Sundowns played to a draw as Yanga suffered their second defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sundowns played to a draw as Yanga suffered their second defeat

AS FAR demonstrated resilience on Saturday evening, securing a draw against former champions Mamelodi Sundowns in a CAF Champions League Group B match at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abd in El Jadida.

Iqraam Rayners gave Sundowns the lead with a goal in the 66th minute, but home captain Mohammed Hrimat equalized just eight minutes later, ensuring AS FAR remained at the top of the group with Sundowns in second place.

The match featured contrasting halves, with AS FAR initially dominating and Sundowns struggling to find their rhythm. After halftime, Sundowns improved, with Rayners scoring from a precise pass by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. However, an error by Williams allowed Hrimat to score into an empty net.

Meanwhile, in Group A, Young Africans suffered a second consecutive defeat, losing 2-0 to MC Alger at Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers, following a similar loss to Al-Hilal.

Ayoub Abdellaoui and Soufiane Bayazid secured the victory for MC Alger, momentarily placing them at the top of the group ahead of the upcoming match between Al Hilal and Mazembe.

CAF Award ceremony set for December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco
by FSL News

Morocco set to host CAF 2024 Awards December 16

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed that the prestigious 2024 CAF Awards will take place at the elegant Palais des Congrès in Marrakech on Monday, December 16. This highly anticipated event will gather Africa’s top football stars, celebrating their outstanding achievements and contributions to the sport.

The prestigious event will be held at the Palais des Congrès de Marrakech, starting at 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT, 20:00 Cairo time, and 21:00 East African time). The CAF Awards highlight the continent’s most outstanding football talents, honouring their exceptional achievements in both club and national competitions.

The ceremony will highlight the crowning of the CAF African Player of the Year in both men’s and women’s categories, an esteemed honour in African football.

It will also recognize achievements through awards for Best Coach, Best National Team, and Best Club. This year’s event promises to be spectacular, featuring an impressive lineup of nominees and guests from across Africa and beyond.

Set against Morocco’s rich footballing history and vibrant culture, Marrakech is the ideal location for this prestigious celebration.

Five nominees are in the running for the Men’s Player of the Year, with the same number competing in categories like Interclub Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year, and Club of the Year.

MC Alger coach Patrice Beaumelle eyes win over Young Africans
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

MC Alger coach Patrice Beaumelle eyes win over Young Africans

MC Alger coach Patrice Beaumelle aims to win against Tanzania’s Young Africans (Yanga) in their CAF Champions League match on Saturday, December 7, at Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers.

Beaumelle stressed the importance of this game for their chances of qualifying. “We need to win to improve our chances,” he said. MC Alger is coming off a 0-0 draw against TP Mazembe and hopes to capitalize on their home advantage.

He acknowledged Young Africans as a strong team with experienced players, despite their recent 2-0 loss to Al Hilal Omdurman. “Their loss doesn’t show their true ability; we need to be at our best,” he cautioned.

The match starts at 19:00 GMT, and a win would be crucial for MC Alger’s progress in Group A.

Group A is competitive, with Al Hilal leading after their first win. TP Mazembe is tied with MC Alger on one point, while Young Africans seek their first points.

Raja, FAR and Sundowns in CAF Champions League action this weekend
by Football Sierra Leone

Raja, FAR and Sundowns in CAF Champions League action this weekend

This weekend, the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group B matches will take place, featuring two crucial games. Maniema Union will face Raja Casablanca at the Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte, while FAR Rabat will engage with Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa at the Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi.

In Group B, Maniema Union and Raja Casablanca are both looking to secure their first wins in this year’s group stage. In their opening match, Maniema Union played to a 0-0 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns, which extended their unbeaten streak to five games across all competitions.

Raja Casablanca lost 2-0 to FAR Rabat at home, putting them at the bottom of the group. However, they are unbeaten in their last three away games and hope to use that to turn their season around.

Both teams have had a hard time scoring, with most of their recent goals coming in the second half. This match will test their determination and finishing skills as they try to rise in the standings.

