Author: FSL News

* Established in 2014 © 2021 FSL MediaFootball Sierra Leone - all you need to know about the game in Sierra Leone and Sierra Leonean footballers at home and abroad.Founded by Alie Ahmed Bittar in 2014, Bittar is one of the leading journalists from Sierra Leone with over 25 years covering football.The award-winning website also covers football from across the continent.We aim to continue pursuing up-to-date reports for our readers in Sierra Leone and across the globe.FSL Media is always informative, accurate and consistent. Make Football Sierra Leone Your daily news feed.Follow our social media pages on Twitter @football_sierra, Instagram, Linkedin and Facebook. Permission to use our content is granted subject to crediting our website as the source.Contact: Managing Editor Alie Ahmed Bittar - Email: bittar@footballsierraleone.net - Tel: +44 (0) 7861141119
All you need to know about CAF Confederation Cup knockout rounds
by FSL News

All you need to know about CAF Confederation Cup knockout rounds

Dates and kick-off times have been officially announced for the quarter-finals of the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, marking an exciting stage in the knockout rounds of this prestigious tournament.

This mid-March, several high-stakes matches will take the spotlight across Africa, featuring a highly anticipated Moroccan derby and a series of fierce North African rivalries, all battling for a coveted spot in the semi-finals.

One of the standout matchups sees Moroccan teams Olympique Club de Safi and Wydad AC face off. The first leg kicks off in Safi on 15 March at 22:00 GMT, followed by the return leg in Casablanca on 22 March at 19:00 GMT. This tie guarantees that at least one Moroccan side will make it to the last four.

In another significant clash, Egyptian club Al Masry SC will compete against Algeria’s CR Belouizdad. Their first game is set for 14 March at 20:00 GMT, with the decisive second leg scheduled for 21 March at 19:00 GMT.

Egyptian giants Zamalek SC will also start their quarter-final quest away from home, facing off against AS Otoho from Congo on 14 March at 13:00 GMT, with the return leg taking place on 22 March at 16:00 GMT.

Additionally, DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union will host Algeria’s USM Alger in the first leg on 15 March at 13:00 GMT, while the return fixture in Algeria is set for 22 March at 19:00 GMT.

These dates and times come after last month’s quarter-final draw in Cairo, where teams learned their opponents and potential pathways to the final. The ties will be played over two legs, with the aggregate winners moving on to the semi-finals of Africa’s second-tier club tournament.

The draw has laid out a clear road to the final: the team emerging from the AS Maniema Union and USM Alger clash will face the winner of the Moroccan derby between Olympique Safi and Wydad Casablanca. On the other side of the bracket, the victor between Al Masry and CR Belouizdad will meet the team that advances from the battle between Zamalek and AS Otoho.

The semi-finals are scheduled for 10–12 April (first legs) and 17–19 April (second legs), with the two-legged final taking place in May, crowning the new champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup. With the schedule now set, the eight remaining clubs can fully focus on their preparations as they aim for continental glory.

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 – Quarter-final fixtures (all times GMT)

First legs

14 March 2026

13:00 — AS Otohô vs Zamalek SC

14 March 2026

20:00 — Al Masry SC vs CR Belouizdad

15 March 2026

13:00 — AS Maniema Union vs USM Alger

15 March 2026

22:00 — Olympique Club Safi vs Wydad AC

Second legs

21 March 2026

19:00 — CR Belouizdad vs Al Masry SC

22 March 2026

16:00 — Zamalek SC vs AS Otohô

22 March 2026

19:00 — Wydad AC vs Olympique Club Safi

22 March 2026

19:00 — USM Alger vs AS Maniema Union
Sullay Kaikai helps Cambridge United win over Newport County
by FSL News

Sullay Kaikai helps Cambridge United win over Newport County

Sierra Leone International Sullay Kaikai scored as high-flying Cambridge United won 2-0 at League Two's bottom side Newport County.

The hosts Newport were buoyed after midweek success away at Salford City, but struggled to get going against the Us.

Despite creating the best of the opportunities, it took Cambridge until the 73rd minute to finally break the deadlock in South Wales – James Gibbons’ cross picking out Liam Bennett to head home at the back post.

Three minutes later, the visitors put the result beyond doubt, as Sullay Kaikai – who was instrumental in the build-up to the first – reacted quickest to a mistake at the back from Newport to double Cambridge’s lead.

Bromley’s goalless draw away at struggling Harrogate means Cambridge has closed the gap at the top of League Two to two points.

Newport, meanwhile, remain three points from safety, though Christian Fuchs’ side do have a game in hand over Harrogate and Crawley.

