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Debutants Nairobi United fell to a second defeat in CAF Confederation Cup

Debutants Nairobi United fell to a second defeat in the CAF Confederation Cup

Nairobi United suffered their second consecutive defeat in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, losing 1–0 to DR Congo’s AS Maniema at Kasarani, who remain at the top of Group B.

The only goal of the match was scored in the 67th minute by Jaency Mboma Kinda, who converted a low cross from Chadoma Ozome at the near post. This rare moment of clarity in a cautious game ensured Maniema’s strong defensive record in the group remained intact.

Before the goal, scoring chances were limited, but Maniema gained momentum after halftime with a double substitution that energised their midfield and right flank.

Nairobi responded with three substitutions in the 69th minute, but the Congolese side managed the game’s final moments well. Nairobi’s frustration showed when Kevin Otiende received a yellow card in the 71st minute, followed by Mboma Kinda being cautioned in the 80th. Maniema also made a late substitution and held on with disciplined defending.

This victory puts Maniema on six points from two matches, tied with Wydad AC at the top of the standings on goal difference (Wydad 4:0, Maniema 3:0). Nairobi remains at the bottom, without any points or goals, while Azam is in third place.

AL-Hilal slip in CAF Champions League after draw with St Éloi Lupopo

Al-Hilal slip in CAF Champions League after draw with St Éloi Lupopo

Congolese side St Éloi Lupopo came from behind late in the match to draw 1–1 against Al-Hilal Omdurman in Lubumbashi on Sunday, a result that keeps Group C tightly contested after two matchdays of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

The Sudanese champions took the lead early, scoring on 12 minutes when Abdelraziq Omer found the net from close range, capitalising on Al-Hilal’s quick start.

Lupopo struggled to respond, and their mounting frustration was evident when captain Issama Mpeko was shown a yellow card before halftime. Changes made by St Éloi Lupopo at the break brought urgency and better control for the Congolese side.

As Al-Hilal found themselves increasingly pinned back, Petrus Aprocious received a yellow card due to the growing pressure. Lupopo finally equalised in the 79th minute when Ramos Kashala slotted in after the ball deflected nicely in the box.

Although Al-Hilal still posed a threat on counterattacks late in the game, two players from the visiting side received yellow cards as the Sudanese side fought hard to secure a point. Lupopo substitute Mika Miche also saw a booking in stoppage time as tensions rose, yet neither team managed to score again.

This draw came after MC Alger and Mamelodi Sundowns played to a scoreless draw in Algiers on Friday. Sundowns currently top Group C on goal difference with four points, tied with Al-Hilal. MC Alger is in third place with two points, while Lupopo sits in fourth with one point after two matches.

Both teams will return to continental action in January, with Lupopo looking to convert their improved second-half performance into their first group victory, while Al-Hilal aims to maintain their unbeaten record.

Burkina Faso attacker Dango Ouattara nets in Brentford win over Burnley

Burkina Faso attacker Dango Ouattara nets in Brentford win over Burnley

Burkina Faso attacker Dango Ouattara scored as Brentford moved up to eighth place in the Premier League after defeating Burnley 3-1. The game featured three late goals, all scored within 11 minutes.

Igor Thiago scored two late goals as Brentford secured the victory at the Gtech Community Stadium. After missing a crucial penalty against Brighton last week, Thiago was once again in the spotlight during an exciting finish to Saturday’s match.

The first half was uneventful, but five minutes into the second half, Thiago had a goal disallowed for offside. He broke the deadlock in the 81st minute with a penalty after Dango Ouattara was fouled by Axel Tuanzebe.

Burnley equalised just four minutes later with a penalty from Zian Flemming after Jaidon Anthony was fouled. However, Thiago quickly regained the lead for Brentford with another goal after a cross from Jordan Henderson, just 72 seconds later.

In stoppage time, Ouattara secured the win with a goal past Martin Dubravka. Thiago’s performance has been exceptional, reaching 11 goals this season, second only to Erling Haaland, and setting a record for the fewest matches played for a Brentford player to achieve this milestone.

With this victory, Brentford has now won three home games in a row for the first time since December 2024, scoring three goals in each match and temporarily rising to eighth in the league table.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to co-host Africa Nations Championship

CAF named 2025 Cup of Nations Match Officials

The Confédération of African Football (CAF) has revealed the lineup of Match Officials who will oversee the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

This edition of Africa’s premier football tournament features a total of 73 seasoned officials, including 28 referees, 31 assistant referees, and 14 VAR officials.

