World Cup
African football has the platform for historic World Cup success
Africa could break the glass ceiling of winning the World Cup in the next 10 years, partly thanks to a platform highlighting to foreign clubs the most talented youth from the continent, the co-founder has boldly claimed to AFP.
Morocco’s surprise run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals sparked hopes that such a moment is not far off.
Benjamin Balkin, though, thinks Eyeball, the digital platform he co-founded in 2020, could be the determining factor in ensuring that happens as it provides a shop window for talent which would previously have been missed.
Balkin cheerfully describes himself as a “failed footballer” having played in the academy of French club Monaco but was told he would fall short in the senior ranks.
As a Monaco ballboy, Balkin marvelled at the skills of Ivory Coast superstar Yaya Toure and Togo’s Emmanuel Adebayor.
It was the spark that lit the fuse and has years later resulted in Eyeball investing in an Under-19 championship for Senegalese academies, United Future League, in Senegal.
That is one part of their investment as they also provide video cameras to 5,000 youth coaches globally, who film training sessions and add tags to individual players which are then placed on the platform.
High-profile clubs like German champions Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea can access the footage.
It costs clubs just 92 euros ($97) a day to be able to scout 30,000 players across Africa.
Balkin, born in France to Danish parents, says by moving abroad the players grow in every sense which ultimately benefits their national sides.
“Those players leaving African academies and going to European or American academies, their football understanding skills, IQ will improve, because of just a better level of training, better infrastructure,” Balkin told AFP from Copenhagen.
“When those players come back and play for the national team, the national teams will also benefit from that and perform probably at a better level.
“So maybe if we speak again in 10 years, we’ll have an African nation that has won the World Cup, that wouldn’t be surprising.”
‘Much more transparent’
Balkin’s friend and now colleague Oliver Durr Dehnhardt experienced how difficult it was to acquire African talent when he was a scout at Dutch giants Ajax.
“We made a partnership with Cape Town FC in South Africa for a few years,” he told AFP.
“It didn’t work out. We got one player out of it and it was still too messy.
“So in the end, before Eyeball, the idea in Africa was, let’s wait until they come to Europe and then we just need to accept that we will have to pay 10, 15, 20 million euros for them.”
The 30-year-old Dane said that picture was transformed when Eyeball, who say they are the only players in this market, came on the scene.
“In my later stage at Ajax, we were starting to look actively in Africa because Eyeball enabled that for us,” he said.
“With the United Future League, they actually built the structure that was missing and gave us the opportunity to see the players a year, year-and-a-half before they made their senior debut.
“So all of a sudden, we were able to replicate the process that we have in Europe to Africa.”
In years gone by there have been plentiful stories of young talent brought to Europe by unscrupulous agents and when they fail to make it are left to fend for themselves, often condemned to sleeping on the streets.
Balkin, 26, believes such behaviour is now “outdated” but Eyeball provides a safety net.
“It certainly made things much more transparent,” he said.
“That’s the biggest thing. So throughout the system, you’re actually able to get correct information on players.
“So first of all, like, when are they born? What is the nationality?
“Clubs and scouts are able to reach out directly to other clubs down there in Africa without having to go through intermediaries.”
Balkin highlights the story of 19-year-old Assane Ouedraogo, who through the platform earned a move from his Ivory Coast club San Pedro to Charlotte in the MLS, although he is currently on loan at MLS Next Pro side Crown Legacy FC.
“With the sign-on bonus, he was able to buy a house for his parents.”
-AFP
Follow the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Riyad Mahrez ruled out extending his international career into his forties like Cristiano Ronaldo, declaring the 2026 World Cup will be his last after guiding Algeria to a fifth appearance at the tournament.
The 34-year-old winger, who plays for Al-Ahli – the reigning Asian champions – scored once and assisted twice in Algeria’s 3-0 win over Somalia in the penultimate round of African qualifying, securing top spot in Group G and a place at next year’s finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“This will be my last World Cup. I’m not Ronaldo (40),” Mahrez told Algerian media.
“I’ll give everything I have to represent Algeria in the best possible way.”
Mahrez, who turns 35 in February, now has 33 goals in 106 international appearances. He praised his teammates, coach, and fans for their support, saying the team “dominated from start to finish” and that the focus now shifts to the Africa Cup of Nations.
“I thank God for this important win,” he said. “I’m happy to have helped with two assists, but the most important thing is that we’ve officially qualified.”
Algeria have now qualified for the World Cup for the fifth time following appearances in 1982, 1986, 2010 and 2014. Their best performance came in 2014 in Brazil, where they reached the round of 16 for the first time before falling to eventual champions Germany in extra time.
