Beer brand Castel returns to sponsorship of Malawian football
April 18 – Beer brand Castel has returned to sponsor Malawian football with an €887,000 (1 billion Kawcha) commitment to the local challenge cup.
Africa
Al Ahly fan ban after Zamalek hatred bubbles over in Pharco with Shikabala insults
April 17 – Three thousand Al Ahly fans have been suspended for two games for shouting “insults” aimed at Zamalek’s Egypt international Shikabala during the club’s last game against Pharco.
Libya detains two Marumo Gallants officials over unpaid hotel bill
April 4 – Two South African club officials held in Libya for more than two weeks over unpaid bills will not be allowed to travel home until the debt is settled.
Kenyan court clears former FA president Mwenda of embezzlement
April 3 – Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwenda has been cleared by a domestic court of graft charges.
CAF dampens Euro enthusiasm for Ivory Coast AFCON setting Jan-Feb 2024 dates for finals
March 31 – The next Africa Cup of Nations finals in Ivory Coast will run from January 13 to February 11 next year, potentially throwing up yet another club versus country clash for top African players in Europe’s elite leagues.
South Africa return to AFCON finals; Senegal, Burkina Faso and Tunisia book Ivory Coast slots
March 29 – South Africa will return to the Africa Cup of Nations after booking their ticket with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Liberia. Senegal, Burkina Faso and Tunisia also ensured their presence at the finals in Ivory Coast with wins on Tuesday.
Algeria book slot for AFCON finals as qualifiers reach crucial final phase
March 28 – Algeria have qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-0 win against Niger through a sixth-minute strike by Baghdad Bounedjah. On 12 points, they enjoy an unassailable lead in Group F with two matches to go.
FIFA suspends Congo coaches and opens into abuse probe
March 23 – FIFA and its Ethics Committee have suspended a number of coaches in DR Congo accused of having abused minor players, the world federation announced on Wednesday.
Motsepe hints that he is done leading in CAF and won’t seek a second term
March 20 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has given another clear hint that he will not stand for re-election for a second term.
Ghana lays Christian Atsu to rest with service at State House
March 20 – Ghana’s president was among hundreds of mourners who paid their last respects at the funeral on Friday of former international Christian Atsu, who died last month in the devastating earthquake that rocked Turkey.
Controversial Zamalek boss Mansour jailed for defamation of rival Al Ahly president
March 1 – The president of leading Egyptian side Zamalek, Mortada Mansour (pictured), has been jailed for a month for “verbally insulting” his counterpart at bitter Cairo rivals Al Ahly.
Somali FA votes in Abdi Mohamed for four-year presidential term
February 23 – Ali Abdi Mohamed is the new president of the Somali FA. He was elected unopposed at the third time of asking and will serve a four-year term.
Clattenburg exits head of Egyptian refs post over fears for safety and Zamalek backlash
January 26 – Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has been forced to resign from his position as president of the Egyptian Referees Committee after only five months in charge.
Covid confusion. Comoros admit to cheating at AFCON, CAF say it was not possible
January 20 – Comoros FA (FFC) boss Said Ali Athouman has said his team cheated at the Africa Cup of Nations over positive Covid tests, but the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has said that it would have been “impossible” for teams to cheat the ruling bodies’ Covid rules.
Mandela’s grandson ignites Moroccan fury with call to ‘free’ Western Sahara at CHAN opening in Algeria
January 16 – Nelson Mandela’s grandson Mandla Mandela has sparked Moroccan outrage and an investigation by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) over his comments “to free” the disputed Western Sahara at the opening ceremony of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Algeria.