Category: African News

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Morocco edge Senegal to set CHAN final date with Madagascar
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco edge Senegal to set CHAN final date with Madagascar

Morocco has reached the final of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a thrilling penalty shootout against Senegal at Mandela National Stadium on Tuesday. The semifinal ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, and Morocco won the shootout 5-3.

As a result, they’ll face Madagascar, who reached this stage of the competition for the first time in their history after thumping Sudan 1-0 on Tuesday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Senegal scored first in the 16th minute with a goal from Joseph Layousse after a corner kick from Libasse Gueye. Morocco quickly equalised in the 22nd minute with a right-footed shot by Sabir Bougrine that went past Senegal’s goalkeeper, Marc Diouf.

The first half had some drama, including a yellow card for Senegal’s Moussa Cisse in the 7th minute for a rough tackle on Youssef Mehri.

Both teams created chances, with Morocco’s Annas Bach forcing a good save from Diouf just before halftime.

In the second half, Senegal substituted Christian Gomis for Velho Cisse. Tension rose when Morocco’s Marouane Louadni initially received a red card in the 53rd minute, but it was later changed to a yellow after a VAR review.

Senegal almost scored again in the 59th minute with Layousse’s long-range shot, but it was saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Al Harrar. Morocco responded, with Youssef Mehri’s header saved by Diouf in the 66th minute.

The match ended 1-1 after regular time, leading to extra time where both teams made substitutions but failed to score. The game went to penalties, and Morocco triumphed 5-3.

They will face Madagascar in the final next Saturday. This victory highlights Morocco’s strong tournament performance under coach Tarik Sektioui, who previously led the team to wins against Tanzania (1-0), the Democratic Republic of Congo (3-1), and Zambia (3-1). The upcoming final presents Morocco with an opportunity to secure the CHAN title.

Senegal ready for heavyweight battle against Morocco in the CHAN semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal ready for heavyweight battle against Morocco in CHAN semis

Coach Souleymane Diallo of Senegal has supported his youthful team to create their own legacy when they battle Morocco in the African Nations Championship semifinals at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.

The fixture pits reigning champions Senegal against the winners of the previous three years: Morocco, 2018 and 2020 champions.

“This is a young generation prepared to compose their own history. Though we cannot discount the work being done in Senegal, we will confront a Moroccan team with really strong performance statistics.

Today, we present the youngest team in this competition,” Diallo said as quoted by CAFOnline.com.  “I would like to send all Senegalese people a message: follow us, back our team, and inspire us to succeed. The greatest outcome in this event is possible.

Oumar Ba, the Lions of Teranga striker, who scored the decisive winner against Uganda, promised fight as well as unity.

“We know it won’t be Easy, but we will try our best out there. We are joined, and that is rather crucial. I guarantee we will battle to make it to the finish.

Morocco coach Tarik Sektioui summarised the feeling: Against Senegal, we playing a really crucial match against a team that qualified honourably. It will be simple; it will be a very, very difficult game. Even with Senegal in the semifinals, our objective is always to win this trophy in 2024.

For only the third time in CHAN history, Senegal will confront North African opposition.

Before winning Algeria on penalties in the 2022 final after a 0-0 tie, they lost 20 to Tunisia in 2011. In open play, they still have yet to score against a North African opponent.

Sudan coach Appiah calls for fighting spirit against Madagascar
by Football Sierra Leone

Sudan coach Appiah calls for fighting spirit against Madagascar

Kwesi Appiah, the head coach of the Sudan national team, has promised his team will fight for every ball when they take on Madagascar in the semifinal of CHAN (African Nations Championship) on Tuesday at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

With their first encounter happening in the group stage, this will mark Madagascar’s second meeting with the Falcons of Jediane at the CHAN. Of the 2022 edition, in a three-team group that also included Ghana. With Ghana, Madagascar emerged as the group winners, winning that crucial match 3-0 to advance.

“Our travel was challenging. Every one of our matches so far has been difficult. This is a semifinal match, and it won’t be simple. Appiah stated, as cited by CAFOnline.com, “We will battle throughout the match until the end.”

“We are concerned about making the Sudanese people happy. They don’t need anything from us. All they want is to see the fighting spirit and for us to keep their happiness during the game.”

The Ghanaian coach commented on changing their base from Zanzibar to Tanzania: “I don’t believe it will help to change the weather and climate. The most crucial thing is the conditioning of our players.

“Our trip has not been simple; all of our games have been difficult; this is a semifinal match and it won’t be easy; we will fight.” All game until the finish.

Although they have never advanced further, Sudan is in their third semifinal, having been defeated by Angola in 2011 and Nigeria in 2018. Simultaneously, Madagascar aims to be the first island country to reach the final of a CAF senior competition.

Madagascar Coach Romuald Rakotondrabe believes that victory has transformed his squad’s mindset.

