African football: national teams, clubs and diasporas

AFCON 2025: Guirassy, Gouiri, Wissa, Onana and many stars to miss this edition

The 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is announced as one of the most beautiful. The major football nations of the continent are preparing to engage in a great battle to win the coveted trophy. Yet, some African stars will be missed and their absence will eventually affect the games. From Serhou Guirassy to Amine Gouiri via Yoann Wissa, Andre Onana, Thomas Partey and Aboubakar, Sport News Africa provides you with a list of the major absentees from Morocco 2025.

Algérie, Cameroun, Ghana

AFCON: Three best scorers in the history of the tournament

Since 1957, the African Cup of Nations has crowned teams, but also shaped offensive legends. Throughout the decades, some forwards have gone beyond the simple framework of occasional performances to permanently inscribe their name in the history of the tournament. From the pioneer to the uncontested king, a look back at the three best scorers in the history of the competition.

Cameroun, Nigeria

AFCON 2025 - Cameroon: David Pagou the unexpected pick to lead the Lions

A typical example of a local coach making his name in the business, David Pagou in the last five years has made headlines for the good reasons in Cameroon's domestic football, winning the league title with PDW of Bamenda and the Cameroon Cup. He also was part of the coaching staff of the CHAN team for Cameroon in 2020. With no international experience under his belt, many have questioned his appointment by FECAFOOT at the head of the Lions. His list of players eventually sparked worldwide controversies after leaving out team captain Aboubakar, Andre Onana and others who had qualified the team for this AFCON. Who is David Pagou?

Cameroun

Football 7 A Side: Official launch of activities in Yaounde

Cameroon Association of Football 7 A Side has officially launched activities in Yaounde, the political capital. After Ngaoundere last Sunday, the association thrilled the Omnisport Annex stadium with a press conference, exhibition match with skills, techniques and drills only seen in the discipline.

Cameroun

AFCON 2025: First timer coaches

The AFCON, Africa's most rated football competition kicks off this weekend in Morocco. With all the excitement and fanfare from players and supporters, coaches will carry a brunt of the pressure especially for those making it to the competition for their first time. Many will not want to be in their shows right now. These are the coaches going to the AFCON for their first time.

Algérie, Cameroun, Burkina faso

Football - Mali: U17 World Cup bonuses in thin air?

Qualifiés et auteurs d’un parcours honorable à la Coupe du Monde U17 avec une élimination en huitièmes de finale, les jeunes maliens n’ont toujours pas reçu l’intégralité des primes attendues. Un énième scandale qui illustre une opacité caractéristique entre fédération, ministère des Sports et l’absence de traçabilité de l’argent lors des compétitions internationales.

Mali

AFCON 2025: Bazoumana Touré to eclipse Nicolas Pépé forget for Ivory Coast

Against all odds, Emerse Faé did not select Nicolas Pépé for the AFCON 2025. This is due to extra sporting issues. Although in great shape with Villarreal, the Ivorian international right winger will follow the Africa Cup of Nations from afar. He was replaced by Bazoumana Touré, the left wing of Hoffenheim, who can also play on the right.

AFCON 2025: All you need to know about Ivory Coast

Reigning African champion, Côte d'Ivoire has the ambition to become the first nation on the continent to retain its title since Egypt which followed in 2010 after 2008. The Elephants have an experienced group with 13 champions from Africa, but still rejuvenated with nuggets like Christ Inao Oulaï or Yan Diomandé that bring physical freshness and dynamism. Here is what you need to know about Ivory Coast before the start of hostilities.

AFCON of Stars: Steve Mounie to lead Benin

Benin returns to the competition after missing the last two editions. For this edition in Morocco, which will be their 5th participation, the Guépards aim at the exploit in a group which includes Senegal, DR Congo and Botswana. A man is expected to guide the Guépards: Steve Mounié

Bénin

AFCON 2025: Bertrand Traore to lead the Stallions

He grew up under the spotlight, very early, sometimes too fast. At just 16 years old, Bertrand Traore played his first AFCON in 2012. Today, Bertrand Traoré arrives at AFCON 2025 with a fully assumed status: that of boss of the Stallions. At 30 years old, the Burkinabe captain is preparing to compete in his sixth Africa Cup, with his experience, his experience and a now unquestionable leadership.

Burkina faso

AFCON 2025: All you need to know about Algeria

Since their impressive coronation at the AFCON 2019 in Egypt, Algeria has not been able to consistently show up with good results in the competition. An early first round exit in both 2021 in Cameroon and 2023 in Ivory Coast has not been reputable for the Desert Foxes. New boss Vladimir Petkovic may have the spell breaker, haven qualified Algeria to the FIFA World Cup in 2026. The AFCON in Morocco provides an opportunity for Algeria to reposition itself on the continent.

Algérie

AFCON 2025 - B Faso: Brama Traoré, the ambitious coach ready to conquer Morocco

Among the few home based coaches to pilot affairs in Morocco for the AFCON, Brama Traoré, nicknamed 'Researcher', is an emblematic figure of Burkinabe football. Born on March 22, 1962 in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, this former midfielder has marked the history of sport in his country both by his playing career and by his coaching background. Could he create a sensation with Burkina Faso?