SPORTS
MMA – Africa is now at the top of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
Africa is on the roof of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). After his resounding victory over the American, Stipe Miocic, on Sunday, March 28, 2021, the Cameroonian, Francis Ngannou, joins the Nigerian fighters Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya. Now the heavyweight Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Cameroonian athlete brings Africa to the top in the most prestigious MMA league on the planet. Francis Ngannou took his revenge after his defeat by unanimous decision in January 2018.
The 1.93m Cameroonian giant, Francis Ngannou, is now the UFC heavyweight champion after having beaten by knockout in the second round the American Stipe Miocic.He joins the two Nigerians who performed this performance: Kamaru Usman and Israel Adesanya. With this resounding success, “The predator”, as it is commonly called, becomes the third African champion in all categories but especially the first in the queen category.
Francis Ngannou, the new heavyweight champion, had to go through a lot of difficult trials during his life. At the age of 10, he made a living and supported his parents by working in the mines. He then went to Europe, where, unfortunately, he had to go to prison in Spain. This difficult stage will be followed by a rather complicated life in Paris, the French capital. Francis Ngannou was in a situation of extreme poverty and very often spent the night on the streets. But, as if by chance, he met Fernand Lopez of the MMA Factory who showed him the way in the MMA. This is where the career of the Cameroonian began until this success and title of UFC heavyweight champion.
Remember that the Nigerian, Kamaru Usman, 33 years old and native of Benin City, was beaten only once in MMA (18 victories in 19 fights). That is why he is considered the best fighter in MMA all categories. He has been the UFC Mid Range Champion since March 2, 2019. He was also responsible for preparing Francis Ngannou in his fight against Stipe Miocic.
Israel Adesanya (31), the other Nigerian UFC middleweight champion since 2019, has had an extraordinary career. The native of Lagos, and naturalized New Zealand, fought 21 fights including 15 wins per KO, 5 by decision and only 1 defeat.
The African Football Confederation (CAF) has just unveiled the emblem and the official poster of the Women’s African Nations Cup TotalEnergies, Morocco 2024. A symbolic launch that embodies the renewal and growing ambition of women’s football in Africa.
This is a new milestone for African women’s football. This Wednesday, JUNE 11, 2025, the CAF revealed the visual identity of the Women’s African Nations Cup TotalEnergies, which will be held in Morocco from July 5 to 26, 2025. Through this modern and powerful emblem, the CAF intends to reflect the growing prestige of the tournament, while paying tribute to the cultural richness of the host country, Morocco, and the diversity of women’s football on the continent.
Morocco, the host country of the previous edition in 2022, had already made an impression by hosting a high-caliber competition, crowned by record attendance and an internationally acclaimed organization. The 2025 edition therefore promises to take things up a notch, both in terms of sports and media.
Photo credit: cafonline
SPORTS
SENEGAL – Awa Naar Fall takes over the leadership of the African Confederation of Football Skating
In Trabzon, Turkey, the World Cup of Football Skating is in full swing and Senegal is making a splash. But this time, it’s not just on the pitch that the Teranga Lions shine. Awa Naar Fall, president of the Senegalese Roller Soccer Federation, won a major victory as president of the African Confederation of Football Skating. With a skilful strategy, she has managed to outperform candidates of impressive profile, thus marking a historic turning point for this discipline in Africa. News that, hopefully, bodes well for Senegal in this global competition.
Awa Fall “don’t fall”
At this 2024 World Cup in Turkey, the players of skating football also organized the election of the presidency of the African Confederation. In the face of fierce competition, Awa Naar Fall did not race after this victory like a ball does, but she proved her ability to climb to the top through experience and commitment. Founder of “My Club Roller” in 2002, she has established herself as a key figure in roller soccer in Senegal. Under his leadership, the country has become a true continental power, accumulating more international trophies than any other African country.
What is roller soccer?
The sport of speed, balance and strategy, roller soccer was born in the 1990s in San Francisco and arrived in Africa a decade later. Played on a handball field, this sport is halfway between football and ice hockey. Introduced in Senegal in 2015, it has quickly flourished there, allowing the country to establish itself as the African leader of the discipline in less than ten years.
Despite its success, roller soccer remains underreported in Africa. As president of the African Confederation, Awa Naar Fall wants to reverse this trend. It aims to professionalize the discipline by strengthening local federations, developing adapted infrastructures and training coaches. It also plans to host more pan-African competitions, giving African athletes a platform to compete internationally. To do this, it relies on increased support from governments, media and sponsors to stimulate public interest.
Senegal ignites the World Cup
On the pitch, Senegal impressed at this 2024 World Cup. Placed in Group E, the Lions crushed India 15-1 before beating DRC 1-0. In the semi-finals, they beat Kenya 3-1 to qualify for the quarter-finals where they will face the United Arab Emirates. Driven by this momentum and the leadership of Awa Naar Fall, all hopes are allowed to bring the cup back to Africa.
Awa Naar Fall, an example for women
The election of Awa Naar Fall as president of the African Confederation of Football Skating is a strong signal. It illustrates the growing role of women in an African sports landscape still dominated by men. With boldness and determination, Awa Naar Fall shows that it is possible to break the norms and open new perspectives for future generations.
Yamoussoukro, December 26, 2023- After an impregnation visit of the Charles Konan-Banny stadium in Yamoussoukro, Tuesday, December 26, 2023, the Prime Minister, Minister of Sport and Living Environment, Robert Beugré Mambé, said reassured. The stadium, he said, is ready to host Group C matches from Senegal, Cameroon, Guinea and The Gambia.
‘What we have seen is reassuring. Technically, from the equipment point of view, we are ready at the Yamoussoukro stadium. But we will remain vigilant until the end,” said Robert Beugré Mambé.
The Prime Minister called for on-call teams to be set up in all sectors. We will have specialists permanently because Côte d’Ivoire wants to be up to date, in all circumstances, with the expected benefits of this great country. We have given indications that vigilance is needed,’ insisted the Head of Government.
For this visit, which is part of the visits of infrastructure related to the CAN 2023, the Vice-President of the Republic, Tiémoko Meyliet Koné, accompanied by the Prime Minister and other members of the government, visited the host infrastructure, in particular the President’s Hotel where official delegations will stay.
CAN 2023 is scheduled from January 13 to February 11, 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire with 24 teams.
CICG
