African sports news summarised in English: football, athletics, basketball, competitions, clubs and athletes across the continent, from the local press. 169 articles published.
Updated around the clock from 400+ African and international news outlets in 54 countries. Every article names its source. Our method
Antonio Conte is reportedly willing to take charge of Manchester United if the club decides to replace Michael Carrick, according to contacts attributed to the Italian coach’s entourage. The English club has confirmed no approach and announced no decision about Carrick, whose team has won only one of its first six Premier League matches, Tuko reports.
Source: Tuko
Jude Bellingham has agreed a new five-year contract with Real Madrid, which could keep him at the club until 2031. The England international is also expected to receive improved salary terms, according to Sky Sports, citing Spanish newspaper AS.
Source: Vanguard
Cape Verdean defender Ianique dos Santos Tavares, known as Stopira, is ending his 18 years with the Tubarões Azuis, the national football team. He announced his international retirement on 13 October 2026, a year after scoring in the 3-0 win over Eswatini that qualified Cape Verde for the 2026 World Cup, Anacao reports.
Source: Anacao
Chelsea does not plan to sign a defender in January despite the knee injury suffered by captain Reece James, who has undergone successful surgery. Manager Xabi Alonso hopes to see him return before then, while indicating that Moisés Caicedo and Levi Colwill can provide leadership, according to Vanguard.
Source: Vanguard
A South African rugby player has died after a suspected cardiac arrest at a hotel on the Île de Ré, France, where the Lions were preparing for their Champions Cup debut. Emergency services were unable to revive him and his identity remains protected, according to several French media outlets cited by Daily Maverick.
Source: Daily Maverick
The Cameroon Football Federation, the Transitional Council for Professional Football and MTN have announced that tickets for the first round of the 2026-2027 MTN Elite One championship will be sold exclusively online. The measure applies to entry for the season’s launch, according to Actu Cameroun.
Source: Actu Cameroun
Chelsea captain Reece James is expected to miss around three months after successful surgery on a knee injured in training. The England defender has begun rehabilitation with the club’s medical staff and is set to miss several important fixtures, according to Chelsea.
Source: Vanguard
The Namibia Sports Commission received 127 applications for the Namibia Annual Sports Awards, compared with 111 the previous year. The nominations were announced on Wednesday in Windhoek and three categories were created, according to the Commission, which said that two awards received no applications.
Source: New Era
The Netball Association of Malawi will fund a men’s tournament it hopes to launch within the next six months, after failing to attract private sponsors. The competition is intended to provide players with a regular platform and strengthen the national team’s preparation; the team finished last in both its Africa Netball Cup appearances, according to the Times.
Source: Times
South Sudan’s El Merriekh SC Bentiu will face Egypt’s Pyramids FC at Juba National Stadium in the second preliminary round of the 2026-2027 CAF Champions League. The match, scheduled for 3pm, is an opportunity for Bentiu to gain an advantage before the return fixture, according to Eyeradio.
Source: Eyeradio
Manchester United has ruled out sacking its director of football, Jason Wilcox, after criticism from defender Lisandro Martínez. The club’s senior players reportedly share the Argentine’s view following the 2-0 defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League, Daily Post reports.
Source: Daily Post
Harry Kane, Bayern Munich’s English striker, is expected to extend his contract with the club until 2029. His performance on the pitch and his family’s attachment to Munich are cited as factors in favour of the extension, according to Mali Actu.
Source: Mali Actu
Manchester United face Leeds in the Premier League amid mounting pressure on their manager, Michael Carrick. The match comes as tensions surround the Manchester club, while Manchester City remains the subject of a financial case, reports IOL.
Source: IOL
Gianni Infantino apologised to the FIFA Council after abandoning a project to transfer part of the organisation’s commercial rights to a private fund. Several officials believe he cannot remain at the organisation’s helm without publishing the documents and answering questions, according to BBC Sport.
Source: Nile Post
Ghana’s Under-17 women’s team will begin the 2026 FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup against Norway on 18 October in Morocco. The Black Maidens will then face Brazil and Canada in Group C, after a training camp in Casablanca and two friendly matches, The Ghana Report reports.
Source: Theghanareport
Former Turkish referee Ahmet Çakar says Nigerian Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen cannot be held solely responsible for the 4-1 defeat by FC Barcelona in the Champions League. He attributes his performance to his recent return from injury and a lack of support from team-mates, according to remarks reported by PUNCH Sports Extra and Habersarikirmizi.
Source: Punch
The Gambia’s Under-20 side began the West African zonal tournament with a 0-0 draw against Liberia. Despite having plenty of possession, the Young Scorpions lacked attacking creativity, while Guinea beat Mali 1-0 in the other Group A match, Gambiana reports.
Source: Gambiana
Aminata Fullah has become the first Sierra Leonean centre referee to officiate a men’s Africa U20 Cup of Nations qualifying match, during the game between Liberia and Gambia at the WAFU Zone A tournament in Mali on 15 October 2026. The appointment marks a new stage in her career, after she officiated at a women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Sierraloaded reports.
Source: Sierraloaded
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