by Philip Richards

Football – AFCON

Taifa Stars, the national men’s side, made history in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 held in Morocco over the festive period. For the first time, they qualified from the group stage into the last 16.

They achieved this milestone despite not winning any of their games against fellow group contenders Nigeria, Tunisia and Uganda. Two draws and a narrow defeat to Nigeria proved sufficient to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.

They were unfortunately defeated by Morocco (1-0) in the “last 16” knockout stage in front of a partisan home crowd in Rabat. Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz fired home the winner for the Atlas Lions to progress to the quarter finals. The Taifa Stars squad included 2 players plying their trade in England, albeit in the lower leagues. Haji Mnoga for Salford City in League 2, whilst Tarryn Allarakhia plays for non-league (National League) Rochdale.

Preparations are already underway for AFCON 2027, Africa’s premier national team football competition, which will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya, marking a historic milestone for East African football. [Sources: BBC.com website (4/1/26), Daily News website (12/1/26), The Guardian (22/12/25)]

Cross country athletics
The national cross-country athletics team is scheduled to take part in the World Cross Country Championship that will commence on January 10th in Tallahassee, Florida. This 46th edition of the Championships will feature more than 500 athletes from some 65 countries, as athletes compete across five exhilarating races: the men’s and women’s U20 and senior events, and the mixed relay.

Despite funding issues and the coach and team officials being unable to fly to the USA after they failed to secure visas, the country will be represented by senior athletes Gabriel Geay, Emmanuel Dinday, Benjamin Ferdinand and Inyasi Sulle. The mixed relay team comprises Daniel Sinda, Ambrose Amba, Regina Mpigachai and Elizabeth Ilanda. [Source Daily News, 7/1/2026]