FOOTBALL - The African Mirror

Oct

09

2025

Africa’s World Cup dream: Egypt, Algeria and Ghana poised to seize glory as Cape Verde chase history

FOOTBALL

THE destiny of African football hangs in the balance this week as the continent's titans prepare for the defining battles of their World Cup qualifying campaign - and the stakes have never been more brutal. With Morocco and Tunisia already through, seven automatic tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup remain on the table. Only group winners advance directly to the expanded 48-team spectacle across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. For the rest, it's glory or the agony of a playoff lottery. The Pharaohs Ready to Roar Egypt stands on the precipice of redemption. Five points clear atop Group…

Oct

03

2025

By The African Mirror

African Giants Roar Back: South Africa and Nigeria keep World Cup dreams alive with stunning victories

FOOTBALL

AFRICA'S youth football powerhouses delivered a resounding statement on Thursday night as both South Africa and Nigeria clawed their way back into FIFA U-20 World Cup contention with emphatic victories that showcased the continent's growing strength on the global stage. In Rancagua, reigning Africa U-20 champions South Africa produced a masterclass of attacking football, dismantling New Caledonia 5-0 to breathe new life into their campaign after a disappointing opening defeat to France. Meanwhile, in Talca, Nigeria's Flying Eagles displayed remarkable resilience and nerve to snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory over Saudi Arabia with a stoppage-time penalty. Amajita's Five-Star Performance South…

Oct

03

2025

By The African Mirror

ATLAS CUBS ROAR: Morocco stun Brazil in Santiago earthquake

FOOTBALL

IN a night that will echo through African football history, Morocco's fearless young lions tore up the script at the FIFA U-20 World Cup, dismantling five-time champions Brazil 2-1 in a performance that sent shockwaves rippling through world football. This wasn't just a victory. This was a statement painted in bold strokes of North African brilliance under the Santiago night sky – a seismic upset that left the yellow and green giants reeling and an entire continent roaring with pride. The Estadio Nacional erupted on the hour mark when Othmane Maamma produced a moment of pure artistry that will live…

Sep

30

2025

By SPORTS REPORTER

South Africa’s World Cup dream hangs by a thread after FIFA sanction

FOOTBALL

SOUTH Africa's quest to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been thrown into chaos after FIFA's Disciplinary Committee ruled that the team must forfeit their match against Lesotho, handing the three points to their opponents and potentially ending Bafana Bafana's qualification hopes. The ruling, announced by FIFA on Monday, centres on midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was deemed ineligible to play in the March 21, 2025, qualifier. The South African Football Association (SAFA) has been found guilty of breaching Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 14 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Competition Regulations by fielding…

Sep

16

2025

By The African Mirror

Morocco launches 100-day countdown to Africa Cup of Nations as ticket sales begin

FOOTBALL

RABAT, Morocco - The countdown to Africa's most prestigious football competition has officially begun, with organisers of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 unveiling giant countdown clocks across all six host cities to mark exactly 100 days until kick-off. The striking timepieces, installed in Rabat, Casablanca, Fès, Tangier, Marrakech and Agadir, serve as daily reminders that the continent's premier football festival is rapidly approaching. Each clock is ticking down to the highly anticipated opening match on 21 December at 20:00 local time, when hosts Morocco will face Comoros at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. The…

Sep

11

2025

By The African Mirror

The battle for 2026 FIFA World Cup: Nigeria, Cameroon dreams hang in the balance

FOOTBALL

AS the dust settles on another dramatic day of World Cup qualifying across Africa, two contrasting narratives emerge from the beautiful game's most unforgiving theatre. While Senegal and South Africa inch tantalizingly close to booking their tickets to the 2026 World Cup, two of West Africa's most storied footballing nations - Nigeria and Cameroon - find themselves staring into the abyss of qualification heartbreak. The Rise of the Underdogs In perhaps the most stunning subplot of Tuesday's action, the tiny Cape Verde Islands delivered a thunderbolt that reverberated across the continent. With a population barely exceeding 600,000 souls scattered across…

Sep

09

2025

By The African Mirror

Africa’s World Cup renaissance: Nine nations set to shine on global stage

FOOTBALL

THE drums of African football are beating louder than ever as the continent's elite nations enter the most crucial phase of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. With just four matchdays separating dreams from devastation, nine coveted tickets to North America are sparking fierce battles across the continent. Morocco Leads the Charge with Ruthless Precision The Atlas Lions have roared their way into history, becoming the first African nation to punch their ticket to the 2026 World Cup finals. Their emphatic 5-0 demolition of Niger at home wasn't just a victory—it was a statement of intent that echoed across…

Sep

05

2025

By SPORTS REPORTER

African World Cup dreams take shape

FOOTBALL

THE race for 2026 World Cup qualification heated up across Africa this week, with South Africa maintaining their surprising grip at the summit while continental powerhouses Nigeria find themselves in unfamiliar territory - chasing from behind. South Africa's Commanding Display Against Lesotho In a match that epitomised their resurgent campaign, Bafana Bafana delivered a masterclass performance, dismantling neighbours Lesotho 3-0 at home to preserve their precious lead atop Group C. The victory was as convincing as it was crucial, with South Africa showcasing the attacking flair and defensive solidity that has defined their unexpected rise. The breakthrough came in the…

Sep

04

2025

By The African Mirror

CAF World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: The state of play as Africa’s qualifying resumes

FOOTBALL

AFRICAN qualifying restarts on Wednesday with decisive stakes and places at the 2026 World Cup on the line.The equation is simple enough: the nine group winners qualify automatically for 2026 in Canada, Mexico and the USA. The four best runners-up head to the CAF play-offs for a route to the inter-confederation tournament. Here’s the state of play — group by group, the current tables, plus the fixtures to come. Group A Egypt have set a fierce pace and can all but seal top spot with another strong window. Burkina Faso remain the only realistic challengers and will fancy a late…

Sep

04

2025

By The African Mirror

SA: Pirates coach Ouaddou hospitalised after highway heroics turn tragic

FOOTBALL

ORLANDO Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is fighting for his recovery in a Gauteng hospital in South Africa after a devastating road accident that has sent shockwaves through South African football. The 46-year-old Moroccan legend and former Fulham defender was struck by a Nissan NP200 pickup truck on Sunday evening while performing an act of extraordinary courage – stopping to help victims of a highway collision on his team's journey home from victory. Ouaddou and five members of his backroom staff, including defender Tapelo Xoki, were rushed to hospital following the horrific incident on the R21 highway. The coaching staff…