AFCON is back, and it's changing

AFCON is back, and it's changing

Author: BBC World Service December 22, 2025 Duration: 22:59

AFCON is back, and Morocco is hosting the tournament for the first time since 1988. The tournament itself began with big news on a change in calendar. We tell you about it and take you to the heart of the action, exploring the atmosphere, ticketing and visa changes, and the teams to watch.

You will also hear from Mahad Mohamud, an Uber driver deported from Minneapolis in the US to Somalia, who talks about militant threats to his life and the challenge of starting over.

Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Keikantse Shumba, Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah Senior Producer: Daniel Dadzie Editors: Samuel Murunga and Maryam Abdalla


Each weekday, as the afternoon draws to a close, Focus on Africa provides a thoughtful and necessary pause to understand the continent's dynamic pulse. Produced by the BBC World Service, this daily podcast goes beyond headlines, unpacking two essential stories with depth and context. The reporting doesn't just explain the major events shaping nations and communities; it deliberately highlights the individuals living through these changes, ensuring the human dimension of every story is heard. Furthermore, the program offers a vital African perspective on worldwide events, examining how global developments resonate locally. Under the steady guidance of host Nkechi Ogbonna, listeners are offered clarity and insight, making complex issues accessible. This reliable briefing is crafted to fit into your routine, arriving before the evening with the authority and nuance you expect. Tuning into this podcast means connecting with a nuanced portrait of a continent, its people, and its place in the world, all delivered with journalistic rigor five days a week.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 922

Focus on Africa
Podcast Episodes
Nigerian diplomat accuses UK of 'travel apartheid' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:18
Nigeria's High Commissioner to the UK has branded as "travel apartheid" the UK's decision to put the West African state on its red list, meaning travellers have to pay to isolate in a quarantine hotel. More than 180,000…
Covid: South Africa new cases double in 24 hours as Omicron spreads [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:02
The new coronavirus variant Omicron has now become dominant in South Africa and is driving a sharp increase in new infections, health officials say.The United Nations says Botswana has taken a significant step towards el…
Omicron variant present in Nigeria health body says [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:17
The Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) says it has detected the Omicron variant in travellers from South Africa who arrived in Nigeria last week.With three days to go to the presidential election in Gambia, We'll…
Thousands join Sudan protests against recent deal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:03
Thousands of people are taking part in a protest in Sudan's capital Khartoum, against the country's military leaders.The Ugandan army has launched joint air and artillery strikes against the rebel group the Allied Democr…
Gambia's truth commission recommends prosecutions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:20
Those who bear the greatest responsibility for the crimes committed during the presidency of Yahya Jammeh in The Gambia should be prosecuted, according to head of a commission that has been looking into the events that t…
Cop 26: fear of failure as climate talks enter final day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:29
The COP26 climate summit in Glasgow is entering its final day, amid growing fears that the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5C is unlikely to be met.The US, UK and Norway, along with the European Union have criticise…
South Africa's ex-President FW de Klerk dies at 85 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:03
FW de Klerk, the former president of South Africa and the last white person to lead the country, has died at the age of 85. We speak to Joseph Boakai, Liberia's former vice president. Does he have what it takes to win po…
Guinea: Civic society in talks with military junta [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:35
Guinea's military junta leader, Colonel Doumbouya holds meetings with religious and political groups ahead of announcing a transitional government.Plus an accountability group warns that the internet and phone blackout I…
Guinea coup: opposition welcomes ousting of Condé [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:12
Col Mamady Doumbouya, who led the coup which ousted Guinea's President Alpha Condé, has begun to consolidate the takeover with the installation of army officers at the top of the country's eight regions and various admin…
Zambian President Hichilema inherits 'empty treasury' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:41
Zambia's new president has told the BBC that he has inherited an "empty" treasury, while "horrifying" amounts of money had been stolen.Nurses in The Gambia have started a three-day nationwide strike over non-payment of a…