The continent’s biggest footballing event is to kick off amid troubles ranging from dual-identity players to the spread of the Ebola virus.
Nigeria has beaten Côte d’Ivoire 4-1 while Morocco shocked title-holders Tunisia this weekend in 2014 African Nations Championship qualifiers.
The Cape Verde Islands have secured a place at Afcon for the first time and former champs Ethiopia are back in the big time after a 30-year absence.
Fallen giants Nigeria are poised to reach the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations despite being held 2-2 by Liberia this weekend in a final round qualifier.
Manchester United fever is sweeping SA with tickets selling fast for a two-match tour despite the absence of Wayne Rooney and other first choices.
Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer is worried about the poor form of flyhalf Morne Steyn before the August kick-off of the new Rugby Championship.
Opinion is divided over whether Victor Matfield should come out of retirement and lead South Africa in a three-Test home series against England.
Orlando Pirates have taken the top spot of the PSL after overnight leaders Mamelodi Sundowns and title hopefuls SuperSport United lost their games.
A Cairo press box held up a Caf Champions League fixture while Berekum Chelsea and Recreativo do Libolo went on goal sprees in other last-32 ties.
Orlando Pirates coach Augusto Palacios made a disastrous start to his latest caretaker spell as lowly Santos triumphed 3-0 at Athlone Stadium.
No image available
/ 26 February 2012
There was another shock outcome to a CAF competition when Moroccan club Moghreb Fes lifted the African Super Cup this weekend.
No image available
/ 16 February 2012
Orlando Pirates need to remain wary of their opponents if they are to capture their second Confederation of African Football title.
No image available
/ 7 February 2012
South Africa will not to allow agents to appoint referees for friendly fixtures after allegations of match-fixing at pre-2010 World Cup warm-up games.
South Africa star Charl Schwartzel will join an exclusive band of golfers if he wins a third consecutive Joburg Open title this weekend.
Botswana’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations players went on strike before being held 0-0 at home by an understrength Zimbabwe team in a warm-up game.
SA will get a new coach, captain, stars and possibly style in 2012 as they make a fresh start after surrendering the Rugby World Cup trophy.
No image available
/ 29 December 2011
The first African football drama of 2012 will unfold as Namibia continues a battle to get Burkina Faso kicked out of the upcoming Cup of Nations.
CAF Footballer of the Year Yaya Toure has come a long way since being described as "average" by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger eight years ago.
No image available
/ 14 December 2011
From a premature tournament qualification celebration to Danny Jordaan’s broken promises at Cosafa, South African soccer has had an embarrassing year.
The Springboks are all over the front and back pages of SA’s daily newspapers: After the death of a Rugby World Cup dream, it’s not a pretty sight.
The struggle for 2012 Africa Cup of Nations places reaches a climax this weekend with 21 countries chasing 10 tickets to Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
No image available
/ 27 September 2011
Libya are likely to be replaced as 2013 Africa Cup of Nations hosts this week, with Algeria, Nigeria and SA prepared to take over the tournament.
No image available
/ 18 September 2011
Ajax Cape Town snatched a dramatic 3-2 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday after a battle of Dutch coaches in the Premier Soccer League.
No image available
/ 15 September 2011
Chiefs surrendered the last perfect record in the PSL with a loss to Ajax, while Sundowns became overnight leaders of the PSL, followed by SuperSport.
No image available
/ 10 September 2011
Blue Bulls fly-half Louis Fouche kicked a penalty from beside the touchline three minutes into stoppage time to steal a draw against the Cheetahs.
No image available
/ 9 September 2011
SA football followers cannot get enough of Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates with the third meeting of a young season attracting a sell-out crowd.
The need to cover the outstanding but injury-prone Heinrich Brüssow has forced Springbok coach Peter de Villiers to reconsider Francois Louw.
Peter de Villiers is running out of time and excuses after a string of Tri-Nations losses and a World Cup defence less than one month away.
Griqualand West fullback Rudi Vogt kicked 23 points as defending champions Sharks suffered their first Currie Cup defeat of the season.
Defending champions Egypt are on the brink of elimination from the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations while Côte d’Ivoire have secured a place at the finals.
Egypt face a fight for Africa Cup of Nations survival this weekend while Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal could qualify for the 2012 tournament.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter had arrived to meet African football chiefs as his campaign for another four-year term moves into overdrive.