Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ademola Lookman Crowned Awarded CAF Player in Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ademola Lookman Crowned CAF Player of the Year in Morocco

On Monday, in a prestigious ceremony held in Marrakech, Morocco, Nigeria forward Ademola Lookman crowned the 2024 African Footballer of the Year at the Confederation of African Football (Caf) Awards in Marrakesh.

The Atalanta forward triumphed over competitors Simon Adingra, Serhou Guirassy, Achraf Hakimi, and Ronwen Williams.

“This award is a blessing, to be recognised as best player in Africa is something incredible,” he said. “Four years ago my career felt down but now I’m here as the best player in Africa. Don’t let your failures stop your dreams.”

The event recognized the exceptional achievements of Africa’s football talents over the past year.

The ceremony was graced by esteemed figures from the football world, illustrating the significant advancements in the sport across the continent, particularly in both men’s and women’s football.

Ademola Lookman was distinguished as the CAF Men’s Player of the Year following an outstanding year with Italian club Atalanta and the Nigeria Super Eagles, succeeding his compatriot Victor Osimhen, who received the award in 2023.

This achievement marks a historic moment for Nigeria, as it is the first instance of consecutive winners of the Men’s award since Nwankwo Kanu (1996) and Victor Ikpeba (1997) were honoured nearly thirty years ago.

Black Bulls wallop Nigerian side Enyimba in CAF Confed Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Black Bulls wallop Nigerian side Enyimba in CAF Confed Cup

Nigerian football club Enyimba suffered a disappointing 3-0 loss to Mozambican side Black Bulls during their CAF Confederation Cup Group D encounter in Maputo on Sunday.

The match saw the home team dominate from the start. Two of the goals for the Black Bulls were scored by their Nigerian imports, Rume Akporoh and Francis Ayuba, showcasing their prowess in front of goal. The final goal was netted by Fidel Souza, further extending the lead and sealing a comprehensive victory for the Bulls.

This defeat leaves Enyimba struggling in the group stage, as they have yet to record a win. Their current record includes one draw and two losses from three matches played, placing them at the bottom of Group D with a total of only one point.

In Group C, Orapa United and Jaraaf played to a 0-0 draw. Both teams had chances to score, but poor finishing and good goalkeeping prevented any goals. This result keeps both teams struggling in the standings.

In Group B, Stellenbosch won 1-0 against CD Lunda Sul. Devin Titus scored the only goal with a header in the 89th minute, helping Stellenbosch move into third place in Group B. Lunda Sul missed several key chances in this close match.

Al Hilal stun MC Alger as Pirates, Stade d’Abidjan share spoils
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Hilal stun MC Alger as Pirates, Stade d’Abidjan share spoils

Sudanese team Al Hilal defeated MC Alger 1-0 in Algiers on Saturday, keeping their perfect record in the CAF Champions League. Guessouma Fofana scored the goal in the 76th minute with a header, assisted by Mohamed Abdelrahman at the 5 July 1962 Stadium.

MC Alger attempted to equalize but was thwarted by goalkeeper Issa Fofana. Al Hilal now leads Group A with nine points, followed by MC Alger with four points. Young Africans (Yanga) and Mazembe played to a 1-1 draw earlier.

In Group D, Esperance beat Pyramids 2-0. Youcef Belaïli scored in the 36th minute, and Elias Mokwana added a second before halftime. Esperance tops Group D with seven points, while Pyramids are second with four.

Orlando Pirates drew 1-1 with Stade d’Abidjan, missing a chance to extend their Group C lead. Evidence Makgopa scored a penalty, but Ousmane Méité equalized for Stade d’Abidjan. The Pirates remain at the top with five points, while Al Ahly is just one point behind.

AS FAR and Maniema Union ended their match in a 1-1 draw in Group B. Exaucia Moanda scored for Maniema Union in the 37th minute, but To Carneiro equalized for AS FAR in the 62nd minute.

AS FAR leads Group B with five points, while Maniema Union has three points.

Juma Bah's excellent form continues as Valladolid beat Valencia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Juma Bah excellent form continues as Valladolid beat Valencia

Sierra Leone’s Juma Bah played well in defence as Real Valladolid won 1-0 against Valencia CF in La Liga on Friday. The 18-year-old was making his thirteen appearances since his arrival in Spain.

This important win helps Real Valladolid move off the bottom of the league table as they try to avoid relegation. Moroccan forward Anuar scored the only goal with a great individual effort in the 19th minute.

Anuar said on DAZN, “It’s a sense of relief because we needed the three points. It felt like a final, and fortunately, we managed to come out on top.“

Valladolid’s Juanmi Latasa was sent off with 12 minutes left after a video review showed he used his elbow. Despite being one player down, the home team held on for the win against a struggling opponent.

This victory is a much-needed boost for caretaker coach Álvaro Rubio; it was his first win since replacing Paulo Pezzolano, who was fired in early December. Valencia now sits at the bottom of the table, with only two wins in their last 15 league games, but they have two games in hand.

