NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
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.
Africans In The UCL: Aurier the winning wing-back as Hakimi & Dortmund fall to Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur are one-foot into the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals after seeing off Bundesliga leaders, Borussia Dortmund 3-0. Ivory Coast’s Aurier had a game to remember whereas that of Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi was one to forget.
10 January Transfers Everyone Wants To See: #9 Mehdi Benatia
The 31-year-old Captain fantastic is nearing retirement. After emphatic displays in the Bundesliga and Italian Serie A, one last straw at another top club is what many fan (and most likely his agent) are eagerly waiting for.
FT's 10 Best Moments of 2018: #3 Morocco 'bullied' opponents
What the Lions of the Atlas did at the 2018 FIFA World Cup can never be forgotten. Absolutely amazing football style even against the fiercest of opponents in the global game.
FT's 10 Best Moments of 2018: #9 Oh hail, King Hakim
The year 2018 introduced us to the Moroccan king who rules not with an iron rod but a left-foot. After winning the Dutch Footballer of the year, Ziyech has dazzled for Ajax in the Eredivisie and Champions League, while leading his nation to AFCON 2019 qualification.
FT's 10 Best Moments of 2018: #10 Morocco, the brave bidders from North Africa
Starting off our 2018 recap is Morocco and their 2026 World Cup bid. The country should be seen as brave heroes who reminded the continent of the limitless things that can be achieved with strong determination and character, but more importantly, leadership.
Could Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi become one of the best full backs in the world?
For all of Dortmund’s recent successes in the Bundesliga, a portion must be attributed to Hakimi . Apart from winning the Bundesliga Rookie of The Month in September and serving up a hat-trick of assists in the Champions League, Achraf may just be getting started.
Issa Diop swears allegiance to France not Senegal or Morocco
West Ham’s 21-year-old defender who could have played for either of two African countries pledges allegiance to 2018 World Cup Champions, France. Tinotenda Magiya takes you on journey of this all too common plight of players with African roots and proposes some solutions.
UEFA Champions League: Five Young Africans To Watch
Put aside Salah, Mane, Keita or Mahrez for a while. We picked up five Africans who are likely to be protagonists in this year’s UEFA Champions League tourney. Can you guess who they are?
Is Eredivisie's Top Footballer, Hakim Ziyech, the best African playmaker?
Meet Dutch’s best footballer. Is the Moroccan the best African playmaker now? We will be following in the upcoming AFCON 2019 qualifiers, UEFA Champions League and 2017/18 Eredivisie campaign.
CAF President Ahmad Questions Cameroon's Ability to host AFCON 2019
Already having cast doubts of Cameroon’s AFON 2019 hosting viability, Ahmad questions if the West African nation can assemble the resources and infrastructure needed for a 24 team tournament.
FT World Cup Recap: Top 5 U23 Players From The World Cup
The standout U23 players from the World Cup 2018.
FT Post World Cup 2018: The Day Morocco Bullied Portugal
Morocco completely took the game to Portugal and dominated the game despite losing out 1-0 in a Group B FIFA World Cup clash in Russia 2018.
FT World Cup 2018: Tunisia's Tournament in Review
Tunisia exited the World Cup disappointingly with one win in Group G.
FT World Cup 2018: Morocco's Tournament in Review
Morocco played an attractive style of attacking football at the World Cup 2018 albeit lacking goals in decisive moments.
FT World Cup 2018: Morocco issues a powerful closing statement against Spain
Morocco and Spain share the spoils in the final Group B match that was unfortunately marked with VAR controversy
FT World Cup 2018: Senegal held to a 2-2 draw by Japan
Senegal lose concentration late on and Japan snatch a draw after scoring a late goal in this 2-2 Group H duel.
FT World Cup 2018: Morocco could not find a solution against Portugal
Morocco will exit after the group stage of the World Cup after losing 1-0 to Portugal courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo’s 4th minute header.