Hayatou says its time for an African nation to crash the 2014 party
By Andrew Warshaw
March 17 – African football chief Issa Hayatou says it’s time the Continent provided at least one World Cup semifinalist.
Africa
Egypt’s Ultras call for police to be removed from security at stadia
By Paul Nicholson
March 13 – Egypt’s turbulent political situation has become inextricably linked to club football in the country and the political activities of the fans who have been leaders and activists in the revolution and the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak and the President Mohammed Morsi. Now a joint Ultras statement is calling for removal of the police from all football stadia.
Ghana police investigate death of assistant referee attacked by fans
March 12 – Police in Ghana have launched an investigation into the death of an assistant referee who was apparently attacked by spectators after a second division game.
Player bonuses threatened as Nigerian FA appeals asks for more World Cup cash
By Paul Nicholson
March 12 – Nigeria’s seemingly endless struggle and debate over how much and when to pay win bonuses to its national team players and officials has begun for the World Cup already. But while there is a will to pay, there may not be a way with the current budget for the 2014 tournament to be granted by the government expected to come in at only half the requested amount by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Ghana bank rolls out $10m sponsorship, but one player will certainly miss out
February 28 – The Ghana Premier League, which has signed Ghana’s First Capital Plus Bank as its headline sponsor, is rolling out a number of marketing initiatives to support the partnership. The bank will pay $10 million in five year deal, easily a record sponsorship for the league.
CAF awards CHAN to Kenya and sets qualifying path for Morocco 2015
By Paul Nicholson
February 25 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded Kenya the rights to host the 2018 African Nations Championship (Chan), Rwanda will host 2016. CAF has also outlined details of the Morocco 2015 Orange Cup of Nations (CAN).
South Africa’s Nedbank Cup announces R20m prize money
February 25 – South Africa’s premier club knockout cup, The Nedbank Cup, has announced prize money of R7 million ($647,000) for the winner of this year’s competition, an increase of R1 million ($92,000) from last year. Total prize money for the competition is R20 million ($1.85 million).
Kenyan police hunt murderer after Liverpool fan stabbed to death
February 11 – Police in Kenya are hunting a murder suspect after a Liverpool supporter was stabbed to death by a rival Arsenal fan following last weekend’s 5-1 Premier League win by the Merseyside club.
Re-trial ordered for 21 Egyptian fans given death sentence over Port Said riot
February 7 – Egypt’s Court of Cassation has ordered a re-trial of 21 people sentenced to death in connection with the infamous February, 2012, Port Said riot in which more than 70 spectators died, causing two successive league seasons to be called off and plunging the sport into chaos.
Nike sign 5-year deal with South African FA
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – South African football has been given a major boost to its damaged reputation on and off the pitch by signing a wide-ranging, five-year sponsorship deal with Nike.
BSports launches stats-driven show on Bloomberg African network
By Paul Nicholson
January 24 – Bloomberg Sports is launching its first weekly TV show this weekend on its own network, Bloomberg TV Africa. Titled Football Dynamics, the show will air three times on Saturdays and repeat twice on Sundays.
South African fury as team exits Chan at group stages
By Ben Nicholson
January 22 – As hosts South Africa exit the African Nations Championship (Chan) amid recriminations and criticism that have even drawn South African president Jacob Zuma (pictured) into the debate, the local organisers have announced prize money of R34 million (3.1 million) for the tournament.
New Rwandan FA chief calls for unity and common purpose
January 8 – The Rwanda Football Federation has a new chairman Vincent Degaule Nzamwita, who won the five-man race for the position over outgoing interim boss Celestin Ntangungira who had been expected to retain the post. In his first media interview Nzamwita called for unity and co-operation.
CAF switches draw for 2015 Cup of Nations to Morocco
January 7 – The draw for the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers is reported to have been switched from Cape Town at the end of this month to host nation Morocco in April by the Confederation of African Football.
Kaiser Chiefs agree last-minute SAFA player releases for start of Chan
January 6 – The South African hosts of the African Nations Championship (Chan) which starts January 11, have been saved the embarrassment of playing without key players from top club Kaiser Chiefs after a last-minute agreement was reached between the club and the federation last Friday.