Football In Africa

Uruguay players defend decision to enter crowd to protect families

Uruguay striker Luis Surez defended his teammates' decision to enter the stands following a 1-0 loss to Colombia in the Copa America semifinals, saying the action was necessary to defend families and supporters. After a physical and emotional game that included seven yellow cards and one red card, players exchanged words and shoves at midfield of Bank of America Stadium on Wednesday night. Uruguay players, including Darwin Nez, noticed an altercation behind the team's bench and about a dozen or so players then climbed into the stands as the melee continued. Some players were seen throwing punches before Charlotte Mecklenburg Police officers and stadium security restored order after about 10 minutes. Obviously when one has your woman, your little child, your father, elderly people you want to go and see if they're OK, Surez said. Here these things, it's an image that no one wants to have created but obviously if someone is attacking your family you want to go and defend them. But t

Afcon 2024: Congo knocks Egypt out, will play Guinea in quarterfinals

Congo knocked seven-time champion Egypt out of the Africa Cup of Nations with an 8-7 win on penalties after the teams finished 1-1 after extra time in the round-of-16 match. Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed Abou Gabal struck the crossbar with his spot kick before Congo counterpart Lionel Mpasi stepped up to send the Leopards into the quarterfinals. Also known as Gabaski, Abou Gabal whose saves almost won the title for Egypt in the last edition was playing because regular goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy dislocated his shoulder in the team's final group game against Cape Verde. It was the latest misfortune for Egypt, which lost Liverpool star Mohamed Salah to a hamstring injury during the 2-2 draw with Ghana in their second match. The Egyptian Football Association sacrificed a cow on Thursday in an effort to change the team's luck. However, the Pharaohs' defense was caught out by a quick throw in for Congo's opening goal, scored by Meschack Elia in the 37th. Mostafa Mohamed equalized from

AFCON: Gambian soccer team makes emergency landing after plane loses oxygen

A plane carrying Gambia's national soccer team made an emergency landing after a sudden loss of oxygen during their flight to compete in the Africa Cup of Nations tournament. A chartered flight on Wednesday carrying the Scorpions returned to Gambia's capital Banjul after being airborne for nine minutes when the crew realised there were technical problems, Gambia's Football Federation said in a statement on Facebook. Upon landing, preliminary investigations indicated that there was loss of cabin pressure and oxygen, the federation said. The operating company for the flight, Air Cote d'Ivoire, is further assessing the situation to establish what caused the lack of oxygen and cabin pressure, it said. The players were on their way to compete in the Africa Cup in Ivory Coast, which begins on Saturday. This is the 34th edition of the biennial tournament, which was supposed to be played in June and July last year but was postponed to avoid Ivory Coast's tropical rainy season. Gambia's ..

Morocco's historic Women's World Cup debut inspires girls in the Arab world

The game was sparsely attended; it was midweek and the match wasn't going to be a nail-biter: the Association Sportive des Forces Armees Royales, a powerhouse in women's soccer here, ended up crushing its Moroccan national women's professional league opponent 7-0. One young fan in the stands was excited regardless. Dressed in a jersey reading Morocco in Arabic, 5-year-old Aliae Benazzouza descended to the pitch to meet the players. A favourite of hers, Fatima Tagnaout, who plays for Morocco's national women's team and for the armed forces team known as ASFAR, wrapped her arms around Aliae as they posed for photos. Aliae waved at another player. During the game, she would make her way to the front of the stands for a better view. I was very happy, Aliae said. After years largely in the margins, Moroccan women's soccer is gaining new ground, capturing the imagination of some girls like Aliae, winning the hearts and minds of more parents, and chipping away at a traditional view of so

India football team to play friendly match against Zambia on May 25: AIFF

The match is part of India's preparation for the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers Final Round scheduled to be held in Kolkata from June 8

FIFA bans its former stand-in president Issa Hayatou for 1 year

FIFA banned its former interim president Issa Hayatou on Tuesday for alleged wrongdoing in a commercial deal for African soccer.

Football is like a religion in Africa, but that could be a problem too

For millions of people in Africa, sport is an important dimension of their lives as it gives them identity and a sense of belonging