The BBC World Service is to broadcast the Africa Cup of Nations in 13 languages throughout the tournament, which is taking place in Egypt.
BBC’s football experts will be reporting from the host cities – Alexandria, Cairo, Ismailia and Suez following the progress of all 16 teams, from the group stages in June through to the final on 19th July.
For the first time this year the tournament will feature commentary in English from four female experts hailing from Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt. Egyptian star striker Sarah Essam will be part of our commentary team alongside Sport Africa’s Janine Anthony, Michezo Afrika’s Lynne Wachira and Egyptian colleague Riham Eldeeb.
Audiences will be able to follow the action with regular updates and analysis of each game.
The team will provide commentary in English on selected games from the group stages and second round matches before bringing listeners in Africa all the games from the quarter finals to the final. There will also be radio commentary in French and Swahili, as the BBC gives listeners more games and more analysis of this newly expanded tournament, which for the first time features 24 nations.
BBC Global News Sports Editor for Languages, Ben Sutherland says: “The Africa Cup of Nations is bigger – much bigger – than ever before, and I’m delighted that the BBC’s coverage is going to reflect that. We will have reporters covering it in 13 languages, on more platforms and services than ever before. Our sports reporting on Africa is unmatched; our passion just as strong as that of the fans, who are always at the heart of every tournament. I am particularly proud that every commentary for the 12 games that we are covering live in English will have at least one woman on air as part of the team. Afcon has changed – and so has the BBC’s coverage. It will be bigger, bolder and better in every way. We can’t wait.”
Radio listeners across Africa will be able to follow the latest developments and analysis on Focus on Africa radio (3pm, 5pm and 7pm GMT). Match reports will feature in various programmes across 13 language services.
Sportsworld and World Football, will provide additional coverage of what has become one of the premier tournaments in world football.
Newsday on BBC World Service radio will have sports coverage each morning from 5am (GMT).
The Africa Cup of Nations will be covered in 13 languages: Afrique, Afaan oromoo, Amharic, Arabic, English, French, Gahuza (in Kinyarwanda/Kirundi), Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Pidgin, Somali and Swahili.