Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns reach CAF Champions League semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns reach CAF Champions League semis

The Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns have secured a place in this year’s CAF Champions League semi-finals following their victories on Friday.

Title holders Al Ahly claimed their spot in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League with a commanding 2-0 win over Tanzanian side Simba on Friday night. Omar El-Sulaya and Mahmoud Kahraba scored the goals at Cairo International Stadium.

Al Ahly will now face the winner of the TP Mazembe and Petro de Luanda match in the semi-finals as they aim to retain their title.

On the other hand, Mamelodi Sundowns, the South African giants, clinched their spot in the semi-finals after a tense penalty shootout victory against Young Africans on Friday. 

Young Africans proved to be formidable adversaries, fiercely contesting every ball and frustrating their South African counterparts.

The South African team had to dig deep to overcome their resilient Tanzanian opponents, and the match ended in a goalless draw after extra time. The dramatic shootout ultimately ended 3-2 in favour of Sundowns.

Sundowns are through to the final and will face the winner of ASEC Mimosas vs Esperance.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

In Africa: Nigeria third as Morocco retain top spot in Fifa ranking 

On April 4th 2024, FIFA released its latest rankings, showing progress from African nations. Nigeria, a finalist at the recent CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, jumped to the 30th in the world rankings and third in Africa ahead of Egypt, Ivory Coast and Tunisia. 

They also secured the third position in Africa, following closely behind Senegal and Morocco. 

The Atlas Lions are currently in the 13th spot globally and have retained the top position in Africa. Senegal, ranking 17th in the world – holds the second position in Africa. 

Cote d’Ivoire is now ranked 38th globally and 5th in Africa. Egypt follows, securing the 4th position in Africa, while Tunisia and Algeria remain at the 41st and 43rd spots globally. 

Sierra Leone, who were not in action during the Fifa International window in March, remained static in the 126 position and 35th in Africa. 

Mali moved up three places to occupy the 44th spot. The world champions, Argentina, lead the rankings, followed by France and Belgium.

Mohamed Sankoh scores brace as Heracles Almelo thrash AZ Alkmaar
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sankoh scores brace as Heracles Almelo thrash AZ Alkmaar

On Wednesday evening in week 28 of the Eredivisie, Heracles Almelo shocked AZ Alkmaar with a 5-0 win, thanks to a brace from Mohamed Sankoh.

The Sierra Leone native, on loan from Vitesse, scored his sixth goal of the season for Heracles Almelo. With this win, Heracles has moved to 13th and is now seven points above the bottom three.

AZ arrived in Almelo with a good record, but 20 minutes into the game, the home team took the lead thanks to a long-range goal by Brian De Keersmaecker. 

The visitor’s defence crumbled before halftime as Riechedly Bazoer and Kristijan Belic conceded two penalties. Jizz Hornkamp converted both penalties, extending the lead to 3-0 at halftime.

After the recess, Pascal Jansen, the coach of AZ, made a double change by replacing Belic and Wouter Goes with Ruben van Bommel and Jayden Addai. Unfortunately, it did not help AZ to mount a comeback as Heracles managed to keep them out.

In the 88th minute of the game, Mohammed Sankoh replaced Hornkamp, and he quickly scored a double, which led to AZ’s 5-0 loss.

AZ is four points behind Twente, who can take control of the Champions League spot when they face Heerenveen.

Fecafoot frowns at new head coach Marc Brys' appointment 
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fecafoot frowns at new head coach Marc Brys’ appointment 

Cameroon’s national football team has a new coach Marc Brys, a Belgian with vast experience managing 15 clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia, has been appointed as the new coach. 

The Ministry of Sports in Cameroon announced the appointment on Tuesday. However, the country’s football association, Fecafoot – Officiel, claims they were not informed.

“The Cameroonian Football Federation learned, at the same time as all Cameroonians, of the appointment to positions of responsibility within the national senior men’s football selection,” a statement on social media said.

“Fecafoot intends to shed light on this regrettable situation” and “communicate without delay” on “the reaction it intends to have,” they wrote.

