Category: African News

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Ethiopia in training ahead of opening World Cup qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ethiopia to play Al-Hilal ahead of Sierra Leone World Cup qualifier 

Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has announced that newly appointed head coach Gebremedhin Haile will test his side against Sudanese club side Al-Hilal before heading to Morocco for their World Cup qualifiers.

The Walias were drawn in Group A in the new African zone qualifying format, along with Egypt, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, and Djibouti.

Ethiopia host Sierra Leone on Wednesday November 15, at the El Abdi Stadium in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier before taking on Burkina Faso six days later at the same venue.

“The Ethiopian national team has been practising for the World Cup qualifier match for Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso. 

Our team will have a practice match with Sudanese Al-Hilal at Bank field on Thursday afternoon and will be preparing in Addis Ababa until Friday and then will be heading to Morocco for our World Cup qualifying matches,” EFF announced on Wednesday. 

Gebremedhin Haile 30-man squad

Goalkeepers: Seid Habtamu, Abubeker Nura, and Biniam Genetu

Defenders: Amlemhiran Yigezu, Henok Adugna, Ramedan Yesuf, Yared Kasaye, Mengistu, Milion Solomon, Mignot Debebe, Birhanu Bekele, Yared Baye, Fetudin Jemal, and Woldeamanuel Getu.

Midfielders: Gatoch Panom, Natnael Zeleke, Shimelis Bekele, Surafel Dagnachew, Kenean Markneh, Wegene Gezahegn, Yabsira Tesfaye, and Alelegn Azene

Forwards: Getaneh Kebede, Abubeker Nasir, Amanuel G/Michael, Bereket Desta, Tegenu Teshome, Fitsum Tilahun, Chernet Gugsa, Habtamu Tadesse, and Abel Yalew.

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Burkina Faso confirm 25-man squad for World Cup double header
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Burkina Faso confirm 25-man squad for doubleheader

The Stallions of Burkina Faso have confirmed a 25-man list for their 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Morocco next week.

Hubert Velud’s side will kick off their campaign against Guinea-Bissau and Ethiopia on November 17 in Marrakech and November 21, 2023, in El Jadida, Morocco, respectively.

Having qualified for the 34th edition of the biennial African Association football in Ivory Coast next year, coach Velud will have another eye to progress from Group A to the next World Cup.

Group A consists of Egypt, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Djibouti in the race to the next World Cup.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played across three North American nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Full drafted 25-man Squad listed below  

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Burkina Faso named 25-man squad for World Cup qualifying doubleheader
Burkina Faso named 25-man squad for World Cup qualifying doubleheader
Adel Ramzy optimistic ahead of AFL final return fixture in South Africa
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Wydad coach Ramzy is optimistic ahead of Sundowns’ tie

Moroccan club Wydad Casablanca coach Adel Ramzi is optimistic as he recalled his team could easily have scored four goals against Mamelodi Sundowns in the first leg of the African Football League (AFL) at the Mohammed V Stadium in Casablanca.

Casablanca managed a 2-1 win ahead of the return match this Sunday in Pretoria.

Ramzi said the match was tactical and difficult for both sides as he pointed out that the two teams were unable to control the tie.

“It was a difficult fixture for both sides and the level was top notch. Sometimes Wydad Casablanca controlled the game, other times it was the opposition who was in control,” Adel Ramzi told the AFL website. 

“The result of the match was positive for us, although we conceded a goal, as we scored two goals against a team that had never conceded before we had the chance to score three or four goals – this is football, and for me, I am satisfied with the results.

“We are capable of scoring more goals in the return match away from home,” he added.

He predicted another difficult fixture in the return match, but he has great faith in the ability of his players to get the job done.

The coach also confirmed that team captain Yahya Jubran will not be available for the return match in Pretoria and admitted that they will miss his services.

“He is a leader on the pitch and we will miss him greatly. He has a strong personality which gives the team something extra. We trust in the rest of the squad. We will have him with us in South Africa to motivate the others.”

AFL WYDAD CASABLANCA  Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone & African News.

Casablanca managed a 2-1 win ahead of the return match this Sunday in Pretoria.
Casablanca managed a 2-1 win ahead of the return match this Sunday in Pretoria.
Salah, Elneny among foreign-based named in Egypt's squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Salah, Elneny among foreign-based named in Egypt’s squad

The Pharaohs of Egypt head coach Rui Vitoria listed nine foreign-based players in his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying camp in November.

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah and Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny are among key notable players. 

Eintracht Frankfurt winger Omar Marmoush, Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed, and Pendikspor forward Ahmed ‘Kouka’ Hassan were all named for their opening two World Cup qualifiers.

Al-Wakrah SC midfielder Hamdi Fathi, Ittihad Jeddah midfielder Tarek Hamed, and Khaleej FC striker Mohamed Sherif were all included by the Portuguese coach.

Also leading the list of foreign-based players is Trabzonspor winger Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan.

Coach Vitoria will start his Pharaohs 2026 World Cup campaign against Djibouti on 16 November in Cairo before taking on Sierra Leone on 19 November in Liberia.

Egypt to travel with an 82-man delegation to Liberia on a private jet for the World Cup qualifier against Sierra Leone on 19 November at the SKD.

The delegation includes at least 18 members of the technical staff and 43 players.

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Baciro Candé names Djurtus 23-man sqaud for World Cup 2026 qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Baciro Candé names Djurtus squad for World Cup qualifiers

Guinea Bissau head coach Baciro Candé has named a 23-man Djurtus squad for this month’s World 2026 opening two qualifiers.

Coach Baciro Candé announced his sqaud on Friday, 3rd November, as he set sights on preparation for Burkina Faso at the Grand Stadium of Marrakech before taking on Djibouti in Cairo (Egypt) on the 17th and 20th November, respectively.

