Planet Sport Football Africa

On this week’s show we talk about Italy as a destination for African players, and we speak to Nigeria’s Orji Okwonkwo. Plus the issues of racism in Italian football. We reflect on a great week of action in the Uefa Champions League, and we look at who is going to take third and fourth in the EPL.

On this week’s show we look at the diaspora effect in African football. With the movement of Africans all across the world, we have many footballers with African roots living in Europe and elsewhere around the world. They can potentially strengthen the national teams of the countries where they have their roots. Nine newcomers from the diaspora were included in the Zimbabwe squad for the recent Under-23 qualifiers, including Matifadza Zata, who grew up in Scotland. Plus plenty on the EPL, where the battle for the title and the top four places continues, as Manchester United dropped vital points against Wolves.

On this week’s show we have lots on the AFCON qualifiers as Burundi qualified for the first time, along with three other East African teams. Zimbabwe qualified for a fourth time, we hear from striker Tino Kadewere. But disappointment for countries like The Gambia, Gabon and Liberia. And it’s Global Money Week, and Stuart looks at the highest-paid players in the EPL.

On this week’s show we brace up for this weekend’s AFCON qualifiers, with the remaining 10 slots at this year’s finals to be decided. As Fifa has approved a revised 24-team Club World Cup starting in 2021, African clubs will be excited, but top European clubs say they would boycott the tournament. So will it take off? Also, we look at how national team coaches in Africa can select the best possible team, given how many Africans are playing all around the world. We speak to Switzerland-based Nigerian Stephen Odeh. Plus lots on EPL and Stuart’s views on Ghana great Michael Essien moving to Azerbaijan.

On this week’s show we speak to Wayne Sandilands, goalkeeper for South Africa and South African giants Orlando Pirates. He’s seen it all in African football, and has made his fair share of mistakes as a goalkeeper. He tells us how his faith has helped him along the way. Also, lots on a thrilling week in the Uefa Champions League and analysis on the EPL title race.

On this week’s show we catch up with young Gambian player Modou Lamin Marong, who’s pursuing his dream of making it in one of the big leagues of Europe. Modou is playing in the Swedish third division, and he tells us all about the sacrifices that he’s making to follow his dream. Plus, goals resulting from accidental handball will no longer be allowed to stand, and we have the latest from the EPL and the Uefa Champions League, as we ask if it’s the end of an era for Real Madrid.

On this week’s show we hear the story of Nigeria and Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, who is a big star now, but as a teenager he was selling groundnuts and selling water on the streets of Lagos, and doing extra jobs to follow his dream. We’ll hear how Ndidi’s character and determination helped him along the way. Also, analysis on the gripping title race in the EPL, and Stuart’s thoughts on Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arizzabalaga refusing to be substituted.

On this week’s show we talk about the Video Assistant Referee technology, as Morocco will become the first African country to use the VAR in its league. We go to Morocco and find how they will manage to fund it. Also, some top Europe-based Moroccan players are choosing to move to Gulf nations like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, including captain Mehdi Benatia who left Juventus and chose to move to Qatar instead of Manchester United. We find out why. Plus a look at the Uefa Champions League, and we have an interview with Italy-based Ivory Coast midfielder Jeremie Boga.

On this week’s show we talk about the issue of teams being affected by players with big egos – players who have huge contracts and can become big-headed. Countries like Nigeria have struggled with this, and there are stories of it being a problem in the Ghana national team. We speak to Black Stars striker Majeed Waris.And we talk about Manchester City’s 6-0 demolition of Chelsea and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first defeat as Manchester United manager.

On this week's show we speak to Ghana striker Majeed Waris on the Black Stars’ chances of success at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. And we talk about the countries that Waris has played in – he’s with Nantes in France and has played in four other European countries. Plus analysis on the gripping title race in the EPL, and a look at some of the Africans who might feature in the knockout stage of the Uefa Champions League.

On this week's show we talk about player agents. There are many stories of African players who’ve allegedly been exploited by unscrupulous agents. We speak to former Nigeria striker Stephen Makinwa who is now a player agent and is determined to represent his players well. Plus your thoughts on the importance of the English FA Cup, and we ask why Barcelona decided to sign Ghana’s Kevin-Prince Boateng.

On this week's show we find out a bit about Sweden as a destination for African players as we speak to Kenya international Eric Johana Omondi, who’s been playing in Sweden since 2017. Johana helped Kenya to their first AFCON in 15 years as they’ll be playing at this year’s finals in Egypt. Also, Stuart highlights a few important changes that could be made to the laws of the game, including handball.

On this week's show we ask if we take football too seriously. Football is supposed to be a game that we enjoy and a sport that brings people together. But it has resulted in violence, in deaths, even in a war. We speak to Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo, who reflects on how he had death threats aimed at his family after the Super Eagles went out at the group stage of the 2018 World Cup. Plus a look at the EPL as we ask if Manchester United can manage a top-four finish.

On this week's show we ask if it was the right decision to make Egypt the 2019 AFCON hosts. As Mohamed Salah won a second African Footballer of the Year award, where does he rank among the greatest African footballers? Lots on the EPL as the rejuvenated Manchester United face a stiff test this weekend. And Stuart looks at Africans playing in Germany, the USA and China, and Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo tells us how it was playing in China.

On this week's show we talk about home-grown players. Research in Europe shows that in Europe over the past 10 years there’s a decreasing presence of club-trained players, and a stronger presence of foreign players at clubs. This can be the case with top clubs in Africa too, that they sign the best players rather than developing the players from their youth structures. We look at the reasons for this. Also we speak to Nigeria midfielder Ogenyi Onazi, looking back at the 2018 World Cup and what his dreams are.

On this week's show we ask whether 2018 was a good one or a bad one for African football. We have an interview with Nigeria international defender Kenneth Omeruo, who’s on loan to Spanish side Leganes. It’s Omeruo’s seventh loan move away from Chelsea since he joined them in 2012, and he doesn’t even think he’ll get to play in the EPL. Also, Stuart takes a look at how many Africans are playing in England and in France.

On this week's show we focus on the sacking of Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. What does this mean for the future of the club, and with so many Man United fans around Africa, how are they feeling? Also, a disappointing showing for Esperance at the Fifa Club World Cup, and listeners’ views on whether it’s time for Yaya Toure to retire.

On this week's show we talk about football in North Africa, as African champions Esperance of Tunisia are representing the continent in the Fifa Club World Cup. And we hear from Morocco about the country winning the Caf Confederation Cup with Raja Casablanca. Plus, what does the future hold for Yaya Toure? We also look at the Uefa Champions league and the EPL.

On this week's show we talk about the decision made by CAF to take away the 2019 AFCON from Cameroon, with just six months to go. CAF says that Cameroon were behind with preparations. We get reaction from Yaoundé. We look back at the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations as Nigeria won it, but it was much closer than usual. And Sol Campbell is added to the small list of black managers in English football.

On this week's show we talk about the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations as Nigeria play South Africa in the final. Disappointment for hosts Ghana as they went out at the group stage and failed to get one of the three slots at next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup. Plus a look at the Under-17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay, where the African teams are all out, with Ghana doing best of the African teams but going out at the quarter-final stage. And Stuart’s thoughts on this weekend’s London derby in the EPL, with Arsenal hosting Tottenham, with Gunners striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joint-top of the scoring charts.