Category: African News

Our African football page passionately on all continental topics of all National and International football news, Identifying football heroes on our continent.

Big AFCON 2025 blow for Nigeria's Super Eagles as skipper retires
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Big AFCON 2025 blow for Nigeria’s Super Eagles as skipper retires

William Troost-Ekong has decided to retire from international football. This means he will not play for Nigeria in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The decision comes just days before the Africa Cup of Nations begins in Morocco on December 21, where Nigeria will compete in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The 31-year-old centre-back Troost-Ekong was recently part of Eric Chelle’s preliminary squad for the tournament in Morocco, but has chosen to step aside to allow younger players to take the stage.

He earned 83 caps for the Super Eagles, making his debut under Stephen Keshi in 2015. His last match was a 4-1 win over Gabon before Nigeria’s elimination from World Cup qualifying.

Troost-Ekong participated in the 2018 World Cup and three AFCON tournaments, winning bronze in 2019 and silver in 2023, where he was named Player of the Tournament.

He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to represent Nigeria, highlighting his growth from a boy in the Netherlands to captain of the Super Eagles.

With accomplishments including 83 caps, participation in five major tournaments, and three medals, he felt fulfilled in his journey. He emphasised the importance of passing the captaincy to the next generation to continue their legacy.

Samuel Chukwueze nets brace in Fulham's defeat to Manchester City
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Samuel Chukwueze nets brace in Fulham’s defeat to Manchester City

Fulham's thrilling comeback ended in heartbreak with a 4-5 defeat to Manchester City at Craven Cottage in Tuesday's Premier League action

City took an early lead with goals from Erling Haaland, Tijjani Reijnders, and Phil Foden. Emile Smith Rowe pulled one back with a header just before halftime.

Despite another goal from Foden and an own goal by Sander Berge putting City ahead, Fulham fought back. Alex Iwobi scored, followed by Samuel Chukwueze’s brace, marking his first goals for the club. A late chance for Josh King to equalise was cleared off the line.

Manager Marco Silva made key adjustments, reinstating Saša Lukić and Smith Rowe after the win against Tottenham. Fulham had opportunities early on but fell behind after two quick City goals. Yet, Smith Rowe’s stoppage-time header brought renewed hope.

In the second half, City’s lead was restored with another goal from Foden, but Fulham persisted. Iwobi’s stunning goal and Chukwueze’s swift volley brought the score to 4-5.

With eight minutes of added time, a dramatic equalizer was tantalizingly close, but King’s effort was heartbreakingly cleared, denying Fulham a remarkable comeback.

Ghanaian defender Maxwell Woledzi MLS side Nashville
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghanaian defender Maxwell Woledzi joins MLS side Nashville

Maxwell Woledzi, 24, the defedner, who was instrumental in Fredrikstad FK's 2024 Norwegian Cup win, helping the team secure a spot in the Eliteserien. He was named to the league's Team of the Year and Fredrikstad FK’s Player of the Year in 2025.

In 2018, Woledzi founded the Maxwell Woledzi Foundation and launched The Hijab Project in his hometown of Nima, Ghana, to empower young people, especially girls, in soccer.

On December 2, 2025, Nashville SC announced Woledzi’s signing from Fredrikstad FK for the 2026 season, with an option to extend through 2029. “Maxwell is a fantastic player and a great leader,” said Nashville SC President Mike Jacobs.

Since joining Fredrikstad FK in 2023, Woledzi has made 88 appearances, including 29 league matches in the 2024 season. Before Fredrikstad, he developed at FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark from 2019 to 2022, playing 33 First Team matches, and later played for Vitória Guimarães SC B in Portugal.

Woledzi began his journey at the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana at age 14, which has helped young talent grow both on and off the pitch.

Shocking Cameroon AFCON squad news, no keeper Andre Onana
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Shocking Cameroon AFCON squad news, no keeper Andre Onana

Andre Onana has been excluded from Cameroon's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco, following the dismissal of head coach Marc Brys amidst claims of "subterfuge."

Just days after being re-elected as president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), Samuel Eto’o and his executive team announced Brys’s exit in a dramatic statement.

The statement details a long list of accusations against Brys, including allegations of “professional failure” and claims that he incited players to oppose Fecafoot’s authority.

The Belgian coach, who was appointed by Cameroon’s sports ministry in April 2024—a decision Eto’o aimed to overturn—also faces accusations of “collaborating with unknown individuals” within Fecafoot.

Furthermore, he is criticised for missing important meetings, withholding training schedules, damaging relationships with sponsors, delaying his squad announcements, and avoiding his responsibility to hold press conferences.

Stepping in for Brys is one of his assistants, David Pagou, a seasoned Cameroonian coach with experience managing several teams in the country’s top league.

However, Pagou’s 28-man squad for the upcoming Afcon in Morocco, set to kick off on December 21, notably lacks several key players. Among those missing are goalkeeper Onana, team captain Vincent Aboubakar, Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who is sidelined due to injury and defender Michael Ngadeu.

While Anguissa’s absence is understood, no explanations have been provided for the exclusion of the other players.

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

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
by Football Sierra Leone

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
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

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
by Football Sierra Leone

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
by FSL News

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
by Football Sierra Leone

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.