Month: October 2024

Air Defense Stadium to host Egypt and Botswana AFCON qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Air Defense Stadium to host Egypt and Botswana AFCON qualifier

Egypt’s national football team will face Botswana at the Air Defense Stadium due to winter maintenance at the Cairo International Stadium, which includes pitch re-seeding.

The match against Botswana is set for November 19 and will be the last game in the sixth round of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Egypt has already qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, winning four matches in a row and earning 12 points.

In November, Egypt will also face Cape Verde between the 11th and 19th. These matches will allow head coach Hossam Hassan to test new players and refresh the team lineup.

Hassan aims to explore new player options, stating, “We want to test several new faces.” With qualification secured, his staff sees this as a chance to evaluate talents for the 2025 tournament.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah is likely to miss the training camp, providing opportunities for other forwards to contribute and helping the coaching staff strengthen the attack.

Using the Air Defense Stadium as a backup venue underscores the federation’s commitment to preparing the national team for future challenges.

Senegalese Pape Sarr nets in Spurs Carabao Cup win over City
by Football Sierra Leone

Senegalese Pape Sarr nets in Spurs Carabao Cup win over City

Senegalese International Paper Matr Sarr scored as Tottenham Hotspur won 2-1 against Manchester City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday in North London. This victory gave Manchester City their first loss of the season.

With this win, Tottenham advanced to the quarter-finals of the tournament. Their manager, Ange Postecoglou, is one step closer to his goal of winning a trophy in his second season.

Manchester City made seven changes to their team, resting star player Erling Haaland. Spurs took advantage of this early, getting past City’s defence.

Dejan Kulusevski passed the ball to Timo Werner in the box, and Werner scored his first goal of the season.

Pape Matar Sarr scored the second goal for Tottenham in the 25th minute. After a well-executed corner, he received the ball outside the penalty area and curled it into the right corner of the net.

City got one goal back just before halftime. Matheus Nunes scored from a cross by Savinho, marking their first shot on target.

Tottenham draw Manchester United in the quarter-final set for December. 

On January 2, 2024, following a series of impressive performances, Sarr signed an extension with Tottenham that lasts until 2030.

Guinea Bissau beat Sierra Leone to reach WAFU U17 Semis
by FSL News

Guinea Bissau beat Sierra Leone to reach WAFU U17 semis

On Tuesday, Sierra Leone’s U17 team faced a challenging match in the WAFU African Cup of Nations qualifiers, suffering their second defeat with a narrow 1-0 loss to Guinea-Bissau at the Annex of the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio, Senegal.

This match marked a significant turning point for Sierra Leone, as it led to their elimination from the tournament.

The defeat also had implications for Group B standings. Guinea Bissau advanced to the next round, finishing the group stage behind Mali, who delivered a dominant performance by thrashing Mauritania 4-0 in a concurrent match at the same stadium. This win solidified Mali’s position at the top of the group.

Guinea-Bissau’s decisive moment came from a well-executed goal by Jose Henrique, who found the back of the net in the 45th minute, just before halftime. Edeny Vename Bampoque earned the Player of the Match title with his outstanding performance, helping Guinea-Bissau reach the semi-finals.

In the upcoming matches, host nation Senegal will face Guinea-Bissau, while Mali takes on Gambia. Both games are expected to be highly competitive as teams compete for a spot in the next U17 African Cup of Nations tournament.

Gambia book spot in WAFU U17 AFCON qualifier semifinals
by FSL News

Gambia book spot in WAFU U17 AFCON qualifier semifinals

On Monday, The Gambia U17 team secured a dominant 4-0 victory over Liberia during match day two of the WAFU U17 African Cup of Nations qualifiers, held at Lat Dior Stadium in Thiès. This win propelled them to the semi-finals of the tournament.

Francis Gomez scored two goals (a brace), while Bubacarr Susso netted his first goal of the tournament, leading the Baby Scorpions to their semi-final spot. Francis Gomez was named Man of the Match.

Senegal, the host nation, and Mali were the first two teams to advance to the knockout stages. Senegal reached the semi-finals following back-to-back victories over Liberia and The Gambia on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Malian Eaglets proved their strength by overcoming Guinea Bissau’s Djurtus with a late goal to secure their place in the next round.

