Africa

The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) said Nigeria were to blame for the postponement of Tuesday's scheduled Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Benghazi after the visitors refused to play the match citing mistreatment on arrival in the country.

Nigerian players and officials were kept in a locked airport for over 16 hours almost 150 miles away from their intended destination after their charter flight was redirected while on approach to Benghazi and instead landed in Bayda.

Morocco claimed the bronze medal in the Olympic men's soccer tournament with a crushing 6-0 win over Egypt thanks to Soufiane Rahimi's double and goals from Abde Ezzalzouli, Bilal El Khannouss, Akram Nakach and Achraf Hakimiin Nantes on Thursday.

Morocco, who lost 2-1 to Spain in the semi-finals, bounced back with the biggest win of the tournament so far to reach an Olympic podium for the first time. The bronze is also the country's first medal in a team sport.

The United States men’s national team’s 2024 Olympic run came to a disappointing end on Friday in the quarterfinals as Morocco dominated the USA 4-0.

A superior Moroccan side walked over a U.S. team that lacked ideas and composure on the day. The USMNT only really threatened Morocco’s goal once in the 59th minute when Miles Robinson had a great opportunity in the box but hit his shot horribly wide.

FIFA are launching a new series of friendly matches in one location during the international window called the FIFA Series, with a pilot project kicking off in four countries next month, world soccer's governing body said on Monday.

Although there are no trophies or prize money, the series is designed to benefit national teams that do not have the opportunity to play teams from other confederations, with FIFA set to cover travel costs.

BOUAKE — Three-time winners Nigeria were given a scare but reached the Africa Cup of Nations final after goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali saved two penalties in the shootout to guide his side to a 4-2 victory over South Africa following a 1-1 draw on Wednesday.

William Troost-Ekong put Nigeria into the lead from the penalty spot midway through the second half, before South Africa earned a spot-kick of their own in the final minute of the 90 and it was converted by Teboho Mokoena.

BOUAKE — Hosts Ivory Coast kept up their incredible escape act at the Africa Cup of Nations as they came from behind to beat Mali 2-1 in Saturday’s quarterfinal, scoring a last-gasp goal in extra time to book a semifinal with the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Oumar Diakite got a touch to Seko Fofana’s strike to win the game for the Ivorians, who played with 10 men for most of the match after Odilon Kossounou was sent off shortly before halftime.

IVORY COAST ADVANCES

The greatest African women’s soccer player is coming to play in the NWSL. Six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala will join new expansion side Bay FC for the 2024 season.

Oshoala has spent the last five years with the mighty Barcelona Femení where she’s been unstoppable. In her time with Barcelona she won 14 trophies and scored 117 goals in 162 appearances. She became the first African women’s player to win the UEFA Champions League.

Bay FC have signed themselves a superstar.

Bay FC Oshoala signing

ABIDJAN — An angry supporter attempted to strike Ghana coach Chris Hughton after their upset 2-1 loss at the Africa Cup of Nations finals on Sunday and was taken away by police, team officials confirmed on Monday.

Ghana were beaten by a stoppage time goal by the Cape Verde Islands, the smallest of the 24 teams at the tournament in the Ivory Coast in one of several shock results on Sunday.

Hughton was accosted at the team hotel as Ghana returned from the match but the angry fan was intercepted by security officials.