CAF lifts home match ban on Libya
March 1 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has lifted its ban on international matches being played in Libya following a visit to the country to inspect facilities and security.
Africa
Anouma gets his Infantino powwow, as FIFA boss lays foundations in Mali
February 26 – African football’s presidential candidate Jacques Anouma has been granted his wish to meet with Gianni Infantino as the race hots up ahead of the vote on March 12.
Jordaan says Africa must look to joint bids if it is to host another World Cup
February 26 – South African Football Association (SAFA) president Danny Jordaan has urged Africa to explore co-hosting to stand any chance of hosting a future World Cup and to look seriously at the opportunity of hosting a Women’s World Cup.
CAF presidential hopeful Yahya caught in club cash scandal, reports
February 26 – One of the two candidates reportedly backed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino for the top job in African football is at the centre of a transfer scandal that threatens to undermine his credibility to contest the election on March 12.
Bullish Motsepe launches manifesto to put Africa at the top of the world
By Samindra Kunti
February 25 – CAF presidential candidate Patrice Motsepe and his team have expressed confidence that they will obtain 35+ votes on the way to claiming the throne in African football.
Anouma challenges Infantino’s conspicuous absence with invite to Ivory Coast
By Andrew Warshaw
February 24 – The role of Gianni Infantino in whoever gets over the line to land the top job in African football appears to be gaining more significance by the week.
Infantino pledges support to rebuild Sudan’s football culture
February 23 – Gianni Infantino’s African roadshow landed in Sudan on Monday, where the FIFA boss pledged more support for the north African country.
Ivory Coast backs Anouma’s bid for CAF presidency with reported €15m
February 22 – Ivorian authorities are stepping up their financial support for Jacques Anouma (pictured) in his bid to become the next Confederation of African Football (CAF) chief by pledging a staggering €15.3 million for his campaign to take over from Ahmad Ahmad, according to local reports.
Infantino keeps up the pace and politics as he criss-crosses Africa
By Samindra Kunti
February 22 – On his pan-African tour, FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, addressing the general assembly of the Council of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA), in South Africa, called on African teams to step up and leave a mark on the 2026 World Cup, the first global finals to be staged in a 48-team format.
South Sudan kicks off new women’s league
February 22 – Women’s football in South Sudan took a major step forward this weekend with the inauguration of a new domestic league.
Out in Africa: Infantino manoeuvres through CAF, Rwanda and SA pre-CAF elections
February 19 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino’s latest stop on his tour of Africa during the global health crisis – Africa’s football governance is similarly facing a major health crisis – has been the Central African Republic.
Infantino opens African tour in Mauritania with CAF presidential hopeful Yahya
February 17 – With politicking in the election of a new president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in full flow, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has begun a tour of African nations with Mauritania his first stop.
Former CAF exco member Ngaïssona pleads not guilty as war crime trial starts
February 16 – The former head of the Central African Republic football federation, Patrice-Edouard Ngaïssona (pictured), has pleaded not guilty to war crimes and crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Yahya puts pro contracts and women’s development at top of his CAF presidential manifesto
February 15 – Mauritania’s hope for the top job in African football, Ahmed Yahya (pictured), says players must be better compensated and that national federations need to provide proper working contracts.
Motsepe hits the campaign trail but think-tank casts doubt over his political savvy
By Andrew Warshaw, extra reporting by Samindra Kunti
February 10 – With still no formal government support for this candidacy, South African millionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe (pictured) appears to be struggling to gain sufficient backing to become the next president of the Confederation of African Football.