Author: Football Sierra Leone

Sadio Mane's powerful strike fires Senegal to AFCON 2025 final
by Football Sierra Leone

Sadio Mane’s powerful strike fires Senegal to AFCON 2025 final

Senegal reached the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations by beating Egypt 1-0 in the semi-final at the Tangier Grand Stadium on Wednesday.

Their strong dominance continues against Egypt, with Sadio Mane scoring the winning goal that sends them to this year’s AFCON final.

This marks the fourth time Senegal has reached the final of this tournament. They are currently on a 17-match unbeaten streak in the Africa Cup of Nations. This is the second-longest streak in the tournament’s history, after Egypt’s 24-match streak from 2004 to 2017.

Sadio Mane has been involved in 11 goals and 9 assists in the Africa Cup of Nations, setting a record for the tournament in the 21st century. Senegal has qualified for the final in 3 of the last 4 editions of the tournament.

In their last 28 matches in the Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal has kept a clean sheet 19 times. The Senegalese team has never lost a game in which Sadio Mane scored, with a record of 38 wins and 6 draws.

Sadio Mané iwas name the TotalEnergies Man of the Match
Sadio Mané iwas name the TotalEnergies Man of the Match
Côte d’Ivoire coach Émerse Faé is disappointed after the defeat to Egypt
by Football Sierra Leone

Côte d’Ivoire coach Émerse Faé is disappointed after the defeat to Egypt

Émerse Fae, the coach of Côte d’Ivoire, expressed his frustration after their 3-2 loss to Egypt in the 2025 Cup of Nations quarter-finals. He lamented the mistakes made at crucial moments and the early goals conceded, which put them at a disadvantage.

Mohamed Salah was pivotal for Egypt, scoring and assisting in their dramatic victory. Omar Marmoush opened the scoring early, and Ramy Rabia doubled the lead with a header from a Salah corner. Côte d’Ivoire managed to pull one back just before halftime with an own goal by Fatouh.

After the break, Salah scored again, extending Egypt’s lead to 3-1. Guéla Doué pulled one back for Côte d’Ivoire, but despite their attacking efforts, they couldn’t find an equaliser.

“We are frustrated by tonight’s result. We prepared well to face the Egyptian team, but we made too many mistakes at crucial moments. Those mistakes hurt us the most.

We took time to get into the match. I regret conceding the first goal so early, and the second one too. We reacted well and got back to 2-1 before halftime, but the third goal put us in trouble. It’s tough to explain these lapses in concentration. We will keep working to prepare for the World Cup.”

Salah, named Man of the Match, praised his teammates and highlighted their determination. Egypt’s coach, Hossam Hassan, emphasised their strategy and preparation against the defending champions, expressing pride in their performance despite some mistakes.

Blockbuster AFCON 2025 quarter-finals line up confirmed
by Football Sierra Leone

High-profile Cup of Nations quarter-finals line-up confirmed

The quarterfinal lineup for the Africa Cup of Nations was finalized on Tuesday. Algeria and the defending champion, Ivory Coast, secured the last spots.

Algeria won 1-0 against Congo thanks to a great goal from Adil Boulbina in extra time. Ivory Coast advanced with a 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso, with both Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande scoring and assisting each other. Bazoumana Touré completed the Elephants’ win.

Next, the Ivory Coast will play Egypt in Agadir on Saturday, while Algeria faces Nigeria in Marrakech.

On Friday, Mali will take on Senegal, the 2021 winner, in the first quarterfinal in Tangier. Meanwhile, host nation Morocco will play five-time winner Cameroon at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which holds nearly 70,000 fans.

The winner here will also compete in the semifinal and final on January 18 if they advance.

The winner of Morocco’s match against Cameroon will meet the winner of Algeria vs. Nigeria on January 14. The other semifinal will feature the winners of Mali vs. Senegal and Egypt vs. Ivory Coast, and it will take place in Tangier earlier that same day.

Cameroon saw off South Africa to set date with Morocco in quarter-finals
by Football Sierra Leone

Cameroon saw off South Africa to set date with Morocco in quarter-finals

Cameroon faced South Africa in a tense match but managed to secure a 2–1 victory in Rabat. This win means Cameroon moves on to the quarter-finals of the tournament to face host Morocco on Friday.

For the first 30 minutes, South Africa was the stronger team. They pressed hard, created chances, and forced Cameroon’s goalkeeper, Epassy, to make important saves. However, Cameroon stayed composed. In the 33rd minute, Tchamadeu scored the first goal, changing the game.

Feeling energised, Cameroon took charge of the match. Just after halftime, Kofane scored again in the 47th minute with a diving header. This put Cameroon up 2–0, a tough blow for South Africa.