Sierra Leone's Mohamed Kamara Signs Loan Deal in Tanzania
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Mohamed Kamara Signs Loan Deal in Tanzania

In contrast to the widespread rumours about a contract termination, Singida Black Stars, a top-tier football club in Tanzania, has confirmed a loan deal for Sierra Leone international goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara.

Kamara will join Pamba Jiji FC in the Tanzania top tier as he bids for regular football when the registration window opens on December 15, 2024.

“It’s an amazing feeling. I want to be a regular player and help my team wherever I am playing, so a move to get game time is productive” .”Kamara to FSL Media.

“I’ve spent six months in Tanzania with Singida, and everything was going well until after the pre-season. However, I was out for three weeks due to an injury. After being away from football for a month, the next goalkeeper took my place and has been in great form.”

The second choice has been performing exceptionally well, making it difficult for any coach to change a successful player. Instead of remaining on the bench, I request a loan move for regular playing time.

The former East End Lions keeper gained significant attention for his outstanding performance against Algeria in Sierra Leone’s opening match of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. He was named Man of the Match after securing a 0-0 draw against the defending champions.

Mohamed Kamara began his career with Sierra Leonean club FC Johansen, where he played for one season before moving to East End Lions, where he spent three years.

On May 22, 2022, Guinean club Horoya AC announced that they had signed him to a two-year contract until 2024.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper was recognized as Man of the Match when his team, Sierra Leone, played to a 0-0 draw against Algeria during the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Top five nominees for Men’s Player of the Year 2024 CAF Awards
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Top five nominees for Men’s Player of the Year 2024 CAF Awards

Marrakech, Morocco, will host this year’s CAF Awards at the Palais des Congrès, starting at 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT / 20:00 Cairo time / 21:00 East African time) on Monday. The awards celebrate the best in African football, and the competition for the Men’s Player of the Year title is intense.

The final Five players who have been voted for are  Simon Adingra from Ivory Coast, Serhou Guirassy from Guinea, Achraf Hakimi from Morocco, Ademola Lookman from Nigeria, and Ronwen Williams from South Africa. This promises to be one of the closest contests in the award’s history.

A look at the final five nominees for Men’s Player of the Year in alphabetical order:

RONWEN WILLIAMS (SOUTH AFRICA) Club: Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa  

Williams stood out with his penalty saves during the Africa Cup of Nations, leading South Africa to win a bronze medal. The team defeated Morocco in the round of 16. He also helped South Africa qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and received a nomination for FIFA’s Best Goalkeeper award for 2024. At Mamelodi Sundowns, he helped the team achieve the record fewest goals conceded in a season, leading them to their seventh consecutive league title.

ACHRAF HAKIMI (MOROCCO) Club: Paris Saint-Germain, France  

Hakimi is one of the best right-backs in Europe. He helped Paris Saint-Germain win a third consecutive Ligue 1 title and a Coupe de France final against Lyon. He also assisted Morocco in winning a bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games. In 2024, Hakimi played 14 matches for the national team and scored a goal in the Africa Cup of Nations against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

ADEMOLA LOOKMAN (NIGERIA) Club: Atalanta, Italy  

Lookman had a standout year, helping Atalanta become title contenders in Serie A and win the UEFA Europa League. He scored a hat-trick in the final, making it a memorable performance. Lookman also helped Nigeria reach the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished as runners-up. He scored three goals and earned a spot in the Team of the Tournament.

SIMON ADINGRA (CÔTE D’IVOIRE) – Club: Brighton & Hove Albion, England  

Adingra played a vital role in Côte d’Ivoire’s journey to win the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. He scored a last-minute equalizer in the quarter-finals against Mali and assisted twice in the final against Nigeria. He earned the Best Young Player award at the tournament. The 22-year-old has also performed well for Brighton in the Premier League this year.

SERHOU GUIRASSY (GUINEA) Club: Borussia Dortmund, Germany  

Guirassy scored 30 goals in 30 games for Stuttgart in the 2023-24 Bundesliga season before moving to Borussia Dortmund. His 28 Bundesliga goals set a new record for Stuttgart. Only Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane scored more goals than Guirassy. Between January and October 2024, he scored a total of 23 goals for club and country, including a hat-trick for Guinea against Ethiopia.

DRC's side TP Mazembe ready for Young Africans cracker
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

DRC’s side TP Mazembe ready for Young Africans cracker

After losing their last Group A match to Al Hilal, the DR Congo team must compete to win against Young Africans to keep their hopes alive of advancing to the next stage of the CAF Champions League.

Fans are expected to turn out in support of their team at the Stade TP Mazembe on Saturday as they face the Young Africans Sports Club from Tanzania, who fell 2-0 to MC Alger in their previous game. Meanwhile, TP Mazembe lost 2-1 to Al Hilal Omdurman.

