Episodes
Marta is a Brazilian phenomenon. A six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, record goal scorer who’s even the hero of her opponents, but where did her love of football begin and what challenges has she faced in her incredible 20 year career? This is the story of Brazil’s global icon. Amongst others, you’ll hear from her former Brazil coach Pia Sundhage, Uefa’s head of women’s football Nadine Kessler, Marta’s Brazil teammate Cristiane and Marta’s first coach in Rio, Helena Pacheco. Marta...
Published 11/08/24
Published 11/08/24
This is the story of the day when the USA women’s national team, dubbed the 99ers, became instant stars and how one photograph of match winner Brandi Chastain went on to inspire a nation. 2015 World Cup winner Heather O’Reilly takes you back to the start of the decade to uncover the challenges the women’s game faced during the 1990s with journalist and long-time sport reporter Kelly Whiteside all the way to 10 July 1999 - the day the 99ers won the World Cup 5-4 on penalties against China on...
Published 11/01/24
Hear the untold story of how a science teacher from Oslo made a speech that would change the future of women’s football. In 1986, Ellen Wille became the first female to speak at a FIFA Congress and in a room full of men demanded women should have a FIFA World Cup and play football at the Olympics. Then FIFA President Joao Havelange and Vice President Sepp Blatter accepted the challenge, although it did take some time. Within two years FIFA staged a Women’s Invitational Event, and still not...
Published 10/10/24
John Bennett presents reaction from outside the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan after a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations final between hosts Ivory Coast and Nigeria. John gets perspective from both nations as he’s joined by Ivorian football journalist Salia Dramé and Nigerian broadcaster Fisayo Dairo. Friend of the pod George Addo also drops by to give his view on the tournament.
Published 02/12/24
John Bennett is joined by former Cameroon and Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong to look ahead to the Africa Cup of Nations final between Ivory Coast and Nigeria in Abidjan. We hear from former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou on his mentoring relationship with one of the Ivorian stars of the tournament, Brighton winger Simon Adingra. We also go behind the scenes in the Nigeria camp with their ex media officer Oluwatoyin Ibitoye who is now following the team as a broadcaster.
Published 02/10/24
In a bonus episode, John Bennett is joined by a legend of Ivory Coast football and 2015 Africa Cup of Nations winner Kolo Toure. The former Arsenal and Manchester City defender shares his Afcon memories, including lifting the trophy in 2015. He also assesses the current squad, and looks ahead to the final against Nigeria.
Published 02/09/24
John Bennett is joined by a host of guests to react to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in Ivory Coast. Ivorian football journalist Salia Dramé and Afcon broadcaster Patrick Juillard join John to assess the hosts' 1-0 win over DR Congo which sees them through to the final. We are also joined by former South African captain Dean Furman and Nigerian writer Fisayo Dairo after the Super Eagles beat Bafana Bafana on penalties.
Published 02/07/24
John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani as they look ahead to the semi-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. We hear how Gaby rates the chances of his nation against the hosts Ivory Coast, while the guys assess how Nigeria may manage without star striker Victor Osimhen should he not be fit to face South Africa. We also catch up with pod regular Sebastien Bassong and get his views on the final four, plus we hear from legendary Cameroon goalkeeper Joseph...
Published 02/06/24
Host nation Ivory Coast produced another amazing escape act as Oumar Diakite's 122nd-minute winner sent the 10-man Elephants into the semi-finals at heartbroken Mali's expense. They’ll face DR Congo in the last four. South Africa will take on Nigeria after their penalty shoot-out win against Cape Verde. We hear from the South Africa keeper Ronwen Williams who saved four penalties. Get in touch with your views on the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and send us a WhatsApp voice note. Tell...
Published 02/04/24
John Bennett is joined by former South Africa captain Dean Furman to assess their 2-1 win on penalties over Cape Verde which saw goalkeeper Ronwen Williams save four spot kicks to see them through to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals. We also discuss a dramatic last gasp victory for hosts Ivory Coast who beat Mali 2-1 thanks to a goal in added time at the end of extra time with Patrick Juillard and George Addo. And we look ahead to the semi finals which take place on Wednesday. Get in...
Published 02/03/24
Join John Bennett in Abidjan as Nigeria and DR Congo reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. Nigeria beat Angola 1-0, while DR Congo won 3-1 against Guinea. John is joined by African football expert Maher Mezahi to assess whether Nigeria have enough to go on and win it, while former DR Congo captain and friend of the pod Gabriel Zakuani drops by to celebrate his nations victory. We also hear from one of Ivory Coast’s golden generation, the former Arsenal defender...
Published 02/02/24
John Bennett is joined by Ghanaian broadcaster George Addo after arriving in Abidjan to preview the quarter-final matches at the Africa Cup of Nations in a bonus edition. In an unpredictable tournament, John and George do the unthinkable, and try and predict which way the matches will go. We hear who will progress between Nigeria and Angola and who between Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea will reach the last four. Both games take place on Friday 2 February. Will hosts Ivory Coast be...
