
World Football
Original football stories and interviews from around the globe.
Latest episodes

Feb 7, 2024 • 15min
The Elephants v The Super Eagles: Ivory Coast and Nigeria reach final
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.

Feb 6, 2024 • 15min
Afcon semi-finals: can South Africa and DR Congo stage upsets?
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 Antoine-Bell, who gives us his assessment of South Africa’s Ronwen Williams following his standout performance in the quarter-finals, saving four penalties against Cape Verde.

Feb 4, 2024 • 18min
Penalties, Punditry and Predictions as AFCON reaches the semi-finals
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 us your name and where you are from to +44 800 032 0470.

Feb 3, 2024 • 15min
Hosts Ivory Coast reach semi-finals in dramatic style as South Africa also progress
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 touch with your views on the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and send us a WhatsApp voice note. Tell us your name and where you are from to +44 800 032 0470.

Feb 2, 2024 • 15min
Nigeria’s Super Eagles soar into the semi-finals with DR Congo
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 Emmanuel Eboue as he looks ahead to their semi versus Mali, while ex South Africa women’s captain Amanda Dlamini gives us the inside track on Bafana Bafana as they prepare to face Cape Verde.Send us your WhatsApp voice notes throughout the tournament on +44 800 032 0470.

Feb 1, 2024 • 15min
Arrival in Abidjan: The big quarter-final preview
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 celebrating a final spot or will they be knocked out by Mali? That game is played on Saturday 3 February as well as the match between Cape Verde and South Africa. We want to hear from you, send us your WhatsApp voice notes to +44 0800 032 0870. Tell us your name, where you are from, your question, and we will use a selection during the show.

Jan 30, 2024 • 15min
South Africa stun Morocco as Mali make last eight
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 selection of them on the show. Send a voice note with your name, where you’re from & your comment to +44 800 032 0470.

Jan 29, 2024 • 15min
Hosts Ivory Coast progress as holders Senegal beaten on penalties
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 with your WhatsApp voice notes on +44 800 032 0470. Tell us your name and where you are from and we will use a selection in the show.

Jan 28, 2024 • 15min
Salah’s Afcon dream ends as DR Congo & Guinea progress
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 gasp 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea.And we look ahead to Monday’s matches as the hosts Ivory Coast prepare to face holders Senegal, while two of the surprise packages of the tournament, Cape Verde and Mauritania, face each other for a place in the quarter-finals.Keep sending us your voice notes by WhatsApp to be included in the show. Tell us your name, where you are from and your Afcon question to +44 800 032 0470.

Jan 27, 2024 • 15min
Lookman at the double as Nigeria set up a quarter-final against Angola.
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 a selection of them on the show. Send a voice note with your name, where you’re from & your comment to +44 800 032 0470.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.