AFCON
BURUNDI, NIGERIA’S 1ST AFCON OPPONENTS, LOSE PLAYER
A midfielder of Burundi due to face Nigeria at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, Papy Faty has died.
The 28-year old player reportedly collapsed after seeing off half an hour of the Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) Premier League Week 23 action between his club Malanti Chiefs and title chasers Green Mamba played at Killarney Stadium in Piggs Peak north of Eswatini on Thursday afternoon.
CAF President Ahmad Ahmad has expressed shock at the passing away of the player.
“On behalf of the CAF Executive Committee and on my own behalf, I extend my
deepest condolences to the Burundi Football Federation, Eswatini Football
Association, the bereaved family and the Burundian football family. My thoughts
are with you at this difficult moment,” Ahmad said.
After receiving preliminary medical attention from both teams’ doctors, Faty
was rushed to Piggs Peak Government Hospital, less than half a kilometre away
from the stadium where he was pronounced dead upon admission shortly before
1600hrs local time (14h00 GMT).
Malanti Chiefs co-director and Premier League of Eswatini board of governor,
Victor Rodrigues confirmed the emotion tearing development.
“After collapsing during the match, team medics tried to stabilize him but
unfortunately he could not make it to the hospital for further attention. It is
a sad day for the game, our club, our country, Burundi and globally,” said a
distraught Rodrigues.
When the news broke to the rest of the players on the hour mark of action with
Green Mamba leading 3-0 in their title chase, Faty’s emotionally drained team
mates crumbled to the turf forcing off play.
It is not the first time that Faty, who joined Malanti Chiefs in January,
collapsed during a match due to what is preliminary suspected to be cardiac
related as in 2015 had to hospitalized during a friendly match between his
former club, Bidvest Wits and Supersport United.
Born on the 18th of September 1990 in Bujumbura, at the age of 11, the
midfielder was scouted by AS Inter Star. Papy went through the ranks of the
team and in 2007 signed a professional contract with the club. After the season
2007/2008 the player joined the Turkish side Trabzonspor.
After a season Papy was given on a loan to the Dutch team MVV where in
the season 2011/2012 he made 17 outings and scored 4 times.
In 2012 the player was signed by Bidvest Wits spending five seasons before
joining Royal Eagles then under now Eswatini head coach Kostadin Papic.
Papy was capped for the national team of Burundi for the first time in 2008
featuring in last month’s 1-1 draw against Gabon at Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium to finish second behind Mali on the
log standings.
Upon return Eswatini, Faty hosted a talent scouting soccer tournament at
Nkomazi on the outskirts of Piggs Peak.
Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe has praised Morocco’s King Mohammed VI for what he described as a powerful gesture of unity and reconciliation following the royal pardon granted to Senegalese supporters convicted over offences linked to the final match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In a statement released on Saturday, Motsepe expressed deep appreciation on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, hailing the Moroccan monarch’s decision as a demonstration of football’s ability to foster peace and solidarity across the continent.
“I would like to express our deep gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, for granting His Royal Pardon to the Senegalese supporters convicted of offences relating to the final match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025,” Motsepe stated.
The CAF president said the pardon reflected Morocco’s enduring commitment to African unity and highlighted football’s growing role as a bridge between nations and cultures.
“CAF has consistently emphasised its commitment to utilise football to contribute to uniting our people from different racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds,” he said.
“The pardon by His Majesty King Mohammed VI is an uplifting and motivating illustration of the power of football to unite and bring our people together in Africa and worldwide.”
Motsepe also revealed that during recent visits to both Morocco and Senegal, he had been struck by the deep historical and cultural bonds shared by the two countries.
“I was amazed and impressed when I was briefed about the historic and extensive ties between the people of Senegal and Morocco,” he added.
The statement further reinforced Morocco’s rising influence within African football, especially after successfully hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and positioning itself as one of Africa’s leading football destinations ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe also extended CAF’s best wishes to Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, expressing confidence that the continent’s teams would perform strongly on the global stage.
