NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
Are Masandawana and Orlando Pirates a class above the rest?
Who’s your money on to walk away with the title this season? Masandawana, Bucanners, Clever Boys, City, Amakhosi, Matsatsantsa or someone else? The ABSA Premiership is back!
The ABSA Prem currently has one of the world's best title races this season. Who has the best chance of winning?
Did you know who else besides Liverpool and Manchester City, are taking the league title race to the final match of the season? That’s right, Pirates and Downs, we took some time to reflect on the closing moments of perhaps the best ever Absa Premiership season.
ABSA Premiership: Four horse title race goes down to the wire
Four unrelenting teams separated by only two points and with only seven matches remaining in the South African ABSA Premiership. Not many title races get much better than this.
South Africa's Lerato Chabangu: A bittersweet story
Lerato’s story opens up a key aspect of some African football professionals that require attention and empathetic consideration.
How is Percy Tau faring in Belgium?
Senegalese legend El Hadji Diouf said he could be better than Salah or Mane, and Mamelodi Sundowns coach, Pitso Mosimane advocated for his departure from his side for European football. Brighton & Hove Albion Manager, Chris Hughton remarked that he was “one for the future,” and now, Belgian football has found Percy Tau to be simply irresistible.
FT 2017/18 African Transcendent XI: LW - Percy Tau [Mamelodi Sundowns]
Percy Tau is one of the most promising African players that still plays in Africa. He is definitely one to watch as his consistent performances with Mamelodi Sundowns in the South African PSL continue to garner attention.
PSL Awards: Tau crowned king and could Siphesihle Ndlovu follow his footsteps?
The sky is the limit for Percy Tau. On Tuesday night, at the Sandton Convention Center, the 24-year-old took home the 2017/18 South African Footballer Of The Season Award, Players’ Player of The Season and the joint Top Goal Scorer Award. The 21-year-old Maritzburg midfielder, Siphesihle Ndlovu won the Midfielder Of The Year Award and The Young Player Of The Season.
FT 2017/18 African Transcendent XI: CF - Emmanuel Boateng [Levante]
Emmanuel Boateng of Levante FC is a young, talented, Ghanaian striker that is making a name for himself in La Liga after a standout performance against Barcelona FC.
FT 2017/18 African Transcendent XI: RW - Keita Balde [Monaco]
Keita Balde is a talented attacker and has a promising future for his club AS Monaco FC and the Senegal National Team.
FT 2017/18 African Transcendent XI: CM - Naby Keita [RB Leipzig]
Guinean player Naby Keita has been a standout player at RB Leipzig and will soon transfer his talents to Liverpool FC.
FT 2017/18 African Transcendent XI: CDM - Wilfred Ndidi [Leicester City]
The 21-year old midfield enforcer, Wilfred Ndidi, is as good as anyone you can get in his position and will certainly attract interest from bigger clubs with good performances for Nigeria at the World Cup 2018 in Russia this summer.
FT 2017/18 African Transcendent XI: CDM - Franck Kessie [AC Milan]
Franck Kessie of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Torino FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 26, 2017 in Milan, Italy.
FT 2017/18 African Transcendent XI: LB – Ramadan Sobhi [Stoke City]
Ramadan Sobhi of Stoke City FC will represent Egypt this summer at the World Cup 2018 in Russia.
FT 2017/18 African Transcendent XI: CB - Eric Bailly [Manchester United]
Eric Bailly of Manchester United FC has already established himself as one of the top center-backs in all of Europe. He also represents the Ivory Coast national team.
FT 2017/18 African Transcendent XI: CB-Chancel Mbemba [Newcastle]
Chancel Mbemba is a talented center-back for the future and currently plays for Newcastle FC as well as the DR Congo National Team.
FT 2017/18 African Transcendent XI: RB-Achraf Hakimi [Real Madrid]
Achraf Hakimi is a young talent at Real Madrid FC and will represent Morocco this summer at the World Cup 2018 in Russia.
FT 2017/18 African Transcendent XI: GK-Andre Onana [Ajax]
Andre Onana of Ajax during UEFA Europa League match.
South Africa: Meet the self-made Bongani Zungu buzzing in Ligue 1
Bongani Zungu utilised all his first chances that coaches gave him, impressed in every instant and achieved his dream of becoming a professional footballer. From Duduza, Dynamos, University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Sundowns, Portuguese Primera Liga and now French Ligue 1, Zungu battled injuries, frustrations and a whole lot to pursue a passion.