Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

El Abdellaoui strike helps Morocco set U20 final date with South Africa
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

El Abdellaoui strike helps Morocco set U20 final date with South Africa

Morocco Beats Egypt to Reach CAF U 20 Africa Cup of Nations Final

Morocco has secured their spot in the final of the CAF U 20 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Egypt 1-0 in a tense semi-final clash on Thursday. The Morocco U20 team displayed great discipline and composure to advance.

CAF U 20 Africa Cup of Nations Semi-Final: A Tight Encounter

The match was closely contested, with both teams fighting hard for dominance. Egypt controlled the early phases but failed to break through Morocco’s organized defense. As the game progressed, Morocco gradually took control, with midfielders Reda Laalaoui and Hossam Essadak playing key roles.

El Abdellaoui’s Winning Goal

The turning point came in the 77th minute when substitute Jones El Abdellaoui scored from a perfectly delivered cross by Ismaël Aouad. The goal lifted Morocco and left Egypt chasing an equalizer.

Morocco’s Defense Shuts Down Egypt

Despite Egypt’s late push through players like Ahmed Kabaka and Mohamed Raafat, the Morocco U20 team stood firm. Their solid backline ensured they held on to their lead and kept a clean sheet.

What’s Next for the Final?

This win puts Morocco in the final of the CAF U 20, where they will face South Africa, who also won their CAF U-20 semi-final 1-0 against Nigeria. Meanwhile, Egypt will play Nigeria for third place.

Houssam Essadak claims Man of the Match award after a standout performance
Houssam Essadak claims Man of the Match award after a standout performance
Nigeria's International Taiwo Awoniyi's surgery was successful.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria’s International Taiwo Awoniyi’s surgery was successful

Nigerian International and Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has awakened from an induced coma following surgery to correct a major abdominal injury he sustained during Sunday’s match against Leicester City. 

Having undergone the first phase of the operation on Monday, he spent Tuesday in an induced coma while medical staff observed his development as part of the process.

On Wednesday, Awoniyi completed the second phase of the surgery — wound closing — a successful procedure.

Taiwo Awoniyi Injury Update Highlights Nottingham Forest’s Commitment to Player Welfare

“The seriousness of his injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game, and why a player’s health and well-being must always come first. At Nottingham Forest, this principle is not just policy for us; it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner. To Evangelos Marinakis, this isn’t just a football club — it’s family – and he instils that message in all of us,” Nottingham Forest noted in their statement.

“That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation that unfolded at the City Ground on Sunday. His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility, and emotional investment in one of our own. He didn’t just see it as an isolated incident, but as something that reflected the values and unity of the entire team.”

Coach Kamara believes Sierra Leone earn respect despite quarter-final exit
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Kamara believes Sierra Leone earn respect despite quarter-final exit

Sierra Leone’s remarkable first appearance at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 concluded in disappointment as they were edged out 1-0 by Morocco following extra time in the quarter-finals.

A late own goal by defender Amara Keita dashed Sierra Leone’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals and qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Despite the loss, head coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara praised his team’s tenacity, stating, “We wanted to hold Morocco and take the game to penalties. But I am extremely proud of the boys—they showed character and the hearts of warriors.”

In their first-ever U-20 AFCON, Sierra Leone made headlines with a stunning 4-1 win over hosts Egypt and a gritty 1-0 victory against Tanzania. They proved to be one of the tournament’s surprise packages.

Morocco’s coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, praised Sierra Leone, calling them “one of the hardest opponents we faced.” He noted, “They were resilient, organized, and showed they belong at this level.”

As Morocco advanced to the semi-finals, Sierra Leone left with dignity. Kamara stated, “This is just the beginning; it marks the inception of something hopeful. The boys have motivated a nation while also gaining respect within African football.”

In their first-ever U-20 AFCON, Sierra Leone made headlines with a stunning 4-1 win over hosts Egypt and a gritty 1-0 victory against Tanzania. They proved to be one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
In their first-ever U-20 AFCON, Sierra Leone made headlines with a stunning 4-1 win over hosts Egypt and a gritty 1-0 victory against Tanzania. They proved to be one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
Morocco's U-20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi aims for a win against Egypt
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco’s U-20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi aims for a win against Egypt

Morocco U-20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi says his team will show “respect, focus, and ambition” in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations against Egypt.

Morocco has already qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile and now aims for the continental title. Thursday’s match in Cairo is a key opportunity.

“We respect the Egyptian national team. They are strong and determined,” Ouahbi said at a pre-match press conference. “But we want to win this championship. We achieved our first goal by qualifying for the World Cup—now we want to finish the job.”

Egypt reached the semi-finals after defeating Ghana in a penalty shootout. Morocco advanced with a narrow 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone, thanks to an own goal.

