Sports
Africa Football: A Look at The Best National Teams on the Continent
There is a widespread belief that an African nation will eventually achieve the ultimate prize and win the FIFA World Cup. This belief grew stronger when, for the first time ever in 2022, an African team reached the semi-finals. African nations are eager to surpass this achievement. Which African nations, according to some of the best African online betting sites and casinos, have the best odds of winning the world cup in 2026? In this article, we will take a look at the best national teams on the continent.
Morocco
Few fans would have given Morocco a chance of achieving an unlikely bid for World Cup glory heading into the tournament in 2002. However, they surpassed all expectations to become the first African nation to compete in the semi-finals of the competition. Their run to the last four was memorable, as they overcame both Spain and Portugal in dramatic fashion before finally being eliminated by subsequent runners-up France.
Morocco has often been seen as one of the most successful nations in Africa, as they were ranked the top national side from the region for three straight years between 1997 and 1999 by FIFA. They have constantly been a national side from the region that has made history, which was evident once again in 1986, as they became the first team from Africa to finish top of a World Cup group.
Senegal
Senegal has been one of the most consistent teams in the region throughout their history, and they have always threatened to play a huge role at major tournaments. As one of the most famous teams from the continent, they have reached the World Cup on multiple occasions, with their best showing coming in 2002, as they became just the second team from Africa to reach the quarterfinals. That edition of the World Cup put the African nations on the map, as Senegal created a major shock when they defeated the reigning world champions France in the group stage, before beating Sweden in the round of 16. Senegal finally managed to land a major honor for the first time in history in 2021, as they won the Africa Cup of Nations, ending a run of two straight final defeats in the tournament.
Ivory Coast
The Ivory Coast has produced some of the finest players to come out of Africa throughout history, with stars such as Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, and Kolo Toure all playing key roles in team success in Europe. At the national level, they achieved their most famous success in 1992, as they won the Africa Cup of Nations. However, further success has followed since then, as they won the same honor in 2015, before appearing in three straight editions of the World Cup between 2006 and 2015. But, there was often disappointment surrounding their performances at the major tournament, as they couldn’t make it through the group stage despite boasting one of the most exciting teams.
Cameroon
There are few more globally popular African national sides around than Cameroon. The nation has successfully qualified for the World Cup on eight occasions, which is more than any other side in the region. They also achieved qualification on four straight occasions between 1990 and 2002. However, they only made it out of the group stage on one occasion.
But, that successful campaign in 1990 remains one of the most celebrated victories achieved by the national team, as they grew supporters from all corners of the world before their eventual elimination at the hands of England. Cameroon has also won the Africa Cup of Nations on five occasions. The national side also holds the prestigious honor of being the only African side to have beaten Brazil in a competitive match, having achieved the feat in both the 2003 Confederations Cup and the 2022 World Cup.
Conclusion
There has been no shortage of success stories surrounding African nations throughout history, and it seems only a matter of time before a nation from the CAF region is able to achieve immortality by winning the FIFA World Cup. The sport in Africa remains at an all-time popularity level, with millions of fans watching domestic action from around Europe that features some of the brightest stars from Africa. It also promises to be an exciting 12 months of football within the nation with the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in January.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The deal between Arsenal Football Club and Emirates has been renewed, making it one of the longest-running and most recognisable partnerships in world sport.
Both parties first came together as partners in 2006 and have since built one of football’s defining partnerships. Spanning the entire Emirates Stadium era, the relationship has evolved alongside the club – supporting Arsenal’s ambitions, strengthening both organisations’ global reach and creating new ways for supporters around the world to connect with Arsenal.
The latest deal will see Emirates continue as the Champions’ front-of-shirt, training kit and stadium naming rights partner through to 2033.
The renewal comes at a pivotal moment in the club’s history following its recent Premier League title. The new agreement will build on many of the flagship initiatives that have defined the partnership, including the Emirates Cup, which brings world-class football to Emirates Stadium each summer, and Global Gooners, which gives supporters from around the world the opportunity to experience Arsenal in North London for the first time.
The next chapter of the partnership will begin this weekend as Arsenal welcome Borussia Dortmund to North London for the Emirates Cup, with a programme of anniversary activity celebrating more than two decades of shared history while looking ahead to the next chapter still to be written. Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, will attend alongside Arsenal senior leadership as part of the celebrations.
Launching alongside the partnership renewal is a new cinematic film featuring Arsenal legend Per Mertesacker. Set inside an antique shop filled with objects from across the Emirates era, the film celebrates two decades of shared memories between Arsenal, Emirates and our supporters, reflecting on the history we’ve made together and the moments still to come.
“Winning the Premier League is an incredibly proud moment in our club’s history and one that belongs to everyone connected with Arsenal. Emirates has been an integral part of this success – standing alongside us throughout this journey and sharing in the defining moments, challenges and successes that have shaped our club over the past two decades,” the chief executive of Arsenal, Mr Richard Garlick, stated.
