The Black Stars of New York City
Watching the African Nations Cup with Ghana fans on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn.
SPORTS
Stephen Keshi is Pure Gold
Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi's understanding of Nigeria and its football politics may be a template to how think Nigeria out of its political leadership crisis.
A large piece of humble pie
The job of Nigeria's men national team is one of the worst places to be on the planet. So, when the team wins, we all celebrate.
Heroes of Afcon 2013: from DR Congo’s “bum shuffling” goalie to Ouwo Moussa Maâzou, the Nigerien striking sensation
The quarter finals are upon us, and this is where things get serious. The group stages were a joyous affair, and introduced all manner of characters (and hairstyles) to a global audience. We asked our team of contributors to choose their heroes of Afcon 2013 so far, the only rule being that they couldn’t pick […]
Is north African football in decline?
North African teams failed to get out of the group stages at the 2013 African Cup of Nations. The best spin is that at least we got to see their future potentials.
The Foreign Coach
Africa's men's national football teams have failed to improve under foreign coaches and there is nothing to suggest that this state of affairs will ever improve.
wal Maghrib! wal Maghrib!
Watching -- in a Moroccan enclave in Astoria in the New York borough of Queens -- as Morocco defeat South Africa in the 2013 African Cup of Nations.
The Golden Generation of Les Éléphants
Watching the Africans Cup of Nations at an Ivorian restaurant in Harlem, New York.
The trouble with Angola
Angola is the Big Brother of Africa’s Lusophone nations: So, Cape Verde’s defeat of Angola in AFCON 2013 was met with huge appreciation.
Songs for Chipolopolo (or Africa Cup of Nations Playlist N°4)
By Charles Mafa* It’s death or glory today for defending champions Zambia, who must beat Burkina Faso to make it to the quarter-finals. Anything less will be a major disappointment. Just in case the Chipolopolo boys need a confidence booster ahead of the big match, and so that they remember what this means to the […]
Songs for Bafana (Also Known As African Cup of Nations Playlist N°2)
By Njabulo Ngidi Against expectations South Africa finished top of their group and made it to the quarterfinals. Hopefully the team and coaches will concentrate on the next match and not get carried away like the country’s sports minister after the 2-0 win over Angola last week. (He railed against white supremacy, unpatriotic critics and […]
When the Blue Sharks swam into Mandela Bay
What we learned from Day 8 of the 2013 African Cup of Nations.
Songs for the Blue Sharks of Capo Verde
This is the first in out Africa Nations Cup 2013 playlists : music to get you in the mood for the football, or to drown out the commentator if he's annoying you during the game.
Saving and scoring penalties every day
What we learned from day seven of the 2013 African Cup of Nations.
The Johannesburg Cup of Nations
The spirit of the African Cup of Nations is infectious in the streets of Johannesburg, especially in the inner city where different African nationalities coexist.
What’s With The Empty Seats
South Africa is hosting the African Cup of Nations, but few locals go to the stadiums. Maybe people realize that they have more important things to do than watch football?
The Democratic Republic of Congo Effect
What we learned from Day Six of the 2013 African Nations Cup held in South Africa.
What we learned from day five of Afcon 2013
South Africa’s form has been dismal for a while now. Pre-Afcon, Elliot Ross concluded here that “they’re rubbish.” Johannesburg-based football writer Njabulo Ngidi basically confirmed as much in a preview for us of Bafana Bafana’s chances. After the aimless goalless draw against Cape Verde on opening day, that football sage Jonathan Wilson wrote (in Sports Illustrated, […]
Do South Africans care for Bafana Bafana
Three American students watch the African Cup of Nations at a South African restaurant in Brooklyn. Bafana Bafana played Cape Verde in a first round game.
Angolan football fans are no fools
Angola's Palancas Negras and the curse of the African Cup of Nations quarterfinals.