Best African Defence Review Podcasts (2025)

1
Who can stop Liverpool winning another Premier League title? 49:00

2h ago49:00

49:00

Are Liverpool the team to beat again? Will Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea be their closest challengers? Where will Manchester United finish? Can the three promoted clubs stay up? World Football’s John Bennett is joined by former Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel and former Everton, Fulham, Liverp…

1
Pieter Engelbrecht, CEO of Shoprite: We have a purpose to help people survive 22:57

18h ago22:57

22:57

We have a purpose to help people survive Jewel Kiriungi speaks to Pieter Engelbrecht, CEO of Shoprite, South Africa’s largest supermarket chain, who is trying to keep prices low despite economic challenges across the continent. Shoprite employs 163,000 people, more than any other in the country’s private sector. Engelbrecht stresses the importance …

1
John Denton, Secretary-General of the ICC: Uncertainty is harming business 22:58

2d ago22:58

22:58

Suranjana Tewari speaks to John Denton, Secretary-General of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), about the impact of global tariffs. Based in Paris, the ICC represents 45 million businesses, large and small, from across 170 different countries. These businesses were amongst the first to feel the effects of Trump’s tariffs, which have been …

1
Mido: The Egyptian star aiming to unearth the next generation of talent 11:56

4d ago11:56

11:56

In this edition of World Football we’re chatting with one of the biggest names in Egyptian football, Mido. As a striker he spent his career with some of the biggest clubs across Europe representing the likes of Ajax, Roma, Marseille and Tottenham while also winning over 50 caps for his country. He’s now looking to unearth the next generation of Egy…

1
Petr Pavel, Czech President: Russia cannot stand economic pressure 22:59

4d ago22:59

22:59

Maria Jevstafjeva speaks to Czech President, Petr Pavel about ending the war between Ukraine and Russia. Mr. Pavel was elected to the role in 2023, having retired from a military career that began with serving in the military of communist Czechoslovakia during the Cold War in the 1980s and ended three decades later after chairing Nato’s Military Co…

1
Former US Secretary of State John Kerry: We face a special challenge in America 22:59

9d ago22:59

22:59

We face a special challenge in America. James Naughtie speaks to veteran US politician John Kerry about the state of American politics and his long career at the top of global affairs. As well as standing for president himself as the Democratic candidate in 2004, he served as Secretary of State in the Obama administration and as Joe Biden’s climate…

1
Sergei Tikhanovsky: Belarus will be free 22:59

11d ago22:59

22:59

Sarah Rainsford speaks to Belarussian opposition activist Sergei Tikhanovsky about his imprisonment after challenging the country’s authoritarian leader, President Lukashenko. He spent five years of solitary confinement in a high security prison in Belarus before being unexpectedly released this year, following a meeting between Lukashenko and an A…

1
Wafcon: Nigeria shock Morocco to complete Mission X 28:12

13d ago28:12

28:12

Maz Farookhi presents reaction from Rabat as Nigeria come back from 2-0 down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final. For Nigeria, it is a record extending 10th title, while Morocco have now lost the last two finals. The Atlas Lionesses led 2-0 at the break in Rabat through Ghizlane Chebbak's fine curling effort and a s…

1
Wafcon final: Will hosts Morocco stop Nigeria’s Mission X? 30:11

18d ago30:11

30:11

Maz Farookhi is joined by the voice of African Football Mark Gleeson to preview the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations between Nigeria and Morocco. Four-time Wafcon winner Osinachi Ohale tells Maz about how she is helping the younger members of the Nigeria squad to prepare for the big occasion. Moroccan sports journalist Kaoutar Alaidi expl…

1
What a WAFCON win could do for Moroccan football 15:00

19d ago15:00

15:00

Bahiya Lahmidy, the head of women’s football at ASFAR, Morocco’s most successful club, tells Maz Farookhi about the club’s rise to dominance and how she hopes a Morocco win at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations could help develop football for females further in the country. Maz is also joined by BBC Sport Africa’s Rob Stevens on the legacy of this t…

