NEXTAGECARS Blog

A meeting on the situation of the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has taken place today, 20 December 2010, at the Home of FIFA in Zurich.

TP Mazembe have created history here in Abu Dhabi by becoming the first African team to reach the FIFA Club World Cup final, beating Internacional of Brazil 2-0.

Tanzania’s triumph over the Côte D’Ivoire in the CECAFA Challenge Cup final has brought new coach Jan Poulsen almost instant success with the African minnows, and the new man feels they are worthy champions.

Mbeza Bedi grabbed the decisive goal as African champions TP Mazembe booked a semi-final date with Internacional by beating Mexico’s Pachuca 1-0 in Abu Dhabi.

After a disappointing performance in last year’s competition, TP Mazembe are out to turn around Africa’s fortunes at the FIFA Club World Cup having retained their crown as African champions, starting aginst Pachuca on Friday.

FUS Rabat has continued their meteoric rise through African football by qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals just three years since plying their trade in the lower leagues of Moroccan football. 

Defeat for champions Egypt against Niger and surprise losses for both Algeria and Nigeria capped a poor round for the favourites in CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.

Zambia’s Isaac Chansa tells FIFA.com that the emerging Chipolopolo are adjusting to life under new coach Dario Bonetti and are ready for their key qualifier in Libya this weekend.

Outsiders FUS Rabat of Morocco became CAF Confederation Cup table toppers following a 1-0 home victory over Harras al-Hodoud of Egypt.

Zanaco of Zambia finally clicked in the CAF Confederation Cup group phase today, defeating pacesetters CS Sfaxien of Tunisia 1-0 in Lusaka.

Egypt were forced to come from behind to gain a share of the points in their opening CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sierra Leone in Cairo, while Ghana and Nigeria scored comfortable home wins.

Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia will get their qualifying campaigns underway with easy home games, while Congo DR and Senegal will collide in the pick of the weekend’s fixtures.

Al-Hilal of Sudan continued their charge toward the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals at the weekend with a 4-2 home triumph over ASFAN of Niger.

After returning to the Mozambique reins following a five-month break, Mart Nooij spoke to FIFA.com about his players’ will to win and the challenge of qualifying for the next CAF Africa Cup of Nations.

Zambia have announced an experienced and strong squad for their opening CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Comoros Islands who are set to make their debut at continental level.

Zambian club Zanaco enter the CAF Confederation Cup group phase Saturday confident of becoming the first club south of the equator to lift the trophy.

Nigerian football giants Enyimba failed to pull off a third consecutive CAF Confederation Cup escape and were eliminated in the final qualifying round.

The Football for Hope Festival concluded on Saturday with two finals played, the FIFA Fair Play Award handed out and the teams from around the world saluting each other and the people of Alexandra township.

FIFA.com takes a journey from Alfredo Di Stefano through George Best to George Weah to look at the best players never to play at a FIFA World Cup.

South American rivals Chile and Uruguay both enjoyed comfortable friendly victories over Zambia and Israel winning 3-0 and 4-1 respectively.

African legends, Jay-Jay Okocha and Kalusha Bwalya, chat with FIFA.com about the prospects for the six African nations at the FIFA World Cup.

As part of a programme run by the AFP Foundation and financed by FIFA, some 270 African sports journalists, editors and photographers attended a training programme which concluded on 5 May 2010.

FIFA.com looks back on the weekend’s action in Africa’s premier club competition, including Al Ahly’s dramatic qualification for the group stage.

Former winners TP Mazembe, Entente Setif, JS Kabylie, Esperance, Ismaili and Al Ahly made the last 16 as Raja Casablanca and ASEC Abidjan missed out.

Côte d’Ivoire and Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has been crowned African Player of the Year for 2009 ahead of Michael Essien and Samuel Eto’o.