FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG

WAFCON 2026:
• Nigeria left behind as Morocco, Cameroon, Egypt, South Africa dominate CAF match officials list

By Maxwell Kumoye


Its no longer news that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the list of match officials selected for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

However, the numbers have once again exposed the widening gap between Nigeria and several of the continent's football powerhouses in the area of officiating.

While Nigeria, a traditional giant in African women's football, will be represented by just one official, other nations have secured multiple appointments across the three categories of referees, assistant referees and Video Match Officials (VMOs).

Nigeria's lone representative is Yemissi Eunice Akintoye, who made the list of 17 centre referees.

However, the country failed to produce a single assistant referee or Video Match Official for the continental showpiece.

In contrast, tournament hosts Morocco will parade four officials.

Harmasse Zoulaikha will serve as a referee, while Soukaina Hamdi and Ihsane Nejouali are among the assistant referees. Bouchtaoui Zakaria also earned selection as a Video Match Official.

Cameroon also boasts four representatives, with Aline Guimbang and Ntangti Innocentia Njang named as referees, Carine Atezambong selected as an assistant referee, while the country's presence is further strengthened in CAF's officiating structure.

Egypt has three officials on the list, comprising referee Shahenda Saad Elmaghrabi, assistant referee Yara Atef and Video Match Official Hossam Haggag.

African football powerhouse South Africa is represented by two officials, referee Akhona Zennith Makalima and assistant referee Evodia Tau while the Democratic Republic of Congo also has three officials, including referee Nzigire Zihindula Rachel and assistant referees Kanjinga Mireille and Baeis Bienheureuse Tomakwiza.

The disparity highlights a worrying trend for Nigeria, particularly considering the country's rich football pedigree.

Although Nigerian teams and players continue to enjoy success on the continent, the nation's representation among elite match officials has not kept pace with rivals who continue to invest in referee development and progression through CAF and FIFA pathways.

CAF's appointments reflect not only current performance but also years of consistent training, assessments and exposure to high-level competitions.

Countries such as Morocco, Cameroon, Egypt, South Africa and DR Congo have steadily built a pipeline of officials capable of handling the continent's biggest matches.

For Nigeria, the latest WAFCON appointments should serve as a very powerful wake-up call.

Beyond producing successful teams, there is an urgent need to strengthen referee education, mentorship and international exposure if the country hopes to reclaim a stronger voice in African football officiating.

The 2026 WAFCON, to be staged in Morocco, will feature the continent's best female footballers and judging by CAF's selections, the countries making the greatest strides in officiating development as well.

2026 WORLD CUP FALLOUT:
• Heroes' welcome as Egypt celebrates historic World Cup campaign

By Maxwell Kumoye


Thousands of jubilant supporters lined the streets on Friday to welcome Egypt's national football team home after the Pharaohs produced the finest FIFA World Cup campaign in the nation's history.

Waving Egyptian flags, singing patriotic songs and carrying banners reading "Egypt's Men Made Us Proud," fans thronged Alamein International Airport on the Mediterranean coast to greet the players and coaching staff following their return from North America.

The supporters also held up pictures of captain Mohamed Salah bearing the words "Thank You," in recognition of his inspirational leadership throughout the tournament.

The celebrations continued as the team boarded an open-top bus for a victory parade through New Alamein, where thousands of fans lined the streets to cheer their heroes.

Egypt's President, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, is expected to receive the players, coaches and officials at an official reception on Saturday.

Among the crowd were supporters carrying large posters of head coach Hossam Hassan draped with Palestinian flags, reflecting appreciation for his vocal support for the Palestinian cause during the tournament.

Egypt's all-time leading scorer carried a Palestinian flag onto the pitch on several occasions and reiterated his support for Palestinian rights during post-match press conferences.

The warm reception came despite Egypt's heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to Lionel Messi's Argentina in the Round of 16.

The Pharaohs appeared on course for a famous victory after taking a 2-0 lead, only to concede three goals in the final 11 minutes.

Nevertheless, the team returned home with immense pride after making history by recording Egypt's first-ever World Cup victories in four tournament appearances.

