Mali news

Kylian Mbappe is backing Africa Cup of Nations hosts Morocco to go the distance in front of their fans at the prestigious competition, according to national team captain Achraf Hakimi. Real Madrid star Mbappe was in attendance for Morocco's 1-1 group stage draw with Mali with the hosts tipped by many to win AFCON for the first time since their initial success in 1976.

Former Premier League striker Patson Daka appeared to avoid a serious injury after falling on his neck while celebrating a last-gasp equaliser for Zambia at the Africa Cup of Nations. The incident, which briefly silenced a raucous crowd, ended with relief as Daka was able to continue and help his side cling to a precious draw against Mali.

In Europe, much of the build-up to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has unfortunately - but inevitably - focused on which clubs will be most affected by the tournament's scheduling slap-bang in the middle of the season. As an incredibly prestigious tournament that rarely fails to deliver a barely-believable amount of drama, the AFCON deserves so much better.

In this episode we interview scouts, academy directors and players to reveal the successes and struggles of Ghana's football academies, their impact on the national team, and the consequences of Ghanaian players being shipped off to European clubs at a young age.

In the third episode of The Black Stars Podcast, we examine how diaspora players impact Ghana's football ambitions and the broader issues of identity, preparation and infrastructure that influence their decisions.

In this episode of The Black Stars Podcast we examine the rise, fall & renaissance of Ghana's national team and hear how two games changed everything for the continent.