The final day of Group B will take place on Tuesday, October 29, starting at 4 p.m. Mali will face Mauritania at the Lat Dior Stadium, while Guinea Bissau will play against Sierra Leone at the Annex of the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio.

Francis Gomez was named Man of the Match.
Mali book WAFU U17 AFCON qualifier semi-final spot
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali and Senegal book WAFU U17 AFCON qualifier semi-final spot

Mali has confidently secured its place in the semi-finals, while Sierra Leone has successfully regained its momentum at the end of the second day of the UFOA A U17 Tournament in Group B, held on Saturday, October 26, at the Lat Dior Stadium in Thiès.

From Group A, host Senegal became the first team to reach the semi-finals after back-to-back victories over Liberia and the Gambia on Tuesday and Friday, respectively.

In their second tie, Sierra Leone defeated Mauritania with a 1-0 victory. Captain Alie Kabia, who was named Man of the Match, netted the winning goal in stoppage time of the first half (45+2 minutes).

In the day’s second match, the Malian Eaglets showcased their prowess by overcoming Guinea Bissau’s Djurtus with a late goal. Ibrahim Diakité brought on just minutes earlier, received a brilliant pass from Seydou Dembélé at the edge of the penalty area and scored the decisive goal with a stunning shot from outside.

With two victories in two matches, Mali has emphatically validated its advancement to the semi-finals. Seydou Dembélé has also claimed the title of Man of the Match for the second consecutive time in the clash between Guinea Bissau and Mali.

The third and final day of Group B will take place on Tuesday, October 29, starting at 4 p.m. Mali will face Mauritania at the Lat Dior Stadium, while Guinea Bissau will take on Sierra Leone at the Annex of the Abdoulaye Wade Stadium in Diamniadio.

Mali currently sits at the top of the standings with 6 points and a goal difference of +2. Sierra Leone holds second place with 3 points, and Guinea Bissau and Mauritania are tied for third, each with 1 point.

Sierra Leone U17 win to Revive AFCON qualification hopes
by @football_sierra

Sierra Leone U17 win to Revive AFCON qualification hopes

On Saturday, Sierra Leone’s U17 team won their first match in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, beating Mauritania 1-0 at the Stade Lat-Dior.

This win boosted their chances of qualifying after losing their first match in Group B. They have now played two matches and secured three points.

The team’s only goal came from striker Alie Ramadan Kabia in the 45+1 minute. His effort showed the team’s skill and determination, leading them to an important victory.

Alie Ramadan Kabia also earned the Man of the Match title for his outstanding performance against Mauritania.

In their opener, Sierra Leone lost 1-0 to Mali in the WAFU A U17 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tournament.

Sierra Leone’s final Group B contest will be against Guinea-Bissau on Tuesday at the Abdoulaye Wade Annex Stadium in Senegal in the race to the knockout stages of the competition.

This win boosted their chances of qualifying after losing their first match in Group B.
This win boosted their chances of qualifying after losing their first match in Group B.
Nigeria awarded three points and three goals as Libya penalized
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigeria awarded three points and three goals as Libya penalized

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded Nigeria three points and recognized three goals in relation to the match against Libya.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced an investigation into Nigeria’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya, stressing that unsportsmanlike behaviour will not be accepted.

On Saturday, Ousmane Kane, chair of the CAF Disciplinary Board, stated that Nigeria would be awarded the points after finding Libya guilty of mistreating the team. The Libyan Football Federation was also fined for this incident.

CAF determined that the Libyan Football Federation violated rules concerning the Africa Cup of Nations and the CAF Disciplinary Code. As a result, the match scheduled for October 15, 2024, in Benghazi has been declared a 3-0 win for Nigeria.

CAF stated that Libya violated Article 31 of the AFCON regulations, as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF disciplinary code.

Libya is required to pay a fine of USD 50,000 within 60 days of this announcement.

The Nigerian team faced delays at a Libyan airport, lacking food and internet access while preparing for their match. They eventually departed after diplomatic and social media efforts.

With this CAF decision, Nigeria is well-positioned to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, having 10 points from four games—four points ahead of Benin Republic. Rwanda has five points, and Libya, with only one point, cannot qualify.