Despite Egypt having home advantage, Ouahbi emphasizes that Morocco will focus on their own game. “We don’t worry about referees or the crowd. We focus on our game plan and seizing our chances,” he explained. This strategy has kept Morocco unbeaten in the tournament.

The match will be at Cairo’s June 30 Stadium at 18:00 GMT. 

Ouahbi feels that qualifying for the World Cup has relieved pressure on his players. “They were thrilled to make history, but they want more. We come to win,” he said.

This is Morocco’s first semi-final appearance since 2005, and a win would take them to their first final in nearly 40 years while chasing their first continental title.

The semi-final will be intense, as both teams are known for their discipline and skill. The winner will face Nigeria or South Africa in the final on Sunday.

For Ouahbi, the goal is clear: “This group has given everything. Now we want to give our country something to celebrate.”

Egypt's U20 coach Osama Nabih calls for fighting spirit against Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s U20 coach Osama Nabih calls for fighting spirit against Morocco

Egypt’s coach Osama Nabih declared that his team will fight “with strength and courage” as they prepare to face Morocco in Thursday’s semi-final of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025.

The match at Cairo’s June 30 Stadium promises to be exciting, featuring North African rivals driven by national pride. Kick-off is at 18:00 GMT on Thursday.

Following a thrilling quarter-final win over Ghana that secured Egypt’s place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, the young Pharaohs are focused on achieving continental success at home.

Nabih described the match as “like an Arab final,” acknowledging Morocco as a strong opponent that has been impressive at all levels.

Egypt reached the semi-finals after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Ghana, winning 5-4 in penalties, which also marked their return to the World Cup for the first time since 2011.

“The pressure to qualify was heavy,” Nabih admitted, noting that the players have gained mental stability since their success.

He also reflected on the tournament’s competitiveness, highlighting that all four semi-final teams were initially in the same group.

Egypt will face a Moroccan side that narrowly beat Sierra Leone 1-0 in their quarter-final.

Morocco remains unbeaten and boasts a strong defense, having kept three clean sheets in four matches.

Midfielder Ahmed Khaled “Kabaka” believes the team’s resolve is stronger than ever.

“We’ve vowed to fight until the end,” he stated, emphasizing that the World Cup qualification has boosted their morale.

Following a thrilling quarter-final win over Ghana that secured Egypt's place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, the young Pharaohs are focused on achieving continental success at home
Following a thrilling quarter-final win over Ghana that secured Egypt's place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, the young Pharaohs are focused on achieving continental success at home
Sierra Leone's Mustapha Bundu wins 2024/25 Argyle Goal of the Season
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Mustapha Bundu wins 2024/25 Argyle Goal of the Season

In a breath-taking display of skill, Mustapha Bundu’s mesmerizing free-kick against Derby County at Home Park has been crowned the 2024/25 Argyle Goal of the Season.

The talented forward triumphed in a heated ten-way poll, outshining Andre Gray’s sensational double against Watford, which secured a tie for second and third place among the voters.

With the Greens trailing 2-0 in the first half, Ryan Hardie earned a free-kick from a challenging position, about 20 yards out and at a tight angle.

Instead of opting for a routine cross, Bundu unleashed a magnificent shot, curling the ball with precision and flair into the far corner of the net. This stunning strike ignited the crowd and breathed new life into Argyle’s hopes for the match.

RESULTS:  

1. MUSTAPHA BUNDU v Derby County – 32% 

2. ANDRE GRAY (1) v Watford – 15%

3. ANDRE GRAY (2) v Watford – 12%

Sierra Leone native Bangura-Williams pens long-term deal with Millwall
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone native Bangura-Williams pens long-term deal with Millwall

Sierra Leone native Raees Bangura-Williams has signed a new long-term contract with The Den. The 20-year-old will continue with The Lions following his impressive start.

Bangura-Williams made his debut in January during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round, scoring just 10 minutes after coming on against Dagenham & Redbridge.

His father is an amateur football manager originally from Sierra Leone, currently based in Park Langley.

“I’m grateful for all the support and have more to give. It’s an honour to be here,” he said, noting the season has been life-changing and that Millwall is the right place for him to develop.

In 13 appearances, he has impressed fans with several assists, including key plays against Cardiff City and Portsmouth. His performance earned him a call-up to England’s Elite League Squad.

Despite missing the end of the 2024/25 season due to injury, he is determined to earn a place in Alex Neil’s starting lineup for the 2025/26 season.

Millwall’s Director of Football, Steve Gallen, praised Ra’ees’ inspiring journey to the first team and expressed excitement about his contract signing as a reward for his hard work. Gallen noted that Ra’ees represents the club’s future and thanked James Berylson and Alex Neil for their support in finalizing the deal.

