Sepp BLATTER's nightmares came true on FRI 23 JUN 2006, as the referees became the stars of the show. more...

The form book held up again as European favourites won on MON 19 JUN 2006. more...

There were two surprising comebacks in one match, a repeat of recent history, and a cracking goal on TUE 13 JUN 2006. more...

Otto PFISTER, appointed as coach of Togo four months ahead of the 2006 Men's World Cup, has resigned just days before his side start their Group G campaign against Korea Rep. The Hawks have been embroiled in a dispute with the Fédération Togolaise de Football over their bonuses, during which the players boycotted training sessions. Assistant Kodjovi MAWUENA has been promoted to fill the vacancy.

Cameroon's Samuel ETO'O won't be headed to the 2006 Men's World Cup [except as a spectator], but he has consolation of a sort with the 2005 African Player of the Year award. The prolific forward, who has already scored 18 goals this season for Barcelona, won the closest vote in the award's history. Eto'o totalled 108 points, with Didier DROGBA of Côte d’Ivoire second at 106 and Michael ESSIEN of Ghana third at 50. Other CAF awards included the Young Player of the Year [John Obi MICHEL, Nigeria], Female Player of the Year [Perpetua NKWOCHA, Nigeria], Coach of the Year [Stephen KESHI, Togo], and National Team of the Year [Côte d'Ivoire].

The final draw for the 2006 Men's World Cup paired up several well known opponents, starting in Group B, where for the second straight World Cup, England will face Sweden in the first round. In Group G, qualifying rivals France and Switzerland, who battled in UEFA Group 4, meet again. Brazil, Australia, and Japan, who regularly meet at Confederations Cup tournaments, are together again in Group F. But the consensus Group of Death is likely to be Group C, made up of Argentina, Côte d’Ivoire, Serbia-Montenegro, and the Netherlands. The tournament's opening match will be Germany-Costa Rica, FRI 09 JUN 2006 in München. more...

All five CAF second round groups were decided on SAT 08 OCT 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CAF second round on the weekend of FRI 02-SUN 04 SEP 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CAF second round on the weekend of SAT 18-SUN 19 JUN 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CAF second round on the weekend of FRI 03-SUN 05 JUN 2005. more...

A quick summary of action around the CAF second round on the weekend of SAT 26-SUN 27 MAR 2005. more...

Shortly after the end of the Togo-Mali match in CAF second round Group 1 on SUN 10 OCT 2004, four were killed in a stampede that started with a power outage. Spectators exiting Kegue Stadium in Lomé reportedly panicked when the lights went out, leading to a surge toward the exits. However, reports that three had died in Conakry prior to the match between Guinea and Morocco in Group 5 were disproved, although several fans were injured trying to enter the stadium without tickets. Investigations into both incidents are underway.

A quick summary of action around the CAF second round on the weekend of FRI 08-SUN 10 OCT 2004. more...

A quick summary of action around the CAF second round on the weekend of FRI 03-SUN 05 SEP 2004. more...