Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-final matches confirmed

CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-final matches confirmed

The knockout stages of the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup are ready to begin after the quarter-final draw held by CAF on February 20.

The quarter-finals kick off with a North versus South match as two-time champions Zamalek SC of Egypt defend their title against tournament debutants Stellenbosch FC from South Africa.

Ivorian powerhouse Asec Mimosas, eager to reclaim continental glory, will face two-time champions RS Berkane of Morocco. Berkane has excelled in the group stages, finishing with the best record by collecting 16 points without a loss.

A thrilling Algerian derby is also on the cards, featuring CS Constantine, who are making their first appearance in the knockout stages, taking on a determined USM Alger side that aims to reclaim the title they won in the 2022/23 season.

The final quarter-final will see Egyptian team Al Masry face an in-form Simba SC from Tanzania, who are looking to advance past the last eight for the first time since the 2021/22 season.

The quarter-finals will showcase:

  • QF 1: Stellenbosch FC (RSA) vs Zamalek SC (EGY)  
  • QF 2: Asec Mimosas (CIV) vs RS Berkane (MAR)  
  • QF 3: CS Constantine (ALG) vs USM Alger (ALG)  
  • QF 4: Al Masry (EGY) vs Simba SC (TAN)  

The semi-finals will match the winners of RS Berkane/Asec Mimosas against USM Alger/CS Constantine and Simba SC/Al Masry against Zamalek SC/Stellenbosch FC.

For further details and statistics on the eight remaining clubs, click **HERE**.

Winger Agustus Kargbo speaks after an impressive Blackburn start

Winger Augustus Kargbo speaks after an impressive Blackburn start

Winger Augustus Kargbo shares his thoughts after a strong start with Blackburn. First impressions matter a lot, and Augustus Kargbo has certainly made a notable impact during his first few weeks with the Rovers.

He made his debut as a late substitute against Queens Park Rangers shortly after signing with the club. Since then, Kargbo has demonstrated consistent growth, recording his first goal involvement by assisting Tyrhys Dolan during the 2-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle last weekend.

Kargbo executed an impressive run from the left flank, engaged in a one-two exchange with Makhtar Gueye, and successfully set up Dolan, who capitalized effectively against the Argyle goalkeeper, Conor Hazard.

The 25-year-old, who joined from the Italian club Cesena last month, has quickly become a valued member of the team and a favourite among the supporters. He expressed his enthusiasm about playing in front of the home crowd against Miron Muslic’s squad.

“I was delighted to finally participate in the league before our fans,” Kargbo remarked to Blackburn’s website. “It brings me great joy to assist the team, and I aspire to earn more playing time to contribute meaningfully. I hope to score goals shortly while continuing to support the team.”

“I take great pleasure in providing assists as much as I do in scoring goals. It enhances my confidence and helps us achieve our collective objectives. By delivering assists and scoring goals, we position ourselves to win matches. That remains my focus, and I continually seek to improve my ability to deliver accurate passes and be in the right places to score.”

Kargbo further noted, “Pape and I maintain open communication during training, along with Todd [Cantwell]. This connection enhances our teamwork. During our match against Wolves, Emmanuel [Dennis] and I also collaborated effectively. With Ty’s capabilities, it is evident that he enjoys playing and excels in one-twos, contributing to an impressive goal.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the one-two with Pape and the decisive pass to Ty. It was a remarkable finish. We are all dedicated players eager to contribute, and I believe a strong connection is already forming among us.”

Osman Kakay trains with new Boavista teammates

Osman Kakay trains with new Boavista teammates

Sierra Leone International Osman Kakay completed his first training session with new Boavista teammates after he joined the club as a free agent. He joined the team last week and is excited to get started.

Boavista suffered a 1-0 defeat to Estrela da Amadora on Friday but the Sierra Leone International was on the stands watching his new teammates.

“I can’t wait to get started and enjoy playing football again.” Boavista is a well-known club, and even though it’s been a long time since I last played, I’ve had the chance to reflect and train I believe now is the right time to return,” Kakay noted.

Meanwhile, Abdoulay Diaby has signed with Boavista until the end of this season.

The 33-year-old forward from Mali has a strong background in European football. He has played for clubs like Lille in France, Sporting in Portugal, Besiktas in Turkey, Getafe in Spain, and Anderlecht in Belgium. Last season, he was with Pendikspor in Turkey, making 28 appearances.

