Planet Sport Football Africa

On this week’s show we focus on scouting of African players, and we speak to Arsenal’s former head of global scouting, Francis Cagigao. He explains how sophisticated the scouting system is at big European clubs, and how Africa needs to invest more in scouting structures. Plus Stuart tell us about the legend Pele, who turned 80 recently.

On this week’s show we catch up on the action in the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup, with games having been held in Morocco, and affected by Covid-19. Also news from Kenya as Jacob Mulee becomes national team coach for a fifth time! We have a roundup of plans for the return of domestic football in Africa, and Stuart on the drama in the EPL as Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk is out for the rest of the season.

On this week’s show, we take a look at statistics and record-keeping in African football. There’s a huge contrast between the record-keeping in football in most African countries and the European leagues. We speak to African football expert Nuhu Adams in Ghana – Nuhu believes that the lack of basic records and statistics is affecting the progress of African football. And, continental action is back this weekend – we preview the first legs of the CAF Champions League semi-finals. Plus Stuart on the EPL and how Covid-19 might affect things in the coming months.

As teams are getting ready for next month’s AFCON qualifiers, on this week’s show we’re asking what it takes for small teams to become competitive. We’ve seen more and more smaller teams cause upsets over the years, like Madagascar, who went all the way to the AFCON quarter-finals on their debut last year. We hear from Lesotho coach Thabo Senong, who hopes to take the team forward. Plus a look at the transfers, as Arsenal signed Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey on deadline day.

On this week’s show we focus on racism in football, and hear from FIFA secretary-general Fatma Samoura, who says that FIFA’s main strategy to deal with racism in the game is their anti-discrimination policies and grassroots education campaigns. But there was much surprise and criticism when a Fifa Taskforce Against Racism and Discrimination was disbanded four years ago, after meeting only three times, and we get the views of renowned African football journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, who was a member of the Taskforce. Plus, South African coach Pitso Mosimane joins Al Ahly, and lots on the EPL as debate over the handball law dominated Matchday 3.

On this week’s show we have a very bizarre story from Zimbabwe, as four Ghanaian players were stuck in the country for six months after being allegedly deceived by two officials that they were going to sign for a newly-formed club in Division 1 and earn $10 000 a month! The club doesn’t exist, and the players couldn’t go back home because of the lockdown. Plus lots on a goals-mad EPL.

On this week’s show we speak to Nigeria international defender Tyronne Ebuehi, who says he is raring to go following his recovery from a knee injury which sidelined him for two years. Ebuehi says that his mental attitude helped him as he was in Portugal and feeling alone. And lots on the EPL, as Aubameyang decides to stay at Arsenal.

On this week’s show we get the latest on the African football calendar from CAF secretary-general Abdel Bah, who says that the AFCON will not move to every four years, despite the wishes of the Fifa president Gianni Infantino. Plus a look at the power of social media as Zimbabwean forward Gabriel Nyoni has joined South African first division side Cape Umoya United just three days after advertising his services on social media. And it’s back already! Stuart looks ahead to the new EPL season.

It’s an Arsenal special on this week’s show, as we ask if things might improve a bit for the Gunners this season. We speak to Robbie Lyle, the founder and host of the AFTV YouTube channel, formerly known as Arsenal Fan TV. He’s a big fan of captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. We also hear from Gunners legend Thierry Henry on African football. And we hear about the experience of going back to the stadium to watch football, as 2,500 fans attended the friendly between Brighton and Chelsea. Have your say on WhatsApp +44 7955 232 780

On this week’s show we feature an interview with Zambia national team midfielder Enock Mwepu, who plays for RB Salzburg in Austria. Sadio Mane and Takumi Minamino were both at RB Salzburg before moving to Liverpool, so could Mwepu be destined for greater things? Also a look at the African roots of Bayern Munich’s speedy left-back Alphonso Davies, and Stuart assesses the chances of newly-promoted EPL club West Brom.

On this week’s show we talk to young Gambiam Modou Lamin Marong, one of many Africans playing for small teams in Europe. We’ve been catching up with him every few months to find out how he’s been getting on in pursuing his dream of playing for one of Europe’s biggest clubs. Modou is in the fourth tier in Sweden, but feels that something bigger could happen. And there’s so much to talk about in European football, with Barcelona, Manchester City and Manchester United all having experienced disappointments.

On this week’s show we focus on women’s football, as Caf has launched a Women’s Football Strategy, calling it the dawn of a new era for the women’s game on the continent. The plan includes accelerating the growth of the women’s game at all levels all across Africa. We hear from Morocco, where a big project has begun to promote and develop women's football, and we ask if this project is likely to succeed across the continent. Plus, Stuart on newly-promoted Leeds United and a look at the transfer market.

On this week’s show we look at what the future might hold for Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. There’s speculation aplenty over the first African captain to lift the FA Cup – will he stay with the Gunners, might there be a move to Real Madrid, or to another club that can give him Champions League football? Plus Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen becomes the most expensive African footballer ever, and we go to Cameroon, where former captain Stephen Tataw died at the age of 57, another great player to have passed away in financial hardship.

On this week’s show we take a look at the just-ended EPL season – six weeks of action in empty stadiums, and so many talking points. We hear from fans in Ghana. Plus, did Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson deserve to win the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award? And a look-ahead to Saturday’s FA Cup final. 

On this week’s show we hear from Nigeria international Ola Aina, who plays for Torino in Italy. Aina made it through the Chelsea academy thanks to the huge sacrifices of his parents as they helped him follow his dream. Stuart looks ahead to the final day of the EPL, with lots still to be decided, and a Gambian legend is laid to rest. 

On this week’s show we focus on how former South African president Nelson Mandela used the power of football to build his country. July 18th is Nelson Mandela International Day, and 10 years ago South Africa hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We hear from Neil Tovey, who captained Bafana Bafana at the 1996 AFCON. Plus Stuart on the Manchester City case as the club is cleared of Financial Fair Play breaches

On this week’s show we hear from Liberian President George Weah, the 1995 World Footballer of the Year, on whether he agrees with those who say that he is the best African player ever. Weah also talks about the hard work that he and other trailblazing African players did in Europe, opening the way for thousands to follow. Plus Stuart on Manchester City’s inconsistency.

We look at the changes to the African football calendar, with the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations moved to January 2022, and the African Nations Championship taking place in January 2021. And in women’s football, the CAF Women’s Champions League launches next year. Can it succeed? Plus, more on the EPL as Liverpool are crowned champions and the games come thick and fast …

As Liverpool are crowned EPL champions, we speak to club legend Ian Rush, winner of five league titles with the Reds, and two European titles. Rush give his thoughts on the African players in the current Liverpool squad. And a CAF document recommends that for the game to resume in Africa, players should have regular Covid-19 tests, and that all teams should gather in one city until the end of the league. We ask how practical this is.

In 30 years, no African team has bettered Cameroon’s quarter-final place at the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Why has no-one done better – and why have Cameroon failed to build on their achievement? Ex-keeper and legend Joseph-Antoine Bell pulls no punches … plus Stuart Weir analyses the EPL’s return. Listen now at planetsport.tv/planetsportfootballafrica and give us YOUR views: comment below or on WhatsApp +44 7955 232 780