Africa’s Best Footballing Moments in 2017

Cameroon wins bragging rights at AFCON 2017

The African cup of nations(AFCON) kicked off in Gabon with 16 finalists battling it out for one prize. Ivory Coast were holders of the trophy heading into the tournament and clearly one of the favorites alongside Gabon, Senegal, Algeria and Egypt. (change nations to reflect thes player changes). These nations are historically revered for their experience and star studded line ups with players lighting up the world’s major football leagues such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez, and Mo Salah. We also saw some of the continents young starlets getting their feet wet in the competition with the likes of Wilfried Zaha, Keita Balde, and Christian Bassogog getting their AFCON debuts. But ultimately none of that mattered, as it was Cameroon’s time to steal the headlines. Hugo Broos fielded a young side who went past Burkina Faso, Senegal and Egypt to be crowned Africa cup of nations winners for the fifth time. The Indomitable Lions certainly redeemed their big brothers who failed to win a single game in the 2015 tournament. The next African champions are scheduled to be crowned in Cameroon 2019.

North Africans bossed the year

It certainly was the year of the Arabs on the continent who showed signs of revitalizing their place as Africa’s elite. It kicked off with 7 time African Champions, Egypt becoming 1st runners up in the AFCON finals after their latest appearance in the tournament dated back to 2010. Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca then won the CAF Champions League in an all North African final against Egypt’s Al Ahly for the first time in 25 years. The year capped off with North Africans winning 3 of the 5 spots to represent the continent at next year’s World Cup finals in Russia. Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and Senegal make up the list with notable absentees such as Ghana and Ivory Coast losing out to Egypt and Morocco in the group stages.

The emergence of Mo Salah

What a 2017 it was for Mohamed Salah! The Egyptian arrived at the Merseyside club, Liverpool for a record transfer for an African player of 42 million euros which was then eclipsed by the same club for the signature of Guinean ace, Naby Keita. Mo Salah had scored 34 goals and 24 assists for Roma in the 2015/16 and 2016/17 season, and scarily, his form has only improved. In a league considered the world’s toughest, he has scored 20 goals in all competitions at the half mark of the season, only Harry Kane is above him in the Premier League goals tally and Salah is not even an outright striker, as Klopp usually deploys him on the left side of Liverpool’s front three. His impact also spread to his national team, as he  helped the Pharaohs of Egypt reach the world cup finals for the first time since 1990 and was named BBC’s African Footballer of the year. He is also part of the 3 finalists for the CAF Best Player to be crowned in January 2018 together with teammate Sadio Mane and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. With such a pedigree, it is understandable when rumors linking Mohamed to clubs like Real Madrid surface.

TP Mazembe gives DRC something to smile about

DRC might be war torn because of the long standing dispute between the controversial president, Joseph Kabila’s government and rebels for the country’s rich mineral resources but its football stars certainly give the citizens something to cherish. The national team did put up a good show at the AFCON finals making it to the knockout stages and also in the world cup qualifiers where they finished second in a group marginally won by Tunisia. The Congolese scored the most goals in these qualifiers more than any other African team. They eventually got some silverware for their all-round performances in the CAF Confederation finals, a tournament for domestic club cup winners on the continent. TP Mazembe beat South Africa’s high flying SuperSport United in a thoroughly entertaining two-legged final to win the cup in two consecutive years. A lot of things might not be right on the continent but football certainly plays a huge role in healing nations.

George Weah wins Liberia’s presidency in a historic democratic election

The only African player to have won the much coveted Ballon d’Or (1995) and FIFA’s award for World Best Male player in the same year, 1 Champions League title, 2 Italian Serie A titles, a Ligue 1 title and now Mr. President! The Liberian is now undoubtedly one of the most influential men in football history. You don’t want to miss this full feature about Mister George here on FT Football.