Despite the score, South Africa kept pushing. Makgopa scored in the 87th minute, bringing hope to his team. The crowd in Rabat held their breath as Epassy faced more shots, but he held firm, and Cameroon clung to their lead until the final whistle.

With this win, Cameroon goes on to play Morocco in the quarter-finals on Friday at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

Carlos Baleba – Man of the Match, “We are set to face Morocco, a strong team. We’ve been performing well, and we need to stay calm and keep this up. Our positive mindset is key to our strength.”

Hugo Broos – South Africa Head Coach, “Our team didn’t deserve to lose. This isn’t the result we wanted, but we have to accept it and focus on our future goals, especially the World Cup.”

David Pagou – Cameroon Coach, “We are excited about the win. We’ve faced a tough schedule, but we’ve succeeded. We’re committed to improving and working together, which is essential for our team’s progress.”

Sullay Kaikai shortlisted for Cambridge Player of the Month
by Football Sierra Leone

Sullay Kaikai shortlisted for Cambridge Player of the Month

Sierra Leone's Sullay Kaikai is in the running for the latest December 2025 Player of the Month award for Cambridge United.

Kaikai has been a crucial player for the League Two club, contributing vital goals and assists in recent matches. As a result, he has been shortlisted for this prestigious honour.

Supporters can now cast their votes for the Girton Golf Club Player of the Month for December 2025. United had another impressive month, remaining unbeaten in the league and advancing in the FA Cup with a solid win over Stockport.

This month’s nominees include Sullay Kaikai, Mamadou Jobe, James Gibbons, and George Hoddle.

Player of the Month sponsors, Girton Golf Club, are offering 10% off membership to Season Ticket Holders and Abbey Access members.

Girton Golf Club is within easy reach of Huntingdon Road as well as the A14 and M11. Founded in 1936, they have a beautiful and challenging 18-hole parkland course, a modern clubhouse and extensive practice and coaching facilities. 

Girton Golf Club is a Community Amateur Sports Club, owned by the members, and visitors are welcome. Whether you’re a beginner just picking up the sport or a seasoned player looking to hone your skills, Girton Golf Club caters to all.

South Africa book last 16 spot with a win over Zimbabwe as Egypt and Angola draw
by Football Sierra Leone

South Africa book last-16 spot with a win over Zimbabwe as Egypt and Angola draw

South Africa advanced to the knockout stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, securing a narrow 3–2 victory against a determined Zimbabwe team in a closely contested Group B match on Monday.

The match displayed significant tension, remaining uncertain until the final whistle. Yet, South Africa demonstrated commendable composure under pressure to achieve a result that could be pivotal for their qualification efforts.

Bafana Bafana commenced the match strongly, taking an early lead within the first seven minutes. Tshepang Moremi seized on a deflected effort, skillfully lifting the ball over goalkeeper Arubi to establish an advantage for South Africa.

Buoyed by this initial success, South Africa maintained an aggressive offensive presence, with Thapelo Mbule and Oswin Appollis significantly contributing to the team’s attacking drive.

Zimbabwe displayed resilience as Tawanda Maswanhise equalised in the 19th minute with a powerful strike. However, South Africa regained the lead shortly after the break when Lyle Foster scored with a skilful lob in the 50th minute.

Zimbabwe remained a threat, with Maswanhise hitting the post midway through the second half. The match was ultimately decided in the last fifteen minutes when a VAR review awarded South Africa a penalty for a handball by Marvellous Nakamba. Oswin Appollis converted it in the 82nd minute, extending South Africa’s lead as they held on to win. 

Meanwhile, Angola and already qualified Egypt fought to a tense 0–0 draw in their group stage match at the Stade d’Agadir, with Angola dominating possession but Egypt’s defence securing a hard-earned point.

Zambia must win against Morocco to secure AFCON round of 16 qualification
by Football Sierra Leone

Zambia must-win against Morocco to secure AFCON round of 16 qualification

Zambia must go all out to secure a victory against Morocco in their final group match of the Africa Cup of Nations, taking place at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium this coming Monday.

A win is essential for Zambia to enhance their chances of qualifying for the knockout stage. Zambia drew in their last match against Comoros and accumulated only two points from their initial two games.

Morocco was held to a 1-1 draw by Mali, resulting in their failure to secure qualification for the round of 16 ahead of this crucial fixture.

Currently, Morocco leads Group A with four points, placing them two points ahead of second-placed Mali. A draw in this upcoming match would suffice for Morocco to advance to the knockout stage.

In their opening match, the Atlas Lions showcased a strong performance, defeating Comoros 2-0. Despite the draw with Mali impacting their path to the next round, Morocco will be keen to perform well and avoid any further setbacks against Zambia.

