Confederations Roundup - AFCON 2013 Update; Bahrain AFC Bid; UEFA Ticket Launch

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Goals are on short supply in South Africa as the 2013 African Cup of Nations enters its first full week.

In fact, not a single shot found the net on Saturday as Group A kicked off in Johannesburg with the hosts coming to a scoreless draw against Cape Verde and Angola versus Morocco doing just the same.

Sunday was a bit more productive in Nelson Mandela Bay as Ghana tied Congo DR at two goals a piece, then Mali beat Niger by a score of 1-0.

Monday’s matches in Mbombela – Zambia v. Ethiopia, Nigeria v. Burkina Faso – were both 1-1 draws.

Cote d’ Ivoire edged Togo by a tally of 2-1 to open Tuesday’s play in Rustenburg. Tunisia against Algeria is the night cap.

Preliminary play runs through Jan. 30.

Bahrain Bids for 2019 Asian Cup

Bahrain will bid for the 2019 Asian Cup after hosting the recent Gulf Cup.

BFA President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al-Khalifa (WFI)

In fact, President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa cited the Bahrain Football Association’s successful staging of the eight-team tournament, won Friday by United Arab Emirates, when submitting an initial application to the Asian Football Confederation on Monday.

"It is still a long road to when the hosts will be announced and there will be a lot of work for us to do until then, but so far we are happy with the initial bid we have submitted to the AFC," his BFA colleague, technical director and competitions committee head Hassan Ismail, was quoted Tuesday by Gulf Daily New.

Other countries with a reported interest in 2019 include Oman, Iran and Uzbekistan as well as a joint bid from Saudi Arabia and UAE. It’s expected the AFC will announce a winner at the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia.

UEFA Women’s Champions League Tickets

Ticket sales are underway for the final match of the 2013 UEFA Women’s Champions League.

It’s the second time in three years London will do the hosting, this time at Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge on Thursday, May 23.

“The UEFA Women’s Champions League final is the pinnacle of the European women’s club football season,” said UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino.

Kelly Simmons, director of national game and women's football for the Football Association, added: “Stamford Bridge is a fantastic setting for this year's final, and will provide fans with a great opportunity to watch top-level European football in England."

Tickets start at five British pounds for juniors (under 18) as well as seniors (over 65) and cost £10 for adults. Packages for disabled supporters include a free seat for an accompanying person.