On this week’s show we get ready for the resumption of the EPL – it’s just days away now, and Stuart looks at how the remaining games might go. Will there be some surprises with games played in empty stadiums? Also we have an interview with former Gambia national team defender John Bass, whose career was cut short due to a kidney problem. He tells us his story, and about how he’s now raising awareness of kidney disease in The Gambia. Plus, Raheem Sterling speaks out on racism and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Planet Sport Football Africa

12 June: The return of the EPL, Gambia’s John Bass, Raheem Sterling speaks out

On this week’s show we have an interview with Nigeria defender Leon Balogun, he’s on loan at English Championship side Wigan Athletic from EPL club Brighton until the end of the season. He talks about the disappointment of failing to get a regular starting place with Brighton. Balogun also talks about racism in Germany, where he grew up, and on the same theme we look at the Black Lives Matter movement as footballers have spoken out about the death of George Floyd in the USA. 

5 June: Nigeria's Leon Balogun on battling to play in the EPL + footballers on Black Lives Matter

On this week’s show we look at the future of football in Africa, as an online conference was held to examine the direction that the African sports industry should take post Covid-19. We’ll hear from Liberia’s President George Weah, and from South African sports media consultant Gary Rathbone, who believes that clubs must have a stronger digital presence. We also look at a suggestion that some of Africa’s traditional sports could be commercialised. Our European football expert Stuart analyses the apparent lack of home advantage in the Bundesliga, and whether it will affect the relegation battle in the EPL. Send us your views on WhatsApp +44 7955 232 780

29 May: George Weah on African football's future - and there's little home comfort in the Bundesliga

On this week’s show we take a look at transfer fees – how they have risen steeply in the world’s big leagues over the last few years, and whether Covid-19 is going to end this transfer inflation. The biggest transfer deal for an African player is Nicholas Pepe last August, while 222m Euro move to PSG is the world record. But back in 1979 there was excitement when Trevor Francis became Britain's first £1 million player, we speak to him. Plus listeners’ thoughts on lessons that we are learning during the coronavirus pandemic, and Stuart has some great statistics as the Bundesliga resumed in empty stadiums – only one home win and less dribbling.

22 May: Britain's first £1m footballer and Bundesliga behind closed doors

On this week’s show we talk about playing behind closed doors, as it’s one of the conditions for football to return. Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo scored for Man United in an empty stadium in a Europa League match just before football was stopped in Europe, he tells us about it. And the German Bundesliga is back this weekend – the first of Europe’s big leagues to return to action. Stuart highlights the African presence in the Bundesliga.

15 May: Manchester United's Odion Ighalo & Bundesliga Returns

On this week’s show we ask if we’re likely to see any more continental competition in Africa this year, given the effects of coronavirus. Also, as the coronavirus pandemic has caused a lot of people to think deeply, to think about what really matters in life, we speak to Yaw Yeboah, the Ghana captain at last year’s Under-23 AFCON in Egypt. He’s based in Spain and he tells us about how life is there. And Stuart looks at the issues that clubs must vote on ahead of a resumption of the EPL, and we ask whether the Uefa Champions League is likely to be completed

08 May: Ghana U23 Captain Yaw Yeboah & When Will EPL Restart?

On this week’s show we look at how the coronavirus situation is affecting football in Africa. There was good news for national associations as Fifa will give $500,000 of financial relief to all of their member associations for operational costs. But it’s tough for clubs, though Cameroon’s FA, say they will give clubs in the top divisions $2000 each – it’s not much, but they are trying.Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba’s aim of becoming the next Ivory Coast FA president took a knock in a preliminary vote, where he had no votes. But do we need more former players to get involved as administrators, or do they lack the skills required? Plus Stuart continues his series assessing the African players’ performances in the EPL so far this season.

01 May: Financial Aid for African NAs During Covid-19 & Do Former Players Make Good Administrators?

On this week’s show we remember the Zambia air disaster of 1993, when Zambia lost most of their national team players in a crash off the coast of Gabon. In 2012 Zambia were to go on to win the Nations Cup in Gabon. As mental health is an issue right now, we have an interview with Gambian Cherno Samba. When a dream move to Liverpool fell through, Samba battled with depression and he attempted suicide.And we have a very clever commentary from Sierra Leone to promote coronavirus awareness.

24 Apr: Remembering 1993 Zambia air disaster & Championship Manager star Cherno Samba

On this week’s show we talk about racism in football – while most of us are missing the excitement of football in Europe’s big leagues, it’s worth remembering that it’s been a bad season in terms of racism in European football, and we hear from former Liverpool and England striker Emile Heskey. Also Stuart continues looking at the African players who have done well so far this season in the EPL, and we go into the archive and relive a trip to the pyramids in Egypt during last year’s AFCON.

17 Apr: Racism in Football This Season & Latest News on Coronavirus Impact on Football

On this week’s show we ask when will action resume in the EPL, as fans around Africa are missing the games so much. Also, Stuart takes a look at the best African players in the EPL this season, and we go into our archive to a 2017 interview with Liberia legend James Debbah, who played alongside George Weah. Debbah talks about Liberia’s first qualification to the AFCON in 1996.

10 Apr: Coronavirus & Football Update and Liberia legend James Debbah

On this week’s show we talk about stadiums in Africa, and we hear from South Africa legend Mark Fish, who’s part of a Caf team that’s been inspecting stadiums in Africa ahead of the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers. Fish says that better stadiums in Africa will produce better football. Plus, we go into our archive and go back to the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil, and visit the Copacabana Beach and the Christ the Redeemer statue. And Stuart looks at the large amount of errors made this season by goalkeepers in the EPL.

03 Apr: Improving Stadiums in Africa & Revisiting 2014 World Cup in Brazil

The show where we look at African football both what's happening around the continent and what African players are doing overseas.

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Planet Sport Football Africa

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