Planet Sport Football Africa

This week's show comes to you from the AFCON in Gabon, with the defending champions Ivory Coast already out ahead of this weekend's quarter-finals. Senegal striker Mame Biram Diouf tells us that he's hopeful of a good run in the knockout stage. Also we hear from a player who's featured at the AFCON in the past, Cameroon midfielder Enoh Eyong. He tells us about the experience, and also talks about how his faith has helped him to know his purpose in life. We hear listeners' comments on AFCON and take a look at the English Premier League as Liverpool's title hopes took a knock with defeat to Swansea.

Steve Vickers is in Franceville to present this week's show from the Africa Cup of Nations. Senegal have impressed so far and we focus on the Teranga Lions and hear from star striker Sadio Mane of Liverpool. Also we talk about Uganda – back at the tournament after a 39-year absence. A Ugandan journalist tells us about the excitement as The Cranes made it to Gabon and analyst Solomon Izang Ashoms reflects on the challenges facing the hosts, Gabon. Steve takes us on a tour of the market in Franceville and European analyst Stuart Weir looks back on last weekend's fixtures in the English Premier League.

On this week's show we have lots on the 2017 AFCON, as we focus on the tournament in Gabon. We give our predictions and have listeners' thoughts too, on who will win African football's greatest showpiece. One team that's been consistent over the years without winning the trophy is Mali, and speak to their France-based defender Hamari Traore, who says the Eagles are not afraid of their Group, where they face Ghana, Egypt and Uganda. And we ask which African players will be missed most by their EPL clubs. And with the Fifa World Cup set to be expanded to 48 teams from 2026, what does this mean for Africa?

On this week's show we talk about the CAF Awards announced in Abuja on Thursday night when Riyad Mahrez won the award for CAF Player of the Year. We also start to build up to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations which is just a week away. While most of Africa's top teams will be there, Nigeria are missing, and veteran Nigerian journalist Fabio Lanipekun tells us what he thinks the problem is. We zoom in on the English Premier League as Chelsea drop points and as Swansea City continue to struggle.

On this week's show we speak to Man City and Nigeria striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who tells us about his rapid rise to the top. We take a look at the highs and lows of 2016, and get the views of fans in fans Ghana, and give our own thoughts too.

On this week's show we speak to a rising star in the English Premier League, Arsenal and Nigeria winger Alex Iwobi. He tells us about the season so far, and what it's like working with manager Arsene Wenger. The Cameroon's women's national team coach donates half of his AWCON bonuses to charity, he tells us why. We have your comments on whether increased video technology is good for the game, and we go into our 2016 archive and feature an interview with Swansea City's Gambian winger Modou Barrow. And at this festive time of year for many analyst Solomon Ashoms recalls Christmas in Nigeria as a young child.

On this week's show we talk about African players in Germany as it seems it's going to be increasingly harder for African players to make it in the Bundesliga. We speak to Lutz Pfannesteil, a scout at Hoffenheim. We talk to former EPL referee Bob Hamer about the video technology being used at the Fifa Club World Cup. Plus analysis from the EPL after a busy week.

On this week's show we talk about the importance of discipline and character for players. Top footballers can become rich and famous at a young age, and have a lot of pressure to cope with. We often hear stories of players getting involved in controversies, and some players fail to fulfil their potential because of losing focus in their career. We speak to former Nigeria youth coach Emmanuel Amuneke, and Chelsea midfielder Jon Mikel Obi tells us how he's matured by becoming a father.

On this week's show we focus on the Africa Women's Cup of Nations in Cameroon, where the hosts will play Nigeria in the final. We hear how hosting the tournament has given a boost to the women's game in Cameroon. We discuss the five-man shortlist for the Confederation of African Football's African Player of the Year award and ask whether it's likely to go to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Riyad Mahrez. And Nigeria's Victor Moses continues to shine in the EPL, winning the PFA Fans' Premier League Player of the Month award for November.

On this week's show, we talk about the 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, with the tournament at the half-way stage. We speak to the coach of Kenya, who played at the competition for the first time and, he tells us about the development of the game there. Gambian club Real de Banjul have been celebrating their 50th anniversary. Not many clubs in Africa get that far, so what does it take to give a club lasting stability? And Yaya Toure bounces back in stunning style at Manchester City.

