World Football

Marta is a Brazilian phenomenon. A six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, record goal scorer who’s even the hero of her opponents, but where did her love of football begin and what challenges has she faced in her incredible 20 year career? This is the story of Brazil’s global icon. Amongst others, you’ll hear from her former Brazil coach Pia Sundhage, Uefa’s head of women’s football Nadine Kessler, Marta’s Brazil teammate Cristiane and Marta’s first coach in Rio, Helena Pacheco. Marta burst on to the global stage as a 17-year-old at the 2003 World Cup and secured a breakthrough move to Sweden soon after, landing in snow at the airport. It was a world away from her home in Brazil. Yet in the five years in Sweden, Marta would arrive as a young talent and leave as the biggest global star the game has ever seen lighting up the 2007 World Cup; bamboozling the USA defence with her dribbling, speed and flair and one of the best goals on the grandest stage. Now with a cabinet full of medals and trophies, she topped her final appearance in a competitive match for Brazil by winning silver at the Paris Olympics. A fitting finale for Marta - who transformed the women’s game. Image: Marta of Brazil celebrates a penalty during the Women's Football Semi Final between Brazil and Sweden on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

This is the story of the day when the USA women’s national team, dubbed the 99ers, became instant stars and how one photograph of match winner Brandi Chastain went on to inspire a nation. 2015 World Cup winner Heather O’Reilly takes you back to the start of the decade to uncover the challenges the women’s game faced during the 1990s with journalist and long-time sport reporter Kelly Whiteside all the way to 10 July 1999 - the day the 99ers won the World Cup 5-4 on penalties against China on home soil in front of record breaking crowds. 25 years on from this historic moment, hear from 99ers Joy Fawcett, Mia Hamm, Carla Overbeck, USA goalkeeper Briana Scurry and Brandi Chastain, plus hear from Robert Beck, the Sport Illustrated photographer who captured the most iconic photo in women’s football. Produced by Sophia Hartley for the BBC World Service Image: Captain Carla Overbeck #4 of the US Women's Soccer Team raises the World Cup Trophy, as the team celebrates their victory over Team China in the Championship match of the FIFA Women's World Cup at the Rose Bowl on July 10, 1999 in Pasadena, California. Team USA defeated Team China 5-4 in sudden death after two overtimes. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Hear the untold story of how a science teacher from Oslo made a speech that would change the future of women’s football. In 1986, Ellen Wille became the first female to speak at a FIFA Congress and in a room full of men demanded women should have a FIFA World Cup and play football at the Olympics. Then FIFA President Joao Havelange and Vice President Sepp Blatter accepted the challenge, although it did take some time. Within two years FIFA staged a Women’s Invitational Event, and still not ready to call it a FIFA World Cup in 1991, the Women’s FIFA World Championship for Women’s Football for the M&M’s Cup took place. That’s not easy to say! Finally – although it took nine years – in 1995 Sweden hosted the first FIFA Women’s World Cup and, significantly for Ellen, it was her home nation Norway who lifted the trophy. Caroline Barker went to Oslo to track down Ellen Wille. She speaks to former president of the Football Association of Norway, Per Ravn Omdal; current President Lise Klaveness; and Norway’s 1995 World Cup winners Hege Riise and Linda Meladen. Presented by Caroline Barker Produced by Sophia Hartley for the BBC World Service Photo: Ellen Wille speaking to the BBC World Service (Credit: BBC)

John Bennett presents reaction from outside the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan after a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations final between hosts Ivory Coast and Nigeria. John gets perspective from both nations as he’s joined by Ivorian football journalist Salia Dramé and Nigerian broadcaster Fisayo Dairo. Friend of the pod George Addo also drops by to give his view on the tournament.

John Bennett is joined by former Cameroon and Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong to look ahead to the Africa Cup of Nations final between Ivory Coast and Nigeria in Abidjan. We hear from former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou on his mentoring relationship with one of the Ivorian stars of the tournament, Brighton winger Simon Adingra. We also go behind the scenes in the Nigeria camp with their ex media officer Oluwatoyin Ibitoye who is now following the team as a broadcaster.

In a bonus episode, John Bennett is joined by a legend of Ivory Coast football and 2015 Africa Cup of Nations winner Kolo Toure. The former Arsenal and Manchester City defender shares his Afcon memories, including lifting the trophy in 2015. He also assesses the current squad, and looks ahead to the final against Nigeria.