The Pharaohs defeated New Zealand in the group stage before overcoming Australia on penalties in the Round of 32 to secure their historic place in the last 16.

Ahead of the team's return, the Egyptian Football Association rewarded Hossam Hassan and his twin brother, Ibrahim Hassan, with new contracts.

While the federation did not disclose the duration of the agreements, local media reports suggest the deals will keep the pair in charge until 2030.

Since taking over the national team in 2024, the 59-year-old Hossam Hassan has overseen a remarkable transformation, guiding Egypt to the semi-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, ending the country's eight-year absence from the World Cup and compiling an impressive record of 20 wins, nine draws and six defeats.

ON THE GLASGOW GAMES:
• Australia unveils 257 member team for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye


Australia has confirmed a 257-member team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, with a strong blend of able-bodied and Para-athletes set to compete across the Games' streamlined sports programme.

The 2026 Commonwealth Games will take place from July 23 to August 2 and will feature just 10 sports, following a scaled-back format agreed by organisers.

Leading Australia's delegation is a formidable athletics squad comprising 86 athletes, including both able-bodied and Para competitors, underlining the nation's ambition to maintain its dominance on the track and in the field.

Swimming, traditionally one of Australia's strongest disciplines, will be represented by 59 athletes as the country targets another impressive medal haul in the pool.

Australia has also named a 12-member lawn bowls team, while Basketball Australia will oversee the country's campaigns in both the 3x3 basketball and wheelchair basketball events.

The announcement of the squad signals Australia's intent to remain one of the leading nations at the Commonwealth Games despite the reduced competition programme.

With a balanced mix of experienced campaigners and emerging talent across multiple disciplines, Australia will be aiming for another successful outing when the Games get underway in Glasgow later this month.

SPORTS BAR:
• Broos confirms South Africa exit after historic World Cup run

By Trust Ittai



South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has confirmed he will step down from his role, ending weeks of speculation over his future after guiding the country to the FIFA World Cup knockout stages for the first time in history.

The 74-year-old had indicated before the tournament that he intended to retire. However, following South Africa's 2-0 defeat to co-hosts Canada in the Round of 32 on June 28, Broos admitted he was reconsidering his decision and could be persuaded to remain in charge.

Speaking in his native Belgium, Broos has now confirmed that his decision to leave is final, although he remains open to serving South African football in an advisory or scouting capacity.

"Will I continue as a coach after all? No, it is irreversible," Broos told voetbalnieuws.be. "If they need me for something else, perhaps in scouting, that is something different. But football is no longer going to be part of my life 24 hours a day."

Broos revealed he has already held discussions with the president of the South African Football Association, who is keen for him to remain involved with the national team in a different role.

"I have already had a conversation with the chairman of the South African Football Association. He would like to keep me, but in a different role, as an adviser or something like that. I will return at the end of July to say a final farewell. I am curious to see what he will propose to me," he said.

Broos spent five years in charge of Bafana Bafana, becoming the country's longest-serving national team coach.

During his tenure, he guided South Africa to their first FIFA World Cup appearance in 16 years and oversaw their historic progression to the knockout stages.

The veteran Belgian also joked that his retirement has been warmly welcomed at home.

"My wife is happy that I'm quitting, but she's already warned me: 'Just make sure you don't get in my way!'

"Suppose I have to be in South Africa for a few weeks every two months. Why not? Better than being a nuisance at home because I have nothing to do," Broos added.

SPORTS BAR:
• Nigeria wins hosting rights for 2027 Africa Beach Volleyball Championship..We are serious about boosting the country's sports economy – Shehu Dikko

By Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye


Nigeria has secured the hosting rights for the 2027 Africa Beach Volleyball Championship, with Lagos set to stage the continental event as the National Sports Commission (NSC) continues its drive to establish the country as a leading destination for major international sporting competitions.

The announcement was made in Abuja by the President of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA), Mustapha Berraf, who praised Nigeria's recent progress in sports administration and infrastructure.

The championship becomes the latest major event awarded to Nigeria following the country's successful bid to host the second edition of the African School Games in 2027, further strengthening the partnership between the NSC and ANOCA.