The chosen officials represent all corners of the continent and include some of the most experienced referees who have officiated in several key CAF competitions in recent years.

All appointed match officials are expected to arrive in Morocco on December 15, 2025, for an intensive preparatory course leading up to the tournament.

This program, organised by CAF’s Referees Department, will encompass physical, technical, and theoretical evaluations aimed at ensuring peak performance throughout the event.

This meticulous selection of highly qualified match officials highlights CAF’s steadfast commitment to excellence in officiating, maintaining the integrity of the competition, and continually raising the technical standards in African football.

The full list of match officials appointed for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 – here!

Wydad record strong start in CAF Confederation Cup

Wydad record strong start in CAF Confederation Cup

Wydad Casablanca, former African champions, started their campaign strongly by beating debutants Nairobi United 3–0 in Casablanca in their Group B CAF Confederation Cup group stage opener.

Ayoub Boucheta, Mohamed Bouchouari, and Mohamed Rayhi scored the goals for Wydad.

AS Maniema Union also earned three points with a 2–0 win over Azam FC in Kinshasa. Christian Panzi scored first, and substitute Chadoma Ozome added a second goal late in the game.

In Group C, CR Belouizdad from Algeria won 2–0 against Singida Black Stars in Algiers. Goals from Belhocini and Benguit put them at the top of Group C on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch needed stoppage time to beat AS Otoho 1–0, with Angelo Cupido scoring in the 90+3 minute for a thrilling home victory.

Matchday 1 Results – Group B
• Wydad 3–0 Nairobi United
• Maniema 2–0 Azam

Matchday 1 Results – Group C
• CR Belouizdad 2–0 Singida Black Stars
• Stellenbosch 1–0 Otoho d’Oyo

Al Masry beat Kaizer Chiefs to signal strong intents

Al Masry beat Kaizer Chiefs to signal strong intents

Al Masry defeated Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in their 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup Group D match at the Suez Stadium on Sunday.

This win marks a strong start for coach Nabil Kouki’s team, who now look forward to facing Zesco United in Zambia on November 30.

Kaizer Chiefs, led by co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, were disappointed after conceding a late goal.

Despite struggling early on, with goalkeeper Brandon Petersen making crucial saves, they improved and equalised in the 66th minute through Dillan Solomons.

However, a failure to clear a corner in the 87th minute allowed Mohamed Hashem to score, securing the victory for Al Masry.

Elsewhere, Olympique de Safi and USM Alger both won their first matches in Group A.

Safi had a strong performance, securing a 1–0 victory away at Djoliba. Salaheddine Errahouli scored the only goal in the 29th minute. The Moroccans defended well under pressure in the second half to secure the win.

In Algiers, USM Alger won a thrilling match against San Pedro, finishing 3–2.

Houssem Ghacha, Adem Alilet, and Saadi Radouani scored for USM Alger. San Pedro responded with goals from Dramane Kamagate and Mouhammadou Karamoko.

Petro Atlético top Group D with a win over Simba  in Tanzania

Petro Atlético top Group D with a win over Simba  in Tanzania

On Sunday, Simba SC from Tanzania lost 1-0 at home to Petro de Luanda from Angola in a Group D match. Bernardo Dias scored the only goal in the 78th minute.

Petro Atlético secured the only away victory on Matchday 1, defeating Simba 1–0 in Dar es Salaam with a late goal from Benny, who finished calmly after a build-up involving Tiago Reis.

In another match, Esperance and Stade Malien played to a 0–0 draw in Tunis, positioning Petro Atlético as the early leaders in Group D.

Matchday 1 Results – Group D

• Simba 0–1 Petro Atlético

• Esperance 0–0 Stade Malien

Standings – Group D

  1. Petro Atlético – 3 pts
  2. Esperance – 1 pt
  3. Stade Malien – 1 pt
  4. Simba – 0 pts

Next Fixtures 

• Petro Atlético vs Esperance

• Power Dynamos vs Pyramids 

Yassine Bounou named Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year

Yassine Bounou named Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year

Morocco's Yassine Bounou has been awarded the title of Goalkeeper of the Year in Africa for 2025, marking the second time in his career he has earned this esteemed recognition.

