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• CAF eyes tenth World Cup slot as DR Congo set for historic playoff, Nigeria, Senegal, star anew

  While the DR Congo stands on the verge of a historic 2026 World Cup berth in the inter-confederation playoffs, Nigeria and Senegal begin new cycles following a turbulent period of coaching changes and administrative controversy. ​The Democratic Republic of Congo arrives in Zapopan, Mexico, as favorites to secure Africa’s tenth World Cup spot. Seeded in Path 1, Sebastien Desabre’s “Leopards” await the winner of the Jamaica versus New Caledonia semi-final for a decisive clash on March 31. Desabre, who has successfully recruited several diaspora stars, remains confident in ending a 52-year drought, noting, “The nation will come to a standstill for Congo DR’s final.” ​Nigeria’s Super Eagles travel to Antalya, Turkey, to face Iran and Jordan without talisman Victor Osimhen, who is sidelined following arm surgery. Head coach Eric Chelle has utilized this window to blood new talent like Philip Otele and Collins Sor while maintaining his tactical diamond formation. Despite missing the World Cup, Chelle is focused on the “Mission ’27” reboot, aiming to restore national pride after their recent AFCON semi-final exit. ​In a week dominated by off-field drama, Senegal officially begins its appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after being stripped of their AFCON title. CAF awarded the trophy to Morocco following a chaotic final, citing Senegal’s brief walk-off as a forfeit. Amidst the tension, the Teranga Lions face Peru in Paris, where coach Pape Thiaw must stabilize a squad that feels “unequivocally rejected” by the continental governing body.

• Iran’s 2026 World Cup participation riddled with uncertainty following ‘boycott America’ pledge

  Mehdi Taj has clarified that while the national team will boycott playing on U.S. soil following recent military strikes, they intend to participate in the 2026 World Cup by moving their fixtures to Mexico.

  Iran soccer president ​Mehdi Taj, president of the Iran soccer federation, announced that the national team is currently training in Türkiye despite ongoing political tension.

  Following air strikes and the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Taj clarified the federation’s stance on the upcoming tournament.

  “We will boycott America, but we will not boycott the World Cup,” Taj stated, as officials seek to move scheduled matches from California to Mexico.

  ​FIFA has resisted these requests, insisting that the tournament “go ahead as scheduled” per the December 6, 2025, fixtures.

  While Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, expressed a willingness to host the Iranian side, FIFA maintains that all teams must compete in their designated venues.

  With President Donald Trump labeling Iran’s presence as potentially inappropriate for safety, the situation remains a high-stakes “game of brinksmanship.”

   

• Emerse Fae still haunted by loss to Egypt at AFCON 2006 ahead of quarter-final showdown

  Emerse Fae is drawing on personal heartbreak from 2006 to ensure his defending champions do not underestimate a resilient Egyptian side in their upcoming AFCON quarterfinal.

  Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Fae has issued a stern warning to his squad ahead of Saturday’s Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal against Egypt.

  Recalling the 2006 final where he suffered a penalty shootout defeat as a player, the 41-year-old cautioned against complacency.

  Fae noted that the current Egyptian side mirrors the resilient teams of the past, stating, “This is exactly the Egypt I expected… that looks like it’s about to crack, but almost never does.”

  The defending champions enter the match following a dominant 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso, highlighted by a standout performance from Manchester United’s Amad Diallo.

  In contrast, Egypt required extra time to dispatch Benin. Despite their recent struggles, Fae emphasized that the seven-time champions remain master tacticians in knockout football.

  He observed: “Egypt absorbs pressure; they don’t control [games]. It’s about disrupting the opponent and, whenever they get a chance, punishing them.”

  The tactical battle will pit the Elephants’ momentum against an Egyptian attack featuring superstars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.

  Fae insisted that mental discipline is the only way to overcome the North African giants, who have reached two of the last four finals.

  He concluded with a final warning regarding the opponent’s clinical nature: “You should never be overconfident against Egypt. If you arrive overconfident, you have no chance.”

• Legendary trio set for decisive fixtures in final AFCON appearances

  Legendary forwards Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah enter the Afcon 2025 quarter-finals facing a final opportunity for continental glory as a new generation of talent emerges.

  Veteran forwards Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, and Mohamed Salah are preparing for a decisive Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final stage, aware that their international windows are closing.

  Mahrez, the 34-year-old Algerian captain, showed visible delight following a dramatic 119th-minute victory over DR Congo.

  With Morocco and Nigeria also looming in the bracket, the tournament represents a high-stakes comeback for the former Manchester City star after recent international disappointments.

  The tournament has seen a resurgence for the aging icons, with Salah scoring in three consecutive matches and Mane providing four goal contributions.

  However, the emergence of younger talents like Algeria’s Adil Boulbina and Senegal’s Nicolas Jackson signals an impending transition.

  Senegal coach Pape Thiaw called Mane “remarkable, a blessing to have in our team, excellent at every level all tournament,” even as the next generation begins to secure starting roles.

  Off-field uncertainty adds weight to the campaign, particularly for Salah, whose future at Liverpool remains “as uncertain as it ever has been.”

  Like Mahrez and Mane, Salah may soon transition to the Saudi Pro League, marking a shift in the landscape of African football.

  While their experience remains vital to their respective nations’ title hopes, the trio understands that the countdown to their final Afcon appearance has officially begun.

• Riyad Mahrez and Algeria’s AFCON Journey: Veterans and Rising Stars in Morocco

  It is not often that Riyad Mahrez comes off the bench with quite such a broad smile on his face. But, boy, was he beaming when he joined the stampede of Algerians in tracksuit tops hurtling on to the pitch at the Prince Moulay Hassan stadium on a rousing night in the Africa Cup of Nations last-16.

  When you are the captain, the elder statesman and all-round flag-bearing icon of a sporting nation, you take extra care to keep your dignity.

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