Football

South Korea’s disappointing World Cup campaign has exploded into a full-blown political controversy after President Lee Jae Myung called for an official government investigation into the national team’s shock group-stage elimination.Lee admitted he was left “utterly baffled” by the outcome and questioned how one of Asia’s traditional football powerhouses could fail to reach the knockout rounds despite entering the tournament as the second-highest-ranked side in its group.##NAJAVA_MECA_9820020##The Taeguk Warriors collected just three points from three matches, beating the Czech Republic but suffering costly defeats to co-hosts Mexico and South Africa. Their fate ultimately depended on results elsewhere, and when the final standings were confirmed, South Korea fell short of progressing as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.The country’s president wasted little time reacting.Bafana Bafana make history by storming into World Cup knockouts as Mexico extend perfect runIn a stro..

African teams are set to earn billions of shillings following their qualification to the Round of 32 in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.The tournament, co-hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico, has seen a record nine teams from Africa qualify to the knockout stages.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsSouth Africa, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde and Egypt qualified as runners-up in their respective groups, while Ghana, Senegal, Algeria and DR Congo made it to the last 32 after making it to the top-eight bracket of the third best losers.With their qualification, the nine teams earned USD99 million (approximately Ksh12.573 billion on current exchange rates) from FIFA.##NAJAVA_MECA_9823517##Each of the teams will gain USD11 million (approximately Ksh1.42 billion on current exchange rates) which is the amount paid by FIFA to each team that reaches the Round of 32.The money is in addition to USD1.5 million (approximately Ksh193.5 million on current exchange rates) that was disbursed to ..

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has weighed in on claims appearing to suggest that criticism from fans was part of the reasons that forced him into early retirement from international football. The 35-year-old announced his retirement from international football in September 2021, bringing an end to his 14-year service to the national team, Harambee Stars. Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsWanyama made his Harambee Stars debut in 2007 in a friendly match against Nigeria.The announcement came after a prolonged and unexplained absence from the national team, with his last appearance tracing back to November 2020 when the team suffered a 1-0 loss to Comoros in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.Wanyama faced criticism from a section of fans in his latter years with the national team, especially after becoming captain with fans questioning the unconvincing performance of Harambee Stars. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9824464##In an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport, ..

Briefly silenced the critics means that after scoring two goals, Cristiano Ronaldo temporarily quieted those questioning him. However, the silence didn’t last long because he then failed to score again, and the criticism immediately returned. For a brief moment, after scoring twice, he managed to silence almost everyone. But Cristiano Ronaldo was never going to get the critics off his back so easily, especially since those two goals came against Uzbekistan rather than a footballing heavyweight. Another match without finding the net, and the old debate was back again. Once more, it was Cristiano Ronaldo versus Lionel Messi.❌🚨 Cristiano Ronaldo vs Colombia:• 90 minutes played• 0 goals• 0 assists• 0 chances created• 0 dribbles• 1 shot on target• 2 blocked shots• 35 touches• 2 duels won pic.twitter.com/VxPBGrPVd2— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) June 28, 2026 With Argentina already through to the knockout stage, Lionel Scaloni opted not to start Lionel Messi against Jordan, pairing Lautaro..

Chelsea are spending big once again. They splashed out 50 million euros last January for highly rated youngster Geovany Quenda, will pay even more for Marco Palestra this June, but perhaps the most high-profile addition for new manager Xabi Alonso will cost only a fraction of those fees. Contrary to the club’s recent strategy of targeting young, high-upside talents, the Basque coach has convinced the board that his squad also needs experience, prompting Chelsea to launch a move for Granit Xhaka. According to well-connected Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, everything has already been agreed with the 33-year-old Switzerland international, who previously enjoyed tremendous success under Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, where they won the Bundesliga title.🚨🔵 Xabi Alonso made it clear internally from the start that he wanted to sign Granit Xhaka. 33 y/o captain is in full agreement with Chelsea as revealed. Salary and contract length have all been agreed. #CFC The transfer fee is expe..

