CAPE TOWN — September 21, 2026 — FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been invited to attend a two-day Confederation of African Football (CAF) Strategy Conference in Cape Verde next month, placing the FIFA chief at the centre of an important gathering of African football leaders as pressure builds around his leadership ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Gianni Infantino meets newly elected African FA Presidents in Morocco – AfricaSoccer.com

The conference is scheduled for October 7 and 8 and will bring together the presidents of CAF’s 54 member associations, along with zonal union leaders and members of the CAF Executive Committee. CAF says the meeting will focus on developing African football, strengthening competitions and building sustainable football structures across the continent.

Infantino is expected to attend the conference following an invitation from CAF President Patrice Motsepe. The gathering comes at a significant moment for the FIFA president, who has confirmed that he will seek another term in the FIFA election scheduled for March 2027 in Rabat, Morocco. No challenger has officially been announced, according to Reuters, although opposition to some aspects of Infantino’s leadership has grown within parts of the football community.

FBL-AFRICA-CAF

Dispute over FIFA investment proposal

Much of the recent controversy has centred on the now-abandoned FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal. The initiative envisaged selling up to a 20% stake in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to outside investors.

The proposal encountered opposition from several football confederations, including UEFA, the Asian Football Confederation and CONCACAF. FIFA subsequently acknowledged that mistakes had been made in the process and said the proposal would be reviewed.

UEFA and CONCACAF leaders have since called for greater scrutiny of FIFA’s finances and proposed that FIFA distribute at least $10 million to each of its 211 member associations during the next commercial cycle.

Bilan des équipes africaines à la Coupe du Monde 2026

Africa’s position

Africa remains an important constituency in FIFA’s presidential election, with CAF representing 54 of FIFA’s 211 member associations. In April, CAF member associations unanimously backed Infantino’s re-election bid for the 2027–2031 term.

CAF’s Executive Committee also endorsed a joint update from Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström regarding the Forward Enterprise controversy in August.

The Cape Verde conference therefore gives Infantino an opportunity to engage directly with African football leaders while CAF continues discussions about the continent’s future development.

World Cup review to follow

The African strategy meeting will be followed on October 9 by a review of the 2026 FIFA World Cup involving African national-team coaches. The review will be led by Arsène Wenger, FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, and will examine areas including tactics, refereeing, logistics and lessons from the tournament.

With the 2027 FIFA presidential election approaching, the meetings in Cape Verde will attract attention not only because of their football-development agenda but also because of the wider debate over FIFA’s leadership, finances and governance.

For African football, the conference is expected to provide an opportunity to discuss how the continent can build on the strong performances of its teams at the 2026 World Cup and strengthen its influence within the global game.

Former England international footballer Raheem Sterling has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving following a single-vehicle crash involving his Lamborghini on the M3 motorway in Hampshire.

Sterling, 31, appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and admitted dangerous driving as well as charges relating to the possession of nitrous oxide and failing to provide a specimen.

Crash on M3

The incident happened on May 28, 2026, when Sterling’s Lamborghini Urus crashed on the southbound M3 near the Minley Interchange.

Police said no other vehicles were involved and no injuries were reported. Sterling was subsequently charged after the crash.

The dangerous-driving charge covered his driving on several roads, including the M25, M3, A327 and Minley Road, before the collision.

Nitrous Oxide Charges

Sterling also admitted possessing six nitrous oxide canisters. The substance is classified as a Class C drug in the UK when possessed for wrongful inhalation.

He additionally pleaded guilty to failing to provide a specimen.

The court heard allegations about his driving before the crash, with witnesses describing erratic manoeuvres and sudden changes in speed.

Football Career

Sterling has enjoyed a distinguished career with Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, while also spending time on loan at Arsenal and later playing for Dutch club Feyenoord.

He made 82 appearances for England and won four Premier League titles with Manchester City. Sterling is currently without a club following the expiry of his Feyenoord contract.

The court proceedings are expected to determine the consequences of his guilty pleas.

Ghana FA Cup champions Nations FC will have to overturn a one-goal deficit at home after losing 1-0 to Mali’s FC Diarra in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary-round tie.

