Football’s world governing body has announced plans to raise $1bn dollars to build at least one stadium meeting Fifa standards in each African country.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino was talking in Lubumbashi during the 80th-anniversary celebrations of DR Congo side TP Mazembe.

He insisted that Fifa wants African football to shine and will work with the Confederation of African Football (Caf) and other stakeholders to improve refereeing, infrastructure and competitions on the continent.

“We want to bring it (Africa) to the highest of heights and show the world the outstanding talent and amazingly gifted players your continent possesses,” he said.

“To do this, we want to implement a three pillar approach: refereeing, infrastructure and competitions, in close cooperation with Caf, all of its 54 member associations across Africa and other stakeholders.

“I am positive that we will make African football reach the top level where it should be because the quality and potential are definitely here.”



One of the plans is for Fifa to create a professional and elite group of African referees who will be independent of administration and political bodies.

This follows on from the decision taken in the last executive committee meeting of Caf where a decision to implement reforms in the refereeing sector was approved.

On infrastructure, Infantino said Fifa would mobilize companies and entrepreneurs to raise around $1bn with the objective of building at least one stadium that complies with Fifa’s standards in each African country.

He said Fifa will focus on developing new and better competitions to generate more revenue so that the African clubs can retain talented players.

Infantino hinted at the possibility of creating an African League that would see the best clubs from the continent play against each other, without giving further details or outlining how the plan might impact the Champions League.

He also talked about plans to organize regional competitions and youth tournaments to further help the development of young players in Africa.

Infantino who is touring selected African along with his general secretary Fatma Samoura, Caf president Ahmad Ahmad and African legend Samuel Eto’o among other people.

He then took part in a commemorative match that featured Eto’o, Zambian legend Kalusha Bwalya and TP Mazembe owner Moise Katumbi.

source:Ghanasoccernet

Asante Kotoko coach Kjetil Zachariassen has named a 23-man squad for their CAF Champions League first leg clash against Nigerian side Kano Pillars.

The squad will leave Kumasi for Accra on Monday before continuing their journey to Nigeria in midweek.

However, conspicuously missing from the squad are key attackers Sogne Yacouba and Fatawu Safiu.

Safiu was expected to be in the team that will leave for Kano after his trials with Swedish side Helsingborg was truncated because of the amount involved.

Meanwhile, Burkinabe forward Sogne Yacouba is reported to be unfit for the game due to injuries.

The Porcupine Warriors will camp in Accra before departing to Kano on Thursday for the game on August 10.

The two team will then face off again in two weeks time in Kumasi.

Below is the squad travelling to Accra

Goalkeepers: Felix Annan, Kwame Baah, Osei Kwame

 Defenders: Samuel Frimpong, Empem Dacosta, Augustine Sefah, Evans Owusu, Patrick Yeboah, Stephen Ayiku Tetteh, Habib Mohammed, Wahab Adams, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu

Midfielders: Alexis Didi, Justice Blay, Jordan Opoku, Kelvin Andoh, Augustine Okrah, Emmanuel Gyamfi, Godfred Asiamah, Martin Antwi

Strikers: George Abege, Richard Arthur & Naby  Keita

source: Ghanasoccernet

Uganda secured an important 2-0 win against DR Congo in their first game of the competition thanks to goals from Patrick Kaddu and Emmanuel Okwi.

Patrick Kaddu scored the opening goal in the 14th minute after connecting with Miya’s corner kick to put his team in front.

DR Congo barely tested the Ugandan goalie in the first half as they were busy trying to contain the Ugandan attack.

Cedric Bakambu had a good opportunity to restore parity but Ugandan goalie Denis Onyango was equal to the task and contained the effort.



Uganda scored their second goal of the game through Emmanuel Okwi who converted Farouk Miya’s freekick.

The win puts Uganda top of Group A, having three points each with Egypt, Zimbabwe and Congo DR are on third and fourth position respectively.