Football Kenya Federation Premier League giants AFC Leopards are all set for their highly anticipated 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for Sunday, 28 June.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe meeting will be held at the Nyayo Stadium Basketball Gymnasium from 10:00 am.##NAJAVA_MECA_9820020##In a notice dated Saturday, 27 June, 2026, Ingwe reminded all registered members of the agenda items set to be discussed during the mandatory annual gathering as the club seeks to reinforce its structures through democratic governance, transparency, and strategic planning.Among the key items on the agenda are receiving, considering, and adopting the club’s draft constitution, as well as appointing independent auditors.Harambee Stars midfielder one game away from historic five-peat with YangaThe agenda includes:1. To read the notice convening the meeting and confirm the presence of a quorum.2. To confirm the minutes of the 2025 Annual General Meeting.3. To receive the chairman’..

DR Congo secured qualification for the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after staging a thrilling second-half comeback to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their decisive Group K clash at Atlanta Stadium on Sunday morning.Needing a win to keep their World Cup hopes alive, Sebastien Desabre’s men recovered from an early setback after Uzbekistan captain Eldor Shomurodov fired his side ahead in the 10th minute from Aleksandr Mozgovoy’s assist.##NAJAVA_MECA_9823515##The Congolese dominated much of the contest but found Uzbekistan goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov and the defence difficult to break down during the opening hour. Yoane Wissa missed a free header, while Nthanael Mbuku forced a fine save with a fierce long-range strike. Veteran striker Cedric Bakambu was also unable to make an impact before being replaced by Fiston Mayele midway through the second half.Desabre’s attacking substitutions proved decisive as DR Congo piled on the pressure. Their breakthrough arrived in the 68th minute when Man..

Some signings simply strengthen a squad, and then there are transfers that quietly speak to ambition. Taddeo Lwanga’s imminent arrival at AFC Leopards feels firmly like the latter.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsNot because he arrives with fanfare alone, and not because his name guarantees headlines across East Africa, but because his career has been shaped by something Ingwe have spent nearly three decades chasing: the habit of winning titles when it matters most.For Leopards, a club that has spent years trying to bridge the gap between potential and silverware, the signing is more than a midfield reinforcement.It is a signal. A reminder that the final step in rebuilding a giant is often not about talent alone, but about experience under pressure, about players who know what it takes to cross the line.Six foreign players who impressed in the 2025-2026 FKFPL seasonAnd Taddeo Lwanga, a Software Engineer, for all his understated style, is exactly that kind of footballer.The w..

Young Africans SC (Yanga) are on the cusp of retaining the Tanzania Premier League title after cruising to a commanding 3-0 victory over Tabora United at KMC Stadium.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe defending champions produced another convincing display to maintain control of the title race, with Harambee Stars midfielder Duke Abuya playing a key role after earning a place in the starting line-up.Six foreign players who impressed in the 2025-2026 FKFPL seasonYanga, the record 31-time Tanzanian champions, broke the deadlock in the 28th minute through Uganda international Allan Okello, who calmly finished to hand his side a deserved lead.Despite falling behind, Tabora United responded positively and enjoyed sustained spells of possession, forcing Yanga to remain disciplined as they headed into the halftime break holding a slender 1-0 advantage.##NAJAVA_MECA_9820469##The hosts wasted little time after the restart, doubling their lead in the 51st minute. Okello converted co..

Senegal have squeezed through!Despite being drawn into the 2026 World Cup group of death alongside France, Norway, and Iraq, the expectations for the African giants were high. Anything less than a place in the knockout phase would have been a disappointment.And the Lions of Teranga delivered, though much harder than expected.Out-of-the-loop Elanga: Sweden qualified, he mourned their eliminationTheir internal problems cannot be neglected or overlooked, that’s for sure. Poor conditions and substandard food in camp, the fact that the players had to buy groceries and cook for themselves, that they are owed bonuses for their previous results, that their manager Pape Thiaw reportedly works without a contract and hasn’t received his salary for months – all of that must have played a major role.However, for two and a half decades, Senegal have been building their reputation in football. A reputation that could have easily been tarnished in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.Luckily for them, the Lion..