Author: SS News Correspondent

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has officially released the full schedule for the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2025–26 and the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2025–26 as the competitions head into a decisive phase. This season also marks a historic financial milestone, with CAF announcing a record prize pool of USD 48 million. The Champions League winners will receive USD 6 million, while the Confederation Cup champions will earn USD 4 million. Champions League Semi-Finals: High-Stakes Clashes The road to the final promises intense matchups, including a North African derby and a heavyweight clash between continental giants.…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr. Patrice Motsepe has addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the AFCON 2025 Final, emphasizing respect for due process and institutional independence amid the dispute involving Morocco and Senegal. Speaking on the matter, Motsepe clarified that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is strictly guided by its statutes and those of FIFA. “We are very clear we have to follow the CAF and FIFA statutes and regulations. We’ve given Senegal the money, $10 million. We’ve given them the money and we’ve given them the trophy.” Despite the decision already being implemented in favor of Senegal,…

African football has been thrown into unprecedented controversy after the Confédération Africaine de Football Appeal Board officially awarded the AFCON 2025 title to Morocco, following a ruling that Senegal forfeited the final match. In a decision that is already sending shockwaves across the continent, CAF declared the match result as 3–0 in favour of Morocco, effectively rewriting the outcome of Africa’s biggest football event. How the Final Was Decided Off the Pitch The ruling came after a formal appeal by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football, challenging earlier disciplinary findings. CAF’s Appeal Board: Set aside the initial Disciplinary Board decision…

Iran’s Sports and Youth Minister Ahmad Donyamali has announced that the country will not participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, citing escalating geopolitical tensions and security concerns. Speaking to Iranian state television on Wednesday, Donyamali said Iran could not take part in a tournament partially hosted by the United States, following recent military tensions involving the U.S. and its allies. He stated that under the current circumstances, it would be impossible for the national team to travel and compete in the tournament. The Iran national football team had already qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament and was drawn in…

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has opened the door to a potential departure from the Kenya job, admitting the stop-start nature of international football leaves him feeling underutilized. The South African tactician, who took charge of the national team with a mandate to spark long-term progress, says his coaching philosophy is built around daily engagement with players, something he finds difficult to achieve at national-team level. “My experience in Kenya has been remarkable, unbelievable and very enjoyable,” McCarthy said. “But I feel I am too young to go so long without being active.” McCarthy explained that the limited time…

African football analyst Mamadou Gaye has played down concerns over FIFA’s delayed ruling in the case lodged by Nigeria against DR Congo, insisting that such timelines are normal in high-stakes World Cup qualifying disputes. The Leopards booked their place in the next phase of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after edging Nigeria in a dramatic penalty shootout victory. However, celebrations were tempered after the Super Eagles submitted a formal protest to FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible dual-national players, including Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka. As the international match window approaches, FIFA has yet to communicate a final decision—leaving…

The participation of Iran national football team at the FIFA World Cup 2026 is facing unprecedented uncertainty as renewed military tensions between Iran and the United States spill into the sporting arena. Iran qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament through the Asian Football Confederation and was drawn into Group G alongside Belgium, New Zealand, and Egypt. The team was scheduled to play group matches in Los Angeles and Seattle this June. Recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian targets and the broader regional escalation, however, have raised serious diplomatic, security, and logistical concerns that could jeopardize Iran’s participation. Iranian Officials Signal…

Harambee Stars centre-back Collins Sichenje announced his arrival on the English football scene in emphatic fashion after being named Player of the Match in Charlton Athletic’s hard-fought 1–1 away draw against Southampton FC. The recognition capped a memorable outing for the Kenyan international, who was making his English Championship debut. Tasked with anchoring the defence in a hostile away environment, Sichenje produced a mature, composed, and authoritative performance that belied his first appearance at this level. From the opening whistle, Sichenje looked at home. He was dominant in aerial duels, timed his tackles to perfection, and showed impressive positional awareness…

Kenya Parliament Rejects AFCON The Kenya National Assembly Sports and Culture Committee has rejected a proposal to increase Kenya’s budget for hosting the AFCON 2027, dealing a fresh blow to the country’s tournament preparations. The committee declined a request by the Ministry of Sports to raise the AFCON 2027 budget from Ksh3.5 billion to Ksh5 billion, citing accountability concerns and unresolved financial commitments. This comes at a time when Kenya is yet to submit the mandatory Ksh3.5 billion AFCON hosting fee, a key requirement set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ahead of the 2027 tournament. Appearing before the…

The Local Organising Committee (LOC) Chairperson for the Africa Cup of Nations, Nicholas Musonye, has delivered a glowing endorsement of Kenya’s Talanta Stadium, declaring it among the finest sporting venues on the African continent. Speaking while assessing preparations for the 2027 tournament, Musonye said Talanta Stadium is designed to host both rugby and football at the highest level and will set new benchmarks for modern sports infrastructure in Africa.  “Talanta Stadium will be one of the best stadiums to organise rugby and football in Africa, and I am proud to say this because I was in Morocco for AFCON and…