Special

Ronaldo equals Messi’s record

The Portuguese star beat Lionel Messi and Neymar to the 2017 Ballon d’Or award equaling Messi’s record of 5 recognitions as the best player in the world. Christiano Ronaldo also won the inaugural FIFA BEST player award ahead of Messi and Neymar. Ronaldo helped Portugal win their first European title in 2016 and won 5 trophies with Real Madrid including the Champions League trophy, Club World cup and Spanish League gold. Messi and Ronaldo have officially dominated the football world for the past decade.

Kaka hangs his boots

“It was much more than I could ever imagined. Thank you!” he said. “I’m now ready for the next journey. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” – Kaka

On Sunday, the 17th of December 2017, the world woke up to this news on Twitter. The 35-year old Brazilian announced his retirement after a career that most people will remember. He joined AC Milan from Sao Paulo in 2003 where he spent six years where he helped Millan to Champions League success in 2007, scoring 10 goals in the process. He then transferring to Real Madrid for then record transfer fee of 56 million pounds. He won Spanish League title and the Copa Del Rey cup before returning to Millan in 2013 and then finishing his career in MLS at Orlando City.

Kaka is the last player to have won the Ballon d’Or in 2007 before Messi and Ronaldo took over the show. He now plans to return to AC Milan for an off the pitch role.

The Brazilian Magician might have not won as many individual trophies as Messi or Ronaldo but he certainly is a footballer that everyone will remember, not only for his immense skill, but also for his humility and influence off the pitch.

This Past Week: SUPER MO, SALAH-VATING PREMIER LEAGUE FANS

CAF to give African representatives a send-off gift to the world cup.

The mother body of football in the continent has pledged to give each of the 5 nations (USD) $500 000 to help finance their campaign.

Moroccan stars fire world cup warning shots.

The Lions of the Atlas might have been drawn in the so called group of death with Spain, Portugal and the first team to qualify from Asia, Iran but some its stars who make up the team are starting to show what they are capable of at club level. On Sunday, Noureddine Amrabat on loan from English side Watford came on to setup two goals for Spanish club CD Leganes in their 3-1 victory over Villareal. Nabil El Zhar was also on the score sheet. With other starts like Sofianne Boufal (Southampton), Captain Mehdi Benatia (Juventus), 18-year old Achraf Hakini (Real Madrid) and veteran coach Herve Renard who led Zambia and Ivory Coast to African glory, the Morrocan side is no pushover. 

Bony, Ogbonna, Mahrez and Diouf on target.

Africans continue to make headlines in the EPL with Swansea captain, Wilfried Bony opening the scoring at Stoke with a great strike which however proved not enough to get rid of his club’s woes. The Nigerian, Ogbonna scored for the solitary goal for Westham against Man City and Mame Biram Diouf secured the points for Stoke against his West African’s counterpart team, Swansea. Riyad Mahrez might just have picked up his terrestrial form once more as he also scored the winner for Leicester against Tottenham that moved his team into the top half of the league.

Mo Salah involved in Liverpool goals again.

The Pharaohs’ start bagged a brace in midweek against Stoke City after coming on as a substitute and somehow beat four defenders at Brighton to set up Firmino with the Reds eventually cruising to a 5-1 victory. Mohamed Salah has so far scored 17 goals in all competitions surpassing Liverpool last season top scorer in less than half the games. He is currently the top goal scorer in England. With Suarez and Uruguay, Group A will definitely not be starved of a goals at next year’s showcase in Russia.

Victor Moses crowned 2017 Nigeria’s player of the year.

It really was kind of inevitable. The Super Eagles star was a key player in the Chelsea’s title winning team in the 2016/17 season put an icing on the cake by inspiring his nation reach the world cup finals unbeaten. He has surely silenced his doubters this year.

PSL’s “worst” wins the “best”.

South African side, Bidvest Wits who are currently rooted at the bottom of the top flight league standings beat Bloemfontein Celtic 1-0 in a domestic cup final, Telkom Knockout. With only 6 points separating the top 11 teams in the ABSA premiership after 12 games – we are certainly in for a treat in the title race. You don’t want to miss any of the action.