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
An avalanche of goals for the Cote d’Ivoire and Senegal on Friday put both teams on the brink of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, which they can secure with home success in their last group matches next week.
African champions Cote d’Ivoire beat the Seychelles 7-0 away to stay one point ahead of Gabon in the Group F standings and they will qualify if they win their final game at home to Kenya on Tuesday.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored all four goals for Gabon, before being sent off, as they came from behind to beat the Gambia 4-3 in a thrill-a-minute affair in Nairobi that kept alive their hopes.
Senegal maintained their two-point advantage in Group B over the Democratic Republic of Congo as they beat South Sudan 5-0, while the Congolese recorded a 1-0 triumph in Togo. Senegal will qualify for a third successive World Cup if they beat neighbours Mauritania at home on Tuesday.
In Friday’s later matches, Aiyegun Tosin scored late to put Benin two points clear in Group C with a 1-0 victory in Rwanda.
Benin have 17 points while South Africa, who drew 0-0 with neighbours Zimbabwe, sit on 15.
Nigeria moved back into contention with 14 points following a 2-1 away victory over Lesotho with a penalty from captain William Troost-Ekong and a late effort from substitute Akor Adams.
The group will be decided on Tuesday when Benin go away to Nigeria and South Africa host Rwanda.
Ismaila Sarr gave Senegal a 29th-minute lead as Iliman Ndiaye delivered a cross to the back post from the right flank and the Everton winger was also the provider for Sadio Mane to score early in the second half.
Sarr then scored his second goal while Nicolas Jackson and Pape Cherif Ndiaye also found the net.
Cedric Bakambu broke away after an interception in the seventh minute to win the game for DR Congo in Lome, moving them to 19 points, two behind Senegal.
IVORIAN OPENED SCORING WITH GIFT PENALTY
The Ivorians were always expected to run riot against the Seychelles, who are 203rd out of 210 countries in the FIFA rankings, but were handed a gift of a penalty after six minutes, which Ibrahim Sangare converted to get things going.
After that followed goals for Emmanuel Agbadou, Oumar Diakite and Evann Guessand before halftime, and Yan Diomande, Simon Adingra and Franck Kessie after the break.
The 36-year-old Aubameyang kept alive Gabon’s hopes in a remarkable individual performance with two goals in each half before a needless red card late in the game.
He was booked for breaking the corner flag as he kicked it in celebration and then collected a second caution for a petulant shove on an opponent that means he is suspended for their last game at home to Burundi on Tuesday.
Already qualified Tunisia had a 6-0 win over minnows Sao Tome e Principe in Group H with two goals each for Mohamed Ali Ben Romndhane and Elias Saad.
The final round of African group qualifiers start on Sunday and conclude on Tuesday
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have suffered a major setback ahead of their decisive 2026 World Cup qualifier against Group C leaders Benin Republic on Tuesday in Uyo, as star forward Ademola Lookman will miss the encounter due to suspension.
Lookman, one of Nigeria’s standout performers in the qualifiers so far, picked up a second yellow card of the campaign during Friday’s 2–1 win over Lesotho in Polokwane, South Africa. The booking automatically rules him out of the must-win tie against Benin.
The incident occurred in the 64th minute when Lookman, after being harshly tackled in midfield by a Lesotho defender, reacted by body-checking his opponent. Chadian referee Alhadi Allaou Mahamat deemed the action as retaliation and promptly issued a yellow card.
It was Lookman’s second caution of the qualifying series, the first coming in the 18th minute of last month’s away match against South Africa. The cumulative bookings have now triggered an automatic one-match suspension.
Lookman’s absence is a huge blow for Nigeria, who must defeat Benin to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive.
The Atalanta forward has been instrumental in recent matches, contributing pace, creativity, and attacking spark to the Super Eagles’ frontline.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
- World Cup1 week ago
FIFA Sanction on South Africa Offers Super Eagles a Lifeline — But a Lesson from History Looms
- U20 FOOTBALL3 days ago
Flying Eagles Bank on ‘Magic of October 8’ to overcome Argentina
- World Cup7 days ago
Super Eagles Walk Tightrope as Nine Key Players Risk Suspension in World Cup Qualifiers
- World Cup1 week ago
Osimhen Returns as Chelle Names 23-Man Squad for Crucial World Cup Qualifiers
- World Cup19 hours ago
CAF Rule Change May Boost Nigeria’s World Cup Qualification Hopes
- U-20 FOOTBALL4 days ago
Nigeria, Argentina Renew Rivalry as Flying Eagles Target Quarter-Final Spot in Chile
- U-20 FOOTBALL6 days ago
Nigeria Face Must-Win Battle Against Colombia in Chile
- Premier League7 days ago
Mount and Sesko fire Man United to victory over Sunderland