1
Morocco and Nigeria reach Wafcon final after semi-final drama 32:37

20d ago32:37

32:37

The two finalists of this year's Women’s Africa Cup of Nations are now confirmed, but it wasn’t without drama for both Morocco and Nigeria. BBC World Football’s Maz Farookhi is in Casablanca where she saw Nigeria beat defending champions South Africa 2-1 with a dramatic stoppage time winner. Maz dissects the match with sports journalists Firdose Mo…

1
Bishop Guli Francis-Dehqani: We were outsiders 22:59

21d ago22:59

22:59

Bishop Guli is currently the Bishop of Chelmsford, a city in England, but it is also being reported that she’s one of the leading candidates to become the next Archbishop of Canterbury - the most senior bishop in the Church of England. Although she is keen not to add to any media speculation, if selected, Bishop Guli would be a remarkable choice. N…

1
WAFCON: Ghana look to reach the final for first time in 19 years 16:51

22d ago16:51

16:51

BBC World Football’s Maz Farookhi is joined by Ghanian sports journalist Veronica Commey to discuss the Black Queens run to the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Ghana have reached the last four for the first time since 2016 and Commey believes their future is bright, even if the three-times runners up don’t go on to lift the trophy…

1
Friedrich Merz: Europe was free-riding on US 22:59

23d ago22:59

22:59

Europe was free-riding on US Nick Robinson speaks to Friedrich Merz, the new German Chancellor, about the future of Europe’s defence amid the growing threat posed by Russia. Merz, the leader of the centre-right Christian Democrat party, was elected as Chancellor earlier this year at the second attempt, following chaotic scenes in the German Bundest…

1
WAFCON 2024: The Final Four 48:18

23d ago48:18

48:18

The dust is still settling after two more dramatic quarter-finals went the distance on Saturday, and we now know our final four at this Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. It includes two of the tournament heavyweights: Nigeria face South Africa on Tuesday. The nine-time champions sailed through their quarter final with a 5-0 win over Zambia. Meanwhile,…

1
Euro 2025: The Final Four 42:52

23d ago42:52

42:52

The semi-final line up is complete for the Women's Euros 2025. Italy will face defending champions England on Tuesday in Geneva while world champions Spain will come up against the eight time winners Germany on Wednesday in Zurich. Delyth Lloyd and Sophia Hartley are joined by experts to preview both fixtures – it’s the first time Italy have reache…

1
Wafcon: Best defence v best attack? 25:47

26d ago25:47

25:47

Zambia take on Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, looking to improve on their third placed finish in 2022. Barbra Banda and Rachel Kundananji will be leading their attack, so how will Nigeria stop them? Standing in their way will be Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie who’s been speaking to BBC World Football's Maz …

1
President Trump: I’m disappointed with Putin 22:59

27d ago22:59

22:59

“I'm just disappointed in him, but I'm not done with him” The BBC’s Chief North America Correspondent, Gary O’Donoghue, speaks to US President Donald Trump in a wide-ranging telephone interview from the Oval Office. The call with the president came just hours after he announced plans to send weapons to Ukraine and warned of severe tariffs on Russia…

1
WAFCON: Nigeria vs Zambia - The big quarterfinal showdown 26:23

28d ago26:23

26:23

World Football's Maz Farookhi previews the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals from Morocco with Nigeria journalist Biola Solace-Chukwu from Ladies March and Moroccan journalist Kaoutar Alaidi. You’ll hear from Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade about what it’s like to captain the Super Falcons players and what they have learned from the group sta…

1
Catherine Corless, Irish historian: I’m going to be a voice for these children 22:59

30d ago22:59

22:59

I’m going to be a voice for these children Chris Page, the BBC’s Ireland correspondent speaks to the Irish historian Catherine Corless, who has changed history in her own country. When she began to research a long-closed mother and baby home near where she lived, she encountered local resistance. But her dogged investigation led to the discovery th…