Brys’ last job was with Leuven, where he spent three years. His assistant coach is former Cameroon forward Francois Omam-Biyik, who scored 26 international goals between 1985 and 1998.

The team will be looking to improve their performance after being eliminated by Nigeria in the last 16 of the recent Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroon is leading Group D of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, having secured a victory over Mauritius and a draw with Libya in their away match.

However, following their exit from the AFCON, Song’s contract was not renewed by the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o.

Abu Kamara nets as Portsmouth & Derby shared top-table spoils
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Kamara nets as Portsmouth & Derby share top-table spoils

In Tuesday’s match at Fratton Park, Abu Kamara, a native from Sierra Leone, was on target for Portsmouth in their English League One 2-2 draw with Derby County.

Joe Ward scored the first goal for the Rams in the 23rd minute. However, Abu Kamara from Sierra Leone scored soon after, bringing Pompey level within three minutes.

Both teams played well, but Both teams played well as Ward scored again 10 minutes before halftime, putting Derby back in the lead. Nevertheless, substitute Moxon scored from range in the second half – making the score 2-2.

Even though there is only a five-point difference between the two teams, John Mousinho’s team is in the lead with a game in hand over Paul Warne’s second-placed Rams.

Portsmouth manager John Mousinho, speaking to BBC Radio Solent:

“It was a pretty good performance against a perfect side, we take the point and let’s follow it up with a win at the weekend.

“The first goal was a brilliant move, I’m pleased with that and the second goal.

“The penalty shout looked stonewall for me involving Tino Anjorin but regardless we have put ourselves in a really good position with the result.”

Derby boss Paul Warne to BBC Radio Derby:

“Generally I’m pleased with a point. I think we went toe-to-toe pretty well.

“That one point could be the difference come the end of the season.

“A draw’s probably a fair result, but when you’ve got a lead like that, it’s disappointing to lose it to a screamer like that which could’ve gone anywhere.

“I’m pleased for Joe Ward. He’s really come into his own in the last couple of months.”

Kei Kamara makes LAFC debut in defeat to Ex-club Rapids
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kei Kamara makes LAFC debut in defeat to Ex-club Rapids

Kei Kamara made his debut for Los Angeles in a Major League Soccer match against the ex-club Colorado Rapids on Saturday afternoon at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, CO. 

Kamara signed for the Rapids for the 2024 season with an option for 2025. He was introduced in the 87th minute, just before Rapid’s third goal in the 89th minute.

LAFC lost 3-2 to the Rapids despite goals from Eduard Atuesta and David Martinez. Djordje Mihailovic, who assisted on Colorado’s opening goal, scored twice in the final 10 minutes to secure the victory for the Rapids.

Although LAFC had not won in Colorado since their inaugural 2018 season, they took the lead in the 8th minute when Atuesta scored his second goal in as many games.

The Colombian midfielder received a short pass from Timothy Tillman near the corner of the box, dribbled past a Rapids’ defender, and curled a right-footed shot inside the far post to give his team the lead.

However, the Rapids fought back and scored three goals, with Mihailovic leading the charge with two late goals to secure the win.

LAFC’s next MLS outing is on Saturday, April 6, when the club hosts the LA Galaxy at BMO Stadium.

Ahly with first leg CAF CL quarter-final advantage over Simba
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ahly with first leg CAF CL quarter-final advantage over Simba

Al Ahly’s Ahmed Nabil Kouka, who joined the club at the age of seven, scored the team’s only goal in their 1-0 victory over Simba of Tanzania in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals. 

The experienced Egyptian team fought hard to secure a 1-0 victory, setting the stage for next week’s match in Cairo.

The 22-year-old midfielder scored his first goal of the African campaign just four minutes before 60,000 fans in Dar es Salaam. 

Mohamed Hany provided a great pass to Amr el Solia, who set up Koko to fire past Moroccan goalkeeper Ayoub Lakred after a mix-up in the Simba defence.

