Africa Sport News — Page 88
Broos Steps Down as the Head Coach of South Africa
Hugo Broos has confirmed that his time as Bafana Bafana head coach has come to an end after more than five years in charge. The 74-year-old Belgian has, however, revealed that he could remain involved with the South African Football Association (SAFA) in an advisory or scouting role. Broos took charge of Bafana Bafana in [...]
World Cup 2026: We Had Minimal Concerns Regarding Morocco — France Midfielder Rabiot
France midfielder Adrien Rabiot took a swipe at Morocco after Les Bleus’ FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final victory, saying the team “had little to fear” from the opposition, who struggled to pose a threat in possession during the 2-0 win in Boston on Thursday. Morocco managed just five shots compared to France’s 22, with only [...]
World Cup 2026: ‘With Mbappe, There Are No Issues’ – Deschamps Praises Le Bleus Star’s Strike Against Morocco
France coach Didier Deschamps has praised Kylian Mbappé for his unwavering self-belief after he scored his eighth goal of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Recall that the Real Madrid star atoned for a missed penalty in the first half as he netted a brilliant goal against the Atlas Lions of Morocco in the quarter-final of [...]
World Cup 2026: Morocco Coach Ouahbi Acknowledges France's Worthy Win
Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi conceded that France were worthy winners in their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final encounter. The Atlas Lions fell 2-0 to Didier Deschamps’ side at the Boston Stadium on Thursday night. Kylian Mbappe recovered from a first-half penalty miss to score his eighth goal of the finals, before setting up Ousmane [...]
World Cup 2026: Sundowns Defender Praises Okon and Mbokazi’s Exceptional Displays for South Africa
Mamelodi Sundowns defender Grant Kekana has heaped praise on the South African duo of Ime Okon and Mbekezeli Mbokazi for their standout performances at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Recall that Okon and Mbokazi were ever-present in the Bafana Bafana defence, where they played a key role in helping the team secure its first-ever round [...]
World Cup 2026: Morocco bows out of the tournament in the quarter-finals, making history for Africa.
Morocco's 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign ended in the quarter-finals with a 2-0 defeat to France on Thursday, but the Atlas Lions departed the tournament having once again rewritten African football history.Mohamed Ouahbi's side topped a difficult group, reached the knockout rounds for a second consecutive World Cup and set new continental records, reinforcing their status as Africa's most successful nation on football's biggest stage.Their elimination may have ended hopes of another semi-final appearance, but it did little to overshadow a campaign that further cemented Morocco's place among the world's elite.Morocco write history. Then rewrite it. ð²ð¦ðA #FIFAWorldCup run to be proud of, Lions. pic.twitter.com/0ltBwnIBdNâ CAF (@CAF_Online) July 9, 2026Dominant from the group stageMorocco announced themselves as genuine contenders by finishing top of Group C.The Atlas Lions opened their campaign with a hard-fought draw against Brazil before recording victories over Scotland and Haiti to progress as group winners.Their impressive form continued in the Round of 32, where they held the Netherlands to a 1-1 draw before prevailing in a penalty shootout to reach the last 16.Morocco then produced one of the standout performances of the tournament, defeating co-hosts Canada 3-0...
Enock Otoo finds the net as FCI Levadia triumphs over Caernarfon in the Conference League qualifying match.
Enock Otoo made the biggest late impact as FCI Levadia crushed Caernarfon 5-0 in the first leg of their Conference League qualifier at The Oval on Thursday. The Ghanaian attacker came off the bench and scored Levadia’s fifth goal in the 79th minute, putting the tie firmly beyond the Welsh side.Levadia controlled the contest from the opening stages. Rasmus Peetson opened the scoring in the 15th minute, before João Pedro doubled the advantage just before half-time. Mark Oliver Roosnupp then made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time, and Mihkel Ainsalu added a fourth soon after the restart.Caernarfon struggled to respond and managed only three shots overall, compared with Levadia’s 14, while the Estonian visitors also registered nine attempts on target. The home side’s best spell never seriously threatened a comeback, and a missed penalty only added to their frustration.Otoo’s goal capped an already dominant performance and gave Levadia a commanding lead heading into the return leg. The second leg will take place on July 16 at the A. Le Coq Arena in Tallinn, where Levadia will look to finish the job and confirm their place in the next round.
World Cup 2026: Mbappe is the first player from France to achieve 100 goal contributions.
