insert_link Uncategorized Africa’s stadium boom can be used to build prosperity beyond sports By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Africa continues to strategically fortify its sports infrastructure, especially stadiums, not only to nurture its abundant talent but also to harness the lucrative economic potential of the sector. Morocco is currently on track with the development of a massive 115,000-seater stadium as it prepares to host the 2030 World Cup, jointly with Spain and Portugal. Last month, the country’s National Agency for […] todayApril 8, 2024 22
insert_link Africa African football won the 34th Afcon, with Côte d’Ivoire a close second By Chuka Onwumechili, Howard University The 34th Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) came to an end in Côte d'Ivoire with millions of viewers around the world shouting at TV screens, and an astonishing performance by Côte d'Ivoire both on the field as champions and off it as hosts. The west African country beat Nigeria 2-1 in the final but the good news was bigger than the match. […] todayFebruary 14, 2024 6
insert_link Africa Former Banyana Banyana captain scores major first at AFCON 2023 By Joel Omotto, bird story agency At the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), there has been a distinct female voice in the commentary box. For those who don't know, it's the voice of Amanda Dlamini, the former South African football national team captain and the first woman to commentate a game at the men’s AFCON. In yet another major score for women at this tournament, Dlamini’s […] todayFebruary 8, 2024 9
insert_link Africa Ties that bind: Closely-related players who made AFCON 2023 a family affair By Joel Omotto, via bird story agency In the history of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a number of closely-related players have graced the tournament with six siblings winning the trophy. Ethiopians Italo and Luciano Vassallo won it together in 1962, Congolese brothers Albert Bwanga and Robert Kazadi were part of the 1974 winning team, Cameroonians Andre and Francois Biyik claimed the crown in 1988 while […] todayFebruary 1, 2024 15
insert_link Africa The Brave Warriors look to rebound against Mali after 4-0 loss to Bafana Bafana Following a 4-0 defeat by South Africa’s Bafana Bafana last night, Namibia’s Brave Warriors will face Mali on Wednesday at the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. One Africa Television sports journalist, Terence Mukasa, reports. todayJanuary 22, 2024 42
insert_link Sport Meet the trailblazing women who are officiating at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations By Joel Omotto via bird story agency With the introduction of the first African woman referee at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2021 and three more women referees at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the expansion of women into football decision-making continues in the Ivory Coast where a total of six women are officiating at the 2023 AFCON tournament. The six are among 68 match officials appointed for […] todayJanuary 18, 2024 16
insert_link Africa Ghana won Afcon four times, but the last time was 40 years ago. What went wrong with its football team? By Ernest Yeboah Acheampong, University of Education, Winneba The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is the most important football tournament in Africa. It has been contested by the male national teams of countries on the continent since 1957. Egypt is the most successful country in the tournament’s history, with seven wins, the most recent in 2010. Previously, Ghana was the dominant force with four wins. In spite of producing […] todayJanuary 18, 2024 10
insert_link Namibia Brave Warriors make AFCON history The Brave Warriors made Africa Cup of Nations history by defeating Tunisia 1 - 0 in the team's first match at the tournament in Ivory Coast. The Warriors' first victory was in an Africa Cup of Nations match. Here is the Minister of Sports, Youth, and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero. todayJanuary 17, 2024 36
insert_link Opinion Pieces Morocco’s fabulous football year – what’s behind their success on and off the field By Mahfoud Amara, Qatar University In 2022 Morocco became the first African and Arab national football team to reach a Fifa World Cup men’s semi-final; and Wydad AC won the Africa Champions League. The good news continued in 2023 with the women’s team making history by reaching the final 16 at the World Cup and the news that Morocco will host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournament […] todayDecember 20, 2023 44