John Bennett is joined by a host of guests to react to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in Ivory Coast. Ivorian football journalist Salia Dramé and Afcon broadcaster Patrick Juillard join John to assess the hosts' 1-0 win over DR Congo which sees them through to the final. We are also joined by former South African captain Dean Furman and Nigerian writer Fisayo Dairo after the Super Eagles beat Bafana Bafana on penalties.

John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani as they look ahead to the semi-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. We hear how Gaby rates the chances of his nation against the hosts Ivory Coast, while the guys assess how Nigeria may manage without star striker Victor Osimhen should he not be fit to face South Africa. We also catch up with pod regular Sebastien Bassong and get his views on the final four, plus we hear from legendary Cameroon goalkeeper Joseph Antoine-Bell, who gives us his assessment of South Africa’s Ronwen Williams following his standout performance in the quarter-finals, saving four penalties against Cape Verde.

Host nation Ivory Coast produced another amazing escape act as Oumar Diakite's 122nd-minute winner sent the 10-man Elephants into the semi-finals at heartbroken Mali's expense. They’ll face DR Congo in the last four. South Africa will take on Nigeria after their penalty shoot-out win against Cape Verde. We hear from the South Africa keeper Ronwen Williams who saved four penalties. Get in touch with your views on the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and send us a WhatsApp voice note. Tell us your name and where you are from to +44 800 032 0470.

John Bennett is joined by former South Africa captain Dean Furman to assess their 2-1 win on penalties over Cape Verde which saw goalkeeper Ronwen Williams save four spot kicks to see them through to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals. We also discuss a dramatic last gasp victory for hosts Ivory Coast who beat Mali 2-1 thanks to a goal in added time at the end of extra time with Patrick Juillard and George Addo. And we look ahead to the semi finals which take place on Wednesday. Get in touch with your views on the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and send us a WhatsApp voice note. Tell us your name and where you are from to +44 800 032 0470.

Join John Bennett in Abidjan as Nigeria and DR Congo reach the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. Nigeria beat Angola 1-0, while DR Congo won 3-1 against Guinea. John is joined by African football expert Maher Mezahi to assess whether Nigeria have enough to go on and win it, while former DR Congo captain and friend of the pod Gabriel Zakuani drops by to celebrate his nations victory. We also hear from one of Ivory Coast’s golden generation, the former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue as he looks ahead to their semi versus Mali, while ex South Africa women’s captain Amanda Dlamini gives us the inside track on Bafana Bafana as they prepare to face Cape Verde. Send us your WhatsApp voice notes throughout the tournament on +44 800 032 0470.

John Bennett is joined by Ghanaian broadcaster George Addo after arriving in Abidjan to preview the quarter-final matches at the Africa Cup of Nations in a bonus edition. In an unpredictable tournament, John and George do the unthinkable, and try and predict which way the matches will go. We hear who will progress between Nigeria and Angola and who between Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea will reach the last four. Both games take place on Friday 2 February. Will hosts Ivory Coast be celebrating a final spot or will they be knocked out by Mali? That game is played on Saturday 3 February as well as the match between Cape Verde and South Africa. We want to hear from you, send us your WhatsApp voice notes to +44 0800 032 0870. Tell us your name, where you are from, your question, and we will use a selection during the show.

Mike McCarthy is joined by former South Africa captain Dean Furman and former Cameroon defender Sebastian Bassong to reflect on another big Afcon shock as South Africa eliminate World Cup semi-finalists Morocco in a 2-0 win. Meanwhile Mali see off Burkina Faso 2-1 as the quarter-final line-up is completed. We look ahead to the last eight and ask, who are the favourites now? Throughout the tournament we want to hear from you. You can send us your voice notes via WhatsApp and we will play a selection of them on the show. Send a voice note with your name, where you’re from & your comment to +44 800 032 0470.

John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani as they react to a huge match in the last-16 at the Africa Cup of Nations as hosts Ivory Coast beat holders Senegal 5-4 on penalties after the game had finished 1-1 after extra-time. John and Gaby also discuss Cape Verde’s 1-0 win over Mauritania which sees them progress to a quarter-final match against Guinea. We also hear from former South Africa captain Dean Furman ahead of their game against Morocco on Tuesday. Get in touch with your WhatsApp voice notes on +44 800 032 0470. Tell us your name and where you are from and we will use a selection in the show.

