquered. The Dutch Eredivisie side are now in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time 16 years.
African Stars: Pick of the weekend's action
It’s all here, Belfodil’s quick brace that stunned league leaders, Dortmund; Zaha’s return to the scoresheet, En-Nesyri’s hat-trick, Alex Iwobi, Liverpool, and much more of the weekend’s action from all over the world.
UCL Preview: Will record breaking Marega resume form as Porto visit Roma?
One of the most competitive UCL round of 16 matches pits Roma against FC Porto in a matchup of experience vs form. Our money is on Marega bringing it home for the Primeira Liga champions through, you guessed it, more goals.
10 Africans unsettled in the English Premier League: #6 Mo Elneny
The January transfer window is a few weekends away. In our anticipation and excitement of possible moves, we have taken to lay down 10 “unsettled” African stars in the English top flight, the Premier League. Arsenal’s Egyptian midfielder is also on the ten-man list.
10 Africans unsettled in the English Premier League: #5 Victor Wanyama
The January transfer window is a few weekends away. In our anticipation and excitement of possible moves, we have taken to lay down 10 “unsettled” African stars in the English top flight, the Premier League. As we continue with the countdown, Kenya’s Wanyama occupies the fifth player on the list.
UCL Matchday 5: Five Africans key to the week's turning points
Zimbabwe, Central African Republic, Egypt, Morocco and Ghana’s representatives are needed more than ever by their teams if they are to turn the tide in their favor as far as the Champions League is concerned this week. Check out why!
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.
Koulibaly and Napoli revealed PSG's apathy for UCL glory
Let’s have that conversation. Despite the heavy spending and numerous managerial appointments, Ligue 1 champions PSG are still far away from being the best in Europe. Check out why.
European clubs plot to sign Usain Bolt after debut goals
The Champ is on the move! Even Champions League football might possibly welcome Lightning Bolt soon enough. Check out why the Jamaican had a lit weekend and is now the fastest rated player in FIFA 19.
FT Pause Moment: Should "dummies" be considered as assists? Inspired by Suarez
FirstTouch’s Pause captures rare moments of the global game of football that inspires new thinking, laughter, controversies amongst many other things worth pausing for. This week, we feature Luis Suarez’s role in Barca’s 4-2 Champions League win over Tottenham. Could he be hinting at a development worth considering? Check it out.
What has happened to Ivory Coast’s Bailly at United?
Manchester United have had to take in a less than ideal start to the 2018/19 Premier League season. That has been the case of their centre back in Eric Bailly since moving to the Old Trafford. The 2015 AFCON winner achieved a few dreams such as playing in the UEFA Champions League but has hit a rough patch below his potential. Find out why in this feature.
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: Tunisia's Tournament in Review
Tunisia exited the World Cup disappointingly with one win in Group G.