Published 02/01/24
Mike McCarthy is joined by former South Africa captain Dean Furman and former Cameroon defender Sebastian Bassong to reflect on another big Afcon shock as South Africa eliminate World Cup semi-finalists Morocco in a 2-0 win. Meanwhile Mali see off Burkina Faso 2-1 as the quarter-final line-up is completed. We look ahead to the last eight and ask, who are the favourites now? Throughout the tournament we want to hear from you. You can send us your voice notes via WhatsApp and we will play a...
Published 01/30/24
John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani as they react to a huge match in the last-16 at the Africa Cup of Nations as hosts Ivory Coast beat holders Senegal 5-4 on penalties after the game had finished 1-1 after extra-time. John and Gaby also discuss Cape Verde’s 1-0 win over Mauritania which sees them progress to a quarter-final match against Guinea. We also hear from former South Africa captain Dean Furman ahead of their game against Morocco on Tuesday. Get in touch...
Published 01/29/24
Nishat Ladha is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani on a famous night for the nation in the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. DR Congo beat Egypt 8-7 on penalties after their last-16 match finished 1-1 after extra time. It means Mo Salah’s hopes of returning from injury and playing a part for Egypt later in the tournament have ended after an epic set of penalties, with goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi scoring the winning penalty. We also discuss Guinea’s dramatic last...
Published 01/28/24
Nishat Ladha is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani to reflect on the opening matches of the knock-out stages as Nigeria beat Cameroon 2-nil with two goals from Ademola Lookman while Angola were 3-nil winners against Namibia. Plus a look ahead to Sunday’s matches in the last sixteen as Equatorial Guinea face Guinea and the seven-time champions Egypt play DR Congo. Throughout the tournament we want to hear from you. You can send us your voice notes via WhatsApp and we will play...
Published 01/27/24
In a special episode of World Football at Afcon, John Bennett is joined by former Nigeria defender Efe Ambrose who shares his memories of the Super Eagles 2013 Africa Cup of Nations victory in South Africa. Ambrose describes the build up to the tournament and takes us inside the dressing room following their memorable quarter-final win over a much fancied Ivory Coast side, including an inspirational message from Didier Drogba. We also hear about the togetherness of the squad which saw them...
Published 01/26/24
John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo Captain Gabriel Zakuani and former South Africa captain Dean Furman. They discuss Morocco's victory over Zambia, which booked them top spot in Group F, a result that sealed hosts Ivory Coast a place in the last 16 despite sacking manager Jean-Louis Gasset earlier in the day. They also analyse the elimination of 2004 champions Tunisia from the tournament after a 0-0 draw against South Africa and talk about Namibia making it to the knockout stage for...
Published 01/24/24
John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo Captain Gabriel Zakuani to analyse Algeria's shock 1-0 defeat to Mauritania, who had never won a game at Afcon before. It means that the 2019 champions Algeria are out and Mauritania go through. They are joined by former Cameroon Afcon winner Patrick Suffo to discuss his nation's dramatic and late 3-2 win over The Gambia which took them into the last 16. Meanwhile they look ahead to the final group games on Wednesday involving the likes of...
Published 01/23/24
John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani, plus ex-Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba and 2015 Afcon finalist with Ghana Kwesi Appiah. They discuss Ivory Coast's 4-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea, which means their hopes of going through to the last 16 are hanging by a thread. They also analyse Ghana's 2-2 draw with Mozambique which means they're all but out of the tournament. Meanwhile there's reaction to Egypt squeezing through after a 2-2 draw with Cape Verde and...
Published 01/22/24
Maz Farookhi is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani to assess their 1-1 draw against Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations. Maz and Gaby discuss Zambia’s point against Tanzania, earned through a late Patson Daka header, and assess South Africa’s big win over Namibia. There’s also a lookahead to the big games on Monday in Group A and Group B, with qualification spots up for grabs for the likes of hosts Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Egypt and Ghana. Plus reaction to Egypt’s key man Mo...
Published 01/21/24
John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo Captain Gabriel Zakuani and former Cameroon defender Sebastien Bassong. They discuss Algeria's 2-2 draw with Burkina Faso, where a Baghdad Bounedjah's 95th-minute equaliser salvaged a second point for the North African side who haven't won an AFCON match since winning the tournament in 2019. They also analyse a 5-goal thriller between Angola and Mauritania, which Angola won to close in on the last 16 and a 1-1 draw between Tunisia and Mali. Plus they...
Published 01/20/24
John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani to assess holders Senegal after their 3-1 victory over Cameroon. Ismaila Sarr scored the first for Senegal and set up the second, with Sadio Mane adding the third goal. Senegal top the group while Cameroon have work to do in order to qualify for the knockout stages. We discuss Cape Verde’s qualification for the last 16 following their 3-0 win over Mozambique, and analyse Guinea’s 1-0 win over Gambia. Plus, following the update...
Published 01/19/24
John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo Captain Gabriel Zakuani and 2015 Afcon finalist with Ghana, Kwesi Appiah. They discuss Ghana's 2-2 draw with Egypt, which saw Mohammed Kudus score twice but Mohamed Salah forced off with an injury. They also analyse Nigeria's impressive 1-0 win over the hosts Nigeria and talk about the first Afcon hat-trick since 2008. Plus, there's a preview of Senegal against Cameroon. Throughout the tournament we want to hear from you. You can send us your voice...
Published 01/18/24