Morocco first African nation to qualify for 2026 World Cup
CAPE TOWN :Morocco became the first African country to book a place at next year’s World Cup finals on Friday with a 5-0 victory at home to Niger ensuring they top their group.
Tanzania Sport News
Irankunda back in Australia squad for 'Soccer Ashes' v New Zealand
MELBOURNE :Australia's teenage winger Nestory Irankunda has been recalled to the Socceroos for the first time in nearly a year as coach Tony Popovic included seven uncapped players in his squad for the "Soccer Ashes" series against New Zealand.
Morocco and Kenya reach quarterfinals of Africa contest
NAIROBI: Co-hosts Kenya held their nerve to beat Zambia 1-0 on Sunday and reach the African Nations Championship quarterfinals on their tournament debut.
Algeria upset Uganda in CHAN opener
NAIROBI: Algeria thumped Uganda 3-0 in their opening African Nations Championships (CHAN) Group C match in Kampala on Monday.
After stadium delays, African Nations Championship kicks off
NAIROBI, Kenya: After severe delays in stadium renovations, east Africa is finally ready to co-host the much-awaited African Nations Championship (CHAN), kicking off on Saturday. It is a historic moment for Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, whose “Pamoja” — meaning “together” in Swahili — bid two years ago gave birth to the first Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournament in the region since 1976, and the first to be jointly hosted by three countries. The CHAN tournament, which runs to August 30, acts as a precursor to the continent’s main event, the Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, also co-hosted by the three countries. CHAN features only players from domestic clubs, and cannot include anyone playing for teams abroad. Getting the five stadiums ready has been a struggle, with CAF delaying the tournament from its planned dates in February to give them more time to prepare. On a final inspection tour in Nairobi last week CAF general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba celebrated the three nations’ progress and co-operation. “I think we in Africa need to learn from this model. Three countries have pooled their efforts and resources to successfully deliver,” he told reporters.
Australia winger Irankunda completes Watford switch from Bayern Munich
LONDON: Australia international Nestory Irankunda has joined Watford on a five-year deal from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, the English Championship club announced on Friday.
Australia's Irankunda hopes Watford move can boost World Cup chances
MELBOURNE :Australia winger Nestory Irankunda hopes his move to English Championship side Watford can reboot his international career in time for next year's World Cup after being frustrated with his progress at Bayern Munich.
Sudanese clubs seek league title amid civil war
JOHANNESBURG: A civil war in Sudan has not prevented clubs competing to be national champions and qualify for the 2025/26 Confederation of African Football (CAF) competitions.Here, AFP Sport also reports on why the Libyan championship play-offs will be staged in Europe, and a huge boost for Burkina Faso as they seek a maiden World Cup appearance.An eight-club mini-league is being held in Sudan amid a civil war, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and trigged a massive hunger and displacement crisis, according to the United Nations.Matches are being staged at two stadiums in a northeastern area controlled by the Sudanese army, who have been battling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 2023.The top two finishers, currently Al Hilal and Al Merrikh after three rounds, qualify for the Champions League while those coming third and fourth go into the second-tier Confederation Cup.Al Hilal, winners of the Sudanese championship a record 30 times, have lost Democratic Republic of Congo-born coach Florent Ibenge to Tanzanian club Azam.Ibenge joined the Omdurman outfit in 2022 and guided them to the Champions League quarter-finals last season despite being unable to play at home due to the civil war.The 63-year-old Congolese inherits a club that finished third in the last Tanzanian title race behind Young Africans and Simba and will compete in the Confederation Cup.Libya will stage the six-club national championship play-offs in Italian city Milan from July 15-31 instead of in the north African country owing to the political situation there.The west of the nation, including the capital Tripoli, is run by a United Nations-recognized government, but a rival administration controls the east.Leagues based in the