Senegal wait for CAS ruling on replay before booking Russia 2018 trip
By Andrew Warshaw
November 14 – FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura will no doubt be delighted at her native Senegal qualifying for the World Cup finals next year.
Africa
Morocco beat Ivory Coast for 2018 slot, Senegal take their FIFA-gifted second chance
November 13 – It may not impact directly on its bid to stage the 2026 World Cup but Morocco struck a psychological blow against the United States-led rival bid when it qualified at the weekend for next year’s tournament in Russia.
Samoura stands FIFA solidly behind Johansen despite Sierra Leone corruption indictments
November 9 – The bitter in-fighting over who runs Sierra Leone football has taken a remarkable twist with FIFA intervening to overturn a decision by the country’s national FA to remove Isha Johansen (pictured left) from her role as president – right in the middle of a court case in which she is charged with corruption.
Ahmad calms Guinea fears over 2023 AFCON hosting but warns there are always alternatives
By Samindra Kunti
November 8 – The president of the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Ahmad Ahmad has reassured Guinea they are still clear to host the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
African coup? CECAFA’s Gafaar comes under fire from Uganda’s Magogo
November 6 – Reports in Africa suggest a coup is being hatched against Sirelkhatim Mutasim Gafaar. president of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA), Africa’s oldest regional football organisation.
Despite CHAN fiasco, Kenya hold hope of hosting U20 World Cup 2019
By Mark Baber
November 3 – Despite being stripped of the hosting rights for the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) due to the failure to deliver on new venues, Kenyan officials have expressed hope the country will be chosen to host the U20 World Cup 2019, claiming to have the support of CAF.
Sierra Leone crisis forces women’s teams to be pulled from WC qualifying as cash frozen
November 3 – Sierra Leone’s women have withdrawn from both under-20 and under-17 World Cup qualifying as the crisis within the country’s troubled football federation deepens.
Weah’s bid for Liberian presidency on hold as elections suspended over fraud claims
November 3 – Former World player of the year and Ballon d’Or winner George Weah has had his bid for political power halted after Liberia’s supreme court ordered preparations for next week’s presidential run-off to be held up amid allegations of fraud in the first round.
Jordaan denies rape claims and says that law court must decide truth
November 1 – South African Football Association President Danny Jordaan has broken his silence over rape allegations against him, denying the accusations are true.
Somalian FA to build its first permanent HQ
November 1 – War-ravaged Somalia is celebrating the prospect of having its own federation premises after having operated in rented offices for over half a century.
Net closes on Sierra Leone boss Johansen, charged with 10 counts of corruption
October 31 – Isha Johansen, Africa’s only female football federation president, pleaded not guilty when she appeared in court Monday charged with 10 counts of corruption and abuse of office.
Jordaan rape allegations: SA justice minister says victims must make official report
October 31 – South Africa’s Justice and Correctional Services Minister Michael Masutha says he cannot act on claims of sexual assault against South African Football Association chief Danny Jordaan unless they are reported officially by the alleged victim.
Kenya postpones league fixtures as political tensions mount in country
October 30 – All Kenyan Premier League games scheduled for last weekend were postponed because of political tensions in the country, and provisionally rescheduled for November 14 even though that is earmarked as part of an international week.
Sierra Leone’s Johansen steps down from FA while corruption investigation on-going
October 26 – Embattled Sierra Leone FA president Isha Johansen has been set aside by her own executive committee while she is investigated by the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). The ruling also extends to the body’s secretary general Christopher Kamara.
Egypt reject CAF invite to play in Morocco at reorganised 2018 CHAN finals
October 25 – The Confederation of African Football (CAF) says it has yet to receive any official notification confirming Egypt’s withdrawal from the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN).