South African side Orlando Pirates have copped a R430 000 fine following their dramatic Champions League clash against DR Congo’s St Eloi Lupopo in Orlando, Soweto, last month. Lupopo needed penalties to beat Pirates 5-4, following a 3-3 aggregate score, for their place in the group stage of Africa’s premium club competition. The talking point, however, was the on- and off-the-field clashes between the two sides, resulting in both reaching out to the controlling body CAF, to file their respective…

As of 19 November, only six spots are remaining for next year’s FIFA World Cup in North America. The co-hosts are Canada, Mexico and the United States of America (USA), who earned their spots by virtue of being hosts. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. It is the first to be hosted by three countries. This tournament will also be the first to include 48 teams, expanded from 32. The draw for the World…

Former Orlando Pirates coach Jose Riveiro has insisted he has no regrets about leaving the Buccaneers for Al Ahly seven months ago. The Spaniard exited the Bucs camp in May after Pirates granted him an early release from his contract, and moved to Egypt, where he linked up with Al Ahly but only lasted a mere three months in the job before he was fired. “I don’t know if people understood the nature of my decision at that time, but…

Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas will clash against Moroccan outfit AS FAR in Friday’s CAF Women’s Champions League decider. On Tuesday, ASEC Mimosas continued their historic debut campaign in the Champions League by edging Egyptian side FC Masar 1–0 in a tightly contested semi-final at the Suaz Canal Stadium in Ismaila, Egypt. The decisive moment came in the 73rd minute when 22-year-old forward Essi Dagba gave ASEC the all-important lead that sent them through. Awaiting them in the final is former…

Serbian mentor Milutin “Micho” Sredojević has joined ES Sétif as their new Head Coach. Sredojević, who had two stints with South African club Orlando Pirates, has signed for the Algerian outfit on a contract running until June 2027. “The management of ES Sétif announces the appointment of Serbian coach Milutin Sredojević as head coach of the first team, at the suggestion of Sporting Director, Azzedine Arab,” confirmed Sétif. “This appointment comes as part of the management’s efforts to restore technical…

SA Rugby President Mr Mark Alexander has congratulated Springboks Pieter-Steph du Toit, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, and Ethan Hooker on their nominations for the prestigious World Rugby Awards for 2025. The Springbok quartet were announced as nominees in the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year and World Rugby Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the Year categories on Tuesday. The winners will be revealed on Saturday, 22 November. Du Toit, who last year became the first South African in…

African Times has picked 10 players that have done enough to convince Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos to include them in his squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. Bafana Bafana’s opening match of the tournament will be against Angola on 22 December in Marrakech, followed by a clash against Egypt on 26 December in Agadir, before they conclude their group stage assignment when they challenge neighbours Zimbabwe, also in Marrakech. “It’s not difficult (to select the 23-man…

Nigeria’s Football Federation (NFF) has wasted no time in acknowledging its shortcomings following the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. The Super Eagles were pipped to first spot in Group C of the qualifiers by South Africa. They had a second chance in the African play-offs and blew it, going down to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final. “The Nigeria Football Federation wishes to openly and sincerely apologise to His Excellency, President Bola…

CAF has unveiled the top three nominees in each of the women’s categories ahead of the CAF Awards 2025, as anticipation builds for Africa’s biggest football celebration to be staged on 19 November 2025 in Rabat, Morocco. The CAF Awards 2025 recognise the best performers between 6 January and 15 October 2025, highlighting outstanding achievements in women’s football across the continent. Leading the shortlist for the prestigious CAF Women’s Player of the Year award are Morocco’s Ghizlaine Chebbak (Al Hilal)…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the top three nominees in each of the men’s categories of the highly anticipated CAF Awards 2025. The prestigious event will be held in Rabat, Morocco, on 19 November, in celebration of the exceptional performances and achievements that have defined African football this year. For the main award, Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain), Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool) and Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray) will face off, with Hakimi appearing to be the favourite after winning the…