1
Club World Cup Final: John Bennett looks ahead to PSG v Chelsea 10:41

1M ago10:41

10:41

Chelsea are taking on Paris Saint-Germain in the first ever final of the new look, expanded FIFA Club World Cup. It’s a tournament that’s made headlines on and off the pitch since it kicked off in June. Sportsworld’s John Bennett is joined by two experts from London and Paris to look ahead to the final in New Jersey.…

1
WAFCON: Nigeria book first spot in the quarter-finals 15:00

1M ago15:00

15:00

Nigeria are the first team through to the quarter-finals of WAFCON after defeating Botswana 1-0 at Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Thursday. World Football's Sophia Hartley, the BBC’s Ian Williams and the former Nigerian goalkeeper Rachael Ayegba reflect on the win and discuss who they could play in the last eight. PHOTO: Oshoala of Nigeria a…

1
WAFCON: South Africa's challenges on and off the pitch 15:00

1M ago15:00

15:00

Sophia Hartley is joined by footballer writer Firdose Moonda and South African sport journalist Buisiswe Mokwena to discuss the start of Banyana Banyana's defence of their Women's Africa Cup of Nations title. There are questions over how the title holders will fare in the start of their campaign amidst ongoing disputes in the South African camp. PH…

1
Released Israeli hostage Keith Siegel: I pray for peace 22:59

1M ago22:59

22:59

I pray for peace. Nick Beake speaks to released Israeli hostage Keith Siegel about his experience of captivity in Gaza, of the suffering he says he witnessed at the hands of Hamas and the moment he was released. Mr. Siegel, an American-Israeli, was captured by Hamas fighters in the October 2023 attack that marked the start of the conflict in Gaza. …

1
Nigeria target tenth WAFCON title after first win 15:00

1M ago15:00

15:00

Nigeria’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign began with a convincing 3-0 victory against Tunisia. As the Super Falcons bid for a historic tenth WAFCON title, Sophia Hartley is joined by former Nigerian goalkeeper Rachel Ayegba to reflect on the opening weekend fixtures of the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations, plus you’ll hear from former Sup…

1
Sir Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister: The UK needs strong international relationships 22:59

1M ago22:59

22:59

The UK needs strong international relationships Nick Robinson, presenter of the BBC Today programme and Political Thinking podcast, speaks to Sir Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister, about the importance of maintaining strong international relationships. In an interview recorded to mark Sir Keir’s first year in office, he defends the time he’s spent de…

1
Just eight teams left in the FIFA Club World Cup. 19:53

1M ago19:53

19:53

Mani Djazmi is joined by Eduardo Alvarez to look back on the Club World Cup so far - analysing the performances of Manchester City, Real Madrid, and the Brazilian clubs – and assessing just how much of a shock was provided by Al-Hilal as they beat Manchester City. They discuss the issues the tournament has faced and also look ahead to the quarter-f…

1
Denmark twins Karen and Sara Holmgaard are ready for a special EURO 2025 12:19

1M ago12:19

12:19

World Football meets identical twins Karen and Sara Holmgaard, who are both in Denmark’s squad for Euro 2025. They tell John Bennett that going to Switzerland as a pair is special and that it’s a dream to play together, after Karen missed the 2023 World Cup through injury. They also discuss the influence Pernille Harder has on Denmark’s squad and t…

1
Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister: Regime change is a futile exercise 22:59

1M ago22:59

22:59

Lyse Doucet speaks to Majid Takht-Ravanchi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, about the future of Iran’s nuclear programme and its government. The interview took place in the country’s capital Tehran after Iran’s twelve-day war with Israel. Both sides fired missiles into each other’s territories, with hundreds killed as military sites were destroyed …

1
Euro 2025: Made in Switzerland 25:26

1M ago25:26

25:26

Sophia Hartley looks ahead to UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 and the country at the heart of Europe hosting this year’s tournament, Switzerland. With access inside the Swiss camp and a seat at the table with UEFA Head of Women’s Football Nadine Kessler, World football explores what people can expect from the hosts, their chances in the tournament and what …