Diaby has also played for the Mali national team, scoring six goals in 24 games.

Osman Kakay was in training with his new Boavista teammates
Osman Kakay was in training with his new Boavista teammates
Discussing tactics with new teammates after joining the Portuguese top-flight side
Discussing tactics with new teammates after joining the Portuguese top-flight side
Court of Arbitration for Sport overturned Adel Amrouche's CAF suspension

Court of Arbitration for Sport overturns Adel Amrouche’s CAF suspension

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has removed the suspension that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) placed on Algerian coach Adel Amrouche during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

At the time, Amrouche coached Tanzania and made public claims against the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) during the tournament in Côte d’Ivoire. His comments followed Tanzania’s 3-0 loss to Morocco, where he criticized Morocco’s influence on CAF’s decisions.

“The Moroccan Federation is a strong power in African football. In our last match against Morocco, they forced us to play in the evening when we wanted to play in the early afternoon,” Amrouche said. He also stated, “Morocco currently controls African football. They choose the referees, and we are just spectators,” the 55-year-old coach added.

After his remarks, CAF suspended Amrouche for eight matches, and the Tanzanian Football Federation fired him. This decision caused controversy, with many people questioning whether the punishment was too harsh.

More than a year later, CAS ruled in favor of Amrouche, cancelling the suspension and awarding him $3,336.45 in compensation from CAF.

This ruling is a big win for the Algerian coach, who feels relieved to have his reputation restored. The decision helps him close a difficult chapter in his career, allowing him to move on without the weight of the suspension.

For Amrouche, this ruling is not just about the money; it is also about regaining his place in the football world.

Chinese side Chengdu Rongcheng unveil Sierra Leone winger Issa Kallon

Chinese side Chengdu Rongcheng unveil Sierra Leone winger Issa Kallon

Chinese Super League last season’s third-place side Chengdu Rongcheng has unveiled Sierra Leone winger Issa Kallon.

Kallon confirmed that he has reached an agreement for a two-year contract with Chengdu Rongcheng and is prepared for the upcoming Chinese Super League campaign.

The 29-year-old, who joined Shanghai Port from the Dutch club Cambuur in 2022, is embarking on a new chapter in his career after departing Nantong Zhiyun.

The Chinse Super League is set to kick start this week as Chengdu Rongcheng open its campaign against Wuhan Three Towns on Saturday.

The Sierra Leone International recorded seven goals and eight assists in 45 appearances for Shanghai Port when they won the title before moving to join Nantong Zhiyun in 2024, scoring five goals & two assists in 22 matches.

He scored on his debut for Nantong Zhiyun in the Chinese Super League opening game of the 2024/2025 season. Nantong Zhiyun played away from Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw in March last year.

He equalizer for Nantong Zhiyun in the 67th minute. He received a pass and slotted the ball at the bottom right of the net.

Kallon had joined Nantong Zhiyun after winning the title of last season with Shanghai Port. 

He started his football career as a youth exponent from FC Utrecht and made his Eredivisie debut on 24th August 2014 in a 1-2 away win against Feyenoord on 24 August 2014 in a 1–2 away win against Feyenoord.

Josh Koroma Talks About Huddersfield's Win Over Barnsley

Josh Koroma Talks About Huddersfield’s Win Over Barnsley

Josh Koroma, who scored the winning goal, spoke after Huddersfield Town’s 2-1 victory against Barnsley in the Yorkshire Derby. He joined HTTV to discuss the match in Sky Bet League One.

Koroma came on as a substitute at half-time and scored Huddersfield’s first goal in front of excited away fans. His goal helped start a quick comeback, allowing Huddersfield to take all three points at Oakwell.

This win was important in the Yorkshire derby. Koroma was a key player, creating trouble for the Barnsley defence. He missed an early chance but later equalized after breaking free from the defenders and going one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Koroma’s goal led to a second goal for Huddersfield just two minutes later. Now, the team looks to continue this success as they prepare for a busy schedule with two games each week, starting with a match against Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday evening.

Watch the full interview with Koroma below on – HTTV via YouTube Link

Burkinabé winger Dango Ouattara records his ninth goal of the season

Burkinabé winger Dango Ouattara records his ninth goal of the season

Burkinabé winger Dango Ouattara recorded his night of the Premier League season as Bournemouth reached another significant milestone in their commendable 2024/25 campaign by completing their first league double over local rivals Southampton on Saturday.

