FIFA bans Chad after government attempts FA takeover
April 9 – Having banned Pakistan earlier this week for third party interference in the national federation’s affairs, FIFA have also kicked out Chad because of government interference.
Africa
SuperSport signs up for Qatar 2022 coverage. CAF events next?
April 9 – African football may be struggling to secure meaningful broadcast deals with their domestic broadcasters, but their masters at FIFA have secured a key deal for the 2022 World Cup to be held in Qatar.
Police fire tear gas and beat delegates at Al Merrikh general meeting in Sudan
By Paul Nicholson
April 8 – Sudanese football has witnessed more administrative chaos in the battle for control with state Emergency Police having been called to break up the general assembly of the leading Almerrikh club.
Motsepe rewards Jordaan’s support with key advisory role at CAF
April 6 – South Africa’s leading football official Danny Jordaan (pictured right) has been appointed as a special advisor on sports and marketing to African supremo Patrice Motsepe (pictured left).
Umbro build African presence with AFCON 2021 qualifiers Ethiopia
April 6 – Umbro and the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) have extended their partnership to sponsor the country’s national teams in a new four-year deal.
CAF backs Benin in covid cheating row and sets June date for Sierra Leone qualifier
By Andrew Warshaw
April 1 – The Confederation of African Football has rescheduled the controversially postponed Sierra Leone-Benin AFCON qualifier until the next international window June, the latest illustration of the haphazard nature of the organisation’s decision making.
South Africa sack Ntseki after AFCON qualification failure
April 1 – South Africa have sacked their coach Molefi Ntseki after Bafana Bafana failed to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
Covid cheating? Benin stay on the bus refusing to accept validity of positive tests in Sierra Leone
March 31 – African football has been hit by yet another Covid-related controversy after Benin refused to play a decisive African Cup of Nations qualifying game in Sierra Leone after disputing that five of its players had tested positive just before kick-off.
Omari calls it a day and says he will not run for Congolese FA presidency
March 30 – Constant Omari is slowly exiting football through the back door. The often controversial but influential official has said he will not stand in the upcoming elections of the Congolese Association Football Federation (FECOFA).
South Africa crash out of AFCON 2021 qualification with loss in Sudan
March 29 – South Africa have failed to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations after suffering a 2-0 defeat in their final group C game against Sudan in Karthoum.
Comoros and Gambia wins earn them debuts at AFCON finals in Cameroon 2022
March 26 – Comoros and the Gambia will debut at next year’s Africa Cup of Nations following stellar campaigns in their qualifying groups.
Cameroon say there was no email error, Choupo-Moting ignored call-up
March 25 – Cameroon have vehemently denied they were responsible for an email blunder which forced their captain, Bayern Munich’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, to miss out on selection for the national team against Cape Verde and Rwanda in Group F of African Nations Cup qualifiers.
African contenders vie for final AFCON 2022 slots
March 24 – African teams enter the final stretch of qualifying today (Wednesday) for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, with 19 spots still up for grabs. Some matches will be played with fans in the stands.
Covid test tampering: Calls for Simba SC exclusion from CAF Champions League
By Paul Nicholson
March 23 – Allegations of covid test tampering have hit the CAF Champions League group stages, with clubs whose players have tested negative before leaving their country, being told they have tested positive following a second test in the host country.
Email blunder leaves Cameroon striker Choupo-Moting benched in Munich
March 23 – In what is being described as one of the most bizarre administrative gaffes, Bayern Munich’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has been ruled out of captaining his native Cameroon this month against Cape Verde and Rwanda in Group F of African Nations Cup qualifiers after his federation accidentally emailed themselves instead of his club.