Heavyweight CAF Champions League quarter-final draw confirmed
by FSL News

Heavyweight CAF Champions League quarter-final draw confirmed

Al Ahly, the 12-time champions from Egypt, will face Espérance Sportive de Tunis from Tunisia in a major match in the Quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2025/26. The draw for the last eight teams took place in Cairo on Tuesday.

The teams now know their paths to the final. The Quarter-finals and Semi-finals draw created some exciting matchups. Al Ahly will play the first leg in Tunisia and then host the return match in Cairo.

The Quarter-finals will take place from March 13 to 15 for the first legs and from March 20 to 22 for the second legs.

The Semi-finals draw has also been completed. The winner of the match between Espérance and Al Ahly will host the winner of Mamelodi Sundowns and Stade Malien in the first leg. In the other Semi-final, the winner of AS FAR and Pyramids FC will host the winner of RS Berkane and Al Hilal.

The Semi-finals will be held from April 10 to 12 for the first legs and April 17 to 19 for the second legs. The team that wins the first Semi-final will play at home for the first leg of the Final on May 15. The second leg of the Final will take place on May 24.

Quarter-Final Draw

QF1: RS Berkane (Morocco) vs Al Hilal (Sudan)  

QF2: Espérance ST (Tunisia) vs Al Ahly (Egypt)  

QF3: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) vs Stade Malien (Mali)  

QF4: AS FAR (Morocco) vs Pyramids FC (Egypt)  

Semi-Final Draw  

SF1: Espérance ST/Al Ahly vs Mamelodi Sundowns/Stade Malien  

SF2: AS FAR/Pyramids FC vs RS Berkane/Al Hilal  
Esperance beat Atletico to secure Champions League quarter-final spot
by FSL News

Esperance beat Atletico to secure Champions League quarter-final spot

Esperance secured their place in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a commanding 2-0 victory over Petro Atletico.

Also, Stade Malien confirmed top spot in Group D after edging Simba SC 1-0 in the final round of matches on Saturday. The Tunisian giants delivered under pressure at the Rades Stadium, producing a composed second-half display to eliminate the Angolan side and finish second in the group.

After a cautious first half marked by disciplined defending and limited clear chances, the breakthrough arrived immediately after the restart.

Aboubacar Diakité struck in the 46th minute, capitalising on sustained pressure to give Esperance the lead and swing momentum firmly in their favour.

As Petro committed numbers forward in search of an equaliser, gaps began to appear at the back. Jacques Diarra exploited one such opening in the 81st minute, finishing confidently to double Esperance’s advantage and extinguish any lingering doubts about qualification.

The result lifts Esperance to nine points, securing second place behind Stade Malien, who concluded the group stage with 11 points.

Stade Malien 1-0 Simba

In Bamako, Stade Malien underlined their consistency with a narrow 1-0 win over Tanzania’s Simba SC.

Anicet Wara scored as early as the fourth minute, handing the hosts a perfect start and allowing them to control proceedings.

Simba, already facing a difficult task, struggled to recover from the early setback.

The final standings see Stade Malien top with 11 points, Esperance second with nine, Petro Atletico third on six, and Simba bottom with five.

For Esperance and Stade Malien, attention now turns to the quarter-final draw. 

Zamalek edge Al Masry to maintain top spot in Confederation Cup
by FSL News

Zamalek edge Al Masry to maintain top spot in Confederation Cup

In a close Sunday evening match, Zamalek delivered a determined away showing to beat Al Masry 2–1 to maintained their grip at the top of Group D in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The guests assumed the lead in the 22nd minute when Hossam Abdelmaguid struck his shot low into the corner from the penalty spot following a foul in the box.

Respond positively, Al Masry was rewarded in the 32nd minute as Salah Mohsen calmly converted a penalty of his own to even things following a handball decision.

Both teams sought a decisive goal in the second half, with opportunities at either end and several interruptions breaking the flow of the game.

Eventually finding the breakthrough in the 75th minute, Zamalek reacted quickest to a corner and fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner from close range. Oday Dabbagh did so.

Late on, Al Masry searched for an equaliser, but Zamalek stood strong across seven minutes of additional time to grab all three points away from home.

Al Masry 1–2 Zamalek
Zambia's Power Dynamos beat Rovers United in Group A CAF CL tie
by FSL News

Zambia’s Power Dynamos beat Rovers United in Group A CAF CL tie

In the Group A other game, Power Dynamos claimed their first victory of the CAF Champions League group stage with a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Rivers United, condemning the Nigerian side to another frustrating night.