Kylian Mbappe has etched his name further into football folklore, becoming the first player ever to be involved in 100 goals for the France national team.The Real Madrid superstar reached the historic milestone during France's World Cup quarter-final clash against Morocco on Thursday, breaking the deadlock with a clinical finish in the first half. That goal, his 64th for Les Bleus, pushed him past the symbolic 100 mark when combined with his 36 assists for the national team.According to Opta statistics, Mbappé's record now stands at an astonishing 64 goals and 36 assists in 103 appearances for France. He is the only French player – and one of the few in world football – to reach triple figures for direct goal contributions at the international level.The 27-year-old has been in breathtaking form at the 2026 World Cup, scoring eight goals and providing three assists in the tournament so far. He is now the second player in history to score 20 World Cup goals, achieving the feat in 10 fewer matches than Lionel Messi.Mbappe's performance against Morocco also saw him become the first French player to make a decisive contribution in seven consecutive World Cup matches. He...
World Cup 2026: Morocco's Ayyoub Bouaddi etches his name in history as the first African teenager to participate in 5 matches.
Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has etched his name into the history books, becoming the first African player to make five FIFA World Cup appearances as a teenager.The 18-year-old Lille star reached the milestone during Morocco's World Cup quarter-final clash against France on Thursday, July 9, 2026. At 18 years and 280 days old, Bouaddi has been a revelation for the Atlas Lions in North America, starting four of Morocco's five matches at the tournament.Born on October 2, 2007, in Senlis, France, Bouaddi only committed his international future to Morocco a few months before the World Cup. He has quickly become a key figure in Mohamed Ouahbi's midfield, delivering eye-catching performances that have caught the attention of Europe's elite clubs.Bouaddi's World Cup debut against Brazil on June 13 was nothing short of spectacular. The teenager produced a coming-of-age performance, completing 60 of his 66 passes for a 91 per cent accuracy rate, including 100 per cent in the final third.He also won nine duels, made five interceptions, and recorded six recoveries. Former England captain Alan Shearer, working for BBC Sport, praised Bouaddi's composure and ability to dictate play in the middle of the park.Bouaddi's record-breaking achievement...
World Cup 2026: Morocco's Yassine Bounou claims the penalty area as his own domain
Yassine Bounou has turned the penalty spot into a psychological battleground where strikers come to lose their nerve.The Morocco goalkeeper's latest victim? Kylian Mbappe.In the World Cup quarter-final against France, Bounou stood tall, guessed right, and palmed away the French captain's spot-kick â a save that sent a shiver through the French bench and further cemented Bounou's status as one of the most feared penalty-stoppers in football history.The numbers are nothing short of intimidating. Since his World Cup debut in 2022, Bounou has faced nine penalties. Only two have gone in. He has saved four, and three others have missed the target entirely.That means more than three-quarters of the penalties he has faced â 77% â have not resulted in a goal. A penalty is statistically one of the most reliable ways to score in football. Against Bounou, it's a gamble with terrible odds.With his save against Mbappe, Bounou reached a historic milestone. He has now saved four penalties at World Cups, drawing level with the legendary Harald Schumacher, Sergio Goycochea, Danijel Subasic, and Dominik Livakovic for the most penalty saves in tournament history. No goalkeeper has ever saved more.Bounou's World Cup story is...
World Cup 2026: France Dominates Morocco to Secure Semifinal Berth
Second half strikes from Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele earned France a 2-0 win against Morocco in the first quarter of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Thursday. Mbappe has now tied Argentina captain Lionel Messi on eight goals in the tournament. The French team also accounted for Morocco’s ouster at the 2022 World Cup [...]
Alidu Seidu speaks out following the disappointment of the 2026 World Cup.
Ghana defender Alidu Seidu has vowed to come back stronger following the Black Stars' exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting hard work remains his only response to disappointment.The Rennes defender shared an emotional message on X, thanking fans for their unwavering support while expressing confidence that better days lie ahead.Seidu was part of Ghana's squad at the World Cup, where the Black Stars reached the Round of 32 before suffering a narrow defeat to Colombia."A lot of disappointments, but this is far from the end," Seidu wrote."The only thing that can change my opinion is hard work, and that is exactly what I'll keep doing every single day. I truly believe there are great things ahead; I'll keep trusting God's plan."The 26-year-old also expressed gratitude to those who have continued to support him throughout his journey."To everyone who stood by me and continues to support me, thank you!"His message comes as several members of the squad have reflected on the campaign and shifted their focus to the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
World Cup 2026: Ghana's Alidu Seidu promises to recover after letdown
Ghana defender Alidu Seidu has taken to social media to break his silence following the Black Stars' exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, insisting the setback is "far from the end" and vowing to work even harder to come back stronger.The Rennes right-back posted a heartfelt message on X on Friday expressing his disappointment while also looking ahead with optimism."A lot of disappointments but this is far from the end," Seidu wrote."The only thing that can change my opinion is hard work and that is exactly what I'll keep doing every single day. I truly believe there are great things ahead, I'll keep trusting God's Plan."To everyone who stood by me and continue to support me thank you! ð¬ðâ¤ï¸ @GhanaBlackstars"Seidu was part of Ghana's squad at the 2026 World Cup. The Black Stars' campaign ended with a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32, with Jhon Arias's 14th-minute goal proving the difference.Ghana finished the tournament with one win, one draw and two defeats, scoring just two goals in four matches.Seidu joined Rennes from Clermont Foot in January 2024 for a reported fee of â¬11 million. He made his Ghana debut...