“The victory over Kenya in front of their fans and at home was good psychologically for our team, and we will take advantage of it,” he explained. 

“Our strength lies in our unity. It’s our spirit of teamwork that has propelled us forward. We have players who can make a difference, and we now have faith in the power of teamwork.”

Cameroon international Jackson Tchatchoua speaks after Wolves debut
by Football Sierra Leone

Cameroon international Jackson Tchatchoua speaks after Wolves debut

Cameroon international Jackson Tchatchoua was placed after making his Wolves Premier League debut in their 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Wolves played with 10 men for almost 50 minutes of the contest after Toti Gomes was sent off. “I’m very happy for my debut game, but the result is not good because we lost, but I think the team showed good spirit in this match,” Jackson Tchatchoua told the club’s website.

“The team put a very good mentality on the pitch. We wanted to take some points from this match, but sometimes it’s like this. But the most important thing is the team pushed to try to take a point and showed a very good mentality on the pitch.”

Wolves strengthened their defence by signing Jackson Tchatchoua from Hellas Verona on a five-year this month.

The 23-year-old right-wing-back, a Cameroon international, was recognised as the fastest player in Serie A during the 2024/25 season. He began his career with Charleroi, where he showcased his versatility and speed, scoring his first two senior goals as a wing-back.

Tchatchoua made his international debut for Cameroon in June 2024 during a World Cup qualifier after impressing at Verona, where he contributed an assist against Frosinone.

Last season, he played 43 matches, helping Verona maintain their Serie A status while Cameroon qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations. He finished the 2024/25 season with two goals and three assists, including one in his final game against Empoli before joining Wolves.

Senegal's Iliman Ndiaye open new season's account in win over Brighton
by Football Sierra Leone

Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye open new season’s account in win over Brighton

Everton kicked off their Premier League campaign at their impressive new stadium along the River Mersey with their first 2-0 win of the season against Brighton.  

Jack Grealish made his first start since his loan transfer from Manchester City and shone on a historic day for Everton by playing a crucial role in the goals that led David Moyes’ team to secure three points.  

Grealish delivered a driven cross that was converted by Iliman Ndiaye after 23 minutes, a challenging close-range effort that he made look effortless.  

The goal was wildly celebrated by Everton supporters in their new venue, with Ndiaye becoming the player to score their final Premier League goal at Goodison Park and their inaugural one at Hill Dickinson Stadium.  

Grealish then set up James Garner, who scored a stunning goal from 25 yards just seven minutes into the second half.  

Brighton will believe they were to blame for their own misfortune, having squandered several chances in the first half, with Danny Welbeck failing to convert from six yards and both Kaoru Mitoma and Jan Paul van Hecke hitting the woodwork.  

The visitors missed another chance to get back into the match in the 74th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall handled Yankuba Minteh’s shot, but Jordan Pickford dove to his left to save Welbeck’s penalty kick.

Brighton cannot rally back into the game after Danny Welbeck chance to reduce the scoreline as the game ended 2-0 in favour of the home team.

Sudan advance to CHAN semis after penalty shootout victory over Algeria
by Football Sierra Leone

Sudan advance to CHAN semis after penalty shootout victory over Algeria

Sudan continued their impressive journey in the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 with a stunning quarter-final win over Algeria in Zanzibar.

The match ended 1-1, with Sudan triumphing 4-2 in penalties, showcasing their discipline, tactical pragmatism, and unwavering belief, according to CAF Technical Study Group member Michael Amenga Okoth.

Despite Algeria entering as heavy favorites, Sudan’s strategy involved selective pressing and compact defensive organization, which led to an own goal early in the second half after Musa Hussien’s shot was parried.

Amenga emphasized that this reflected a clear tactical plan from coach Kwesi Appiah, as Sudan focused on resilience over possession.

Even after Algeria equalized through Soufiane Bayazid, Sudan’s defense remained steadfast, expertly blocking central access and maintaining composure under pressure. When the match went to penalties, goalkeeper Mohamed ‘Abooja’ Alnour Adam Saeed saved two spot-kicks, helping Sudan advance to the semi-finals.

Sudan’s impressive physical conditioning allowed them to compete fiercely for 120 minutes, and their disciplined midfield play was crucial in thwarting Algeria’s attempts to dominate. The players’ emotional drive, fueled by their challenging circumstances back home, added an extra layer of motivation, leading to their unforgettable semi-final matchup against Madagascar.

Defending champions Senegal beat Uganda to reach CHAN semis
by FSL News

Defending champions Senegal beat Uganda to reach CHAN semis

Defending champions Senegal overcame co-hosts Uganda 1-0 in the quarter-final match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.

Oumar Ba scored the decisive goal shortly after the 60-minute mark, showcasing Senegal’s tournament experience against a passionate crowd of over 35,000.

The goal came from a cross by Libasse Guèye that found Ba at the far post, allowing him to place a low shot past goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa.