Shobeir, the son of former Egypt and Ahly goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir, has been a capable replacement for captain Mohamed el Shenawy, who was injured at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Tanzanians will take inspiration from their positive display in the latter stages of the game and look to capitalize on their opportunities to overturn the deficit and progress to the semi-finals of the tournament.

Augustus Kargbo's Cesena was promoted to Serie B
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo’s Cesena promoted to Serie B

On March 31, 2024, Cesena FC achieved a significant milestone by winning the Serie C championship, with a score of 1-0 against Pescara F.C. Edoardo Pierozzi scored the only goal of the day. 

The party has already started in Cesena. Mimmo Toscano’s Bianconeri are promoted to Serie BKT with four matchdays to spare.

The Romagna team’s victory led them to 86 points in Group B, which took them 14 points ahead of Torres. This triumph resulted in Cesena’s automatic promotion to Serie B after being absent from the league since 2018.

Sierra Leonean winger Augustus Kargbo played a pivotal role in the nail-biting final match of the season played on Cesena FC’s home turf. 

Background 

On 19th January 2019, he made his debut in Serie B for Crotone during a match against Cittadella. He came on as a substitute for Marco Firenze in the 68th minute.

Later, on 2nd September 2019, he joined Reggiana on loan. On 22nd July, he scored a crucial goal during the final match against Bari, which led to the promotion of the club to Serie B.

On 20 September 2020, Kargbo debuted in Serie A for Crotone during a 1-4 away defeat against Genoa. 

The former Reggiana was then loaned back to Reggiana on 29 September 2020. Afterwards, on 26 August 2023, Kargbo signed a three-year deal with Cesena.

Sierra Leone's Augustus Kargbo's Cesena was promoted to Serie B
Sierra Leone's Augustus Kargbo's Cesena was promoted to Serie B
Striker Amadou Bakayoko takes his Dundee tally to seven
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Amadou Bakayoko takes his Dundee tally to seven

On Saturday, Sierra Leone International Amadou Bakayoko recorded his seventh of the season as he helped Dundee to a 2-1 win over St. Johnstone in the Scottish Premier League.

Dundee secured a crucial win against St Johnstone in the Tayside derby in the Scottish Premiership, thanks to a late goal from Sierra Leone’s International Amadou Bakayoko in the 80th-minute

The win moved Dundee up to sixth in the league table, one point clear of Hibernian with a game in hand. 

Lyall Cameron opened the scoring for the visitors in the sixth minute of the game with a beautiful lob over the goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov from distance. 

St Johnstone replied in the 60th minute with a fantastic acrobatic overhead kick from Adama Sidibeh, equalizing the match.

However, Bakayoko snatched victory with 10 minutes to play as he slid in Luke McCowan’s cross.

Spoils shared between Asec Mimosas & Esperance de Tunis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Spoils shared between Asec Mimosas & Esperance de Tunis

Asec Mimosas and Esperance Sportive de Tunis played out a goalless draw in their Quarter-Final fixture at Stade Olympique in Tunis on Saturday.

Both teams are to meet again in the CAF Champions League return leg Quarter-Finals on 05 or 06 April as everything will be decided at Felicia.

Despite having less possession, Asec Mimosas had the first chance at goal when Karidioula Mofosse almost scored after Raed Bouchniba lost possession in the danger area. 

In the first half, Ghaylen Chaleli’s dangerous ball almost caught Asec’s goalkeeper off guard, but he managed to fist it away.

After the recess, the hosts continued to attack, with coach Miguel Cardoso injecting fresh legs. 

Second-half substitute Oussema Bouguerra’s well-struck effort from outside the box hit the woodwork, and Houssem Tka missed a header that went just off target. 

Despite the pressure from the hosts, Asec Mimosas managed to absorb most of the attacks, securing a confidence-boosting draw before the return leg next weekend. 

Meanwhile, on Friday, in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, Al Ahly SC, the title holders, won 1-0 in Dar es Salaam against Tanzanian giants, Simba SC in the first leg of the Quarter-Finals.

Ahmed Kouka scored an early goal to secure the first-leg victory for the Egyptian giants. They did well to withstand the ongoing pressure from Simba throughout the encounter.