Four African places in the U20 FIFA World Cup in Chile confirmed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Four African places in the U20 FIFA World Cup in Chile confirmed

Africa has four teams going to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile 2025. These teams qualified by reaching the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations. The qualified teams are Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa.

Every team triumphed in tense, thrilling, hard quarter-final matches. First to qualify, Morocco narrowly defeated Sierra Leone 1-0 after extra time due to a late own goal. This game ended Sierra Leone’s spectacular first showing in the competition.

The host country, Egypt, joined Morocco in achieving an exciting comeback against Ghana. Trailing 2-0, they last-minute equalised and won the 5-4 penalty shootout, securing their spot at the World Cup.

Africa’s most prosperous U20 team, Nigeria, advanced by beating Senegal, the defending champions, in a penalty shootout. To secure their 14th entry in the U20 World Cup, the Flying Eagles maintained their coolness.

Thanks to a last-minute goal from Thabang Mahlangu, South Africa finished the group with a 1-0 victory over DR Congo in extra time.

These four teams’ qualification keeps Africa’s excellent record in the U20 World Cup. Each squad will now hone in on the semi-finals and the continental title challenge. From September 27 to October 19, the FIFA U-20 World Cup will be held in Chile.

The qualified teams are Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa
The qualified teams are Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa
Kei Kamara to continue illustrious MLS career with FC Cincinnati
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kei Kamara to continue illustrious MLS career with FC Cincinnati

Kei Kamara will continue his historic soccer career with FC Cincinnati. The team announced on Monday that they have signed the well-known striker through 2025, with an option for 2026. He will take a Supplemental Roster spot at his record 12th MLS club.

At 40 years old, Kamara ranks second all-time in goals scored in the league with 147 regular-season matches. With 445 regular-season games, he ranks fourth all-time in MLS.

Last season, Kamara was a free agent after scoring 8 goals and providing 5 assists in 40 appearances for LAFC. He helped the team win their first US Open Cup title.

“We’re excited to add a player of Kei’s quality, experience, and leadership to FC Cincinnati,” said general manager Chris Albright. “He’s one of the best goal scorers in league history, and his skills will bring a new element to our attack. We welcome him and his family to Cincinnati.”

Kamara began his iconic career in 2006 when the Columbus Crew picked him in the first round of the SuperDraft (No. 9 overall). He has also played for Chicago Fire FC, Colorado Rapids, Houston Dynamo FC, Minnesota United FC, CF Montréal, New England Revolution, San Jose Earthquakes, Sporting Kansas City, and Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The Sierra Leone international recently captained his national team during FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers and has also played in England for Middlesbrough and Norwich City, as well as HIFK Fotboll in Finland.

In Cincinnati, Kamara brings proven goal-scoring ability to the team, joining club-record signing Kévin Denkey and Sergio Santos as strikers. Key attacking players for Cincinnati also include playmaker Evander and Luca Orellano.

As of now, Cincinnati is at the top of the Eastern Conference with 25 points, holding an 8-win, 3-loss, and 1-draw record through 12 matches.

Morocco beat 10-man Sierra Leone U20 to book Chile U20 World Cup spot
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco beat 10-man Sierra Leone to book Chile U-20 World Cup spot

Morocco defeated 10-man Sierra Leone 1-0 in extra time, advancing to the semi-finals of the CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 and securing a spot in the Chile U20 World Cup.

The match concluded with a late own goal scored by Sierra Leone’s Amara Keita at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo. Morocco controlled most of the match but found it difficult to break through Sierra Leone’s strong defense.

Sierra Leone, making their tournament debut, fought hard but ended up losing due to a tough break. The turning point came in the 115th minute when Keita accidentally scored an own goal while under pressure, sending Morocco into the semi-finals and qualifying them for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile later this year.

Sierra Leone played bravely, even after being reduced to ten players during regulation time. Substitute Samba Bah received a red card in the 90th minute after a dangerous challenge, leaving his team short-handed for extra time.

Morocco had a strong chance of winning, having been unbeaten in their last 12 matches in open play at the U20 AFCON. They created several opportunities through players like Jones El Abdellaoui, Ismaël Baouf, and Adam El Mokhtari, but Sierra Leone’s goalkeeper, Mohamed Bai Kamara made several great saves.

Sierra Leone also had chances, especially from their star player Momoh Kamara, whose long shot in the 113th minute was saved well. Despite their earlier surprise victory over Egypt, Sierra Leone could not score this time.

For Morocco, this victory marks their second trip to the semi-finals since 2005 and keeps their unbeaten streak alive at the 2025 tournament. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s team displayed patience and skill to overcome a well-organised opponent.

Sierra Leone exits the tournament with pride, having done better than expected in their first U20 AFCON. Key players Kamara and Alpha Turay made a lasting impression. Morocco will now prepare for a semi-final match against either South Africa or DR Congo, confident in their strong defence and tactical skills.