**FAR Rabat vs. Mamelodi Sundowns: The Leaders Face a Tough Match**  

FAR Rabat, currently leading the group, aims to keep its perfect record against a strong Mamelodi Sundowns team.

Rabat scored two goals in their opener, thanks to Ahmed Hammoudan and Khalid Aït Ouarkhane. They are unbeaten in their last 21 home matches across all competitions.

Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a goalless draw against Maniema Union in their first match but have scored 12 goals in their last six games. They are ready to challenge Rabat’s strong defence.

With so much at stake, this weekend promises excitement as all four teams compete for crucial points.

**Group B Fixtures:**  

– Saturday, 07/12/2024: Maniema Union vs. Raja Casablanca (13:00 GMT)  

– Saturday, 07/12/2024: FAR Rabat vs. Mamelodi Sundowns (19:00 GMT)  

Tough Fifa Club World Cup 2025 draw for African teams
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tough Fifa Club World Cup 2025 draw for African teams

Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca (WAC), Al Ahly of Egypt, Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa, and ES Tunis of Tunisia have all been drawn into challenging groups ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Group G features a competitive grouping that includes European champions Manchester City, Italian powerhouse Juventus, and UAE’s Al Ain, promising high-stakes matches and intense competition.

The tournament kicks off on Sunday, 15 June 2025, with all roads leading to the MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on Sunday, 13 July 2025 where the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ final will be played.

The expanded 32-team format of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has generated excitement across the football world, offering clubs like Wydad Casablanca a global stage to prove their capabilities.

Representing Morocco and African football, Wydad will strive to deliver top performances to navigate through the group stage and secure a place in the knockout rounds.

Group G is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling groups in the tournament, featuring a mix of established football giants and regional champions.

Manchester City brings formidable strength, while Juventus boasts a rich legacy in European football. Al Ain, representing the UAE, rounds out the group with its regional dominance.

The groups for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 reflect diverse global representation in the expanded format:

– **Group A:** Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami  

– **Group B:** Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders  

– **Group C:** Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica  

– **Group D:** Flamengo, Esperance de Tunis, Chelsea, Club Leon  

– **Group E:** River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter  

– **Group F:** Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan Hyundai, Mamelodi Sundowns  

– **Group G:** Manchester City, Wydad Casablanca, Al Ain, Juventus  

– **Group H:** Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, RB Salzburg  

Mohamed Salah nets to go top of Premier League Golden Boot race
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah nets to go top in Golden Boot race

Egyptian International Mohamed Salah scored two goals in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Newcastle. This match helped him move to the top of the Premier League goalscoring chart with 13 goals ahead of Erling Haaland.

Although Liverpool did not win and missed a chance for its fifth straight victory, Salah will look to continue his fine form in the Golden Boot race.

Since Matchweek 2, Salah had been behind Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. His goals against Newcastle allowed him to pass Haaland.

This season, Salah has played very well for Liverpool, with 15 goals and 12 assists in 21 matches across all competitions. Now, he has scored 13 goals in the Premier League, one more than Haaland, who has 12.

FIFA imposed a fine on Fecafoot due to unpaid salaries
by Football Sierra Leone

FIFA imposed a fine on Fecafoot due to unpaid salaries

FIFA’s Disciplinary Chamber has fined Cameroon’s Football Federation, FECAFOOT 1,000 CHF (about 700,000 CFA francs) for failing to implement a ruling in favour of player Meuvungeu Alexy against Djiko FC.

This ruling is linked to Fecafoot’s failure to enforce a prior decision requiring Djiko FC to compensate Meuvungou Alexy, who was unjustly dismissed over a year ago.

The dispute began on June 2, 2023, when FIFA’s National Dispute Resolution Chamber (CNRL) ordered Djiko FC to pay Alexy 3.62 million FCFA (€5,546) for his wrongful termination. Despite this, the club, competing in Cameroon’s second division, has not fulfilled this obligation.

Fecafoot, responsible for ensuring compliance with FIFA’s directives, has faced criticism for similar failures. Earlier this year, it was reprimanded for not enforcing a payment order involving players Junior Godstine Folhe, Boris Oum Mananga, and Pierre Varèze Zang Ngayene, which resulted in further penalties.

