Nike sign 5-year deal with South African FA
By Andrew Warshaw
January 30 – South African football has been given a major boost to its damaged reputation on and off the pitch by signing a wide-ranging, five-year sponsorship deal with Nike.
Africa
BSports launches stats-driven show on Bloomberg African network
By Paul Nicholson
January 24 – Bloomberg Sports is launching its first weekly TV show this weekend on its own network, Bloomberg TV Africa. Titled Football Dynamics, the show will air three times on Saturdays and repeat twice on Sundays.
South African fury as team exits Chan at group stages
By Ben Nicholson
January 22 – As hosts South Africa exit the African Nations Championship (Chan) amid recriminations and criticism that have even drawn South African president Jacob Zuma (pictured) into the debate, the local organisers have announced prize money of R34 million (3.1 million) for the tournament.
New Rwandan FA chief calls for unity and common purpose
January 8 – The Rwanda Football Federation has a new chairman Vincent Degaule Nzamwita, who won the five-man race for the position over outgoing interim boss Celestin Ntangungira who had been expected to retain the post. In his first media interview Nzamwita called for unity and co-operation.
CAF switches draw for 2015 Cup of Nations to Morocco
January 7 – The draw for the 2015 African Cup of Nations qualifiers is reported to have been switched from Cape Town at the end of this month to host nation Morocco in April by the Confederation of African Football.
Kaiser Chiefs agree last-minute SAFA player releases for start of Chan
January 6 – The South African hosts of the African Nations Championship (Chan) which starts January 11, have been saved the embarrassment of playing without key players from top club Kaiser Chiefs after a last-minute agreement was reached between the club and the federation last Friday.
Hosts suffer setback as Kaiser Chiefs refuse to release players for Chan start
By Paul Nicholson
January 3 – South Africa, hosts of the African Nations Championship (Chan) that kicks off January 11, face the embarrassment of not being able to get all their own first choice players on to the pitch for Bafana Bafana as leading club Kaiser Chiefs are refusing to release five players.
SAFA sex case goes to court as official battles to clear his name
December 30 – A senior South African FA official has been accused of sexual harassment and soliciting sexual favours from a young female colleague.
Cameroon FA trawls Europe looking for new players
December 30 – Cameroon football authorities are on a mission to Europe to try and boost their World Cup hopes.
Fan dies as Malawi Super League finale ends in violence
By Paul Nicholson
December 30 – The deciding game of the Malawi TNM Super League championship was abandoned after 61 minutes after fan violence leading to the death of one fan and many others left injured, six in a serious condition, on Saturday.
Police round-up Ethiopian terrorist ring that targeted World Cup qualifiers
December 20 – Ethiopian police have swooped to arrest five more people suspected of plotting suicide bombings during the country’s World Cup qualifier against Nigeria in October that could have killed scores of fans.
Kenyan fan tragically takes his own life after Man Utd defeat
December 10 – A fanatical Kenyan Manchester United fan, seemingly unable to cope with the club’s recent defeat against Newcastle which put them 13 points adrift of leaders Arsenal in the Premier League table, tragically took his own life.
Kenyan police step up search for missing Eritrean footballers
By Andrew Warshaw
December 3 – Kenyan police are stepping up their search for two Eritrean footballers who went missing during the regional Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, reputed to be the oldest football tournament in Africa.
Algeria’s nationwide World Cup celebrations end in injuries and tragedy
November 21 – The volatile nature of African football has once again led to fatal consequences after what should have been a joyous occasion turned into tragedy.
Nsekera loses battle for Burundi FA to former rebel fighter Ndikuriyo
By Andrew Warshaw
November 19 – President Sepp Blatter’s personal choice as the first elected female member of his executive committee has been ousted by her own federation after nine years in charge. Lydia Nsekera, elected to FIFA’s inner sanctum amid considerable pomp at this year’s Congress in Mauritius, has been replaced as head of the Burundi football association, an untimely blow to global efforts to increase the influence of women football administrators.