football

Premier business

The English Premier League is fast turning into a multi-billion dollar industry in Africa – with many businesses now depending on it for survival. This in the wake of the shift in focus by more and more African soccer fans to the League. Outlets televising Premier League matches are raking in millions of shillings, let alone the pay-TV stations that hold broadcast rights. Then there is the bloc that trades on apparels and promotional materials of the respective clubs.

By Walter Onyango Omolo - 16 November 2010 - Text

Farm Football

Deep in the rural heartland of Zambia, in Mbiya Camp, a young boy can be found with a handmade soccer ball in hand, taking a break from his farming duties to hone his skills.

By Leonie Marinovich - 27 October 2010 - Photo, Rich dreams, poor realities

Elephants play too

In Kenya, even elephants are perfecting their soccer skills at The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. It is not a common sight to see a herd of elephants chasing a yellow football and tackling one another for possession of the ball.

By Stephen Mudiari - 14 October 2010 - Photo

Africa gives thumbs up to medical tests for age groups cheats in FIFA tournaments

A look at the reaction of African nations to the introduction of medical tests to detect correct ages of footballers in FIFA junior tournaments. African nations also speak out on countries they feel are age group cheats pointing fingers at Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.

By Limukani Ncube - 11 October 2010 - Text

What is the real age of Nigerian footballers?

Nigeria is an African soccer powerhouse. For ages, the country that some call the “Brazil of Africa” has been the most popular footballing nation boasting some of the finest talents. However, the country’s integrity is under a cloud after the well-publicized scandal on age-cheating involving the Under 17 national team.

By Andrew Kabuura - 11 October 2010 - Audio

Soccer Worlds

Without the luxury of grassy football fields, children who live in and around Accra, Ghana have to make do with street corners, taxi ranks and disused buildings.

By Andrew Esiebo - 5 October 2010 - Fans, fun and football, Photo

Africa’s football war on women

Recently, a leading club in Zimbabwe—Dynamos fired a woman physiotherapist because fans and executives believed charms were not working due to her presence on the technical bench. More and more women could find themselves sidelined from duties that require them to be on the turf.

By Limukani Ncube - 5 October 2010 - Text, Women and the beautiful game

Pyramid Football

During the hot afternoons and the moments of calm when business is quiet, local men waiting for tourists to the pyramids of Egypt do what they love best – play football.

By Mohamed Abdou - 30 September 2010 - Photo