1
Philippe Kehren, CEO of multinational Solvay: Reducing reliance on China’s rare earth metals 22:59

1M ago22:59

22:59

Jonathan Josephs speaks to Philippe Kehren, CEO of chemical multinational company Solvay. His firm sits at the forefront of Europe’s efforts to diversify its supply of rare earth metals. These elements are essential to much of modern technology, from mobile phones to medical equipment, car batteries and renewable energy. Currently their supply is h…

1
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Preview 38:54

1M ago38:54

38:54

The build up is well under way ahead of the 15th Women's Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament is taking place in Morocco with 12 teams are taking part including the holders South Africa. Delyth Lloyd is joined by World Football’s Maz Farookhi as well as the former Nigeria goalkeeper Rachael Ayegba and South African football journalist Busisiwe Mok…

1
Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space: A new era of defence readiness 22:59

2M ago22:59

22:59

James Copnall, presenter of BBC Newsday, speaks to Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defence and Space, about the need for Europe to be able to defend itself. In an interview recorded before the Nato summit on 24/25 June 2025, Mr Kubilius, a former Prime Minister of Lithuania, says peace in Europe cannot be taken for granted and that Europe can…

1
Martina Navratilova: 'Women are still judged by a different metric than men' 23:00

2M ago23:00

23:00

Amol Rajan speaks to Martina Navratilova, one of the greatest-ever tennis players, about her life and career. The story of her rise to the top of the game is as remarkable as the number of tournaments she managed to win. Born behind the Iron Curtain in Czechoslovakia in 1956, she was 11-years-old when she watched Soviet tanks roll in to the country…

1
Muhammad Yunus: We dream of creating a new Bangladesh 22:59

2M ago22:59

22:59

Rajini Vaidyanathan, BBC News presenter and correspondent, speaks to Muhammad Yunus, interim leader of Bangladesh. The 84-year-old is perhaps one of the world’s best-known Bangladeshis. Described as the banker to the world’s poor, he gained international recognition as a Nobel prize-winning economist, who founded the Grameen microfinance bank, whic…

1
Can African teams make an impression at the Club World Cup? 8:22

2M ago8:22

8:22

Many of the world’s biggest clubs are playing in the Club World Cup in the United States, but does the expanded, new look tournament give the African sides a chance to make an impression? Egypt's Al Ahly, South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and Tunisia's Esperance are the teams looking to outperform European superclubs and…

1
Yoshua Bengio: AI’s risks must be acknowledged 22:59

2M ago22:59

22:59

James Copnall, presenter of the BBC’s Newsday, speaks to Yoshua Bengio, the world-renowned computer scientist often described as one of the godfathers of artificial intelligence, or AI. Bengio is a professor at the University of Montreal in Canada, founder of the Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute - and recipient of an A.M. Turing Award, “the…

1
What can we expect from the Club World Cup? 16:33

2M ago16:33

16:33

Ahead of the newly expanded Club World Cup, World Football’s Mani Djazmi is joined by Spanish football journalist Eduardo Alvarez to look ahead to the tournament taking place in the United States. Thirty-two teams from around the globe will take part in the tournament across 11 cities in the US, with the final taking place on 13 July. Plus, we also…

1
What next for Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT? 13:37

2M ago13:37

13:37

With a year to go until they co-host the World Cup, the USA men's national team are on a run of 4 defeats in a row. So after his high-profile appointment in 2024, how much pressure is head coach Mauricio Pochettino under? And can USA find form before they co-host the World Cup in 2026 with Canada and Mexico. World Football's John Bennett is joined …

1
Mike Huckabee, US Ambassador to Israel: ‘Hamas isn't interested in ending the war’ 22:58

2M ago22:58

22:58

James Coomarasamy, presenter of the BBC’s Newshour and The World Tonight, speaks to Mike Huckabee, US Ambassador to Israel. Confirmed in the post two months ago, Mr Huckabee is the former Republican Governor of Arkansas and two-time Republican presidential nominee. He’s an Evangelical Christian, who has backed the presence of Jewish settlements in …