Al Hilal Omdurman currently leads the group with six points, followed by MC Alger with four points. The two teams will also meet on Saturday in another critical match.

Young Africans Remain Hopeful After Consecutive Defeats

Young African coach Saed Ramovic is determined to change their fortunes and secure a positive result in Lubumbashi.

A win or a draw in this match could significantly enhance their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

They are optimistic about their upcoming CAF Champions League Group A match against TP Mazembe on Saturday in Lubumbashi, DR Congo.

The team has regained several key players who have recovered from injuries, which is a significant boost as they prepare for this important fixture.

A win or draw could greatly enhance their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals.

“We are pleased to have nearly our full squad ready for the match against TP Mazembe. Key players, including Aucho, Abubakar, and Mzize, have returned to training and will participate in the game.

“We will depart for Lubumbashi on Thursday, continuing our intensive training to refine our game strategy. We wish our supporters travelling by bus a safe journey, and we aim to return home with a positive result,” stated Harrison.

Guinea's Serhou Guirassy nets brace in Dortmund's defeat to Barca
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy nets brace in Dortmund’s defeat to Barca

On Wednesday, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy and Ferran Torres each scored two goals as Barcelona defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-2 at the BVB Stadion Dortmund, moving to second place in the UEFA Champions League.

The game picked up after halftime when Raphinha scored for Barcelona in the 53rd minute before Dortmund quickly equalized with a penalty from Guinean International Serhou Guirassy after he was fouled.

Torres scored shortly after coming on, putting Barcelona ahead again. Dortmund equalized when Guirassy scored his second goal.

Torres sealed the win with a quick goal from a counter-attack. Barcelona’s victory keeps them in second place, two points ahead of teams on 13 points. Dortmund remains just outside the top eight with 12 points.

End of 2nd Half 90+5′

FULL TIME: BORUSSIA DORTMUND 2-3 BARCELONA

Dortmund pushed for another goal, but Schlotterbeck missed a chance with a header and was offside. Barcelona held on for the important win.

North Africa state Morocco to co-hosts World Cup 2030
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

North Africa state Morocco to co-hosts World Cup 2030

Morocco has officially been designated as one of the hosts for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, marking a significant milestone for African football.

Alongside Spain and Portugal, Morocco’s selection as a co-host underscores its growing influence in the global football community. This decision was unanimously approved during an Extraordinary FIFA Congress held on Wednesday, with participation from all 211 Member Associations.

FIFA praised the joint bid, which received an impressive score of 4.2 out of 5, surpassing the minimum hosting requirements. Morocco will become the second African nation to host the World Cup, following South Africa in 2010.

The tournament will also include matches in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to commemorate the centenary of the first World Cup.

While the opening matches will occur in South America, Morocco will play a key role in the event, further establishing itself in international football.

This selection highlights Africa’s capacity to host world-class events and contributes to the continent’s football legacy.

The 2030 World Cup will be the first hosted across two continents, reinforcing FIFA’s commitment to cultural unity and the global expansion of football.

Morocco will join Spain and Portugal in welcoming the world to a remarkable celebration of football, diversity, and heritage.

Amadou Bakayoko's Hokkaido Sapporo relegated from J1 League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Amadou Bakayoko’s Hokkaido Sapporo relegated from J1 League

Sierra Leone international Amadou Bakayoko, who plays for J-League side Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, faced relegation despite the team’s 1-0 victory over Kashiwa Reysol on the final day of the season.

Sapporo had already been confirmed for relegation following poor form as they only managed nine wins of 38 league encounters.

However, on the final game of the season, they put up a strong fight with Tomoki Kondo scoring the decisive goal for a full three points.

Bakayoko, who joined Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on July 28, 2024, managed to score only one goal in nine appearances in all competitions due to limited playing time.

He made his debut on August 16 as a substitute and scored his first goal from the penalty spot in a 5-3 win over Sagan Tosu.

Title wrap-up: Vissel are champions again

Vissel Kobe 3, Shonan Bellmare 0

Vissel Kobe knew that a win would secure them the title, and they certainly delivered a remarkable performance. Taisei Miyashiro, Yoshinori Muto, and Takahiro Ogihara each scored, igniting celebrations in Kobe.

Gamba Osaka 3, Sanfrecce Hiroshima 1

Sanfrecce Hiroshima entered the match needing a win to have any chance at claiming the league title. However, Isa Sakamoto scored his first of two goals in the 13th minute, paving the way for Gamba Osaka to secure a decisive victory. This win earned Gamba a fourth-place finish, qualifying them for the AFC Champions League Two next year.

Kashima Antlers 3, FC Machida Zelvia 1

FC Machida Zelvia faced long odds for the title on the final day and needed a victory to keep their hopes alive. However, Shu Morooka and Yuta Higuchi scored early, putting Kashima Antlers two goals ahead within the first 16 minutes. Kashima concluded their season on a high note with this victory.