While Uganda fought valiantly, becoming the first team to reach the knockout rounds, they struggled to convert opportunities. Allan Okello had a powerful shot saved, and Gavin Kizito just missed with a header.

Senegal’s strong defense, led by goalkeeper Marc Diouf and central defenders Seyni Ndiaye and Joseph Layousse, held firm against Uganda’s advances. Despite Uganda having more shots, they lacked the composure shown by Senegal.

The match marked a historic achievement for Uganda, who had never reached this stage before and finished first in their group. Coach Morley Byekwaso emphasised the team would learn and return stronger. Defensive masterclass! Ndiaye’s commanding display earns him the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award.

Senegal will face Madagascar in the semi-finals, while Uganda’s journey in CHAN 2024 lays the groundwork for future success.

Burkina Faso's Dango Ouattara's nets debut goal for Brentford
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Burkina Faso’s Dango Ouattara nets debut goal for Brentford

Burkina Faso’s Dango Ouattara scored on his debut for Brentford a their 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in their first home match of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

The 23-year-old’s 12th-minute finish was the difference as Keith Andrews’ team celebrated their first win at Gtech Community Stadium. Ouattara started just a week after signing, alongside Jordan Henderson, who also made his full debut.

In a tribute to former club chair Dan Tana, the Bees observed a minute’s applause before kick-off, wearing black armbands.

Damsgaard had the first chance of the match early on, but his effort went wide. Brentford took the lead through Ouattara, who scored after a rebound from an initial save by Emiliano Martínez.

Brentford’s Kayode made significant contributions with long throws, leading to a blocked attempt by Henderson. Aston Villa’s first chances came from set-pieces, with Schade and Kelleher making key saves. Damsgaard’s volley was ruled out by VAR for a foul.

Late in the first half, Ollie Watkins’ shot was also blocked, and Kayode’s challenge prevented Villa from equalizing early in the second half. Onana’s shot was blocked after Watkins set him up, and Thiago missed the chance to extend the lead with a wide shot in the final minutes.

In the second half, Kayode again played a crucial role, blocking a shot from Onana after a setup from Watkins. Thiago had another opportunity to score but also shot wide in the closing moments.

Morocco advance after win over Tanzania in CHAN quarter-final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco advance after win over Tanzania in CHAN quarter-final

Morocco defeated Tanzania 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024, ending Tanzania’s remarkable tournament run.

The match, held at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, saw Oussama Lamlaoui score the sole goal in the 65th minute, assisted by Youssef Belammari.

The game was tightly contested, with Tanzania creating chances through Clement Mzize and Feisal Salum, but Morocco’s goalkeeper, El Mehdi Al Harrar, made crucial saves. As the match progressed, Morocco began to take control, with Lamlaoui being a constant threat.

Despite trailing, Tanzania continued to press for an equalizer, with Mzize nearly scoring with a header and substitute Nassor Saadun missing a late opportunity. Morocco’s defense, led by Mohamed Moufid and Mehdi Mchakhchekh, held firm to secure the win.

This victory marks Morocco’s seventh consecutive win in CHAN knockout rounds since 2014. Though their tournament ends at this stage, Tanzania can take pride in their achievement of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time, boasting the best defensive record and showcasing the potential of East African football.

Morocco now looks forward to the semi-finals in pursuit of their third title.

by Football Sierra Leone

Co-hosts Tanzania to face an uphill task against Morocco in Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam is set to host a quarterfinal showdown as co-hosts Tanzania take on Morocco at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, one of the most successful teams in the history of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), in a highly anticipated match on Friday.

This encounter will mark the first-ever meeting between Tanzania and Morocco at CHAN, and it will also be Tanzania’s first match against a North African team in the tournament.

Tanzania will be playing their 11th game at CHAN, while Morocco will be their 10th different opponent in the competition.

Morocco has faced East African teams six times, with a record of three wins, two draws, and one loss. Their wins include victories over Uganda (3-0 in 2014, 5-2 in 2020) and Rwanda (4-1 in 2016), along with draws against Rwanda (0-0 in 2020) and Sudan (0-0 in 2018).

In this tournament, their only defeat was a 1-0 loss to Kenya. This match marks Morocco’s first knockout round encounter with an East African team and will be their 21st opponent at CHAN.

Morocco will face a tournament host for the fourth time, having previously beaten Rwanda (4-1 in 2014) and Cameroon (4-0 in 2020), but lost to Kenya this year.

Tanzania has shown strong defence, conceding only one goal—the fewest in the tournament—while Morocco boasts a powerful attack, scoring eight goals, the highest in the competition.

Morocco has an 18.6% shot conversion rate, scoring eight goals from 23 shots on target, while Tanzania has a conversion rate of 10.42%, with five goals from 17 shots. Additionally, Tanzania leads in defence with 45 tackles, compared to Morocco’s 29.