Bonus: More than the Score on Afcon

Bonus: More than the Score on Afcon

From World Football by BBC World Service

January 16, 2026 · 23 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the impact of Africa's top football stars in the Africa Cup of Nations and their potential for the upcoming World Cup.

A special bonus Afcon episode from More than the Score, the BBC World Service podcast that tells stories from beyond the scoresheet. Find more by searching for More than the Score wherever you get your BBC podcasts. This year's Africa Cup of Nations, or Afcon, has been dominated by the continent's big teams. Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria and Egypt reach the semi-finals, while the likes of Achraf Hakimi and Sadio Mane will face off when hosts Morocco take on Senegal in the final. With Africa's superstars seemingly in top form, can they keep it up at this summer's World Cup - and could an African nation finally go all the way, and win football's most famous prize? The BBC's Lee James and John Bennett talk to African football experts Gary Al Smith and Maher Mezahi as Africa's biggest tournament nears its conclusion. Why have the stars shone at this year's Afcon, and does that bode well for the summer? How have Ghana and Cape Verde's World Cup chances been affected by missing out on Afcon? And with some of the continent's biggest names seemingly nearing the end of their international careers, who will step into their shoes? Every Monday to Friday, More than the…

People in this episode

Hosts: Lee James, John Bennett

Guests: Gary Al Smith, Maher Mezahi

Topics covered

  • Africa Cup of Nations
  • football
  • African football stars
  • World Cup
  • sports analysis

Keywords

  • Afcon
  • football
  • Mohamed Salah
  • Victor Osimhen
  • World Cup
  • African football

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: BBC World Service

Places: Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Cape Verde

More episodes of World Football

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the World Football podcast page.