Somalia
Somali squad pulls out of African Nations due to lack of funds

Africa
Amid CAF crisis, Patrice Motsepe upsets executive committee with untimely meeting

The continental governing body for football in Africa has decided to bring its executive committee together on 29 March, in a meeting that could prove to be crucial. This is also, however, a date that is inconvenient for several of its members, as it falls right in the middle of the international break, when national teams are competing all over the world.

Somalia
National football team coach quits over unpaid salary

Appointed in July 2023, Rachid Loustèque has not received his monthly salary of €5,000 since last May. The coach has decided to resign from his position and take his case to Fifa.

Congo
World Cup qualification threatened as sports minister fails in talks with FIFA

The suspension of the Congolese Football Federation by football's world governing body is posing a huge risk to the country's qualification for 2026's men's World Cup. Talks have stalled over the issue of the federation's bank accounts.

Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda
The backstory of African Nations Championship postponement

The adjournment of the tournament follows an urgent vote within the competition's organising committee on the eve of the draw. Several football associations will welcome the development.

Somalia
National football coach takes pay complaint to FIFA

Rachid Loustèque is owed some €30,000 in back pay.

Palace Intrigues
Alassane Ouattara, Azali Assoumani, Ibrahim Foullah

Intrigues big and small – every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

Ivory CoastOuattara serves up range of presidential plates

ComorosSeries of unfortunate events leads to Moroni's Sochi no-show

ChadEx-N'Djamena mayor Ibrahim Foullah sets sights on football federation

Djibouti
Wide-open contest as Djibouti football federation seeks new boss

The Fédération Djiboutienne de Football (FDF) has been looking for a new chief since Souleiman Hassan Waberi resigned in March. Waberi is reapplying for his old job and other potential candidates include AS Obok boss Gaas Ali Dato and Farah Daher Barreh.

Central African Republic
Sacked manager Raoul Savoy threatens to sue FIFA

He is claiming €160,000 in unpaid wages.

Eritrea, Ethiopia
Eritrea's football team resurrected to face Ethiopia

For the first time since January 2020 when they lost 1-0 at home in Asmara to Sudan in a friendly, the Eritrean men's national team will once more play an international football match.

Comoros islands, Madagascar
Football federation makes Comorians and Madagascans play away from home

The first and second days of the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be played neither in Antananarivo nor in Iconi.

Morocco
African football boss Patrice Motsepe keeps Rabat waiting over AFCON

In recent weeks, the head of the Confederation of African Football's teams have been receiving increasingly urgent messages about the uncertainty surrounding the dates of several competitions.

Algeria, Morocco
African football confederation irked by Algerian intransigence over Morocco

The latest clash between Algiers and Rabat at the opening of the African Nations Championship led to Morocco pulling its team out of the event. But Algeria is likely to be the main loser, as the spat has boosted Morocco's chances of hosting the more prestigious 2025 Africa Cup of Nations football fiesta.