Denis Odoi, a new star for the Black Stars
A good work ethic saw the Belgian-Ghanaian defender go further in his football career than expected. Now he has the chance to play for Ghana in the World Cup in Qatar.
Stories by: Oluwashina Okeleji
Shining a light on Rashidi Yekini
The Nigerian footballer died young and in mysterious circumstances, keeping his legacy in the shadows. It’s been 10 years, though, and his skill and commitment to his country must be lauded.
Nigeria’s troubles are reflected in its football
Many tensions are simmering beneath the surface, including economic hardships and escalating violence perpetrated by insurgent groups. And then came the devastating loss against Ghana.
Seyi Olofinjana paves the way
After a playing career that took him from Nigeria to England via Norway, the former Super Eagle figured out the job and now earns his stripes as a football sporting director in Switzerland.
For Amaju Pinnick to remain boss, Nigeria must win
The NFF president might have preferred another coach, but he is reportedly convinced that his chances for a third term will improve if the Super Eagles qualify for the World Cup.
Moses Simon’s Afcon has been a breath of fresh air
The Super Eagles winger is finally putting on the kind of displays for the national team that his Nigerian fans have been waiting for, impressing football watchers worldwide in the process.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles flying under a storm
The three-time Afcon champions have had a tumultuous time heading into the 2021 edition of the tournament, and some important players are absent too. But never underestimate them.
The burden of playing while Black and Irish
Racist and violently anti-migrant attitudes in Ireland might have become less overt, but athletes from Africa, or those born in Ireland to African parents, continue to face a struggle for acceptance.
Yakubu’s greatness overshadowed by World Cup miss
The Nigerian opens up about his open-goal miss against South Korea at the 2010 World Cup, the high of Premier League scoring success and crushing low of a career defined by one unfortunate moment.
Africa’s three kings of MMA
Francis Ngannou, Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya are the current mixed martial arts champions in their weight divisions, bringing Africa well into the fight for recognition in the sport.
An African Super League seems a super-silly idea
Far from being the magical solution to Africa’s lacklustre football competitions, the proposed new league appears to be a case of CAF wanting to sweep its own inefficiency under the carpet.
Asisat Oshoala wants to pay her success forward
The four-time African Footballer of the Year has notched up a number of firsts in her impressive career. Now she wants to not only inspire but help produce players who can break her many records.
Iheanacho – a troubled joker having the last laugh
The Nigerian forward is finally living up to the potential he showed in 2013. But underneath that success is a yearning for his number one fan to see his exploits even though he knows it’s impossible.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons: playing and begging
The Super Falcons are the undisputed queens of African football, winning 11 of the 13 women’s continental championships ever played. But they still have to beg the Nigerian federation for pay and respect.
Olusoji Fasuba’s journey from athletics to the navy
Africa’s fastest man has had an interesting career path since hanging up his spikes. The Nigerian, who holds the continent’s 100m record, explains why he left athletics at 27 for Britain’s Royal Navy.
The inside story of Wilfred Ndidi’s rise
The Nigerian has gone from cleaning cars and hawking water sachets in Lagos traffic to flying high in the Premier League.
Papa Diop, Senegal’s reluctant hero
The towering midfielder who stunned France in the 2002 Fifa World Cup has been described as a gentle giant who put the West African nation on the map with his exploits for the Lions of Teranga.
Sport in Africa after Covid-19
The coronavirus has brought every sphere of life to its knees and sport is no exception. Experts offer ways for sport on the continent to come out of the pandemic stronger than before.
Ndubuisi Egbo’s struggles and triumph in Albania
The Nigerian coach gave KF Tirana their first league title in a decade, moving the club from being a yo-yo team to returning where they belong. But not all of Albania has been kind to him.
Amodu embodies Africa’s disrespect for its coaches
The Nigerian coach helped the Super Eagles qualify for two World Cups, but never led them at the global showpiece as the Nigerian federation twice sacked him before the tournament.
Nigeria’s complicated relationship with Gernot Rohr
The German coach of Nigeria’s national football team has had a tumultuous relationship with the country’s football federation – and it looks set to continue for a few more years.