While Zambia has struggled offensively, its defensive capabilities remain a notable strength. The Chipolopolo have not secured a victory in the competition since their triumph in 2012 and will be eager to break this streak.

In terms of head-to-head encounters, Morocco has faced Zambia three times in AFCON history, achieving two victories and one draw.

From a team news perspective, Morocco’s manager, Walid Regragui, has confirmed that Achraf Hakimi will be available for selection in this match, although it is uncertain whether he will start.

Unfortunately, the squad may be without Romain Saiss and Hamza Igamane. Conversely, Zambia reports no injury concerns ahead of the match.

Mali's Tom Saintfiet expresses satisfaction after drawing with Morocco
by Football Sierra Leone

Mali’s Tom Saintfiet expresses satisfaction after drawing with Morocco

Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet has expressed his satisfaction following the 1-1 draw between his team, Mali, and the AFCON host nation, Morocco, in their Group A match on Saturday.

The match, which took place in Rabat, was keenly contested and ended in a draw, leaving the qualification for the Round of 16 to be determined on the final matchday.

Coach Tom Saintfiet commented, “We dedicated two to three hours to analysing the Moroccan team. In the beginning, they performed well; however, after some substitutions, we were able to address their transition effectively.

The first 10 minutes of the second half presented us with good opportunities. While Morocco launched strong attacks, we were fortunate to have experienced players who managed those challenges well. I am pleased with my team’s performance, and we will work on building their confidence as we prepare for the next match, where a victory is essential.”

Morocco’s coach Walid Regragui remarked, “We played an intense match and had the opportunity to secure a win. Congratulations to Mali for obtaining a point.

We need to remain resilient; conceding a penalty is a part of the game, and we must not lose hope. Winning the Africa Cup of Nations is a long journey, and while we did not achieve the desired outcome today, we remain confident as we head into the final group match.”

Morocco will face Zambia, and Mali takes on Comoros in the Group A final round of matches, with qualification for the knockout phase still firmly within reach for both teams.

Riyad Mahrez scores twice as Algeria thrash Sudan
by Football Sierra Leone

Riyad Mahrez scores twice as Algeria thrash Sudan

Algeria kicked off their TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 campaign with a confident 3–0 win over 10-man Sudan on Wednesday evening at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat, marking an impressive start to their Group E fixtures.

The Fennecs, who were champions in 2019, celebrated their first AFCON finals victory since then, thanks to a brace from captain Riyad Mahrez and a late goal from Ibrahim Maza.

They dominated Sudan, taking the lead just two minutes in with Mahrez’s goal from a Hicham Boudaoui assist. Sudan’s Salah El-Din Adel was sent off in the 39th minute, allowing Algeria to maintain control.

In the second half, Mahrez scored again in the 61st minute, assisted by Mohamed Amine Amoura, followed by Maza’s goal in the 85th minute from Baghdad Bounedjah’s setup, securing a 3–0 win for Algeria. Algeria sits atop Group E with three points.

In another match, Burkina Faso staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Equatorial Guinea 2–1, scoring twice in stoppage time. After a balanced first half, Equatorial Guinea went down to ten men with a red card to Basilo Ndung.

Despite conceding in the 85th minute to Marvin Aniebo, Burkina Faso equalised in the fifth minute of added time through György Menongo and won it with Edmond Tapsoba’s goal shortly after, also finishing with three points atop the group.

Last-gasp delight for Burkina Faso skipper Edmond Tapsoba
by Football Sierra Leone

Last-gasp delight for Burkina Faso defender Edmond Tapsoba

Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba, scored a late header to help Burkina Faso defeat 10-man Equatorial Guinea 2–1 in their opening match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca on Wednesday.

Burkina Faso made an incredible comeback by scoring two goals deep into stoppage time after Equatorial Guinea scored against the run of play in the 85th minute through Marvin Anieboh, but G. Minoungou (90’+5)Goal 90 minute plus 5, and E. Tapsoba (90’+8) responded to win it in added time.

The match changed in the second half when Equatorial Guinea’s Basilo Ndung received a straight red card in the 50th minute due to a dangerous challenge, leading coach Juan Micha to reorganise his team and adjust their strategy.

Man of the Match – Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso defender), “I’m thrilled with our victory. We came back from behind to win, scoring two goals. This award reflects our team’s effort, and I dedicate it to everyone in the Burkina Faso national team.”

Juan Micha – Head Coach of Equatorial Guinea, “Congrats to Burkina Faso; they were tough opponents. We lost focus, and the match quickly slipped away. Our mental game struggled, especially after the red card, but we aim to improve in future matches.”

Brama Traoré – Head Coach of Burkina Faso, “Starting the tournament with a win was crucial. Facing a strong Equatorial Guinea team was challenging, but we worked hard to equalise and ultimately secure the victory, which we are very pleased with.”