With just a month to go before the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off, Ivory Coast has officially withdrawn as the tournament’s host, BSNSports.com.ng reports. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced Ivory Coast as the host nation in 2024. However, on Wednesday, the Ivorian government directed the country’s football federation to relinquish hosting duties. In an official statement, FIF President Yacine Idriss Diallo conveyed the government’s decision: “By this letter, President Yacine Idriss Diallo, President of FIF and President of COCAN U20, informs you that the Government has officially notified the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) of Côte d’Ivoire’s withdrawal as the host of the U20 Africa Cup of Nations.” “Following instructions from the FIF President, the Executive Director relayed this information to the CAF Secretary General on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.” “The President extends his deep gratitude to all involved in organizing the tournament and assures that further updates on CAF’s response will be communicated accordingly.” CAF will now have to find an alternative host before the tournament begins. Sampson Adedeji
World football governing body FIFA has ordered FAZ to reconvene its Elective Annual General Meeting within 21 days, latest May 10, 2025. FIFA has also indicated that the meeting which was initially scheduled for March 29, in Livingstone, should now be held in or nearby Lusaka. FAZ has also been warned that any infringement to the provisions of the FIFA statutes may give grounds to the suspension irrespective of whether the infringement is attributed to FAZ or not. All eyes are now on FAZ to set the date for the Elective Annual General Meeting. Below is a statement from FAZ FIFA SETS 21-DAYS DEADLINE FOR RECONVENED FAZ AGM Following guidance from world soccer governing body FIFA, the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) will now hold its reconvened elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) within the next 21 days. FAZ General Secretary Reuben Kamanga says FIFA has also warned that any recourse to ordinary courts will not be tolerated after a court injunction halted the March 29, 2025 AGM. Kamanga says with FIFA informing FAZ today on the next step, Football House will now proceed and issue the notice for the AGM. “As for your request for guidance in this situation, please note that we are of the opinion that the Annual Elective General Meeting (AGM) must be immediately reconvened to take place in 21 days (in accordance with article 21 paragraph 3 of the FAZ Constitution) and that the meeting takes place in Lusaka, or nearby, latest by 10 May 2025,” says Chief Member Associations Officer FIFA Elkhan Mammadov. Mammadov says FIFA will send representatives for the reconvened AGM as they did in Livingstone to ensure that the business was conducted smoothly. “An internal assessment of the situation was conducted based on your reports as well as the reports submitted by the FIFA representatives who were present on site in Livingstone in order to attend and observe this important Congress,” he says. “In this regard, we have received with great concern the information regarding the order of interim injunction of the High Court of Zambia, which was issued less than 24 hours before the starting time of the FAZ Elective Annual General Meeting, restraining the said meeting from being held as scheduled on 29 March 2025.” He adds, “For the avoidance of doubt, please note that the infringement of the aforementioned provisions of the FIFA Statutes may give rise to grounds for the suspension of FAZ irrespective of whether the infringement was attributed to FAZ or not.” With FIFA giving guidance on the aborted AGM, FAZ will now proceed to issue the notice as per constitutional stipulation.
Zambian duo Clatous Chota Chama and Kennedy Musonda impressed as Yanga run riot in a CRDB Bank Federation Cup victory over Stand United. Young Africans beat Stand United 8-1 to advance to the next round. Chama scored a brace and provided an assist while Musonda scored a goal and assisted as Yanga cruised to victory. Burkina Faso forward Ki Aziz was named the man of the match.
Chipolopolo most in-form player, midfield ace Klings Kangwa scored the opening goal as Hapoel Be’er Sheva saw off Beitar Jerusalem 3-1 in an Israeli Ligat Ha’al Championship Group encounter on Monday evening. Kangwa put the hosts in the lead in the 19th minute with a fine finish inside the box. The lead however did not last long as Beitar Jerusalem leveled matters through Mayron George Clayton eleven minutes later. Late goals from Miguel Vitor and Amir Chaim Ganah in additional time gave Be’er Sheva the hard fought victory. The win takes Be’er Sheva to the summit of the Championship Group on goal difference as they are tied on 67 points with Maccabi Tel Aviv. Kangwa has now been involved in 20 goals this season (12 goals and 8 assists).