Month: October 2024

Ademola Lookman shines as Atlanta thrash Shakhtar Donetsk
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ademola Lookman shines as Atlanta thrash Shakhtar Donetsk

Nigerian international Ademola Lookman scored a goal and provided an assist to help Atalanta secure a 3-0 victory against Shakhtar Donetsk in the UEFA Champions League at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen.

Lookman, who previously scored a hat-trick in the UEFA Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen, once again showcased his talent in Europe by leading Atalanta to their first win of the 2024/25 Champions League campaign.

Atalanta opened the scoring midway through the first half when Berat Djimsiti capitalized on Lookman’s cross to score from close range.

Lookman then doubled their lead just before half-time by finding space in the box to convert Sead Kolasinac’s low delivery.

Shortly after the break, Raoul Bellanova extended Atalanta’s lead to three goals by heading in Davide Zappacosta’s cross.

This victory comes as a much-needed boost for Atalanta, who have struggled in Serie A this season with only two wins in their first six matches.

AFCON winner Aliou Cisse departs as Senegal’s head coach
by Football Sierra Leone

AFCON winner Aliou Cisse departs as Senegal’s head coach

The Senegalese Football Association has decided not to renew the contract of national team head coach Aliou Cissé. This signifies the conclusion of his tenure, marking the end of an extraordinary era during which he steered Senegal to unprecedented triumphs, most notably their historic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) victory in 2022.

This groundbreaking win, the first in Senegal’s history, solidified Cissé’s reputation as a national hero, following his earlier feat of guiding the team to the AFCON final in 2019.

Cissé’s stewardship of Senegal spanned more than a decade. He initially took on the role of caretaker coach of the national team in 2012 before assuming responsibility for the U23 squad.

Throughout his tenure, he demonstrated unwavering dedication, resilience, and an enduring commitment to nurturing Senegalese talent.

Cissé, who led Senegal to the 2018 FIFA World Cup and achieved consistent success in continental competitions, guided the team to the knockout stages of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

His departure as head coach will be deeply felt, leaving behind a strong team and a lasting impact on Senegalese football.

Avram Grants names Zambia squad for Chad's double header
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Avram Grant names Zambia squad for Chad’s doubleheader

Chipolopolo coach Avram Grant has announced his 26-man squad for the upcoming AFCON Qualifier matches against Chad.  Zambia will host Chad on 11th October at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium before travelling for the second leg four days later.

Fashion Sakala Jr, a forward from Saudi Arabia, has been left out once again due to a disagreement with the coach back in May. This happened when Sakala was not included in the back-to-back World Cup qualifiers.

On a positive note, defender Frankie Chisenga Musonda has returned after recovering from an injury that caused him to miss the game against Ivory Coast and the win over Sierra Leone.

In addition, NAPSA Stars striker Jimmy Mukeya, Green Buffaloes goalkeeper Francis Mwansa, and Spain-based Francisco Mwepu have all been called back.

In last month’s match day two, Zambia’s Chipolopolo secured their first victory in the African Cup of Nations Group G, defeating Sierra Leone 3-2 at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium.

Grant’s side will look to strengthen their position in the table with wins over CHAD. Ivory Coast continues to lead on six points, with Zambia close behind at three points, Sierra Leone and Chad point apiece.

Ivorian Wilfred Zaha makes Olympique Lyonnais debut in win at Toulouse
by Football Sierra Leone

Ivorian Wilfred Zaha makes Lyon debut in win at Toulouse

Wilfried Zaha, the former Crystal Palace and Manchester United winger, made his debut for Lyon in their 2-1 victory over Toulouse on Sunday. In August, the Ivorian international joined the French club on a season-long loan from Galatasaray.

Lyon took the lead with a goal from Yann Gboho in the 14th minute, but an own goal from Lyon’s Rasmus Schmidt Nicolaisen leveled the scoreline. At halftime, the score was 1-1.

The match was still open, and Lyon appeared to strengthen as time passed. In the end, Belgian Malick Martin Fofana secured the win for the visitors with a last-minute goal.

Zaha, 31, had left Palace for Galatasaray last summer and made 42 appearances for the Turkish club. However, he was mainly a substitute towards the end of the season and did not play in any of Galatasaray’s four league or Champions League games this season.

Lyon secured their first win of the season with a 4-3 victory against Strasbourg on Friday.

Key Moments

Toulouse Municpal Stadium

L1 (MD6): Toulouse FC – Olympique Lyonnais

Referee: Gaël Angoula

Yellow cards: Veretout (11′); Caleta-Car (48′) to OL. Dønnum (58′), Casseres (88′) to Toulouse

Goals: Gboho (14′) for Toulouse. Nicolaisen (csc) (28′), Fofana (90+6) for OL.

Toulouse FC: Rest – Sidibé, Nicolaisen, McKenzie – Kamanzi, Sierro (Cap.) (Genreau 90+3′), Casseres, Dönnum (Suazo 67′) – Babicka (Aboukhlal 64′), Magri (King 64′), Gboho (Zajc 90+2′). Coach: Carles Martinez Novell

OL: Perri – Kumbedi, Mata (Maitland-Niles 88′), Caleta-Car, Abner – Veretout (Cherki 54′), Tessmann (Tolisso 67′), Caqueret (Cap.) – Zaha (Fofana 54′), Mikautadze (Lacazette 67′), Benrahma. Coach: Pierre Sage

FIFA Disciplinary Committee Sanctions FECAFOOT boss Samuel Eto’o
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

FIFA Disciplinary Committee Sanctions FECAFOOT boss Samuel Eto’o

Cameroonian football icon Samuel Eto’o has been banned for six months by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).

Eto’o, who is the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), has been sanctioned for breaching two articles of FIFA’s disciplinary code. The ban is related to the 2024 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup last-16 match between Cameroon and Brazil on 11 September. Brazil won the game 3-1 after extra time.

The former FC Barcelona, Chelsea, and Inter Milan striker is now prohibited from attending any national team games due to misconduct, as stated in the FIFA statement.

The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed a six-month ban on Samuel Eto’o from attending matches of Cameroon’s representative teams for violations of articles 13 (Offensive behavior and violations of the principles of fair play) and 14 (Misconduct of players and officials) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

The ban prevents Mr. Eto’o from attending men’s and women’s matches involving FECAFOOT teams of all categories and age groups. Eto’o was notified on Monday and the ban comes into force immediately.