Uganda, Burkina Faso, Morocco and Mali have made it through to the last 16 of the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar. Uganda continued to defy the odds at their debut World Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Senegal on the weekend. The junior Cranes netted with their first effort of note, as Abubakali Walusimbi rifled home the first goal their opponents have conceded this tournament from outside the area. Meanwhile, a Mohamed Zongo stunner sent shockwaves through Qatar…

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will represent Africa in the Inter-Confederation Play-Offs in March next year, for a possible 10th spot for the continent in the FIFA 2026 World Cup. DR Congo kept their World Cup dream alive after beating Nigeria 4-3 on penalties in Rabat on Sunday night, following a 1-1 draw after extra time in the African play-off final. Frank Onyeka gave the Super Eagles a third-minute lead, but Meschack Elia levelled on 32 minutes, and, after…

A much-changed Springbok team, playing with 14 men for almost 70 minutes, delivered a performance for the ages in extreme adversity with a brilliant 32-14 (halftime 10-3) Castle Lager Outgoing Tour victory over Italy in Turin on Saturday. For the second successive week the Boks lost their number five lock in Franco Mostert (for a tackle to the head of Italian flyhalf Paolo Garbisi) as the second man entering the tackle – except this time it was in the 12th…

Midfield maestro Teboho Mokoena has come a long way in his eight years with South Africa’s senior national team, Bafana Bafana. Few would have noticed when he ran out for his debut against neighbours Botswana in the African Nations Championship [CHAN] qualifier played at the Francistown Stadium on 15 July 2017. Born in Bohlokong, Bethlehem, in the Free State, Mokoena’s first run in national team colours came under then Bafana Bafana mentor Stuart Baxter, with Mokoena and company winning 2-0 away.…

Nigeria and DR Congo will meet in Sunday’s CAF World Cup play-off final in Rabat, with the winner advancing to March’s FIFA Inter-Continental Play-Off and keeping their FIFA World Cup 26 dream alive. Kick-off is 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT) at the Stade Prince Héritier Moulay El Hassan. Eric Sékou Chelle’s Super Eagles arrive with momentum after a dramatic 4–1 extra-time win over Gabon. Nigeria were pegged back late in normal time but finished emphatically, as Chidera Ejuke struck early…

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a new-look starting team for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour Test against Italy at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday afternoon. Erasmus has made 11 changes to his run-on side and one on the replacements bench from last week’s 32-17 victory against France. The players who retained their places in the starting team are Boan Venter (prop), captain Siya Kolisi (flanker), Kurt-Lee Arendse (wing) and Damian Willemse (fullback), while Erasmus opted for the…

Bafana Bafana mentor Hugo Broos is not at all bothered by keyboard warriors as he continues to guide South Africa’s senior football national team. The 73-year-old has been at the helm since 2021, and not only has Bafana Bafana improved on the FIFA rankings (position 75 to 59), but the team finished third in the last edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as well as qualifying for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Despite this, Broos has had his…

South African Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan has backed the SA U17 side to come right in the FIFA World Cup in Doha, Qatar. Amajimbos have reached the round of 32 stage and will come up against Japan on Saturday, with kick-off set for 15:30 SA time. Vela Khumalo’s boys managed a win, a draw and a defeat in their three group stage matches, and the four points were enough to see them advance to the knockout stage. “You…

Bafana Bafana assistant coach Helman Mkhalele has taken a major step in his coaching career by enrolling for the CAF A Licence. The former Bafana Bafana winger has been touted as a possible replacement to succeed head coach Hugo Broos when the Belgian retires at the end of the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Mkhalele, however, has no coaching qualifications, as alluded to by Broos. “The only problem with Helman is that he doesn’t have the qualifications,” said Broos recently, making it clear…

Uganda’s Football Association has extended coach Paul Put’s contract ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Uganda has moved to end speculation over the future of the Belgian by renewing the head coach’s contract to 2028, a vote of confidence that comes just one month before the Cranes head into the AFCON in Morocco. The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) confirmed the renewal in Kampala, framing the decision as a commitment to stability and continuity ahead of…