Leverkusen complain of mid-season loss of five players to AFCON finals in January
November 29 – Bayer Leverkusen president Fernando Carro says he wants a debate about holding the African Cup of Nations in the middle of the European season.
Africa
Mamelodi Sundowns women make it a club double with African Champions League win
November 20 – Mamelodi Sundowns claimed a second African Women’s Champions League with a convincing 3-0 win against Sporting Casablanca of Morocco.
Infantino champions cut-down FIFA/CAF African Football League as future of club game
November 15 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino has hailed the inaugural African Football League as a huge success even though it was watered down from its original 24 teams to just eight.
Cameras keep rolling as CAF and BeIN Sports settle $415m differences
November 10 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and global sports broadcasting network BeIN Sports are reported to have ended a long-running dispute that came to a head with CAF’s unilateral termination of their $415 million contract in September.
Put takes over at Uganda while Frank in at Rwanda as 2026 qualifiers loom
November 2 – Belgian Paul Put has been appointed as the new coach of Uganda, replacing Serbian Micho Sredojevic who was sacked in September. Germany’s Torsten Frank will take charge of neighbouring Rwanda.
Tunisia’s Al Jari arrested on suspicion of fraud
October 27 – Wadi Al Jari, the president of the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF), has been arrested on suspicion of financial corruption.
Big talk, little end product. Motsepe insists money-less AFL will be a game changer
October 20 – CAF president Patrice Motsepe has vowed that the African Football League (AFL) that kicks off on Friday in Tanzania will be a game changer for African football, but failed to explain where the prize money comes from.
Zimbabwe women’s coach charged with sexual assault
October 18 – The coach of Zimbabwe’s women’s team is due to appear in court today after being charged with sexual assault.
CAF inspects host cities for 2023 Africa Cup of Nations ahead of January kick off
October 17 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is undertaking a week-long inspection visit to host cities for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as part of final preparations for the Ivory Coast tournament.
Morocco hire Spain’s World Cup winning Jorge Vilda for women’s team
October 13 – Jorge Vilda, who led Spain to the Women’s World Cup title before being fired weeks later, has quickly found work again after being appointed coach of Morocco’s women’s national team.
AFCON 2023 draw matches Senegal and Cameroon, Ivorian hosts face Nigeria
October 13 – Reigning continental champions Senegal have been drawn with powerhouse Cameroon at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals with hosts Ivory Coast facing Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea Bissau in Group A.
CAF agree VISA deal for flagship national team competitions
October 13 – The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) have signed VISA as the confederations official and exclusive payment partner for CAF Competitions.
African Football League start-up at last lands a sponsor in Visit Saudi
October 12 – Visit Saudi has signed up as the main sponsor for the inaugural CAF/FIFA African Football League (AFL) initiative that has struggled to find support within Africa and commercially.
Puma keeps the ball rolling with CAF and 2023 AFCON
October 10 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and Puma have signed an agreement that will see Puma serve as the technical partner of the Africa Cup of Nations, the governing body has announced.
IMG picks up two-year deal to sell CAF’s sponsorship portfolio
October 6 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have partnered with IMG, appointing the sports marketing specialist the global sponsorship agency for the confederation until 2025.