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This week we look ahead to a big weekend in the CAF Champions League, with the second legs of the second preliminary round ties on this weekend, and with the winners qualifying for the group stage.   Also, as the Court of Arbitration for Sport issued a statement this week concerning the outcome of the 2025 AFCON final, we are getting a little closer to discovering whether Senegal’s appeal will be upheld, or if Morocco will be the champions, having been awarded the title by CAF.   We look the issue of the sexual abuse of youngsters playing football, as a coach in DR Congo who was banned from football for 20 years by Fifa, has now had his ban extended by five more years.   Also we talk about the colourful career of former Burundi and EPL striker Saido Berahino, who has retired from football at the age of 33 – he played for West Brom and Stoke, but had a career full of ups and downs.   Plus Stuart on a thrilling Matchday 3 in the Uefa Champions League and a look at the EPL, as Arsenal are yet to score from a set-piece this season.

This week we talk about the possibility that the Africa Cup of Nations could continue to be held every two years, with discussions under way to reverse its proposed switch to a four-year cycle. Also, more money for national associations, as CAF has announced a 33% increase in the annual grants to the 54 CAF Member Associations, up to $700 000 per year. We take a look at the ongoing CAF Futsal Afcon, with Morocco hosting for a third time in a row. And Stuart takes a look at the UEFA Champions League and the EPL.

This week we talk about the CAF Strategy Conference in Cape Verde, as Caf President Patrice Motsepe tells Fifa President Gianni Infantino that he will get all of Africa’s 54 votes in the Fifa elections. Also we analyse developments in Nigeria’s case challenging DR Congo's use of ineligible players in World Cup qualifying, as it appears that DR Congo were in the wrong. And Stuart explores the possible punishments that Man City might face if their appeal fails after being found guilty of all charges related to breaches of Premier League financial rules.

This week we catch up on the 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with Ghana losing their first two games, Nigeria in a shock 3-0 defeat to Guinea-Bissau, and Eritrea back in the qualifiers after a long absence, and Somalia in the main phase of qualifying for the first time.   Also we assess Tunisia’s poor start, and Patrick Vieira’s start as Senegal coach, with four points from two games. Also we talk about the situation at Manchester City with the club having been found guilty of all charges related to breaches of Premier League financial rules. Plus City winger Jeremy Doku’s reflections on the World Cup and how the tournament saw many players displaying their faith.

This week we assess the position of Fifa president Gianni Infantino, as he has proposed an external review of how world football's governing body operates. And we look at how, throughout recent events, CAF has remained quiet, and seemingly still a close ally of Infantino. Also we hear from former Zimbabwe international George Mbwando, who’s back in the country after 30 years in Europe, mostly in Germany. Mbwando has been appointed Zimbabwe national U17 co-coach, and tells us how he was on a coaching course with now England coach Thomas Tuchel, but that he was not given opportunities in Germany. Also we talk about Mikel Arteta’s contract extension with Arsenal, and Jose Mourinho’s modest start at Real Madrid. Gianni Infantino image By Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=196249064

This week we catch up on the CAF Champions League, with the first qualifying round completed, and with Stade Malien of Mali surprisingly knocked out. With Senegal national team goalkeeper Edouard Mendy retiring from international football, we ask if he ranks up there as one of Africa’s best-ever keepers. We go back to the World Cup in the USA, and hear from Ghana’s assistant coach at the tournament, Roger de Sa, on the challenges in the preparations. Plus more from Stuart on the business of football, and how players transfers can be focused on being a long-term investment, ever if the player doesn’t play much.

This week we take a look at the nominees for the Ballon d’Or, with plenty of African interest in various categories. Achraf Hakimi and Sadio Mane were nominated for the men’s award, there are two African players in the running for the women’s award, and three for the goalkeeper and young player awards. Also we talk about Ivory Coast legend Yaya Touré’s first job as a head coach or manager, at Slovan Bratislava of Slovakia, who played PSG in the Uefa Champions League this week, as Toure became the first African coach in the group stage of the Champions League. And Stuart has some fascinating analysis on how the business of football was the main factor in a high-spending transfer window.

This week we take a look at the just-ended transfer window, with Senegal internationals Iliman Ndiaye moving to Man City and Ibrahim Mbaye joining Aston Villa. With this season’s Caf Champions League starting this weekend we look at some of the tricky match-ups in the first preliminary round. Stuart gives his thoughts on Matchday 2 in the EPL, and we ask whether football is a religion to some people.

This week we have a lot on the transfer moves in the EPL, with Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi joining Manchester City and becoming the Premier League's most expensive teenager ever. Also Carlos Baleba moving from Brighton to Man Utd, and an impressive start for Mali midfielder Mamadou Sangare at Brentford.  Plus two Africans scoring in Hull’s surprise win over Man United, including Semi Ajayi back in the EPL. And Stuart assesses the teams’ performances on Matchday 1.

This week we review the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, with Cameroon the champions, despite having not qualified initially. We get a mother’s perspective as we talk to the mother of one of Morocco’s WAFCON stars, midfielder Yasmin Mrabet, on what it’s like being the mum of a national team player. We analyse the appointment of former Arsenal and France captain Patrick Vieira as Senegal national team coach, and Herve Renard’s return to coach Cote d’Ivoire. And lots of the EPL, as the season kicks off this weekend.

This week we are in Morocco again at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, with a surprise line-up for Sunday’s final, with Cameroon playing Malawi, while Morocco face Algeria in the third-place match on Saturday. Also we analyse the disappointing campaigns for Nigeria and South Africa, with both teams exiting at the quarter-final stage. We have the final part of our interview with Isha Johansen, the Sierra Leonean who has been one of Africa’s most prominent female football administrators. Johansen talks about struggles as she confronted many issues in football, including corruption, gambling, match fixing, and player trafficking. And she gives advice to women who would also want to become football administrators. Plus Stuart on the EPL.

This week we are in Morocco at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, with the group stage complete and with the quarter-finals on this weekend, with Malawi and Nigeria progressing from a tight race in Group C, where Zambia missed out despite having six points.   Also Egypt legend Mohamed Salah is heading to Turkey to join Trabzonspor – we look at why he chose them. And Fifa president Gianni Infantino will stay in the job after receiving the backing of senior executives in a meeting in Morocco – we analyse the events of the past few days. Also Stuart with a look at some of the big EPL transfers, and we have the second part of our interview with Isha Johansen, one of Africa’s most prominent female football administrators, a former president of the Sierra Leone Football Association and former FIFA Council Member.

This week we are in Morocco at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations – surprise opening defeats for Nigeria and South Africa, and small crowds at many of the games. We find out how the atmosphere is there. Also, with Cote d’Ivoire winger Yan Diomande set to become the most expensive African player ever after agreeing personal terms with Real Madrid, we assess the big move for the 19-year-old. We speak to Isha Johansen, one of Africa’s most prominent female football administrators, a former president of the Sierra Leone Football Association and former FIFA Council Member.

This week we look ahead to the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, kicking off on Sunday in Morocco. We hear from some of the stars of the tournament, including Zambia forward Barbra Banda. Also we hear from CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who says that the 2027 men’s AFCON will be successful, that the bidding process is open for the next three editions of the tournament. And Stuart reflects on the Fifa World Cup, with some of the highs and the lows.

This week we analyse Africa’s 2026 Fifa World Cup – there were 10 African teams at the tournament, nine got to the Round of 32, but only Morocco reached the quarter-finals. Was it a reasonable outcome, should Africa have done better? What are the issues to correct going forward? Also we highlight some of the best African players at the tournament and we compare how poorly Asia fared in comparison to Africa.