World Cup 2026: Mbappe and Dembele find the net as France eliminates Morocco to advance to the semi-finals.
France have reached the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 2-0 victory over Morocco, ending the Atlas Lionsâ impressive campaign at the tournament.Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele scored in the second half to secure a place in the last four, while Morocco were left to reflect on another memorable World Cup journey that saw them compete among the worldâs elite and make Africa proud.The African side produced a determined performance at Gillette Stadium but were unable to contain Franceâs attacking quality, as Mbappe once again delivered on the biggest stage.Bono Keeps Morocco Alive as France Dominate Early StagesFrance started the match on the front foot and immediately tested Moroccoâs defence.Just four minutes into the game, Dayot Upamecano connected with a dangerous cross and directed a low header towards the bottom-left corner, but Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bono reacted brilliantly to make an outstanding save.France continued to push forward, with Morocco forced to defend deep as Les Bleus searched for the opening goal.The pressure appeared to pay off in the 25th minute when Noussair Mazraoui was penalised for a foul inside the box, leading referee Facundo Tello to award France a penalty...
FC Porto secures the signing of Ghanaian prospect Gideon Otabil.
FC Porto have completed the signing of 18-year-old Ghanaian winger Gideon Otabil, continuing the club's commitment to recruiting and developing promising young talent.Otabil arrives at the Portuguese giants as one of Ghana's exciting young prospects and will continue his development within the club's structure.Before sealing his move to Porto, the winger underwent a trial with German club Hamburger SV, gaining valuable experience in a European football environment.His arrival reflects FC Porto's continued focus on identifying emerging talent from markets such as Ghana, which has produced several top players in recent years.Given his age and potential, the club views Otabil as a long-term investment and is expected to oversee his development carefully before integrating him into higher levels of competition.With the signing, FC Porto adds another talented young attacker to its ranks as the club continues to build for the future through youth development and international scouting.
Andre Ayew presents the Black Maidens with financial support before their match against Senegal.
Former Black Stars captain Andre Ayew has made a cash donation to boost the morale of the Black Maidens ahead of their crucial FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup qualifying fixture against Senegal.Ayew paid a surprise visit to the camp of Ghana's U-17 women's national team to motivate the team ahead of the game. The amount was deliberately kept private at Ayew's request, with the gesture intended purely to motivate the players rather than attract public attention.He spent time interacting with the players and technical team, sharing words of encouragement and urging them to remain focused, disciplined, and confident as they prepare for one of the biggest matches of their campaign.Ayew has consistently demonstrated his commitment to the development of Ghana football, particularly by supporting womenâs football.The Black Maidens will be hoping to translate the encouragement from one of Ghana's most celebrated footballers into a strong performance when they face Senegal, with a place in the next stage of the qualification campaign at stake.The first leg of the tie ended 1-1 in Dakar.
World Cup 2026: A Unique Encounter – Haaland Discusses Norway vs. England
Norway striker Erling Haaland has claimed that all the pressure is on England ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final tie in Miami. The Norwegian striker dubbed Thomas Tuchel’s squad one of the clear favourites to win the tournament. Read Also:World Cup 2026: Why Kane Will Outshine Haaland –Rogers Ahead of the highly-anticipated clash [...]
U-17 WWCQ: Flamingos Charge into Lomé for Benin Re-encounter
Nigeria’s Flamingos have arrived in Lomé, Togo, ahead of Saturday’s decisive 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round second-leg clash against Benin Republic’s Young Amazons. The players and officials landed safely at the Gnassingbé Eyadéma International Airport on Friday, and later checked into the prestigious Hôtel Le Pélican, where they will be based [...]
Former Manchester City Player Supports England in Their Quest for the 2026 World Cup Victory
Former Manchester City star Gareth Barry has backed England to win the FIFA World Cup 2026. He made this known on the backdrop of the Three Lions’ thrilling 3-2 victory against Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in the round of 16 of the tournament. Read Also:World Cup 2026: Why Kane Will Outshine Haaland –Rogers In [...]
World Cup 2026: Morocco Faces Significant Injury Setback Before Quarterfinal Matchup Against France
Morocco will be without key player Ismael Saibari as they try to avenge their defeat by France in the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup. Saibari scored in each of his side’s group games, with goals in a 1-1 draw with Brazil, 1-0 win against Scotland and 4-2 victory against Haiti. The 25-year-old, who has [...]