Côte d’Ivoire

Ivory Coast begin Canada Shield preparations with training camp launch in Toronto

The Ivory Coast national football team has officially opened its training camp in Toronto ahead of the 2025 Canada Shield...

Issa Said June 4, 2025

Burkina Faso

Didier Ovono’s match-fixing claims spark controversy in Gabonese football

Didier Janvier Ovono Ebang, former goalkeeper and long-time captain of Gabon’s national football team, has ignited a storm of controversy...

Issa Said June 4, 2025

Countries Friendlies

Six key players withdraw from Super Eagles squad ahead of Russia friendly

Nigeria will be without six of their senior players for the upcoming international fixture against Russia, scheduled for Friday 6...

Issa Said June 4, 2025

Africans Abroad

Achraf Hakimi delivers stirring message to Morocco after Champions League triumph

Achraf Hakimi has spoken passionately about his pride in representing Morocco after helping Paris Saint-Germain clinch a historic UEFA Champions...

Issa Said June 4, 2025

Burkina Faso

Hervé Koffi takes responsibility for costly error in Burkina Faso’s defeat to Tunisia

Burkina Faso goalkeeper Hervé Koffi has accepted full responsibility for a critical mistake that contributed to his team’s 2-1 loss...

Issa Said June 3, 2025

Competitions

Mali suffer opening defeat at Maurice Revello Tournament after narrow loss to Panama

Mali’s under-21 team began their Maurice Revello Tournament campaign with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Panama on Tuesday at Stade...

Issa Said June 3, 2025

Countries Friendlies

Brahim Diaz withdraws from Morocco squad ahead of Tunisia and Benin friendlies

Morocco’s promising attacking midfielder Brahim Diaz will be sidelined for the upcoming international friendlies against Tunisia and Benin due to...

Issa Said June 3, 2025

Chad

Chad names 25-man squad for friendlies against Kenya ahead of CHAN 2025 preparations

Chad has officially announced its 25-player roster for the upcoming friendly matches against Kenya, scheduled to take place on neutral...

Issa Said June 3, 2025

**Assane Diao Opens Up on Emotional Choice Between Representing Senegal or Spain** Como forward Assane Diao has shed light on the emotional struggle behind his decision to represent Senegal at the international level, despite his extensive involvement with Spain’s youth squads. The 19-year-old, who received his first senior call-up from Senegal in March, has been at the heart of a national allegiance debate due to his dual connections to both countries. Born in Sédhiou, Senegal, Diao moved to Spain at the age of six, growing up within the Spanish football system and representing Spain at youth levels, where he earned 17 caps. In a candid interview with PostUnited, Diao described the decision as one of the most complex he has faced in his young career. “It was a good and important decision, but very complicated to make because I owe a lot to both countries,” he said. “Senegal is my home country, where I have my family, while Spain gave me the opportunity to grow in football and as a person.” Diao, who developed through the youth academies in Spain and recently joined Como in Italy’s Serie A, revealed that the decision came after a long period of reflection and family discussions. While the prospect of playing for Spain had crossed his mind, he ultimately felt a stronger pull toward his roots in Senegal. “After thinking deeply and talking to my family, I realised that Senegal was where my heart was,” he said. “Choosing to play for Senegal felt like the most genuine decision I could make. It’s not just about football—it’s about identity and belonging.” Despite his commitment to Senegal, Diao will be absent from the national team’s upcoming international fixtures due to injury. He will miss the friendly matches scheduled against Ireland and England in the next international break. His absence will be a blow to Senegal, who were eager to integrate the dynamic young attacker into their senior setup following his impressive rise through the ranks in European football. Known for his speed, versatility, and creativity in attack, Diao has quickly become a promising talent in Serie A since his move to Como. While he awaits his debut in competitive fixtures for Senegal, Diao’s declaration of allegiance marks a pivotal point in his career, symbolising both a personal and professional milestone. The decision reflects not only a commitment to his heritage but also a respect for the nation that shaped his formative years. Diao's story highlights the increasingly common dilemma faced by dual-nationality players, particularly those who grow up away from their country of birth. It underlines the emotional weight such choices carry, especially when both nations have played significant roles in a player's life and career. For now, Diao will focus on recovery and his responsibilities with Como, as fans in Senegal await his return to fitness and eventual contribution on the international stage.

Africans Abroad

Senegalese forward Assane Diao opens up on emotional choice between representing Senegal or Spain

Como forward Assane Diao has shed light on the emotional struggle behind his decision to represent Senegal at the international...

Issa Said June 3, 2025

African Coaches

Victor Osimhen tipped for major summer move by Nigeria coach Eric Chelle

Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle has named several European giants as potential destinations for Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, predicting...

Issa Said June 3, 2025

Countries Friendlies

South Africa v Tanzania: Broos prioritises player performance ahead of friendly fixtures

South Africa head coach Hugo Broos has emphasised that his primary objective for the upcoming international friendlies against Tanzania and...

Issa Said June 3, 2025

Countries Friendlies

Ferjani Sassi fires warning shot as Tunisia prepare for heated clash with Morocco

Tunisia captain Ferjani Sassi has issued a fiery statement ahead of the highly anticipated North African derby against Morocco, declaring...

Issa Said June 3, 2025

Cabo Verde

Cape Verde and Malaysia set for second friendly clash in Kuala Lumpur

Cape Verde will take on Malaysia once again this Tuesday, 3 June 2025, in an international friendly at the Bukit...

Issa Said June 3, 2025

Africans Abroad

Manchester City pursuit of Aït-Nouri on hold as defender prioritises Algeria duties

Manchester City’s efforts to secure the signature of Wolverhampton Wanderers full-back Rayan Aït-Nouri have hit a temporary pause, with the...

Issa Said June 2, 2025

Africans Abroad

Brighton’s Gambian star Yankuba Minteh delivers promising first Premier League campaign

Yankuba Minteh has completed a promising debut campaign in the Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion, showing signs of...

Issa Said June 2, 2025

DR Congo

Merveille Kanjinga set to shine for DR Congo at Women’s AFCON

Merveille Kanjinga, 22, will spearhead the Democratic Republic of Congo’s front line at the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations,...

Issa Said June 2, 2025

Competitions

Senegal U20 yet to begin preparations as WAFU U20 tournament looms

Senegal’s U20 national team, reigning champions of the WAFU Zone A/B tournament, have yet to begin preparations for this year’s...

Issa Said June 2, 2025

Countries

2002 AFCON winning coach Winfried Schäfer predicts all African World Cup final

Winfried Schäfer, former Cameroon head coach and current sporting director of the Ghana national team, believes the rise of African...

Issa Said June 2, 2025

Africans Born Abroad

Spanish-Ghanaian winger Nico Williams chooses next destination amid European interest

Nico Williams has made his decision on where he will play next, as interest in the Athletic Club winger intensifies...

Issa Said June 2, 2025

Countries Friendlies

Senegal national team to depart for Dublin ahead of June friendlies against Ireland and England

Senegal’s national football team will travel directly from Dakar to Dublin on Sunday, 1 June, as preparations shift to the...

Issa Said June 2, 2025