A win or draw against Benin Republic in Abidjan on November 14 will secure Nigeria a spot in the finals, set for December 2025 to January 2026 in Morocco.

Senegal beat Gambia to maintain Group A lead in U17 qualifiers
by FSL News

Senegal beat Gambia to maintain Group A lead in U17 qualifiers

On Friday, Senegal won their second match in the African Cup of Nations U17 qualifiers, beating The Gambia 3-1 at the Stade Lat-Dior. With this win, Senegal’s U17 team is now the favourite to finish first in Group A. They have played two matches so far.

Senegal started the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Liberia on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in Thiès, Senegal. Group A now includes three teams: Senegal, Liberia, and The Gambia, after Guinea was disqualified.

Just like in their match against Liberia, Senegal scored quickly, with Mohamed Dabo finding the net right after kick-off. This early goal surprised The Gambia, who had not played in the first round.

Senegal took control of the match and made it 2-0 in the 23rd minute with a penalty from Elhadji Cissé. Two minutes before halftime, The Gambia scored with a goal from Francis Gomez in the 43rd minute.

In the second half, The Gambia tried to fight back but struggled against Senegal’s strong defence. Senegal sealed the win with a third goal from Youssouf Manel in the 88th minute, finishing the match 3-1.

On Monday, October 28, 2024, Liberia and The Gambia will play for second place in Group A, as both teams are at the bottom of the standings.

Later today, Group B will continue at the Lat Dior Stadium in Thiès. Sierra Leone will face Mauritania at 3 p.m., followed by Guinea-Bissau against Mali at 6 p.m.

Later today, Group B will continue at the Lat Dior Stadium in Thiès. Sierra Leone will face Mauritania at 3 p.m., followed by Guinea-Bissau against Mali at 6 p.m.
Later today, Group B will continue at the Lat Dior Stadium in Thiès. Sierra Leone will face Mauritania at 3 p.m., followed by Guinea-Bissau against Mali at 6 p.m.
CAF Green light the Gambia to host International football
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Green light Gambia to host International football

Gambia’s Independence Stadium will host international matches again after receiving approval from the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF).

The last home match was on March 25, 2021, when Gambia won 1-0 against Angola. Following that game, CAF banned the stadium and 22 others in Africa from hosting international matches in February 2022.

The return of international games is a significant milestone for Gambia’s football fans. The Gambia national football team will play against the Comoros Islands in their fifth qualifying match for the 2025 Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations on November 15, 2024, at the Independence Stadium.

The Scorpions, Gambia’s national football team, are currently in 3rd place in Group A, with 5 points from four games.

Bakary Y. Badjie, the Minister of Youth and Sports, announced that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has cleared the Independence Stadium in Bakau to host international matches again. The stadium will be the venue for The Gambia’s upcoming match against Comoros on November 15.

“This decision follows our submission of photos and a report from the CAF License Officer last week,” Badjie said enthusiastically. “We are thrilled to bring our home games back to this important venue.” He also thanked the public for their patience during the two-year renovation.

The last home match was on March 25, 2021, when Gambia won 1-0 against Angola. Following that game, CAF banned the stadium and 22 others in Africa from hosting international matches in February 2022. The return of international games is a significant milestone for Gambia’s football fans.

CAF named Player of the Year Nominees for Award
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF named Nominees for African Player of the Year Award

The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) has announced the nominees for the men’s categories of the #CAFAwards24, taking place on December 16, 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco.

The awards will recognize achievements from January to October 2024, with ten players shortlisted for the CAF African Player of the Year and another ten for the CAF Interclub Player of the Year. Notable nominees include:

– Amine Gouiri (Algeria / Rennes)

– Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso / Bayer Leverkusen)

– Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire / Brighton)

– Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)

– Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns), who is nominated in multiple categories.

The CAF Coach of the Year will also feature ten nominees, alongside awards for National Team of the Year, Club of the Year, and Young Player of the Year, all spotlighting emerging talent under 21.

Winners will be determined by a panel including the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, and coaches from member associations.

The nominees for the Women’s categories will be announced soon. Last year, Victor Osimhen was named CAF African Player of the Year, while Asisat Oshoala took home the title for African Women’s Player of the Year. Read More