The second day of the group stage at the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) marked a decisive moment with Burkina Faso securing their first victory by defeating the Central African Republic 4-2. This crucial win revitalizes the local Stallions in Group B following their initial defeat against Tanzania, keeping their qualification hopes alive. Coach Issa Balboné praised his players’ mentality, emphasizing their regained freshness and motivation after a challenging opening match.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced a key event: the preliminary rounds draw for the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup 2025-2026, scheduled for Saturday, August 9, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. This event, broadcast live on YouTube, will determine the matchups for up to 68 competing African clubs, promising a season filled with intense competition. The first and second leg matches of the initial rounds will take place in September 2025.
On the transfer front, the 2025 summer window continues to energize African football. Bryan Mbeumo’s record transfer to Manchester United for €82 million shakes up the ranking of the most expensive African players. Victor Osimhen remains a market highlight with ongoing negotiations between Napoli and Galatasaray, while Mohammed Kudus recently joined West Ham, securing a spot in the top 10 major transfers. These moves reflect the growing appeal of African talents in Europe.
Additionally, players seeking new challenges see notable changes: Yassine Benzia has joined the Saudi club Al-Fayha, aiming to reclaim a place in the Algerian national team ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Emerging talents like Cameroonian Carlos Baleba fuel European clubs’ enthusiasm during this transfer period. These recent developments promise an exciting and surprising end to the African football transfer market.