Among the African nations mentioned were Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
JOIN THE SPORTS VILLAGE SQUARE CHANNEL ON:
https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
Former African champions Algeria and Zambia are set for an early showdown after the release of the Group I fixtures for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Algeria host Zambia on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, in what is expected to be one of the headline fixtures of the qualifying campaign, while Togo entertain Burundi in the group’s other opening tie.
The Desert Foxes are favourites to qualify, but Zambia’s growing consistency and Togo’s unpredictability could make the race highly competitive.
Algeria travel to Burundi on Matchday Two before facing Togo in back-to-back encounters across Matchdays Three and Four. Zambia also meet Burundi home and away during the same period.
The potentially decisive fixture comes on March 22, 2027, when Zambia host Algeria in a clash that could determine the final standings.
Group I Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Algeria vs Zambia
- Togo vs Burundi
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Zambia vs Togo
- Burundi vs Algeria
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Algeria vs Togo
- Zambia vs Burundi
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Togo vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Zambia
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Zambia vs Algeria
- Burundi vs Togo
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Togo vs Zambia
- Algeria vs Burundi
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
By Kunle Solaja.
African heavyweights Senegal will launch their quest for another Africa Cup of Nations appearance with a home clash against Mozambique in Group J of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
The Lions of Teranga, among the continent’s strongest teams in recent years, headline a group that also includes Sudan and Ethiopia.
Senegal host Mozambique on Matchday One on September 21, 2026, while Sudan tackle Ethiopia in the other opening encounter.
Senegal are strong favourites to dominate the group, but Sudan and Mozambique are expected to battle fiercely for qualification points.
The key fixtures may emerge in the double-header between Senegal and Sudan across Matchdays Three and Four, while Mozambique and Ethiopia also face each other home and away.
Senegal travel to Mozambique on Matchday Five before ending their campaign at home against Ethiopia on March 30, 2027.
Group J Fixtures
Matchday 1 — September 21, 2026
- Senegal vs Mozambique
- Sudan vs Ethiopia
Matchday 2 — October 6, 2026
- Mozambique vs Sudan
- Ethiopia vs Senegal
Matchday 3 — October 2026
- Senegal vs Sudan
- Mozambique vs Ethiopia
Matchday 4 — November 17, 2026
- Sudan vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Mozambique
Matchday 5 — March 22, 2027
- Mozambique vs Senegal
- Ethiopia vs Sudan
Matchday 6 — March 30, 2027
- Sudan vs Mozambique
- Senegal vs Ethiopia
Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H
Germany’s 7-1 Rout of Curaçao Revives Memories of World Cup’s Biggest Blowouts
Advocaat Set to Make World Cup History as Curaçao Face Germany
Tunisia Chase Historic Breakthrough Against Experienced Sweden
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
NIGERIAN FOOTBALL CHIEF EXECUTIVE, SANUSI CHARGES NIGERIAN COACHES TO BE UPRIGHT, DILIGENT
- World Cup1 week ago
FIFA bans vuvuzelas from World Cup stadiums
- World Cup1 week ago
Shakira to Headline FIFA World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony in Mexico
- International Football1 week ago
Eriksen Suffers Fresh Collapse During Denmark Friendly, Reviving Memories of Euro 2020 Ordeal
- World Cup1 week ago
Pelé’s 1970 World Cup Hideaway Becomes Tourist Attraction as Mexico Hosts Tournament for Record Third Time
- Uncategorized1 week ago
Iran World Cup squad still in visa limbo 10 days before first match, ambassador says
- World Cup1 week ago
FIFA Unveils Fan-Centric Pre-Match Ceremony for 2026 World Cup
- World Cup1 week ago
Strike Threat Looms Over USA-Paraguay World Cup Match at SoFi Stadium
- World Cup1 week ago
Iran’s World Cup team arrive in Tijuana with US tensions high