Former Liverpool defender Song takes over Cameroon for crucial Qatar 2022 play-offs
March 2 – Rigobert Song will succeed Toni Conceição as head coach of the Indomitable Lions, the Cameroonian sports ministry has announced.
Africa
FIFA cracks down on political influence and suspends Zimbabwe and Kenya
February 25 – FIFA have suspended Zimbabwe and Kenya from all international competition as a result of government interference in the running of their affairs.
Kenya women appeal to Infantino to keep Uganda match on and World Cup hopes alive
By Andrew Warshaw
February 10 – Kenya’s women footballers have urged FIFA president Gianni Infantino to personally intervene to allow a crucial World Cup qualifier to go ahead and save their dream of reaching next year’s finals.
More African Super League talk as Motsepe says it will be FIFA run and privately funded
By Samindra Kunti
February 7 – On the sidelines of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) convened a meeting with FA presidents, club chairmen and FIFA president Gianni Infantino to discuss plans for the creation of an African Super League, but the governing body again was able to give little detail on the project.
Mane and Senegal have last word over Salah and Egypt to win AFCON
By Samindra Kunti
February 7 – Senegal won their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations despite Sadio Mane missing a penalty in the first minutes of the final. He later atoned for the miss delivering the winning spot-kick in a 4-2 shootout victory to wrap up a tournament that was overshadowed by the loss of eights lives at the last-16 tie involving hosts Cameroon.
CAF clears Hayatou ruling FIFA ban was based on ‘insufficient evidence’
February 7 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has overturned FIFA’s one-year ban of former Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Issa Hayatou.
Egypt beat AFCON hosts Cameroon to set up Senegal final
February 4 – Egypt eliminated hosts Cameroon from the Africa Cup of Nations with Egyptian goalkeeper Gabaski saving two penalties in the spot-kick shootout to set up a final against Senegal.
Mane chips in as Senegal make AFCON final; Queroz and Eto’o in war of words
By Samindra Kunti
February 3 – Senegal didn’t do it the easy way, but a hard-fought 3-1 victory against Burkina Faso will see the Lions of Teranga in their third Africa Cup of Nations final on Sunday against either hosts Cameroon or Egypt.
CAF moves AFCON semi and final back to Olembe Stadium after safety guarantees
February 1 – After the deadly crush at the Cameroon vs Comoros in the last-16 of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Olembe Stadium has been reinstated to host the semi-final between the Cameroon hosts and Egypt, as well as the final.
Somali FA votes to end Abdiqani presidency, installing Ali Abdi Mohamed as interim
February 1 – The members of the Somali Football Federation (SFF) have voted to dismiss former president Abdiqani Said Arab at an extra ordinary congress.
Salah and Mane fire up Egypt and Senegal challenges for AFCON title
January 31 – In the Africa Cup of Nations, Mohamed Salah led Egypt with a 2-1 extra-time victory past Morocco to set up a blockbuster semi-final against hosts Cameroon, who eliminated Gambia. On the other side of the draw, Senegal and Burkina Faso will compete for a place in the final.
CAF to the rescue: Africans say Infantino’s migrant saving comment was ‘misinterpreted’
January 31 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and several African FA presidents have came out in support of FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s controversial speech at the Council of Europe last week when he suggested the staging of biennial World Cups would provide a solution to the African migrant crisis.
CAF gets shirty with Comoros and issues fines
January 28 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined Comoros $5,000 for “not respecting shirt numbers” and $2,000 for delaying kick-off in their last-16 match against Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Salah’s penalty puts Egypt into last eight; Equatorial Guinea win shoot-out
January 27 – Equatorial Guinea upset Mali 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw to complete the last-eight field at the Africa Cup of Nations along with Egypt, who also needed a shoot-out to defeat Ivory Coast.
AFCON headaches: Mane plays on to set Senegal on quarter final path but is later hospitalised
January 26 – Liverpool’s Sadio Mane suffered a head injury during Senegal’s last-16 match with Cape Verde in the Africa Cup of Nations but still scored in a 2-0 victory before he was taken off.