THIS PAST WEEK ON FT AFRICA (SPECIAL): WORLD CUP DRAW REACTION

The draw has been made, war cries ready, CAF readies its support funding, the players are making headlines in prominent leagues across the world and the fans have not been shy to raise their hopes high. Before we walk with you in the build up to the World Cup Finals in Russia. Let’s us give you a quick summary on how we view the groups from an African perspective.

Here are the groups with the final 32 once more.

Group A

This might not be a group of death but basing on recent performances, the teams look to be at par. It surely will be one of the most competitive groups. Egypt will probably finish 3rd or 2nd. They will beat Saudi Arabia and draw with either Russia or Uruguay.

Group B

This had been marked by most as the group of death and rightly so. Morocco qualified for the finals without conceding a single goal but will have to score too if they are to see off the European champions, Portugal, star studded Spain and the Asian surprise package, Iran. It will be an entertaining group with Morocco causing one or more upsets but will eventually not make it to the last 16. The Lions of the Atlas will finish 3rd.

Group D

Surely no love lost between Nigerian and Argentina. The two sides have been meeting each other for at least 5 times now in the tournament. Even though fairytale Iceland and Luka Modric’s Croatia sum up the group. I still favor the Super Eagles to progress. I strongly believe they will upset Argentina this time who has not really been inspiring. 

Group G

Tunisia is certainly the less talked about team among the five probably because they aren’t a lot of “big” players making headlines in several leagues. It should however be noted that they qualified top of the group ahead of free-scoring DR Congo who were top scorers in the qualifiers. They are quite a disciplined team and very much capable of frustrating the big guys, England and Belgium. I however do not see them progress but will definitely not finish last.

Group H

The Lions of Terranga sum up the 5 African representatives. I actually fancy them to progress form this group. They are up against a shaky Colombia, determined Japan and top ranked Poland. It won’t be pretty but they will do just enough to progress like they did in the qualifiers. They don’t play the most attractive football but undoubtedly one of the most aggressive teams in the tournament. With their top goalkeeper, Sadio Mane and Diafra Sakho – they might win games with one game changing pass or shot.

Stay tuned for more as we continue building up to the grand soccer showcase from an African perspective.    

Mohamed Salah named 2017 BBC African Footballer of the Year

The Egyptian beat teammate Sadio Mane, Victor Moses, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and soon to be teammate Naby Keita to the coveted award. He scored 13 Serie A goals, and registered 8 assists for AS Roma in the 2016-17 season before becoming Liverpool and Africa’s most expensive signing when he joined the Merseyside club in the summer. He is currently the EPL top scorer with 13 goals from 16 appearances. Read more about who placed after Salah and previous winners of the award.

Bony Goal Lifts Swansea, Mahrez Shines For Leicester, and Mo Salah Can’t Stop Scoring

The ex-Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony scored the only goal of the match between Swansea and West Brom on Saturday in the English Premier League. Captain Bony’s goal saw Swansea register just their first win in as many matches lifting them up from the bottom of the league to 18th. The Welsh club are counting on him and striker partner Jordan Ayew (Ghana) to get them the goals to stay afloat in the EPL. Swansea will face runaway leaders Manchester City in an EPL clash on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, the Algerian, Riyad Mahrez scored a wonder goal for Leicester as they came from a goal down to beat Newcastle 3-2. The 2016 CAF player of the year is surely back on top of his game. Another Ivorian was also on show, Wilfried Zaha. He won two penalties for struggling Crystal Palace in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth.

Mohamed Salah continued his blistering goal scoring form with a brilliant individual goal in the Merseyside derby against Everton which ended 1-1. Salah is still the English Premier League top score with 13 goals ahead of Harry Kane on 12. Catch up on the derby with a live match recap.

Africans Dismiss Racism Fears in Russia Ahead of the 2018 World Cup Finals

Africans currently residing in Russia have brushed aside racism prevalence in Russia in an interview with BBC. As racism in Russia has been a seemingly consistent issue in the football, we commend these Africans for pioneering a new country for their families and following their dreams and goals. For more, watch this short video about African excitement for The 2018 World Cup in Russia.

