AFCON
Cote D’Ivoire Interim Coach, Fae Demands Fast Start Against Giant-killing DR Congo –
On the cusp of a historic Africa Cup of Nations final, Cote d’Ivoire coach Emerse Fae has called on his players to make the perfect start in their seismic semi-final against DR Congo.
The Ivorians are chasing a third continental crown but face a dangerous Leopards side on Wednesday fresh from dumping out record seven-time winners Egypt at the Round of 16.
Fae knows his talented Elephants must seize the initiative from the very first whistle at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan after riding their luck en route to the last four.
“In our previous games we’ve struggled at the start,” he acknowledged frankly ahead of the showdown in Abidjan.
“This time we’ll look to capitalise on the confidence we’ve built to impose our gameplan from the off.”
Cote d’Ivoire advanced via penalty shootouts against Senegal after chasing the game, then left it late to see off Mali with a last-gasp winner.
Those energy-sapping victories were testament to the spirit Fae has fostered since taking the reins last year.
“We were almost out but we refocused as a group, restored confidence and understood we had to be united,” he explained.
“I knew we had the quality, the key was recreating that team dynamic.”
Fae also believes his men will handle the pressure better against DR Congo with expectation lowered.
“There was more pressure in our last two games than this semi-final, even though it’s a bigger match,” he stated.
“We’ll manage it by remembering how far we’ve come and the effort taken just to get here.”
Make no mistake, this represents a seismic encounter between two giant clubs of the African game.
With the final now tantalisingly close, Fae will urge his Elephants to play without fear right from the first whistle.
But in DR Congo they face determined opponents brimming with belief under coach Sebastien Desabre.
The Leopards will relish the chance to finally step out of the shadow cast by their golden generation of the 1970s.
Cote d’Ivoire versus DR Congo has all the makings of a tight and tactical Afcon classic.
Yet with a place in the final at stake, Fae will demand his Elephants seize their moment on the big stage by making a statement start.
-CAF
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe would welcome an investigation into corruption at the organisation, saying they have nothing to hide following a meeting with Senegalese officials in Dakar on Wednesday.
Senegal’s government last month demanded an investigation into corruption after the country was stripped of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations title by the CAF Appeal Board, and the trophy was awarded to the final opponents, Morocco.
It follows unruly scenes in the January 18 decider in Rabat that Senegal won 1-0, but during which they left the field for several minutes in protest at a late refereeing decision.
Motsepe met with officials from the Senegalese Football Federation and Senegal president Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Wednesday, where he urged unity following the fallout from the final. He will be in Morocco on Thursday for a similar set of meetings.
“I would welcome any investigation into corruption at CAF, be it by a government or any institution,” Motsepe told reporters. “In fact, I would encourage it. We will give them our full cooperation.
“I have been told there were problems in the past and we intervened. It is not just in football, but in business and politics too. We cannot give our children the perception that if you want to succeed in life, be corrupt. There has to be zero tolerance (for corruption).
“That’s the best gift we can give football in Africa. Not just talking about corruption, but intervene, put the necessary laws in place) and implement them.”
Motsepe would not be drawn on the matter between Senegal and Morocco, which is now before the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“There is nothing I can tell you that I haven’t said already 10, 15, 20 times. You can ask me the same question 100 times, I’ll give you the same answer 100 times. I have an obligation to respect that the matter is now in front of the highest (sports) court in the world.”
Motsepe quashed any suggestion that Morocco had been treated favourably in the appeal process.
“Under no circumstances will any single country in Africa be treated more preferentially or more favourably than any other. That will never happen,” he said.
“We are confident we will come out of these challenges more united amongst the 54 nations in Africa.”
-Reuters
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
Patrice Motsepe has intensified his diplomatic shuttle across African football corridors with a crucial visit to Morocco scheduled for Thursday, as the fallout from the controversial AFCON 2025 Final continues to reverberate across the continent.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that Motsepe will meet with Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), alongside other key stakeholders within Morocco’s football ecosystem.
Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF)
The high-level engagement in Rabat comes barely 24 hours after Motsepe’s crisis-management visit to Senegal, underlining CAF’s urgency in addressing the tensions and conflicting reports that have trailed the AFCON final.
Thursday’s meeting is expected to focus on fact-finding, reconciliation, and institutional alignment following the chaotic circumstances that marred the tournament’s climax. The Moroccan FA has been central to the unfolding controversy, with administrative and refereeing decisions from the final still under scrutiny.
CAF disclosed that the visit will conclude with a press conference in Rabat at 17:00 local time (16:00 GMT), where Motsepe is expected to address the media and possibly provide updates on CAF’s ongoing review of the final.
While details of the agenda remain closely guarded, the visit signals a continuation of Motsepe’s hands-on approach to crisis resolution, engaging directly with national federations in a bid to preserve the integrity of African football competitions.
CAF and the FRMF have indicated that further details regarding the outcomes of the visit will be communicated in due course, as stakeholders across the continent await clarity on one of the most contentious finals in recent AFCON history.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
CAF President Patrice Motsepe is set to visit Senegal on Wednesday for high-level talks with President Bassirou Diomaye Faye and the leadership of the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football, in what is widely seen as a crucial diplomatic move amid lingering controversy over the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final.
The visit comes against the backdrop of the chaotic and disputed AFCON 2025 final in Rabat, a match marred by heavy rainfall, administrative confusion, and conflicting official reports from within CAF and its committees.
The uncertainty surrounding the outcome of that final has cast a shadow over African football governance, prompting urgent calls for clarity and institutional accountability.
Sources indicate that Motsepe’s meeting with President Faye will extend beyond routine courtesy, touching on broader issues of football governance, tournament integrity, and the role of national associations in safeguarding the credibility of continental competitions.
Senegal, a major stakeholder in African football and one of the continent’s most influential football nations, is expected to play a key role in shaping the narrative going forward.
Motsepe will also hold discussions with Abdoulaye Fall, focusing on collaboration between CAF and its member associations, as well as mechanisms to prevent a recurrence of the controversies that plagued the AFCON final.
While CAF has yet to officially outline the agenda, observers believe the visit signals an attempt by the continental body to consolidate support among key football nations and manage the fallout from the final’s unresolved issues.
The optics of engaging directly with political leadership further underline the seriousness of the situation.
CAF and the Senegalese Football Federation have both stated that more details regarding the visit will be released in due course, leaving stakeholders across the continent watching closely for signals on how African football’s governing body intends to restore confidence in its competitions.
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Mali Withdraws Recognition of Western Sahara’s SADR, Backs Morocco’s Autonomy Plan
Debuts, Farewells and Destiny: The Super Eagles’ Curious Jamaica and Unity Cup Tradition
Senegal’s Cisse named Angola coach 24 hours after leaving Libya role
- AFCON4 days ago
Motsepe in Dakar: CAF Intensifies Diplomatic Push After AFCON Final Dispute
- Governing Bodies7 days ago
The Building of Another Sports Dynasty: From Fahmy to Adamu
- World Cup1 week ago
Italy federation chief resigns after another World Cup failure
- Boxing6 days ago
Wilder edges retiring Chisora in chaotic heavyweight boxing fight
- Nigerian Football1 week ago
NFF to inaugurate electoral committees ahead of September elections
- Nigerian Football5 days ago
A Battle at Both Ends as NPFL Heads Into Home Stretch
- AWARDS6 days ago
Night of Stars: Dikko, Oshodi Lead Roll Call of Honour at 2026 Sportsville Awards
- UEFA Champions League3 days ago
Late Havertz strike gives Arsenal 1-0 advantage over Sporting