The United States lost its status as Africa’s most influential global power last year as its star dwindled and other countries including Russia and China gained more supporters.

A new Gallup report shows that average approval ratings for Washington — demonstrating the country’s soft power — fell from 59 percent in 2022 to 56 percent in 2023.

Of the four world powers, the United States was the only one whose image did not improve across Africa in 2023.

Meanwhile, China’s approval in the region rose 6 percentage points, from 52 percent in 2022 to 58 percent in 2023, two points ahead of the United States.

Last year, China recorded the highest approval rate in Africa in a decade, and in seven countries — many of them in West Africa — Beijing saw double-digit increases in approval compared to 2022.

#Africa #China #Gambia #Kenya #Libya #Russia #Russia_news #Uganda #United_States #West_Africa

The Moroccan Football Federation has agreed to host a series of crucial matches in Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers, according to Moroccan press reports.

Morocco will host eight matches in June for various African national teams as part of efforts to implement partnership and cooperation agreements with several football associations in Africa.

These matches will take place from June 5 to June 11 at various stadiums in Morocco.

The first match will be between Sierra Leone and Djibouti on June 5 at Stade El Abdi in El Jadida, while the city of Oujda will host the Central African Republic vs. Chad at the Stade d’Honneur.

#Burundi #Djibouti #Ethiopia #football #Gambia #Guinea #Morocco #Morocco_News #Mozambique #Seychelles #World_Cup #World_Cup_2026_Qualifiers

The quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations single-leg football championship will be held today, Thursday, at the Katameya Club Petrosport stadiums in Egypt.

The matches will start with Angola facing Algeria at 5:30 PM, followed by Tanzania against Ghana at 7:30 PM.

Egypt will play against Morocco at 9:00 PM, and the day will conclude with Nigeria versus Liberia at 10:45 PM.

Thirteen countries are participating in the tournament: Gambia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Algeria, Kenya, Morocco, Burundi, Ghana, Uganda, Angola, Nigeria, Tanzania, Liberia, and Egypt, the host nation.

These matches are part of the tournament, which runs from May 18 to May 27, with Egypt hosting this significant sporting event.

#Africa_Cup_of_Nations #Algeria #Angola #Egypt #football #Gambia #Ghana #Katameya_Club #Kenya #Liberia #Morocco #Nigeria #Senegal #Sports_News #Tanzania #Uganda