NEWS
A selection of FirstTouch's best football writing, brought to you by emerging journalists, collaborators, and fans.
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?
2019 AFCON Qualifiers: (Weekend Report) Bafana floors Seychelles, Ighalo hatrick & more
It’s a wrap as far as Matchday 3 of the 2019 Africa Cup Of Nations is concerned. Quickly get up to speed with how your heroes have fared.
Is Khama Billiat the most important footballer in South Africa?
He has won it all, the CAF Champions League, PSL titles you name it. He is now helping those who haven’t and his nation adores him, as he was crucial in their back to back COSAFA success. He continues to be an ace up Zimbabwe’s sleeve in the ongoing 2019 AFCON Qualifiers but even further, perhaps the most important footballer in Southern Africa. His name is Khama Billiat.
FT Hidden Gem Series: Who is Tinotenda Kadewere?
The young Zimbabwe warriors striker is quite just a pin in the haystack of global football right now. But he helped Swedish outfit Djugardens to a an unlikely title, won the COSAFA prize with his nation and got signed by French Ligue 2 side this summer, Le Havre. What we see in him, we have seen in many other younger players that left a mark, he is on the up.
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.
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.
Women’s African Cup of Nations 2018 is around the corner
A Gabon supporter cheers for his team ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations group A football match between Gabon and Burkina Faso at the Stade de l'Amitie Sino-Gabonaise in Libreville on January 18, 2017. / AFP / GABRIEL BOUYS
Zimbabwean teen signs Burnley deal
Zimbabwean teenager, Tinashe Chakwana has been thriving in Burnley’s youth teams, outscoring everyone. He might soon make a debut appearance in the English Premier League.
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 African Legends Series: Peter Ndlovu [Zimbabwe]
Peter Ndlovu became the first black African players to play in the English Premier League in Coventry City but did even more for his people as captained the nation to its first ever African Cup of Nations appearance in 2004 most importantly taught them to believe.
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.