Ties that bind: Closely-related players who made AFCON 2023 a family affair
Family has been a theme at AFCON tournaments since the early 60s, and the ongoing 2023 competition has brothers and cousins playing alongside each other in search of that elusive family-won title.
Joel Omotto, bird story agency
In the history of...
Tiny but mighty: How the minnows have outshone Africa’s football giants at AFCON 2023
No African football competition has better echoed the biblical story of David and Goliath than this edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Joel Omotto, bird story agency
The story of Africa's smaller teams felling the continent's football giants continues,...
Foreign-born players fueling title glory for teams at 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
A record number of players at AFCON 2023 were born in a foreign country and their presence in their origin country's football teams is hailed as a win for the game on the continent.
Joel Omotto, bird story agency
Twenty-four nations,...
Meet the trailblazing women who are officiating at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations
Women continue to make giant strides in football with their inclusion in decision-making in Africa and around the world. Women are being seen regularly not only in boardrooms and dressing rooms but also on the pitch. Six women referees...
Countdown to AFCON 2023 as the ultimate African football showdown nears
With just a few days to the start of AFCON 2023, hosted in Cote d’Ivoire, here is what to expect as football fever slowly engulfs the continent.
Bonface Orucho, bird story agency
Football enthusiasts from across the continent are gearing up...
CAF Women’s Champions League sees surge in debutant clubs
A clutch of exciting new entries into the CAF Champions League, Africa's premier women's club competition, demonstrates the huge potential of women's football on the continent and highlights a sudden increase in investment into women's football.
Bonface Orucho, bird story...
African Football League’s grand debut marks a new era of football excellence
The recently introduced African Football League wants to reshape football on the continent. It showcases top-tier club football in Africa and is intent on reshaping fundamentals like broadcasting, sponsorship and prize money. It's also getting widespread support, already.
Bonface Orucho,...
FIFA backs Women’s football growth continues in Southern Africa
For the first time ever, Malawi were crowned COSAFA (Council of Southern Africa Football Associations) champions, thanks to a 2-1 win over defending holders and FIFA Women’s World Cup debutants, Zambia in the final. This year marked the eleventh...
This soccer legend went from kicking off international matches to kicking off hope
As a young boy, Musa Otieno discovered the power of soccer to transform lives. Now, the retired footballer is using his early life lessons to help others.
Velma Pamela, bird story agency
He could be living the life that many fans...
Meet Coach Belyse, her country’s first-ever woman coach of a top-flight men’s team
Soccer player Belyse Ininahazwe is paving the way for women players to overcome stereotyping and become top-level coaches in African football.
Avit Ndayiziga, bird story agency
“A pregnancy did not prevent me from playing football, I continued playing until I was...