NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
At this point of the ABSA Premiership Season, who are the favorites?
Kaizer Chiefs haven’t really run away with it. There are at least 3 other sides breathing down their necks.
PSL: Can the tides turn for AmaZulu or are they destined for relegation?
One of the oldest and culturally connected clubs in South Africa, founded over 80 years ago, AmaZulu still find themselves feasting on the fruits of mediocrity and unimpressive institution building.
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.
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!
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.
2019 WWC Review: Five Breakout Stars of the Tournament (Stars of the future)
A 23-year-old all-time top goal scorer for her nation, two young midfield maestros who seemingly drink ice for breakfast, an audacious forward who is in the top 0.01% when it comes to dribbles and tricks, and finally an explosive African queen, the face of the continent’s football both now and in the near future. They are all here. Our fast five of all the breakout stars at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Who are the underdogs who could shock the world?
Leave aside the obvious; who might the whole of Africa and the world not see coming? We believe they are four other nations who could have a say in determining the destination of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations title.
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.
Eto’o visits South Africa to grace the second edition of Castle Lager's tourney
The Castle Lager Nations tourney is the newest football competition making strides on the continent and Cameroonian Legend, Samuel Eto’o, had the unique opportunity of being one of the pioneers of the movement.
Three of the greatest coaches Africa has ever seen
Just like with players, over the years Africa has been equally endowed with great minds on the touchline. We took time to profile just three. Can you guess who they are?
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?
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.
FT 2019 Preview: From relegation threat to champions, will the Clever Boys go the distance?
One of the most underrated title races in world football. The Clever Boys, Bidvest Wits are leading the ABSA Prem pack at the turn of the year, having underwhelmed in 17/18. The Orlando Pirates are only one point behind and will be hoping Bidvest lose on Sunday against 3rd place Polokwane City.
FT's 10 Best Moments of 2018: #4 Banyana writes new history
The South African Women’s national team went at 2018 head first, ushering in a new era for women’s football on the continent. Bayana Bayana may have finished runners-up in AWCON18, but they set some unprecedented records doing it.
AWCON 2018 Review: The evolvement of Asisat Oshoala and Nigeria
Nigeria bagged their historic 9th Africa Women’s Cup of Nations title early this month in Cameroon. After decades of dominance, we however noticed a change in the state of affairs in the women’s game on the continent, even in the once leading woman.
2019 AWCON: One last dance for SA & Nigeria as the women cap off a superb tourney
This is it ladies and gentlemen. The final tango of the 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is here. The most successful team on the continent facing the challenge of the most promising. Time to pick favorites.
2019 AFCON Qualifiers: Full Preview of Bafana - Super Eagles tie
We couldn’t resist previewing the South Africa-Nigeria clash where winner takes all and a loser endangers their qualification hopes. Who will draw closest to the 2019 AFCON finals? Are you also aware of the highly rated and performing attacking talent on show in this one?
Is South Africa's Ligue 1-based, Lebo Mothiba underrated?
The 22-year-old RC Strasbourg forward spoiled Thierry Henry’s managerial debut by banging the second goal as AS Monaco lost 2-1. The young forward has largely flown under the radar, but sure looks like a real talent, and a welcome gift to the Bafana side.