Ivory Coast

African champions Ivory Coast and World Cup semifinalists Morocco both won important points in World Cup qualification on Friday but Nigeria were held at home by South Africa and are still to win a match in the 2026 preliminaries.

AS Roma defender Evan Ndicka has been cleared to resume sporting activity after undergoing a series of tests, the Serie A club said on Tuesday, days after the 24-year-old collapsed on the pitch during their match against Udinese.

Oumar Diakite scored a second-half equaliser to spare the blushes of newly-crowned African champions Ivory Coast who were held to a 2-2 draw by Benin in a friendly in Amiens, France on Saturday.

Among Africa's standout fixtures in this international break, Nigeria play fierce rivals Ghana, Algeria meet South Africa, and Senegal square off with Gabon.

Ivory Coast have appointed Emerse Faé as their permanent head coach after he led them to the title at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this month, the country's football federation president said.

AFCON hero Simon Adingra marked his return from Ivory Coast by scoring twice in a match for the first time in his senior career, capping a remarkable week for the Brighton youngster.

Why exactly was this year's Africa Cup of Nations such a resounding success, and will the tournament be remembered in years to come as one of - if not the - best edition of the continental showpiece?

Borussia Dortmund welcome back AFCON winner Sebastien Haller.

We name our Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament, with finalists Ivory Coast and Nigeria prominently represented in the Dream XI.

Less than two years after a cancer diagnosis, and a serious ankle injury in December, Ivory Coast's Sebastien Haller led his side to AFCON glory. But he was plagued with self-doubt before the tournament, says teammate Seko Fofana.