Jan. 9, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The World Cup has always been more than a tournament; it is a quadrennial “Global Village” where the world puts aside its borders for ninety minutes at a time. But as we approach the 2026 kickoff, that village is being replaced by a fortress. The United States’ current immigration stance—marked by travel bans for 39 nations and “extreme vetting” for others—is fundamentally altering the spirit of the game. We are moving toward a “Two-Tier World Cup” where your ability to cheer for your national team is determined by the strength of your passport, not the depth of your passion. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Senegal
A Divided Pitch: The Rise of “Fortress America” and the Death of the Global Fan
Jan. 9, 2026 /Mpelembe Media/ — The intersection of U.S. immigration policy and the 2026 FIFA World Cup has become a major flashpoint. The feasibility of a boycott and the “ruining” of the game are subjects of intense debate among human rights groups, fans, and governing bodies. Football without fans is like a movie without a soundtrack. You can still follow the plot, and the acting (the skill) is still world-class, but you lose the emotional crescendos that make you jump out of your seat. For a World Cup—an event built on the “unity” of humanity—a lack of fans doesn’t just change the score; it changes the soul of the event. Continue reading
2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Dec. 22, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, a premier football tournament hosted by Morocco will span from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, the competition features 24 national teams divided into six distinct groups. The document lists specific match dates, kick-off times, and various stadium locations across the country, starting with the opening group stages and concluding with the final in Rabat.
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Zambia and Gambia explained
Jan. 16, 2024 /Human Interest/ — Zambia and Gambia, despite their similar-sounding names, are quite different countries in Southern and West Africa, respectively. Here’s a breakdown of their key differences: Continue reading
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024 analysis
Jan. 9, 2024 /Sports/ –The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off today, 13th January 2024! Here’s the breakdown: Continue reading
2024: The year of democratic elections
Jan. 2, 2024 /Politics/ — 2024 is shaping up to be a bumper year for elections! Here are some noteworthy examples beyond the UK and USA: Continue reading
Africa is not a jungle, it’s an innovation hub
June 20, 2023 /Business/ — Africa is the second-most populous continent in the world, with over 1.3 billion people. The continent’s economy is also growing rapidly, with an average annual growth rate of 5.5%. This means that there is a huge potential market for African startups. Africa is a continent with a lot of diversity, both in terms of its people and its economies. This can present both challenges and opportunities for businesses. However, the opportunities are significant, and there are a number of government initiatives in place to support innovation. Continue reading
1993 Zambia National Football Team plane crash remembered
April 27, 2023 /Sports/ — On April 27, 1993, a Zambian Air Force plane carrying the Zambia national football team crashed into the Atlantic Ocean shortly after taking off from Libreville, Gabon. The plane was en route to Dakar, Senegal, for a World Cup qualifying match. All 30 people on board, including 18 players, were killed. Continue reading
Debt dangers in Africa: how defaults hurt people, and why forgiveness isn’t the answer
Philippe Burger, University of the Free State
Public debt repayments in some African countries are at their highest levels since 1998. The Conversation Africa’s founding editor Caroline Southey talks to dean and economics professor Philippe Burger about the danger of debt problems some African countries face.
Climate ‘danger zone’
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By Megan Rowling | Just Transition Editor
Climate scientists and government officials are gathered in Switzerland this week to agree the final summary for policymakers in the latest blockbuster series of reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on global warming and how to keep it in check. Coming before an important review of global progress on climate goals at the end of this year, it doesn’t take a PhD to work out that the key message will be along the lines of “must do better”. |
