Salah injured as Egypt draw with Ghana
January 19 – Egypt lost Mohamed Salah to injury before coming from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Ghana in their potentially decisive Africa Cup of Nations match on Thursday.
World Football
Henderson quits Saudi for European return at Ajax
January 19 – The lucrative Saudi league has lost one of its high-profile players after England midfielder Jordan Henderson unexpectedly quit and returned to Europe to sign for Ajax.
Orange launches 14-team esports tournament alongside AFCON
January 19 – Telecoms giant Orange has furthered its involvement in the growth of eSports in Africa by launching an eFootball 2024 edition of the Orange eSport experience in Abidjan for the Africa Cup of Nations 2023.
UEFA opens tender process for UWCL media and women’s football sponsorship rights
January 19 – UEFA has begun the tender process for media rights to the Women’s Champions League and Women’s Football sponsorship rights for the 2025-30 commercial cycle.
Cypriot players’ union demands protection for players after flare causes injury
January 18 – The Cypriot players’ union (PASP) has threatened to boycott matches in the country’s elite leagues unless authorities can guarantee the safety of players during matches.
AFCON fails to draw big crowds, but ticketing failure doesn’t help
January 16 – Fans trying to attend games at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast have been left frustrated even though matches have been played in half-empty stadiums.
African Cup of Upsets sees Namibia rubbish the form book with Tunisia win
January 17 – In a tournament already producing a slew of upsets, Namibia pulled off the biggest so far when they beat Tunisia 1-0 for their first ever African Cup of Nations win.
Italian Supercoppa set for Saudi kick-off with Puma on hand to get the ball rolling
January 17 – With Saudi Arabia set to host Italy’s Supercoppa for the fourth time, Puma have unveiled a dedicated match ball designed specifically for 2024 edition.
Kay Bernstein, Herta Berlin ultra who became president, dies, aged 43
January 17 – Hertha Berlin president Kay Bernstein, a former supporter who surprisingly took over the presidency of the club in 2022, has died suddenly at the age of 43, the club said in a statement.
Former baseball star slugger Jose Bautista looks to hit Las Vegas Lights FC out the park
January 17 – The Las Vegas football (soccer) market is heating up. The MLS are expected to announce a franchise in the city once an ownership group is formalised, third tier league NISA last week announced the admission of Las Vegas Legends, and this week Las Vegas Lights, playing in the second tier US Championship, have a new high profile owner.
Turks turn on Israeli players with Başakşehir’s Eden Kartsev now the target
January 15 – Following Turkey’s decision to deport Israeli player Sagiv Jehezkel over a gesture he made during an on-field celebration in sympathy with Hamas-held hostages in Gaza, attention has now turned to a second Israeli player who also expressed solidarity with the abductees.
Ricketts clings on to power in Jamaica after Congress postponed, but faces suspicion of vote-rigging
January 16 – Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts is clinging on to power following the postponement of an electoral JFF congress on Sunday.
Mogadishu Stadium killings at hands of sports minister’s guards force SFF to suspend play
January 16 – The Somali Football Federation (SFF) has suspended the flagship Inter-state tournament following a series of shootings at the Mogadishu Stadium that left two dead and several injured.
Magic ends for Mourinho at Roma as Freidkins pass wand to de Rossi
January 16 – Sacked again with presumably another large pay out. Jose Mourinho, whose contract was due to end in June anyway, may not have been the Special One for some considerable time but his bank balance must be pretty healthy.
South African TV channel sponsors two top tier clubs for its new SuperSportbet platform
January 15 – SuperSportbet, the South African online bookmaker just launched by South African sports broadcaster SuperSport, has has agreed a sponsorship with two South African Premier Division (DStv Premiership) clubs – Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.