by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 24, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
Ghana U-20 women’s head coach Charles Sampson has revealed that preparations for the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier against South Africa are progressing ahead of schedule.
The Black Princesses, aiming for their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance, are building momentum following a 4-0 aggregate victory over Tunisia in the second round of qualifiers.
“Preparations are going really well. It’s very impressive—there are some new faces, and the players already seem to know each other, so strong relationships are forming,” Sampson said.
The squad opened camp in Accra during the first week of January, with several players still to join. As more members arrive, Sampson plans to focus on refining tactics and improving team cohesion.
The blend of experienced campaigners and promising newcomers has left the coaching staff optimistic about the squad’s readiness ahead of the two-legged qualifier. Ghana will host South Africa in the first leg between February 6–8, 2026, before traveling for the return leg scheduled for February 12–14.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 24, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer, USA, World Cup
FIFA is expected to announce its decision next month regarding Nigeria’s formal petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) following their dramatic 2026 World Cup playoff clash, according to a report by The Telegraph on January 21, 2026.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) lodged the complaint after alleging that DRC fielded ineligible players during the decisive playoff in Rabat, Morocco, in November. The fixture, which ended 1-1 after extra time, saw DRC advance 4-3 on penalties, eliminating Nigeria from the World Cup qualification race.
The NFF claims the eligibility violations breached FIFA regulations and undermined the integrity of the match.
The federation has requested that DRC be disqualified and that Nigeria receive remedies in accordance with FIFA statutes. While specific details of the alleged breaches have not been publicly disclosed, Nigerian authorities insist the case is supported by documentary evidence.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that senior football administrators are awaiting FIFA’s ruling, expected in February 2026. Nigerian officials are reportedly cautiously optimistic that the claims will receive serious consideration.
Meanwhile, the DRC squad continues preparations for the next stage of World Cup qualification, set to face the winner of the Jamaica vs. New Caledonia playoff in Mexico during the Intercontinental Playoffs in March.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 24, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Soccer
The 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, delivered historic moments and record-breaking performances, with stars Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané etching their names into the tournament’s history books.
The 2025 edition set a new record for most goals scored in a single AFCON, with 121 goals surpassing the previous mark of 119 from the 2023 tournament in Ivory Coast.
Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah became the first player to score in five separate AFCON tournaments (2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2025), netting four goals in Morocco to bring his career total to 11, tying Hossam Hassan as Egypt’s second-highest scorer in AFCON history. Salah also set a new record for the latest goal scored in tournament history, striking in the 120th minute plus stoppage time against Benin, and became the first player to score against 11 different national teams at AFCON.
Senegal’s Sadio Mané made history by registering 20 goal contributions at AFCON—11 goals and nine assists—helping the Lions of Teranga secure their second continental title with a 1-0 extra-time victory over hosts Morocco in a controversial final. Mané, named Man of the Competition, may have played his last AFCON, having guided Senegal through a dramatic walk-off protest following a missed Moroccan penalty in the 93rd minute.
Team records were also rewritten. Egypt extended their appearances to 27, most matches played (118), wins (64), and overall goals scored (184). Nigeria secured a record ninth bronze medal, maintaining their status as the nation with the most AFCON medals (17). Tunisia made a 17th consecutive AFCON appearance, while Ivory Coast and DR Congo extended records for most goals conceded and most matches lost, respectively.
The 2025 tournament, Morocco’s second time hosting, introduced a new schedule, running over Christmas and New Year to avoid clashes with FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup. The competition featured 24 teams across nine venues in six cities.
Notable absentees included four-time champions Ghana, who failed to qualify for the first time since 2004. Comoros, Gabon, Sudan, and Zimbabwe returned after missing the 2023 edition.
Despite the controversy surrounding the final, the tournament received widespread praise for its organization and quality of football, with Salah noting it was the best-organized competition he had experienced in Africa. The next AFCON is scheduled for 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, after which the tournament will transition to a four-year cycle beginning in 2028.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 24, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Soccer, World Cup
Senegalese football fans are expressing outrage over travel restrictions and exorbitant ticket prices ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
After Senegal’s dramatic 1-0 extra-time victory over Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final in Rabat, French actor Omar Sy, who has a Senegalese father, celebrated with the team in the dressing room alongside stars like Sadio Mané. Sy, a French citizen, will face no issues attending Senegal’s opening group match against France in East Rutherford, USA.
However, Senegalese fans holding only a national passport will face US visa restrictions under a ban implemented by former President Donald Trump, affecting 39 countries. This ban also impacts fans from World Cup participants like Côte d’Ivoire, Haiti, and Iran. Players, coaches, and official team staff are exempt from the restrictions.
“This is too harsh,” said Senegalese YouTuber and fan Singom Dadji Ngam. “The team can’t play without its supporters, yet the most loyal fans are excluded.” Many African fans have voiced calls to boycott the World Cup in protest, arguing that competitions are meaningless without spectators.
Financial barriers add to the frustration, with ticket prices averaging nearly €7,000 for a full tournament package—five times higher than at Qatar 2022. Only a small fraction of cheaper tickets are available, making the event inaccessible to many fans.
“The measures are a disgrace. They are ruining football,” said an Ivorian AFCON attendee, reflecting the sentiment of many across social media.
With political and economic obstacles converging, African fans may face one of the toughest paths to supporting their teams at a World Cup in history.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 24, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
Ghanaian international Daniel Kofi Kyereh has made a long-awaited return following nearly two years out with an ACL injury sustained in February 2023.
The 28-year-old midfielder had missed most of Ghana’s AFCON and World Cup qualifiers due to the injury, leaving a noticeable gap in the national team.
Kyereh is now back in full training with German side SC Freiburg, participating in his first senior team session on Wednesday evening ahead of their UEFA Europa League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday.
His return is a major boost for the Black Stars as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