On his part, the President of Emirates Airline, Sir Tim Clark, said, “Over the last two decades, Emirates and Arsenal have built something that goes far beyond a traditional partnership, and one we are immensely proud of. We have grown alongside the club through changes of era and ambition, united by a shared goal of bringing people closer to what they love.
“In practice, that has meant reaching the millions who follow Arsenal across the Emirates network and beyond and creating experiences for them that neither of us could have done alone.”
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will look to secure their place in the quarter-finals when they face Egypt in their final Group C match on Wednesday at 9:00 pm at the ongoing WAFCON 2026 in Morocco.
The defending champions bounced back from their disappointing 3-2 defeat to Malawi with a crucial 1-0 victory over Zambia and will now be aiming to finish the group stage strongly. All the matches of the tournament air live on SuperSport via DStv and GOtv.
The final matchday of Group A saw hosts Morocco play out a goalless draw with Senegal, a result that was enough to send Morocco through to the quarter-finals in first position in their group. Algeria also secured their place in the knockout stages after a 2-0 victory over Kenya, bringing their group-stage campaign to a strong close.
Tuesday, Group B will conclude with Burkina Faso facing South Africa before Tanzania takes on Ivory Coast. South Africa and Ivory Coast played out a 2-2 draw in their previous match, while Burkina Faso bounced back from their opening defeat with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania. With the group still to be decided, the final results will determine which teams join the quarter-final line-up.
All eyes will then turn to Group C on Wednesday, where Egypt will face Nigeria, and Malawi will take on Zambia, with both matches kicking off at 9:00 pm. The Super Falcons will be hoping to build on their victory over Zambia and secure the result they need to advance to the knockout stages, while Egypt will be looking to end their campaign on a positive note after suffering a 3-1 defeat to Malawi in their previous game.
Nigeria’s final group match comes after a difficult start to their title defence. The Super Falcons were stunned 3-2 by Malawi in their opening game but responded with a 1-0 victory over Zambia to revive their campaign. The ten-time champions will now need to complete the job against Egypt as they look to keep their hopes of retaining the continental crown alive.
The final group-stage fixtures on Thursday will see Ghana take on Mali, and Cape Verde face Cameroon on Thursday, with both matches also scheduled for 9:00 pm. Ghana suffered a 1-0 defeat to Cameroon in their previous outing, while Mali secured a 3-2 victory over Cape Verde. The final results will determine which teams progress to the knockout stages from Group D.
Matchday 3 Fixtures
Tuesday, August 4
Burkina Faso vs South Africa – 9:00 pm
Tanzania vs Ivory Coast – 9:00 pm
Wednesday, August 5
Egypt vs Nigeria – 9:00 pm
Malawi vs Zambia – 9:00 pm
Thursday, August 6
Cape Verde vs Cameroon – 9:00 pm
Mali vs Ghana – 9:00 pm
SuperSport Brings All the Live Action
Catch every match of WAFCON Morocco 2026 live on SS Football (Ch. 202, GOtv Ch. 61) and SS Football Plus (DStv Ch. 202) on DStv and GOtv. Fans can also stream every match live on DStv Stream from ₦6,000, with no decoder or dish required.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
At least for the next four seasons, DStv and GOtv subscribers are guaranteed access to all UEFA men’s club matches on SuperSport.
This is because CANAL+, the parent company of MultiChoice, which owns DStv and GOtv, has secured the exclusive broadcast rights to all UEFA men’s club competitions across Sub-Saharan Africa through 2031, ensuring SuperSport will continue to broadcast the UEFA Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues live to DStv and GOtv subscribers.
The four-season agreement, which begins with the 2027/28 campaign, covers more than 40 countries across the region and includes exclusive rights to the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
In English- and Portuguese-speaking Africa, SuperSport will continue as the exclusive broadcaster of UEFA club competitions, bringing the continent’s biggest European club matches to DStv and GOtv subscribers. The agreement also restores full UEFA Champions League coverage on CANAL+ Sport channels in French-speaking Africa, alongside the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League.
The rights deal further strengthens CANAL+’s sports portfolio, which already includes major football competitions such as the Premier League, LALIGA EA SPORTS, Ligue 1, the Betway Premiership and the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026.
The agreement ensures football fans across Sub-Saharan Africa will continue to enjoy live coverage of Europe’s premier club competitions on SuperSport when the new rights cycle begins in 2027.
“We are very proud of this new partnership, which gives us exclusive rights to all UEFA Men’s Club competitions across more than 40 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
“For four seasons, until 2031, our subscribers will enjoy the thrill of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League’s biggest matches. Today, CANAL+ offers the most attractive sports line-up across Sub-Saharan Africa, and the acquisition of these rights is a perfect illustration of that.
“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to UC3 and to the teams at Relevent for once again placing their trust in CANAL+, following our recent agreements in France, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland and Austria,” the chief executive of CANAL+, Mr Maxime Saada, stated.
