Afro Sports Exclusive

  Cameroon will now have to host 24 teams instead of 16 in the newly expanded Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 A Confederation of African Football-appointed inspection team will visit Cameroon for eight days from 20 August 2017 to assess the country's progress as it prepares to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Cameroon government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary announced the details, saying organisers should not worry. "This inspection mission, like those that will follow throughout the process towards the deadline of the event, is not aimed at sanctioning," said Tchiroma. "On the contrary, it is an opportunity for any changes and consultation in order to ascertain the state of preparedness and to readjust as necessary the strategy for the full success of the event," he added. The 2019 tournament in Cameroon will feature 24 teams instead of 16 for the first time in history and will be held in June and July rather than January and February. Cam...

  Every game in which Sammy Ameobi scored last season Bolton won Bolton Wanderers winger Sammy Ameobi will be out for up to six weeks after having minor knee surgery. The 25-year-old twisted his knee during the pre-season friendly against Stoke City and has been forced to have surgery to repair torn cartilage. Former Newcastle United forward Ameobi rejoined Bolton on 14 July after scoring four times in 28 appearances on loan last season. Bolton begin their Championship campaign at home to Leeds on Sunday.

    Caf pesident Ahmad answers journalists' questions during his visit to Burkina Faso The Confederation of African Football (Caf) president, Ahmad, says Cameroon still needs "to convince Caf of its ability to host" the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Speaking on a trip to Burkina Faso, the Caf President gave his clearest indication yet that Cameroon could be stripped of hosting rights for the newly extended event. The 2019 Nations Cup will feature 24 teams instead of 16 and president Ahmad confirmed an inspection team will visit Cameroon later this month. "Cameroon will have to work to convince Caf on its ability to host the event," Ahmad said. "We will send the experts and we will decide at the end of their inspection mission" he added. On Friday, Cameroon government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary revealed details of the eight-day inspection visit which will begin on 20 August and played down fears of sanctions if preparations were deemed ...

  Nigeria youth international Taiwo Awoniyi is yet to make his first team debut for Liverpool Nigeria youth international Taiwo Awoniyi has been sent for a third loan spell by his English club Liverpool. This time the 19-year-old, who is yet to make a first-team appearance for Liverpool, has joined Belgian club Mouscron for the season. The striker joined Liverpool on a long-term deal in August 2015 from Imperial Academy in Nigeria. He joins DR Congo's Jonathan Bolingi and Cameroon's Fabrice Olinga on loan at the club. Awoniyi, who helped his country win the Under-17 World Cup in 2013, spent last season on loan at Dutch side NEC Nijmegen. He also played at the 2015 Under-20 World Cup in New Zealand, netting twice and then helped Nigeria win the 2015 African Under-23 Championship in Senegal. However he missed out on playing at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. His other loan spell was at German second-tier club FSV Frankfurt in the 2015/16 campaign

The match was allowed to continue despite the crush At least two people have been killed and 17 injured in a crush at South Africa's biggest stadium, football officials say. It took place during the Soweto derby between football clubs Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in Johannesburg. Orlando Pirates said the crush happened when people attempted to push their way through the gates into the 87,000-capacity FNB stadium. Authorities allowed the pre-season cup game to continue. Public safety official Michael Sun said on Twitter that all gates at the stadium had been opened to ensure crowd control and that the situation was later brought under control. Of the 17 injured, one is in a critical condition, the stadium managers said. Orlando Pirates FC ✔ @Orlando_Pirates @ blacklabelsa CUP STATEMENT: We are saddened by the fatalities this afternoon ...

  Ivory Coast president Alassane Ouattara pointed out that his country has just hosted a successful Francophone Games The President of Ivory Coast Alassane Ouattara says his country will not need to co-host the expanded Africa cup of Nations finals in 2021. He said the country has the capability to host 24 teams rather than 16 stipulated in its original bid. Ouattara was talking during an official visit to Sierra Leone. "The reality is that we go by the decision made to extend the number of teams to participate at Afcon and Ivory Coast has the infrastructure," he said. "A few days ago we hosted the Francophone games with 4,000 athletes participating from 54 countries. Ivory Coast president Alassane Ouattara says his nation will be ready to host the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations without having to co-host the expanded tournament. "It ended on Sunday with the Vice President of Ivory Coast giving medals to those who won. "So Ivory Coast has the in...