Day: October 5, 2023

Sierra Leone's opponent Egypt eyes 2026 World Cup spot.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s coach Rui Vitoria eyes 2026 World Cup spot

The Pharaohs of Egypt’s head coach, Rui Vitoria, has hinted at his ambition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup spot.

The draw for the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup finals placed Egypt in Group A with five teams: Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, and Djibouti.

The Pharaohs’ boss, Vitoria, 53, who was named head coach of the national team in July 2022, has been speaking ahead of friendly matches this month.

After he named his final squad for the training camp in the UAE friendlies against Zambia and Algeria, he said, “My goal, with my current contract expiring in 2026, is to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.” 

Egypt will participate in two friendly matches, the first against Zambia on 12 October and the second against Algeria on 16 October.

“Playing against Algeria and Zambia provides strong tests for the players, with two significant games scheduled within a 72-hour period,” Vitoria added.

“We always seek challenging matches during preparations for the African Cup of Nations finals and the World Cup qualifiers,” the Portuguese coach emphasized.

Under Vitoria’s guidance, the Pharaohs secured their place in the 2023 African Cup of Nations and will commence their 2026 World Cup qualifiers campaign in November.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and African news, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.net.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup Group Stage Draw to be conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF to conduct Inter-club draw in South Africa on Friday

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), have confirmed that the official draw for the Group Stages of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup is set to be held on Friday, 06 October 2023, in Johannesburg, South Africa.  

CAF say the draw will start at 12h00 GMT (14h00 Johannesburg), with the CAF Confederation Cup draw before the elite inter-club Champions League at 13h00 GMT (15h00 Johannesburg).  

It will be live on the CAF Official website, CAFONLINE.com and CAF YouTube (CAFTV).  

Thirty-two (32) teams await their fate, and sixteen (16) from each competition have now secured their respective places in the group stages.  

The draw procedure is expected to be communicated soon by CAF. 

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Qualified Clubs 

Al Ahly SC (Egypt) Al Hilal (Sudan), Asec Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire) CR Belouizdad (Algeria), ES Sahel (Tunisia), Esperance (Tunisia), FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania), Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Medeama SC (Ghana), Petro de Luanda (Angola), Pyramids (Egypt), Simba SC (Tanzania), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Wydad AC (Morocco), Young Africans (Tanzania). 

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Qualified Clubs 

Abo Selim (Libya), Al Hilal Benghazi (Libya), APC Lobito (Angola), Club Africain (Tunisia), Diables Noirs (Congo), Dreams FC (Ghana), Future FC (Egypt), RS Berkane (Morocco), Sagrada Esperanca (Angola), Sekhukhune United (South Africa), Stade Malien (Mali), SuperSport United (South Africa), SOAR (Guinea), Rivers United (Nigeria) USM Alger (Algeria), Zamalek (Egypt). 

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