Nigeria in pole position to host U-20 Women’s World Cup
November 11 – The Nigerian FA says it is favourite to land Africa’s first ever Under-20 Women’s World Cup next year following a visit by a FIFA inspection team back in August.
Africa
FIFA bans Tanzania’s Malinzi for 10 years for misappropriating funds
November 11 – Yet another African footballing figure has found himself out guilty of corruption and kicked out, with former Tanzanian FA chief Jamal Emil Malinzi banned for 10 years by FIFA.
VAR debuts in African club competition at Moroccan Cup
November 11 – VAR debuted for the first time in an African domestic competitions on Saturday with the introduction of the technology in the Moroccan Cup.
TV blackout: Lagardere dispute prompts SuperSport to cut CAF chord with immediate effect
By Osasu Obayiuwana
November 8 – The consequences of CAF’s decision to terminate its contract with Lagardere Sports will have an immediate impact on the ability of African football fans to watch games on television.
Exclusive – CAF’s cash mountain dangerously crumbling under Ahmad spending
By Osasu Obayiuwana
November 8 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) lost 26% of its cash reserves between March 2017 and May 2019, according to Mohamed El-Sherei (pictured), the body’s sacked Director of Finance.
CAF argue they had ‘no choice’ in ending Lagardère deal, but jurisdiction questions remain
By Paul Nicholson
November 8 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have responded to Lagardère Sports’ complaint over the termination of its rights contract arguing that the regional body had no choice following an Egyptian Competition Authority (ECA) decision in 2017 that the contract was null and void.
Pinnick cleared after Nigerian investigators accused of corruption and motives questioned
November 6 – An official anti-corruption government investigation into Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick – once the second most powerful figure in African football – and four other officials has been dropped in a hugely embarrassing climb-down by the authorities.
CAF moves to cancel $1bn Lagardere deal but is met with fierce resistance
By Osasu Obayiuwana
November 5 – The Confederation of African Football’s 12-year contract with Lagardere Sport (LS), which is supposed to last until 2028, is on the verge of ending. CAF has formally written to LS to terminate its contract.
Togo’s Le Roy slams FIFA’s Club World Cup saying it will ‘kill’ AFCON
October 30 – FIFA’s decision to expand the Club World Cup and play it in June 2021 has been attacked by Togo’s veteran French coach Claude le Roy who says it will “kill” the Africa Cup of Nations.
Okraku promises to rebuild trust as he takes over from disgraced Nyantakyi at Ghana FA
October 28 – Ghana has elected a new FA president more than a year after a corruption scandal forced a major shake-up of the game in the West African nation.
Bility pays CAS costs for CAF and FIFA to force hearing on legality of African takeover
By Osasu Obayiuwana
October 26 – Musa Hassan Bility, the former Liberia FA boss, who has taken FIFA and CAF to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), has been compelled to pay CHF 42,000 in additional arbitral costs, to ensure his case is heard.
FIFA warns Kenyans that political meddling in FA elections may force a ban
October 25 – Kenya is facing potentially serious sanctions from FIFA if there is any outside interference over the composition of the Kenyan FA’s (FKF) board mandated to oversee upcoming elections.
Senegalese on the defensive over age-cheating suspicions
October 18 – Senegal has denied reports of age-cheating after announcing their 21-man squad for the Under-17 World Cup in Brazil later this month.
Tensions flare in Senegal over appearance money for Brazil match
By David Owen
October 17 – Tensions are reported between Senegalese players and the national federation over appearance money and travel conditions for the recent friendly against Brazil. According to France Football, citing in turn Senegalese media, the players turned down an appearance payment of €1,000, compared with the usual €1,150.
AFCON 2021 group qualifiers set after wins for Gambia, Chad, South Sudan and Sao Tome
October 14 – Gambia, Chad, South Sudan and Sao Tome (pictured) have advanced in qualifying for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.