1
The struggle for Iranian women to attend football matches - 20 years on 22:24

2M ago22:24

22:24

This week marks the 20th anniversary of the start of a campaign for female football fans in Iran to be allowed in to stadia to watch men’s matches. On the 8th June 2005 Iran’s men’s team played their final World Cup qualification match against Bahrain. A group of women went to the Azadi stadium to reclaim what they had lost after the 1979 revolutio…

1
Bill Gates: The importance of aid and philanthropy 22:59

2M ago22:59

22:59

Waihiga Mwaura, presenter of the BBC’s Focus on Africa programme, speaks to Microsoft co-founder and global philanthropist, Bill Gates. Mr. Gates, who is 69 years old, announced last month that he plans to give away 99% of his vast fortune over the next 20 years, predominately through his Gates Foundation. The foundation has already given over 100 …

1
History made: Debutants Uzbekistan and Jordan celebrate World Cup places 8:59

2M ago8:59

8:59

Uzbekistan and Jordan have qualified for the men’s Fifa World Cup for the first time, but what’s the reaction been like and how significant is it for the two countries? World Football’s Isaac Fanin spoke to BBC journalists Khaldoon Alshamayleh in Amman, the capital of Jordan, and Firdavs Zavkiev in the Uzbek capital Tashkent to gauge the reaction. …

1
Carsten Breuer, the German chief of defence: Nato faces "very serious threat" from Russia 22:58

2M ago22:58

22:58

Frank Gardner, BBC Security Correspondent, speaks to Carsten Breuer, the German chief of defence. General Carsten Breuer gives his assessment of the threat that Russia poses to the Western alliance Nato. He says that Russia is building up its forces to an "enormous extent" and says that members of the alliance need to prepare for a possible attack …

1
Australia to Argentina: Premier League fans' review of the season 47:16

2M ago47:16

47:16

As well as the big name players and coaches we hear from here on World Football, we also want to hear from you, the fans. During the English Premier League season on our Sportsworld programme we've been speaking to supporters from around the world in our international fans panel to gauge what they've been making of their clubs fortunes From Germany…

1
Eurostars pick their Euro stars 55:05

2M ago55:05

55:05

The UEFA Champions League final may be done meaning the dust settles on the top European leagues for a while at least. Delyth Lloyd is joined by World Football’s Mani Djazmi, German football writer Constantin Eckner and Spanish football expert Eduardo Alvarez to look back over all the big talking points from across Europe. From Serie A through to t…

1
Tom Fletcher, UN Humanitarian Chief: Is the world doing enough to get aid into Gaza? 22:58

2M ago22:58

22:58

Tom Fletcher, Chief of Humanitarian Affairs for the United Nations, tells Fergal Keane, the BBC’s special correspondent, that Israel is subjecting Gaza to enforced starvation. Gaza faced an aid blockade of nearly three months - now, limited supplies of food, medicine and fuel are being allowed into the territory. But Israel argues Hamas is stealing…

1
PSG make Champions League history against Inter 26:07

2M ago26:07

26:07

Paris St Germain wrote their names into the Champions League history books after beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the final in Munich to win the trophy for the first time. World Football’s Delyth Lloyd is joined by Italian football journalist Daniele Verri and French broadcaster Patrick Juilliard to discuss the big talking points from the match. It bring…

1
Matt Garman, CEO of Amazon Web Services - what is the future of big tech? 22:57

3M ago22:57

22:57

Simon Jack, the BBC’s business editor, speaks to Matt Garman, chief executive of Amazon Web Services - part of the retail giant Amazon, and the world’s largest cloud computing company. Mr Garman started his career at AWS as an intern, and has risen to oversee a global network of huge data centres, providing IT resources for businesses worldwide. In…

1
Surviving Syria’s sectarian violence 22:58

3M ago22:58

22:58

Tim Franks speaks to a British-Syrian Alawite who came under attack, along with her family, during the sectarian violence on Syria’s coast in March. The Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shia Islam and its followers make up around 10 per cent of Syria's population, which is majority Sunni. The recent violence came after fighters loyal to the country's…

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