ABSA PSL Monthly Awards

Chippa United gaffer, Tebogo Moloi was named the Absa Premiership Coach for the month of November while Mamelodi Sundows’ captain, Hlompo Kekana won the Player award. Moloi was credited for stabilizing Chippa who were unbeaten in November, conceding just two goal and also beating champions Bidvest Wits. Chippa are currently second behind Kekana’s team who is currently the symbol for fighting spirit, defensive work rate, leadership and scoring goals from the midfield in the ABSA premiership. Read more on the ABSA Awards here.

Hugo Broos Unsure of Cameroonian Future

The 2017 AFCON winning coach admits that he is uncertain of his future at the Indomitable Lions. He was quoted comparing his situation to a soap opera after leaked documents revealed that the country’s football body wants him out. Broos wants his future resolved by the 15th of December. After an impressive AFCON 2017 victory in February with Cameroon with the youngest team in the tournament, Broos’ men looked a shadow of themselves in this past summer’s Confederations Cup. Cameroon tallied 1 point across 3 matches, as they failed to build on the momentum from their Gabon triumph. With the team’s identity and leadership now in question, we’ll be keeping a close eye on developments here. Read more on Broos’ reaction here.

No Major Surprises on the Confirmed UCL Finalists

The first 4 groups in the Uefa Champions League are done. Manchester United and Basel qualified from group A with United having topped the group after coming from a goal down to beat CSKA Moskva 2-1 at Old Trafford. PSG won group B though succumbing to a 3-1 humbling by fellow qualifiers, Bayern Munich who restored some pride after losing 3-0 in the reverse fixture.

And of course, the major highlight, Roma winning group C. The 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid was not enough for Chelsea to top the group, losing out on head to head results with Roma after losing 3-0 in Italy. As expected, Barcelona and Juventus both won 2-0 against Sporting CP and Olympiacos respectively to qualify with the Catalans as group winners. See how the other results concluded over at SuperSport.

Lord Jodie brings an end to her stay in London

The 31-year-old is bringing an end to her 2 year stay at the North London side. She had been unfortunate with injuries since joining the club. Her time at the club made her realize that what she needed was a move abroad with a different lifestyle. She will be leaving for Melbourne City on a six-week loan and then Seattle Reign on a permanent deal. Jodie spoke highly of Arsenal on her way out calling the club “excellent” and “professional”. We look forward to seeing the legend continue in the Pacific Northwest in 2018. See more of Taylor’s thoughts on her move at Daily Mail.

Klopp Calls on the 12th Player to Make All the Difference

In their last Champions League outing, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool gave up a 3-0 lead to eventually draw 3-3 with Sevilla in Spain suspending their qualification to the next round. Many questions have been asked of Liverpool’s defence and mentality but Klopp believes that the atmosphere in the stadium at Sevilla contributed immensely to the result. He is counting on the Anfield atmosphere to do the same in tonight’s final group match against Spartak Moscow. Liverpool just need a point to guarantee qualification. Head on over to SuperSport to see the rest of Klopp’s comments leading up to the Champions League fixture.

Tiki-Taka Football in Africa

Mamelodi Sundows nicknamed the “Brazilians” displaced Baroka FC at the summit of the ABSA premiership in South Africa with a 4-0 thumping at Lucas Moripe Stadium. It’s not the result that makes the headline but the scintillating football they displayed, hardly seen on the continent. From the sweeper keeper, Dennis Onyango (2016 CAF Player of the year) and Captain Kekana dictating the pace in the midfield while the runner up to Onyango’s award, Khama Billiat finding Percy Tau twice in slick movements. It was nothing but scintillating. With such displays, Africa’s football is surely becoming more tactical and won’t be less entertaining than in any part of the world.

In other ABSA matches, Supersport United and Orlando Pirates finished goalless while Maritzburg United beat Capetown City in 4-2 in a six goal thriller.