Dango Ouattara, who previously scored in the 3-1 victory against Southampton at the Vitality Stadium in September, initiated the scoring with a glancing header in the 14th minute.

Barely two minutes later, the passionate away supporters witnessed a second goal as Ryan Christie expertly placed a remarkable 25-yard shot beyond former Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.

Although Kamaldeen Sulemana managed to reduce the deficit in the 72nd minute, Marcus Tavernier, who came off the bench, concluded the match with an impressive strike seven minutes before the final whistle.

This victory has elevated Andoni Iraola’s team to fifth place in the league standings and has further extended their club-record unbeaten streak in away Premier League matches to seven.

During this impressive run, they have secured victories against Wolves, Ipswich, Manchester United, and Newcastle, in addition to drawing with Fulham and Chelsea.

Zimbabwean Kalisto Pasuwa named as new Malawi coach

Zimbabwean Kalisto Pasuwa named as new Malawi coach

Zimbabwean football coach Kalisto Pasuwa has been named the head coach of Malawi’s men’s football team.

Pasuwa, known as “Manabundu,” has signed a two-year contract and will lead The Flames until 2027. He took over on an interim basis in November last year before his official appointment.

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) announced, “We have unveiled Kalisto Pasuwa as the new head coach of the Malawi Men’s Senior National Team for two years.”

Pasuwa previously had success as the head coach of Nyasa Big Bullets, a top team in Malawi. He won four straight league titles and several other trophies before leaving the club in December 2024.

Debutant Sierra Leone draw reigning champions Senegal in U20 AFCON

Debutant Sierra Leone draw reigning champions Senegal in U20 AFCON

Sierra Leone will face a tough challenge in this year’s CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). A draw held on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt, placed them in Group C with Senegal, Zambia, and Kenya.

The Shooting Stars from Sierra Leone are preparing to compete against the reigning champions, Senegal, as well as Zambia and Kenya. This championship is scheduled to take place from April 26 to May 18 in Côte d’Ivoire.

Kenya will represent the CECAFA region with Tanzania, as both teams reached the qualifiers final in Dar es Salaam last October. Tanzania won that match 2-1, but both teams qualified for the tournament.

Tanzania is in Group A, where they will compete against the hosts Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Ghana, and one more team from the UNIFFAC region, which has not yet been confirmed.

The second team from the UNIFFAC Zonal Union is still to be announced because of Congo’s FIFA suspension.

Group B includes three-time champions Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, and 1997 winners Morocco.

The top two teams from each group will move on to the quarter-finals, along with the two best third-placed teams. The tournament will then proceed in a knockout format.

The four best teams will qualify for the 2025 FIFA Under-20 World Cup, which will take place in Chile from September 27 to October 19, 2025.

https://twitter.com/football_sierra/status/1890026891752652915

Mustapha Bundu nets as Plymouth Argyle thrash Millwall

Mustapha Bundu nets as Plymouth Argyle thrash Millwall

Sierra Leone international Mustapha Bundu contributed to Millwall’s 5-1 defeat against Plymouth Argyle in the Sky Bet Championship on Wednesday night.

Plymouth took an early lead with an own goal and a penalty scored by Ryan Hardie. In the second half, Hardie and Bundu quickly added two more goals. Joe Bryan scored a late consolation for Millwall before Nikola Katic made it 5-1.

Head Coach Alex Neil changed the starting lineup from the last game, bringing in Camiel Neghli for Ra’ees Bangura-Williams.

Plymouth scored first after six minutes when an accidental deflection went in off Joe Bryan. Hardie then converted a penalty following a foul in the box, making it 2-0.

Millwall nearly scored immediately after, but Mihailo Ivanovic’s header was saved. Neghli had a long-range shot tipped over, and moments later, Plymouth scored again. Bundu scored the third goal for Plymouth by turning and shooting past the goalie.

After substitutions, Azeez’s free-kick was deflected wide. In the 80th minute, Millwall finally scored when Azeez set up Bryan. However, Katic rounded off Plymouth’s scoring with a goal in the last minutes of the match.

Goals: Bryan og 6, Hardie pen 10, Bundu 53, Hardie 56, Katic 87

Millwall Goal: Bryan 80