England’s Bolton midfielder Carlos Mendes Gomes and Spanish forward Marciano Tchami are the latest in the draft, with Moreto Cassama and Mama Balde returning.

Group A consists of Egypt, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Djibouti in the race to the next World Cup.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be played across three North American nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Here is the roster of the drafted players:

Keepers – Jonas Mendes, Ouparine Djoco and Celton Biai 

Defenders – Opa Sangante, Nanu, Marcelo Djalo, Soriano Mané, Mendes Onion, Fali Cande, Jefferson Encada

Midfielders – Alfa Semedo, Moreto Cassama, Carlos Mané, January afternoon, Fernando de Lacerda Gomes and Quiz time

Strikers – Mama Baldé, Mauro Teixeira, Euciodalcio Gomes, Carlos Mendes Gomes, Franculin Dju, John Pedro Silva and Marciano Sanca Tchami

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Gebremedhin Haile names 30-man squad for Sierra Leone & Burkina Faso
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Gebremedhin Haile names 30-man squad for Sierra Leone & Burkina Faso

Newly appointed Ethiopia head coach Gebremedhin Haile has named a 30-man squad as he starts his preparation for their Opening World Cup Qualifiers this month.

The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) announced the appointment of Gebremedhin on a 250,000 birr a month (net) contract during a joint press briefing on Friday.

Gebremedhin’s first task is against Sierra Leone before taking on Burkina Faso on the 15 and 21st at the Al Abdi stadium, respectively.

The new boss has previously spent a year as the Walias coach in 2016. He is also the head coach for the Ethiopian Premier League side Medhin FC.

Media reports in Ethiopia have confirmed that he will perform his Club duties alongside his new role until the end of the current Premier League season.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.net, African News. 

Newly appointed Ethiopia head coach Gebremedhin Haile has named a 30-man squad to start the 2026 World Cup qualifying preparations.
Newly appointed Ethiopia head coach Gebremedhin Haile has named a 30-man squad to start the 2026 World Cup qualifying preparations.
Amara Nallo features for Liverpool U21 in a draw with Benfica in the International Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Amara Nallo features in Liverpool’s International Cup draw with Benfica

Liverpool U21s played to a 1-1 with Benfica in the Premier League International Cup group stage. 

A dazzling 30-yarder from Filipe Cruz as the visitors opened the scoring to cap a period of Benfica dominance during the first half, but the Reds swiftly levelled through a clinical James McConnell header.

A Liverpool clearance came out to Cruz, and from fully 30 yards, he lashed an outstanding strike that dipped into the right corner for 1-0.

Amara Nallo, 16, has been a pivotal central defender for Barry Lewtas’s Liverpool U21 young team since he joined from West Ham. 

The young Reds return to Premier League 2 action against Nallo’s former team, West Ham, on Saturday.

Amara Nallo Liverpool U21 – Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, U21 News and Players Abroad. 

Sundowns and Wydad register slender wins in AFL semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sundowns & Wydad register slender wins in AFL semis

Mamelodi Sundowns and Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca managed a vital 1-0 home win over Egyptian giant Al Ahly and Tunisian side Esperance in the first leg of their African Football League semi-finals.

Thapelo Maseko sealed victory with his second-half goal for the South Africans at Loftus Versfeld Stadium as Hicham Bousfiane gave Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca a goal advantage over their North African counterparts on Sunday.

On Wednesday, four-time African champions Esperance will still fancy their chances of overcoming their visitors on home soil as African giant Al Ahly plans a pathway to the next stage against Sundowns at their Cairo fortress.

Both return leg matches are expected to be fireworks in Cairo and Tunisia, respectively. 

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Sierra Leone line-up friendlies for World Cup qualifiers
by David Lebbie

Sierra Leone up two places in latest Fifa ranking

The Sierra Leone national team have moved up two places from 124 in September to 122 in October’s Fifa ranking announced on Thursday.

The Leone Stars had a successful trip in Morocco during the Fifa window, having played to a 1-1 draw against Benin on October 14th before defeating Somalia 2-0 in a recent training camp in Morocco three days later.

Coach Amidu Karim’s side will start their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign against Ethiopia at the Mohamed V Sports Complex in Casablanca on 15th November before hosting the Pharoah of Egypt in the Liberian Capital on 19 November 2023.

In Africa, Sierra Leone ranked 32nd best side as Morocco remains Africa’s number one nation, as well as maintaining 13th in the world ranking.

Senegal is second in Africa and occupies the 20th place in the world. Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Ivory Coast and Burkina-Faso are the top ten teams.

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Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 up two places from 124 in September to 122 in October’s Fifa ranking
Sierra Leone 🇸🇱 up two places from 124 in September to 122 in October’s Fifa ranking
Global top 10 - Argentina (1st) maintain a healthy lead (8.18 points) over their closest challengers, France
Global top 10 - Argentina (1st) maintain a healthy lead (8.18 points) over their closest challengers, France
Al Ahly beat Simba to set Sundowns African Football League date
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly eliminate Simba to set Sundowns African Football League date

On Tuesday, Al Ahly eliminated Tanzania Simba to set a date with South African Mamelodi Sundowns in the semifinals of the African Champions League.

After a 2-2 draw in Tanzania, the Egyptian giants emerged victorious on an away goal rule as they booked their place in the inaugural African Football League (AFL) semifinals. The first leg match had ended 1-1 at Cairo International.

Sundowns of South Africa, on the other hand, confirmed their semifinal spot with a goalless draw after they played most of the tie with a man down against th Petro Atletico on Tuesday.

They won the first leg 2-0 away and will play Egyptian side Al-Ahly in Sunday’s first-leg semis match. 

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