Author: WAJ Reporter

The South African national team fielded Teboho Mokoena, who was ineligible to play in the World Cup qualifiers. As a result, their opponents, Lesotho, filed a complaint, and now Bafana Bafana is likely to face a points deduction. KHUNE DRAWS PARALLELS TO PAST MISTAKES South African football legend Itumeleng Khune, speaking to Soccer Laduma, recalled a similar situation they faced in the past. He shared his experience, saying: “During the AFCON qualifiers, we thought we had one game left, and a draw would be enough. We celebrated on the field in Nelspruit, thinking we had qualified. However, we later found…

Nigerian goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who plays for South African Premier League club Chippa United, is expected to leave the team. Previously not well-known, he made a name for himself last year by leading the Nigerian national team to the final. The 28-year-old goalkeeper was linked with strong South African clubs like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. However, these transfers did not materialize. Later, his name was also associated with QPR from England and Al Ettifaq from Saudi Arabia, but he ultimately remained at Chippa United. Now, it is almost certain that he will leave at the end of this season.…

In recent years, more African players have started choosing their own national teams. However, many still opt for European national teams. According to Transfermarkt.com, the total market value of an 11-player squad made up of African-born footballers who have chosen European national teams exceeds 1 billion euros. AFRICAN-ORIGIN SUPER SQUAD In this hypothetical lineup, Guillaume Restes, of Ivorian descent, guards the goal with a market value of 20 million euros. The center-back duo consists of Cameroonian-origin William Saliba (80 million euros) and Malian Ibrahima Konaté (60 million euros). At left-back, Alphonso Davies, of Liberian descent, holds a market value of…

Experienced goalkeeper Patrick Matasi has found himself at the center of controversy after a video surfaced online, allegedly showing him discussing match-fixing with another man. In the video, the man can be heard giving instructions to Matasi and promising him a payment if he manipulates the match. The incident has caused a major stir in the media and among football fans. Michael Olunga’s Strong Reaction One of those disturbed by the allegations is Kenya national team captain Michael Olunga. The Harambee Stars skipper reacted to the development with a strong statement on the X platform, even using a curse word.…

Arsenal’s young star Ethan Nwaneri is expected to be one of the big players of the future. According to recent reports, the player is expected to choose Nigeria over England for his national team allegiance. FIFA’s New Rule and Nwaneri’s Situation According to FIFA’s new rule introduced in 2020, players who have made three or fewer senior international appearances can switch their national team allegiance to another country where they hold citizenship. However, FIFA’s rule emphasizes that these matches cannot be friendly games; they must be tournament matches. Arsenal has previously nurtured players like Ashley Cole, Theo Walcott, Bukayo Saka,…

South African Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has advised TikTok to expand in South Africa: “South Africa has over 17 million TikTok users, and these users are shaping global culture. This makes it the ideal place for TikTok to expand its Creator Fund in Africa,” Malatsi mentioned that his meeting with TikTok leadership was very positive: “South African creators deserve full access to all monetization opportunities on the platform. TikTok has committed to taking this feedback into account, and our engagements will continue,” “Let’s recognize our creators and reward their impact fairly.” According to the 2023 South African Social Media Research…

Former South Africa national team goalkeeper Brian Baloyi has strongly criticized the South African Football Association (SAFA) for their failure to recognize that suspended player Teboho Mokoena should not have played against Lesotho. He stated that such a mistake is unacceptable. The likelihood of Bafana Bafana losing the three points they earned from that match is very high. Baloyi made the following statements regarding the issue: “If our management can make such schoolboy errors and no-one takes accountability, then it will tell us as a nation that at Safa House we are running a Mickey Mouse organisation. “If you are…

Kenyan defensive midfielder Victor Wanyama, who spent a long time at Tottenham Hotspur, later moved to Canadian MLS side CF Montreal before becoming a free agent. Now, the experienced midfielder has found a new club, signing with Scottish side Dunfermline Athletic. Wanyama will play there until the end of the season, subject to international clearance. Wanyama has previously worked with Dunfermline Athletic’s manager, Neil Lennon, but at that time, both were at a different Scottish club, Celtic. The Kenyan midfielder made a name for himself during his time at Celtic, earning a £12.5 million transfer to Southampton. Despite being a…