On this week's show, we talk about the 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, which begins this weekend in Cameroon. We have a report from Yaounde and hear from fans there. Also we speak to Francisca Ordega, striker with defending champions Nigeria. And we have the third and final part of our interview with Samuel Osei Kuffour, the former Ghana and Bayern Munich defender. This week he explains how his faith helped him to cope with the tragic death of his daughter in 2003.

On this week's show, we we talk about the end-of-year awards – can Algeria's Riyad Mahrez make it into the top three for the Ballon D'Or and Best Fifa Men's Player 2016 award?We have the second part of our interview with former Bayern Munich and Ghana defender Sammy Kuffour, talking about his football and his faith. This week he looks back at the heartbreak of losing the 1999 Uefa Champions League final, where Manchester United produced a stunning late comeback. And we ask whether Yaya Toure's apology to Man City manager Pep Guardiola will be enough for him to play for Man City again.

On this week's show, we have the first part of a remarkable interview with former Bayern Munich and Ghana defender Sammy Kuffour, talking about his life, his faith and his early life in Kumasi, where he grew up in a poor family. We analyse listeners' predictions on the race in the English Premier League, and as Real Madrid's Gareth Bale becomes the world's best-paid player, will top Africans in Europe also benefit?

On this week's show, we have interviews with two Nigerian stars. Jon Mikel Obi talks about some of the organisational mistakes that have affected Nigeria and the importance of being well-prepared throughout the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.And we speak to midfielder Ogenyi Onazi on his move from Italy to Turkey, and hear about his football and his faith. European Football Correspondent Stuart Weir takes a look at other Africans playing in Turkey, and we have a look at the English Premier League where Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he doesn't want to retire.

On this week's show we analyse the draw for the 2017 AFCON – it's Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal and Zimbabwe in the group of death, and we hear from Zimbabwe fans on a very difficult draw.The women's AFCON in Cameroon is just four weeks away. We have a special report from Cameroon on the preparations for the tournament. And we take a look at the English Premier League where Gambian Modou Barrow is impressing.

On this week's show we talk about the Senegal national team, as they made a winning start in the final qualifying round for the 2018 World Cup. We hear from striker Sadio Mane and a Senegalese journalist who feels that the Teranga Lions still lack team cohesion. As Nigeria beat Zambia in their opener, we talk to Super Eagles defender William Troost-Ekong, who looks back at winning an Olympic bronze medal in Rio.

On this week's show, as the final qualifying round for Africa for the 2018 World Cup is underway this weekend, we speak to fans in Ghana about their expectations. We have your views and comments on the question, does God mind who wins a football match, and what if both teams are praying for victory? Also, we talk about the EPL, with young Nigerian striker Isaac Success doing well for Watford.

On this week's show we speak to 1997 African Footballer of the Year Victor Ikpeba of Nigeria. Ikpeba talks about Nigeria's current challenges and his faith. He says that he always prayed before matches, but that the prayers may not actually affect the result of the game. So does God mind who wins a football match or any sporting contest. And is it helpful to pray about the challenges that all we face in everyday life? Also, we talk about the EPL, in particular two African players who are shining – Alex Iwobi at Arsenal and Liverpool's Sadio Mane.

On this week's show we delve into the controversy around Ivory Coast legend Yaya Toure. As Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said he won't pick Toure for the club until he apologises for comments made by his agent, will Toure play for City again? Also, we speak to Nigeria and Chelsea striker Victor Moses. After being loaned out for three years, Moses is establishing himself in the Chelsea squad this season. And we talk women's football, as Egypt prepare for the 2016 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

On this week's show we talk about another one of Stuart's top 10 Africans to have played in the EPL - Togo's Emmanuel Adebayor. With the Rio Paralympics ending this weekend it's Japan's turn next to host the Olympic Games and the Paralympics in 2020. We find out a bit about what to expect in Japan. Also Stuart concludes his series on the looking at life of former Fifa president Sepp Blatter.