Tag Archives: 2018

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Rwanda filled the final place at the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) Sunday despite only drawing 0-0 in Kigali against Ethiopia in the second leg of a play-off. The Rwandans qualified 3-2 on aggregate having won the first leg by that score in Addis Ababa …

Moscow, Russia | AFP | The Russian government said Friday it was shortening the academic year at universities in some cities hosting the 2018 World Cup to make room in dormitories for police. The decision drew protests from the country’s largest student union and underscored the concern Russia devotes to …

Moscow, Russia | AFP | Several heads were left being scratched on Thursday after Russia used some hardcore techno beats in a dark auditorium decked out to look like an underground dance club to present the official 2018 World Cup ball. The orb in the spotlight followed the edgy motif of …

Moscow, Russia | AFP | Russia says it will take extraordinary measures to combat any terrorist threat when it hosts the World Cup next year, as its military campaign in Syria makes the country a prime target for jihadists. A bombing on the metro in Saint Petersburg in April that …

Abidjan, Ivory Coast | AFP | Crystal Palace striker Wilfried Zaha will make his long-awaited debut for Ivory Coast in a do-or-die World Cup qualifier against Morocco on November 11. The 24-year-old has never played for the African nation which he left with his family when he was just four. However, …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Egypt will compete at the 2018 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Morocco, despite being eliminated in the qualifying competition two months ago. The Egyptians lost 4-2 on aggregate to Morocco, who are now automatic competitors in the 16-team event having replaced Kenya as hosts. This …

Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Nigeria coach Gernot Rohr has warned his players that their performances at next year’s World Cup will be affected if there is any repeat of protests over pay and bonuses. At the last finals in Brazil three years ago, the Super Eagles deliberately missed a training …

Panama City, Panama | AFP | Panama president Juan Carlos Varela declared a national holiday in celebration at the central American country’s first ever qualification for the World Cup. “It’s a historic day for the country. Tomorrow (Thursday) will be a national holiday for public and private sector workers,” Varela said …

Johannesburg, South Africa | AFP | Tunisia, Senegal and Morocco are well placed to complete in November the five-nation African line-up for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Nigeria and Egypt secured places at the weekend with home victories over Zambia and Congo Brazzaville respectively, leaving eight countries hunting the other …

Soweto, South Africa | AFP | Percy Tau starred for a much-changed and much-improved South Africa in a crucial 3-1 victory over Burkina Faso Saturday in a 2018 World Cup Africa zone qualifier in Soweto. The diminutive winger scored the first goal after 48 seconds, played a role in the second, …