The award was presented during the CAF Awards ceremony held on Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco. Legendary former Egypt national team goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary had the honour of presenting the award to Bounou on stage.

The Al Hilal keepr outshone two other contenders for the accolade: Munir Mohamedi (RS Berkane – Morocco) and Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns – South Africa).

Previously, secured the Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2023 and successfully reclaimed it this year from Williams, who had taken home the title last year.

This latest achievement solidifies Bounou’s place among the continent’s top goalkeepers over the past decade.

Burkina Faso eliminate Uganda on penalties to reach U17 quarter-finals

Burkina Faso eliminate Uganda on penalties to reach U17 quarter-finals

Uganda's impressive run in the FIFA U-17 World Cup ended sadly on Tuesday with a defeat to Burkina Faso in the Round of 16.

The match, held at the Aspire Zone on Pitch 5, ended in a 1-1 draw, but the Young Stallions advanced after winning 5-3 in the penalty shootout.

Entering this match with confidence high, Uganda had previously knocked out Senegal in the Round of 32.

Burkina Faso showed optimism after eliminating defending champions Germany, but faced challenges with injuries to key players Ashiraf Loukman Tapsoba and Isma Azelle.

Coach Brian Ssenyondo made one change to the lineup, bringing in Enock Bagenda to replace the suspended star forward, James Bogere.

The match was closely contested, with Burkina Faso having the edge in possession. Uganda had several chances, including a header from Isima Magala that hit the post.

In the 56th minute, Arafat Nkoola scored for Uganda, but Burkina Faso equalised through substitute Alassana Bagayogo. The match ended in a tie, prompting Coach Ssenyondo to substitute goalkeeper Adrian Mukwanga.

In the penalty shootout, Burkina Faso converted all their penalties, while only Derrick Ssozi missed for Uganda. Burkina Faso will face Italy in the quarterfinals after Italy’s 3-2 victory over Uzbekistan.

CAF Interclub group stage draw the date and venue confirmed

CAF Interclub group stage matches gets underway this weekend

Africa's largest club competitions are set to kick off this weekend, with the Group Stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup taking center stage across the continent.

This year features an impressive lineup in the CAF competitions, including reigning champions Pyramids FC, record-holders Al Ahly with 12 titles, four-time champions Espérance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, RS Berkane, and AS FAR. Notable contenders from across Africa will also compete.

In the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, former champions Zamalek and USM Alger lead a strong group with Wydad, CR Belouizdad, Kaizer Chiefs, and newcomers Nairobi United.

Exciting matchups kick off with Pyramids FC hosting Rivers United and RS Berkane facing Power Dynamos. Al Ahly aims for a 13th title against JS Kabylie, while Zamalek takes on ZESCO United in an Egyptian derby.

New narratives emerge as debutants Nairobi United, OC Safi, and Maniema Union make their mark. Two matchdays are before the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2025, with the group phase resuming in January 2026.

MATCHDAY 1 FIXTURES (All times GMT) –TotalEnergies CAF Champions League

Friday, 21 November
13:00 — Al-Hilal Omdurman (SUD) vs MC Alger (ALG)

Saturday, 22 November
13:00 — Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) vs St Éloi Lupopo (DRC)
13:00 — Young Africans (TAN) vs AS FAR Rabat (MAR)
16:00 — Al Ahly (EGY) vs JS Kabylie (ALG)
16:00 — Espérance Tunis (TUN) vs Stade Malien (MLI)
19:00 — RS Berkane (MAR) vs Power Dynamos (ZAM)
19:00 — Pyramids (EGY) vs Rivers United (NGA)

Sunday, 23 November
13:00 — Simba (TAN) vs Petro Atlético (ANG)

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TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup

Saturday, 22 November
19:00 — CR Belouizdad (ALG) vs Singida Black Stars (TAN)

Sunday, 23 November
13:00 — Maniema (DRC) vs Azam (TAN)
13:00 — Stellenbosch (RSA) vs AS Otoho (CON)
16:00 — Al Masry (EGY) vs Kaizer Chiefs (RSA)
16:00 — Djoliba (MLI) vs OC Safi (MAR)
19:00 — USM Alger (ALG) vs San Pedro (CIV)
19:00 — Wydad (MAR) vs Nairobi United (KEN)
19:00 — Zamalek (EGY) vs ZESCO United (ZAM)