The National Union of Cameroonian Footballers (Synafoc), led by former Indomitable Lions full-back Geremi Njitap, has been actively campaigning for players’ rights and fair pay. Njitap’s “Salary Barometer” initiative has highlighted the ongoing issue of unpaid wages for local players, garnering support from the International Federation of Professional Footballers’ Associations (FIFPro).

The recent sanction against Fecafoot underscores the persistent challenges in Cameroonian football, particularly the need for timely payments to players. FIFA’s decision serves as a crucial reminder to both Fecafoot and the clubs under its jurisdiction about the importance of upholding players’ rights and adhering to international rulings.

Patson Daka nets in Leicester's impressive victory over West Ham
by FSL News

Patson Daka nets in Leicester’s impressive victory over West Ham

Zambia International Patson Daka scored as Ruud van Nistelrooy won his first game as Leicester City manager, leading the team to a 3-1 victory over West Ham at the King Power Stadium on Tuesday.

Jamie Vardy scored a goal just 98 seconds into Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first game before Bilal El Khannouss and Patson Daka also scored, securing the win for Leicester City.

With this victory, Leicester moved up to 15th place in the Premier League, two points behind West Ham.

They did face some pressure during the game and relied on goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, who made several excellent saves to keep the other team from scoring.

Daka came on in the second half to replace veteran striker Jamie Vardy, who started strong for Leicester with an early goal, and El Khannous added a second goal.

Daka finished the match with a goal similar to van Nistelrooy’s style. This was Daka’s first goal of the season. He has played three times since returning from injury.

Before Tuesday’s win, Leicester City had only two league wins this season.

Deadly stampede in Guinea resulted in the deaths of at least 56 people
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Deadly stampede in Guinea resulted in deaths of at least 56 people

A controversial refereeing decision led to violence and a stampede at a soccer match in Guinea, resulting in at least 56 deaths and many injuries.

The incident occurred on Sunday December 1st 2024 during the final match in N’Zerekore. Chaos erupted after a player was sent off, causing fans to rush onto the field and attack the officials’ stand. Security forces intervened.

“Frustration with referee calls led to stone-throwing by fans, causing the deadly stampede,” a government statement said.

The government confirmed 56 deaths and many injuries, calling it a “tragic event,” and promised an investigation.

Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah condemned the violence and urged calm to help hospital services assist the injured. Videos on social media showed chaos outside the stadium, with many bodies on the ground. Hospitals were overwhelmed with casualties.

These events have become common in Guinea, often seen as supporting junta leader Mamady Doumbouya’s future presidential campaign. The junta took power in September 2021 by removing President Alpha Conde.

The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC), a leading opposition group, condemned the tragedy, blaming the junta for the loss of innocent lives. They called for peaceful action against the regime by December 31, 2024.

Al Ahly set for Orlando Pirates' CAF Champions League cracker
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly set for Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League cracker

Egyptian side Al Ahly set for their trip to South Africa this weekend for the African Champions League, where they will face Orlando Pirates in an important group C match in Soweto’s Orlando stadium on Saturday.

The last time Al Ahly came to South Africa was last year, when Mamelodi Sundowns defeated them twice: 5-2 in the Champions League group stage and again in the African Football League.

South African clubs have a good record against Al Ahly. The Pirates have beaten them thrice, including notable victories in Egypt in 2013 and 2015. However, in crucial matches, South African teams have often lost.

In 2001, Sundowns played Al Ahly in the Champions League final but lost 3-0 despite a strong performance. The Pirates also faced Al Ahly in the 2013 final, where a defensive mistake allowed Al Ahly to score, and the Pirates could not recover.

Al Ahly beat Kaizer Chiefs in the 2021 final, winning 3-0 after the Chiefs had a player sent off just before halftime. Known for their resilience, Al Ahly often overcomes challenges and qualifies for the quarterfinals. They are difficult to beat when they aim for the title, winning four titles in the last five Champions League campaigns.