For many in England, last week's news that the Premier League would not be inviting Rangers or Celtic to join anytime soon was a welcome relief. After all, the Premier League has already done enough damage in some eyes to the traditional feel of English football, despite unquestionably expanding the international reach of the English game.

Al-Merreikh - Sudanese spiritThe African Champions League is back on our radars at the moment after the draw for the tournament's 2009 final eight group stage took place last week.And while...

The African nations have been steadily improving over the last decade or so and the World Cup in 2010 represents a good chance for one of the stronger sides to emerge victorious. The Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Nigeria are the ‘heavyweights' of African football but Egypt, Tunisia and Senegal also possess some talent and should not be dismissed.

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has long been a strong advocate of African football, buying the rights to such players as Ghana's Michael Essien and Nigeria's Salomon Kalou at Chelsea and Ghana's Sulley Muntari at Inter.
Now, the Special One is in Nigeria as a special guest of the Kwara Football Academy (KFA).

Let's face it we're all guilty of not paying enough attention to African football. I don't say that because I believe in equal time for all the world's leagues and federations, but because I feel the true madness of African football is going under-appreciated.

Case in point, here's how an article from the Daily Nation about the disappearance of Kenyan national team (also known as the Harambee Stars) manager Antoine Hey.

For all African football fans out there it is great to know that powerhouse Ivory Coast are through to the Finals of the world cup thanks to none other Didier Drogba. His 67th minute equaliser in Malawi was enough to send the Elephants down South for the biggest tournament on the face of the earth.

Something, apparently, since the AFP Foundation is launching a FIFA-backed "training program" for several hundred African football reporters and photographers in advance of the World Cup. The program involves eight cities, where journalists from all 53 African countries will convene for two one-week courses in Arabic, French, English, or Portuguese.

I still remember the 26th of June 2003. It was the summer holidays after my first year of university. The sun shone brightly, which isn't necessarily a given during English summers, the girls were...

The shot makes African football look so happy.
Dirty Tackle has a post that knows better. Apparently the head coach of the Kenyan national team has gone missing.
WTF?

Abiel Tabor (right) lifts the Nigerian title hours before his murderThe ongoing troubles in the Niger Delta region of Bayelsa State, Nigeria were tragically underlined this week with the murder of...

It's all over. The 2009 Confederations Cup is in the books and Brazil reigns supreme as the greatest team in the world.
Ok, maybe not. Or maybe so ... Hard to tell. What does the Confederations Cup really mean?
One thing the Cup does is serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup.

It's been some time since my last post so let's catch up on some news from the 2010 World Cup and African football, shall we?
First off, some self-promotion ... my post on Africans in the UEFA Champions League from earlier today ... don't you dare miss it!
- Are you interested in the upcoming African Cup of Nations in Angola?

The World Cup is not leaving Africa. Not for another six years at least. The only other team that stands a chance of wining the cup is Brazil. Either way, history will be made in South Africa. I say this with no disrespect.

Here's why. Brazil is aiming at getting their sixth title – no other team on the face of the planet comes close to that record.

Chelsea and Côte d'Ivoire striker Didier Drogba has set his sights firmly on World Cup glory with his home nation. The powerful striker, regarded by many as the best frontman in the world, scored the equalising goal that secured the Cote d'Ivoire's place in South Africa and admitted he has grandiose plans for the tournament next summer.

Things are still pretty tight in World cup qualifiers in Africa especially in group b. Tunisia lead this group with 11 points two ahead of Nigeria. The final round of matches will be played on November 14th and it will be do or die for the Super Eagles.

Nigeria who last appeared in this tournament in 2002, will definitely want to prove that they still have what it takes to compete at the highest level.

I may be making a wild statement here, but hear me out. I really in my heart believe that this time next year Argentina will still be basking in the glory of a third world cup triumph!

Sometimes I make myself laugh, but I think they will do better than anyone expects them to. Their dramatic qualification could be just the thing that spurs them on to big things next summer.