Nishat Ladha is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani on a famous night for the nation in the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. DR Congo beat Egypt 8-7 on penalties after their last-16 match finished 1-1 after extra time. It means Mo Salah’s hopes of returning from injury and playing a part for Egypt later in the tournament have ended after an epic set of penalties, with goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi scoring the winning penalty. We also discuss Guinea’s dramatic last gasp 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea. And we look ahead to Monday’s matches as the hosts Ivory Coast prepare to face holders Senegal, while two of the surprise packages of the tournament, Cape Verde and Mauritania, face each other for a place in the quarter-finals. Keep sending us your voice notes by WhatsApp to be included in the show. Tell us your name, where you are from and your Afcon question to +44 800 032 0470.

Nishat Ladha is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani to reflect on the opening matches of the knock-out stages as Nigeria beat Cameroon 2-nil with two goals from Ademola Lookman while Angola were 3-nil winners against Namibia. Plus a look ahead to Sunday’s matches in the last sixteen as Equatorial Guinea face Guinea and the seven-time champions Egypt play DR Congo. Throughout the tournament we want to hear from you. You can send us your voice notes via WhatsApp and we will play a selection of them on the show. Send a voice note with your name, where you’re from & your comment to +44 800 032 0470.

In a special episode of World Football at Afcon, John Bennett is joined by former Nigeria defender Efe Ambrose who shares his memories of the Super Eagles 2013 Africa Cup of Nations victory in South Africa. Ambrose describes the build up to the tournament and takes us inside the dressing room following their memorable quarter-final win over a much fancied Ivory Coast side, including an inspirational message from Didier Drogba. We also hear about the togetherness of the squad which saw them beat Burkina Faso 1-0 in the final. John and a variety of guests are with you every match day throughout the tournament to bring you all of the drama and excitement from Ivory Coast. You can get involved too, send us your Afcon questions via WhatsApp voice note to +44 800 032 0470. Tell us your name and where you’re contacting us from and we’ll use a selection of your views in the show.

John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo Captain Gabriel Zakuani and former South Africa captain Dean Furman. They discuss Morocco's victory over Zambia, which booked them top spot in Group F, a result that sealed hosts Ivory Coast a place in the last 16 despite sacking manager Jean-Louis Gasset earlier in the day. They also analyse the elimination of 2004 champions Tunisia from the tournament after a 0-0 draw against South Africa and talk about Namibia making it to the knockout stage for the first time in their history. Plus, now we know the full line-up, there's a look-ahead to the last 16. Throughout the tournament we want to hear from you. You can send us your voice notes via WhatsApp and we will play a selection of them on the show. Send a voice note with your name, where you’re from & your comment to +44 800 032 0470.

John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo Captain Gabriel Zakuani to analyse Algeria's shock 1-0 defeat to Mauritania, who had never won a game at Afcon before. It means that the 2019 champions Algeria are out and Mauritania go through. They are joined by former Cameroon Afcon winner Patrick Suffo to discuss his nation's dramatic and late 3-2 win over The Gambia which took them into the last 16. Meanwhile they look ahead to the final group games on Wednesday involving the likes of Morocco, Tunisia, DR Congo and South Africa. Throughout the tournament we want to hear from you. You can send us your voice notes via WhatsApp and we will play a selection of them on the show. Send a voice note with your name, where you’re from & your comment to +44 800 032 0470.

John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani, plus ex-Ivory Coast defender Sol Bamba and 2015 Afcon finalist with Ghana Kwesi Appiah. They discuss Ivory Coast's 4-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea, which means their hopes of going through to the last 16 are hanging by a thread. They also analyse Ghana's 2-2 draw with Mozambique which means they're all but out of the tournament. Meanwhile there's reaction to Egypt squeezing through after a 2-2 draw with Cape Verde and Nigeria booking a last 16 place with a win over Guinea- Bissau. Throughout the tournament we want to hear from you. You can send us your voice notes via WhatsApp and we will play a selection of them on the show. Send a voice note with your name, where you’re from & your comment to +44 800 032 0470.