The South African national team should not have played midfielder Teboho Mokoena in their World Cup qualifier against Lesotho on Friday. The player had received yellow cards in previous matches against Benin and Zimbabwe, which meant he was suspended. However, South Africa fielded the 28-year-old player and won the match 2-0. Following this incident, the Lesotho Football Association submitted an official complaint to FIFA. According to FIFA’s tournament regulations, a response to the appeal is expected within 24 hours. South Africa is currently leading their group with a five-point advantage. FIFA’s decision could result in South Africa forfeiting their victory,…

Zambia’s Cybersecurity Bill of 2024 (N.A.B. No. 29) and the Cyber Crimes Bill of 2024 (N.A.B. No. 30) have been revised. The update was shared with the media by the Ministry of Technology and Science, represented by Permanent Secretary Eng Dr. Brilliant Habeeenzu, and the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Dickson Matembo. President Hakainde Hichilema had deferred both bills to allow broader engagement with civil society, human rights defenders, and media stakeholders. The government prioritized transparent discussions and inclusive dialogues until the legislation was finalized. With significant feedback, 98% of the concerns raised were resolved to the satisfaction of the stakeholders.…

The Nigerian national team lost points in their match against Zimbabwe due to a late goal conceded. Needing all the points to advance from the group, Nigeria’s draw at home to the group’s bottom team, Zimbabwe, created a sense of disappointment. However, two of the team’s stars, Alex Iwobi and Ola Aina, reassured fans on social media, sharing their determination to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With only 7 points from 5 matches, Nigeria currently sits in 4th place in Group C, 6 points behind group leaders South Africa. Ola Aina, the Nottingham Forest right-back, expressed confidence by…

Ethio Telecom and Mastercard will collaborate to enhance digital financial services in Ethiopia. Through this partnership, they will utilize telebirr and Mastercard platforms to increase financial inclusion and promote economic growth. They will take steps to further develop digital financial solutions and ensure sustainable growth. Ethio Telecom CEO Frehiwot Tamru and a Mastercard delegation, led by Mark Elliott, President of Mastercard Africa, held a strategic meeting to develop digital financial services across Ethiopia. Frehiwot Tamru emphasized Ethio Telecom’s commitment to this collaboration. He highlighted that the company’s vast customer base and strong infrastructure would pave the way for offering significant…

The international break has ended, and the 5th and 6th round matches of the World Cup qualifiers in Africa have been completed. Morocco Dominates Tanzania in Group E In Group E, Morocco faced Tanzania. From the very start, Morocco dominated the game. In the 51st minute, after a corner kick, a deflected ball from the goalkeeper was finished by Nayef Aguerd, putting Morocco 1-0 ahead. Around seven minutes later, Morocco won a penalty, and Real Madrid’s young talent Brahim Diaz converted it to double the lead. The match ended 2-0, securing Morocco’s fifth win in five games, bringing their total…

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has launched an investigation into the hate speech directed at Barbra Banda, who plays for Orlando Pride. The incident occurred during their 2-0 victory against Gotham FC on Sunday. A fan allegedly used hateful language towards her. Gotham FC issued an apology to their opponents and to Banda, stating: “This behavior is unacceptable and has no place in our league or our stadiums.” “Stadium security swiftly intervened as soon as the incident was reported, directly addressing the individual and monitoring the situation for the remainder of the match.” The NWSL expressed its support for…

Shocking Results Continue in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. CAPE VERDE TAKES GROUP D LEAD Cape Verde defeated Angola 2-1, with Dilon Rocha Livramento scoring both goals. Gelson Dala netted Angola’s only goal. With this result, Cape Verde now leads Group D, surpassing Cameroon by one point. UGANDA SECURES CRUCIAL WIN IN GROUP G Uganda beat Guinea 1-0, thanks to a goal from Allan Okello. Uganda now has nine points and remains in contention, depending on the outcome of the Algeria vs. Mozambique match. NIGERIA SUFFERS SETBACK IN GROUP C Nigeria dropped points at home with a 1-1 draw against…

The African Development Bank has committed $331 million to Lesotho, focusing on key sectors like energy, agriculture, digitalization, and infrastructure. This investment will span from 2025 to 2030 to enhance the country’s economic growth and competitiveness. Meeting with King Letsie III During his official visit to Lesotho, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, met with King Letsie III. The discussion centered on strengthening the development partnership and expanding the Bank’s investments in Lesotho. The King expressed his satisfaction with the visit and emphasized the need for policies that attract the private sector, especially in healthcare, agriculture, and…