Big Story

While FIFA's decision to seed the European group playoff match-ups—basically a mulligan for underachieving powerhouses Portugal, France and Russia—worked according to plan, along came Egypt to remind us all why football is a sport like no other.

It's about time we reviewed something you can visit our shop to see what we recommend. This time it's the cerebral 'Inverting the Pyramid' by Jonathan Wilson the thinking man's football book. Read one to see what we thought...

This is not your average football book, let's get that clear.

In the world of football, nothing can be taken for sure and usually a player saying he will stay leaves a week later. But, in a complete interview published by marca.com, Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor spoke about his present, his future and again said he will not leave the North London club.

He said:

I have always said that I am happy with Arsenal, I am tired of saying so.

Roger Milla burst onto the big stage at the grand old age of 38 when he scored four never-to-be-forgotten goals for Cameroon at the 1990 FIFA World Cup Finals in Italy. Capturing headlines all over the globe for his impressive displays en route to a memorable quarter-final defeat to Sir Bobby Robson's England, Milla captured the hearts of the public with his spontaneous corner flag dancing routine in celebration of each of his goals.

New football book titles out this month include an autobiography of former Saints' icon Matt Le Tissier Taking The Tiss: My Autobiography, a biography of Eric Cantona Cantona: The Rebel Who Would Be King and a book on African football Feet Of The Chameleon.
Other new books published in September are Celtic's Lost Legend an autobiography from George Connelly and No Smoke, No Fire by David Jones, an account of the false accusations of child abuse brought against the former Stockport County, Southampton, Wolves and now Cardiff manager.

First of all fantasy football is a game in which participants assemble an imaginary team of real life players and score points based on those players' actual statistical performance or their perceived contribution on the field of play. Usually players are selected from one specific division in a particular country, although there are many variations.

Last Saturday's 0-0 draw with Japan was Carlos Alberto Parreira's first game back in charge of South Africa. You would be forgiven if you thought that the tenure of Brazilian compatriot, Joel Santana, as Bafana coach had just been a dream. The promise of good things that emerged from their Confederations Cup campaign had since dissipated into the ether.

Egypt suspended its membership of the Union of North African Football Federations on Thursday, complaining that Algerian fans had thrown stones at their supporters during the country's World Cup exit. The Egyptian Football Federation wrote to its counterparts in Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia charging that its fans had come under .

The Africa Cup of Nations group stage draw was released on Friday at the Talatona Convention Centre in Luanda with the hosts Angola being drawn in a somewhat easy Group A alongside Algeria, Mali and Malawi. This tournament will be a must win for the 'Palancas Negras' after they failed to reach the Finals of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The delectable Charlize Theron will be the co-hosting the World Cup draw. She will be part of a star studded group that includes England icon David Beckham, Olympic gold medalist Haile Gebrselassie, rugby World Cup-winning captain, John Smit, South African cricketing great Makhaya Ntini and African football legend Roger Milla.

Its official the World Cup fever is here. Friday's draw for the group stages of the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup was a milestone in African football history. This is the first time for the event to take place on the continent and with only about 200 days left to kick-off, football fans worldwide are in for a mega.

Do you dream of seeing your African squad? INTERSPORT, the world's leading Sports Retailer, is bringing your Black Stars, Les Elephants and Indomitable Lions to the "City of Lights."
INTERSPORT announced a new partnership agreement to cooperate with three major PUMA African Football Federations: Ghana, Ivory Coast and Cameroon.

Stefan Lovgren, a documentary filmmaker who has worked on a many previous films about Africa, is now making one about football in Africa. It focuses in particular on one football academy in Ghana to tell a broader story about African football, the hopes and exploitation of footballers, and the broader context surrounding the history 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

You might not know the name Ilunga Mwepu. But you've probably seen him in action. Mwepu is the famous Zaire right back who cleared a Brazilian free kick in a 1974 World Cup group game by lashing it up the field. Before the Brazilians had chance to take it.

Obviously you can't do that.