Nations FC endured a frustrating outing in Bamako on Saturday, September 5, as FC Diarra secured a slim victory at the Stade Mamadou Konaté.

GOALLESS FIRST HALF

The opening half was a closely contested affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut opportunities.

Nations FC managed to keep the hosts at bay and went into the break level at 0-0, leaving the tie finely poised heading into the second half.

FC DIARRA BREAK THE DEADLOCK

The decisive moment arrived after the interval when FC Diarra found the breakthrough in the 55th minute.

The Malian side’s goal gave them a 1-0 advantage and forced Nations FC to chase the game.

The Ghanaian champions pushed more players forward in search of an equaliser, but FC Diarra defended resolutely to protect their slender lead until the final whistle.

NATIONS FC NEED A RESPONSE IN GHANA

The defeat means Nations FC must now overturn the one-goal deficit in the return fixture to progress to the second preliminary round.

The second leg is scheduled for Sunday, September 13, in Ghana, giving the FA Cup holders home advantage as they attempt to keep their continental campaign alive.

A 2-0 victory or any win by two clear goals would send Nations FC through, while a one-goal victory would bring the tie level and leave the qualification outcome to the applicable competition rules.

THE PRESSURE IS NOW ON

For a club making its debut in the CAF Confederation Cup, Nations FC now face a crucial 90 minutes on home soil.

FC Diarra have taken the advantage, but the tie is far from over.

One goal down. One game left. Nations FC now have to produce the response when it matters most.

Kenpong Academy forward crowned Championship MVP after sensational Central Region campaign

Desmond Korlettey has officially announced himself as one of Ghana’s brightest emerging football talents.

The Central Region forward capped a remarkable 2026 MTN Elite U-19 Championship campaign by being crowned the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, after producing a series of outstanding performances for his region.

Korlettey finished the competition with an impressive six goals in five matches, one assist and four Man of the Match awards — statistics that underlined just how influential he was throughout the 11-day tournament.

FOUR MVP AWARDS — AND HE WASN’T DONE

Korlettey’s consistency was perhaps the most remarkable part of his campaign.

The youngster collected the MVP award four times, emerging as the standout player in Central Region’s matches against Greater Accra, Northern Region, Upper East and Brong Ahafo.

His final MVP performance was arguably his most memorable.

In the third-place playoff against Brong Ahafo, Korlettey scored twice inside the opening 16 minutes, putting Central Region firmly in control as they cruised to a 3-0 victory and secured the bronze medal.

SIX GOALS. FIVE GAMES. ONE BIG STATEMENT.

While Greater Accra’s Dennis Adjei finished as the tournament’s top scorer with six goals in just three appearances, Korlettey’s overall contribution earned him the competition’s biggest individual prize.

His six goals, assist and four MVP awards demonstrated that his impact went well beyond simply finding the back of the net.

He repeatedly influenced matches, created danger and delivered when Central Region needed him most.

CENTRAL REGION’S BRONZE MEDAL HERO

Korlettey played a central role in Central Region’s successful campaign, helping the side finish third overall.

The team also received recognition for its conduct throughout the tournament, being named the Fair Play Team of the Championship.

For the young forward, however, the individual recognition was the ultimate reward.

His performances earned him a place in the MTN Elite U-19 Championship Best XI, further confirming his status as one of the tournament’s outstanding players.

KENPONG ACADEMY TALENT ON THE RISE

Korlettey’s breakthrough campaign also shines a spotlight on Kenpong Academy, where the youngster has continued his development.

The MTN Elite U-19 Championship is designed to provide young Ghanaian players with competitive exposure and a platform to showcase their abilities.

Korlettey took full advantage of that opportunity.

From his goalscoring exploits to his repeated MVP performances, he transformed the tournament into a personal statement of intent.

A STAR TO WATCH

The championship may be over, but Korlettey’s performances are unlikely to be forgotten quickly.

At just the beginning of what could be a promising football journey, the forward has already demonstrated three qualities every aspiring attacker needs — goals, consistency and the ability to perform when it matters.

Four MVP awards.

Six goals.

One assist.

A bronze medal.

And ultimately, the MTN Elite U-19 Championship MVP award.

Desmond Korlettey didn’t just participate in the tournament — he owned the spotlight.