The decisive moment came five minutes after the restart when Kundwani Chiboni struck to secure all three points for the Zambian champions. The midfielder timed his run perfectly to meet a well-weighted pass from Prince Mumba before calmly slotting the ball into the net to silence the home crowd.

Rivers United sought their first win but struggled to turn possession into clear chances in the first half, while Power Dynamos maintained a disciplined defence.

After going behind, Rivers pushed for an equaliser in the second half, launching several attacks but failing to break through the strong Dynamos ‘ defence and composed goalkeeping.

Despite late efforts, Rivers managed few clear opportunities, and Power Dynamos secured a vital away win, rising to four points in Group A.

Rivers remain bottom with one point from four matches, putting their hopes of progression in jeopardy.

Rivers United 0–1 Power Dynamos
Ivory Coast set friendly date with Scotland at Everton's stadium
by FSL News

Ivory Coast set friendly date with Scotland at Everton’s stadium

Scotland's national football team, led by Steve Clarke, will play against the Ivory Coast for the first time on 31 March.

The match will take place at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium as part of their preparations for the World Cup. It will start at 19:30 BST, just three days after Scotland hosts Japan at Hampden.

Côte d’Ivoire, three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners, return to the World Cup for the first time in 12 years after an impressive unbeaten qualifying campaign. Scotland dramatically secured their place, ending a 28-year wait for a World Cup finals appearance with a decisive victory over Denmark.

Scotland earned their spot at the World Cup this summer by topping their qualifying group. They will also face Curacao in Glasgow on 30 May.

Scotland’s first World Cup match is against Haiti in Boston on 14 June, followed by games against Morocco and Brazil.

The Ivory Coast, which reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, is also competing in this year’s World Cup. They will play against Ecuador, Germany, and Curacao.

Clarke said, “We wanted to face African opposition before we play Morocco in the summer, and I’m sure Cote d’Ivoire will give us a real stern test. It will also be good to play at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. The supporters will enjoy visiting the new stadium.”

Kaizer Chiefs narrowly beat Zesco United in Zambia
by FSL News

Kaizer Chiefs narrowly beat Zesco United in Zambia

Thanks to an early goal from Pule Mmodi that turned out to be critical, Kaizer Chiefs claimed a slim but important 1–0 triumph over Zesco United at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Chiefs got a dream beginning when Pule Mmodi reacted fastest within the box to score from close range after a corner, therefore giving them a strike in only the second minute. Moments before, Flávio Silva’s hit post from another corner signalled the Chiefs’ early control.

United reacted by driving forward and setting up several opportunities—especially through Amine Hiver, Leonard Mulenga, and Emmanuel Manda—but tough defending and a remarkable performance by goalie Brandon Petersen repeatedly denied their efforts.

As they sought an equaliser, ZESCO heightened the pressure in the second half, earning several free kicks and corners.

Chiefs stayed tough and earned a hard-fought shutout despite several injuries that caused delays.

Result: Zesco United 0 – 1 Kaizer Chiefs
Tanzania's side Azam edge Nairobi United in CAF Confederation Cup
by FSL News

Tanzanian outfit Azam edge Nairobi United in CAF Confederation Cup

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup action continued on Sunday, with Azam FC keeping their quarter-final hopes alive by defeating Nairobi United 2-1.

Nairobi took an early lead in the 13th minute through Dancan Omala, but Azam quickly equalised with a goal from Jephté Kitambala in the 17th minute.

The match remained intense, with both teams creating chances. The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when an own goal by Nairobi’s Ernest Mohammed gave Azam a 2-1 lead.

Despite Nairobi’s efforts to equalise in the final minutes, Azam’s defence held strong, securing their victory amid pressure and six minutes of added time.

"St Éloi Lupopo overcomes MC Alger with a stoppage-time penalty
by FSL News

St Éloi Lupopo overcomes MC Alger with a stoppage-time penalty

St Éloi Lupopo rejuvenated their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League campaign with a thrilling 1–0 victory over MC Alger on Sunday, netting the decisive goal deep into stoppage time in Lubumbashi.

The match’s turning point came in the fifth minute of added time when substitute Enock Molia was fouled in the box by defender Ghezala. Michael Kimputu converted the penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and igniting celebrations among the home fans.

Both teams struggled to create clear chances throughout the match. While Lupopo had a slight edge in possession, MC Alger maintained a solid defensive setup, appearing set to earn a draw.

With this win, Lupopo moves to four points from three matches, sitting third in Group C, while MC Alger remains at the bottom with one point, complicating their path to qualification.

Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Hilal Omdurman lead the group with five points each, indicating a competitive race for the quarter-finals.