Berraf attributed the decision to the reforms being implemented under the leadership of NSC Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade.

"I want to thank the Federal Government of Nigeria for what it has been doing in sports in recent times. That is why we wasted no time in awarding Nigeria the hosting rights," Berraf said.

He also highlighted Nigeria's reputation for successfully staging major sporting events, recalling how the country stepped in at short notice to host the African U-18/U-20 Athletics Championships in Abeokuta after preparations were completed within just three months.

According to Berraf, such achievements reflect a nation that is intentional and committed to sports development.

Dikko described the successful bid as another step towards the Commission's strategy of using international competitions to stimulate sports development and economic growth.

"We are serious about boosting the country's sports economy, and one of the ways to achieve this is by attracting more international sporting events to Nigeria," he said.

Olopade credited the recent successes to the Federal Government's support for sports, describing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the most sports-loving Nigerian leader the country has had.

In another major development, ANOCA revealed that discussions are at an advanced stage for Nigeria to host Africa's Olympic qualification events for the 2030 Olympic Games.

The proposed arrangement, being explored by ANOCA and the African Union, is aimed at enabling African athletes to qualify for the Olympics on home soil, reducing the need for countries to travel to Europe and other continents for qualification events.

If approved, the initiative would further cement Nigeria's growing status as one of Africa's premier hosts for international sporting competitions.

ATHLETICS NEWS:
• Russian Athletics appeals ban at CAS after World Athletics extends suspension

By Maxwell Kumoye



The Russian Athletics Federation has lodged an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following the World Athletics Council's decision to maintain the suspension of Russian athletes from international competitions.

World Athletics reaffirmed the exclusion of Russian and Belarusian athletes on July 3, extending sanctions that were first imposed following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Russian Athletics Federation described the decision as discriminatory, adding that it had engaged specialist legal counsel to challenge the ruling before CAS.

The continued suspension means Russian track and field athletes remain ineligible to compete in World Athletics-sanctioned international events, despite the International Olympic Committee (IOC) provisionally lifting its suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee earlier this week.

The IOC's move has been viewed as a significant step toward Russia's gradual reintegration into the Olympic movement.

Despite the ongoing World Athletics ban, Russian athletes were permitted to compete as neutral athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics under strict eligibility conditions.

SCRABBLE JAMZ:
• Nigeria set for online World Youth Scrabble Championship Qualifiers this weekend

By Maxwell Kumoye


Nigeria's quest to assemble a formidable team for the 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship begins this weekend as the Nigeria Scrabble Federation (NSF) conducts its national qualifiers on the Woogles online platform.

According to the National Youth Coach, Hassan Olojoku Abdulrafiu, the qualifiers will hold on Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12, with players competing in monitored online games to determine the country's representatives for the global championship.

Abdulrafiu informed coaches across the country that the National Technical Director, Adedeji Khaleel, will release the detailed modalities for the exercise ahead of the competition.

He urged all eligible players to familiarize themselves with the Woogles platform before the qualifiers, while charging coaches and chaperones to ensure their players have a smooth and hitch-free playing environment throughout the online competition.

The qualifiers is crucial as the federation seeks to identify the best four players who will represent Nigeria in the team event in Nairobi, Kenya.

In addition to the four qualifiers, Nigeria is expected to field two Under-10 players as part of its quota for the championship. With about four eligible U-10 players currently in contention, competition for the available spots is expected to be keen.

The National Youth Coach also advised coaches to remain actively involved in sponsorship efforts, noting that the Nigeria Scrabble Federation will periodically request updates on funding arrangements ahead of the trip.

Nigeria heads into the qualifiers with fond memories of its impressive outing at the last World Youth Scrabble Championship in Malaysia, where Abdulqodus Aliu came agonisingly close to winning the overall title, while Sophia Ekeruche emerged as the tournament's Best Female player.

The 2026 World Youth Scrabble Championship will take place from August 7 to 9 at the Trademark Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, where Nigeria will be aiming to build on its recent successes on the international stage.