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.

Forward Kamaldeen Sulemana pens Atalanta deal from Southampton
by FSL News

Forward Kamaldeen Sulemana pens Atalanta deal from Southampton

Forward Kamaldeen Sulemana has moved from Southampton to Italian side Atalanta for a price that could reach £18 million.

For a club-record £22 million, the 23-year-old was acquired in 2023 and made 74 appearances for the Saints. At Atalanta, Sulemana meets his former Southampton coach, Ivan Juric.

On transfer deadline day in February 2023, the Ghana international moved to Southampton from the French team Rennes. In two and a half years spent on the south coast, he had four goals and seven assists.

Southampton has also traded forward Paul Onuachu, who was acquired under then-manager Nathan Jones in the same transfer window as Sulemana.

The newly renovated Burkina Faso's August 4th Stadium
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF green light Burkina Faso’s August 4th Stadium

After years under suspension, the Confederation of African Football, CAF, has let the August 4 Stadium in Ouagadougou once again host international events.

A significant milestone is being celebrated by Burkinabè football as the Stallions, the national team of Burkina Faso, could be ready to play at home once again.

Due to inadequate amenities, CAF banned the stadium in March 2021. But following extensive rehabilitation by the national football federation (FBF) and the Burkinabè government, the stadium now satisfies CAF’s stringent requirements.

Praising Burkina Faso’s attempts to renovate the August 4 Stadium, Samson Adamu, CAF’s Director of Tournaments and Events, signalled a fresh start for the Stallions.

After three years playing their home games overseas, they will come back to a newly refurbished stadium in September, which should spark an emotional and historical atmosphere with local fan support.

The stadium has become a symbol of national pride, and this reopening shows Burkina Faso’s rising ambition in African football.

As the nation gets ready to greet the Stallions back home, enthusiasm is rising.

The newly renovated Burkina Faso's August 4th Stadium
The newly renovated Burkina Faso's August 4th Stadium
CAF green light Burkina Faso's August 4th Stadium after four-year ban
CAF green light Burkina Faso's August 4th Stadium after four-year ban
Women's AFCON teams arrive in Morocco in style ahead of kickoff
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Women’s AFCON teams arrive in style ahead of kickoff

Top women’s football teams from Africa, including Zambia, South Africa, and Nigeria, arrived in Morocco ahead of TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). set to start from July 5–26, 2025, to compete.  Among the first to arrive were South Africa, the reigning champions.

The South African team, Banyana Banyana, arrived in Casablanca on Wednesday following a 24-hour journey from Johannesburg that included a stop in Ghana.

They settled in and promptly started training despite travel delays. “It was a long and exhausting trip, but we have arrived and settled in,” said head coach Dr. Desiree Ellis. We were able to hold our first training session. Being here and getting started for the major tournament is really exciting.

Along with Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania, South Africa is in Group C. On July 7 Ghana is their first opponent; on July 11 Tanzania and on July 14 Mali follow. Oujda’s Honneur Stadium will host all matches.

In Mohammédia, meanwhile, Zambia’s Copper Queens (In photo) arrived in style as they get ready with local and foreign players, Coach Nora Häuptle is guiding high-intensity workouts at the Lanoria Club.

On 5 July, Zambia will face Morocco in the opening match at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat. They will also compete against Senegal and DR Congo on 9 and 12 July, respectively, in Mohammédia.

Morocco is currently preparing by training in Rabat and will play a friendly against Tanzania on Saturday. In Group A, they are joined by Zambia, Senegal, and DR Congo. Senegal has just arrived in Morocco for the tournament.

Group B features Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana. Excitement is building for this major women’s football competition as top talent gathers in Morocco next week.

Ghana's Semenyo extends Bournemouth contract until 2030
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana’s Semenyo extends Bournemouth contract until 2030

Ghanaian International Antoine Semenyo has extended his Bournemouth deal that will keep him at Vitality Stadium through the summer of 2030.

The 25-year-old Ghanaian forward originally signed a long-term contract with the team 12 months ago after joining from Bristol City in January 2023.

He has made 89 appearances and scored 22 goals since joining, 13 of which came during Bournemouth’s stellar 2024–25 campaign, which saw them finish ninth in the Premier League.

Semenyo stated, “I’m really happy to have signed ahead of returning for pre-season, and I’ve grown so much at the club, both on and off the pitch.” “I have nothing but praise for everyone at the club, from the supporters to the employees and my teammates. It’s an amazing location.

Semenyo had been linked with interest from Manchester United, Liverpool, and Tottenham this summer, so his new contract is a significant boost for manager Andoni Iraola, especially after Milos Kerkez moved to Anfield and Dean Huijsen joined Real Madrid.

With Dean Huijsen joining Real Madrid and Milos Kerkez moving to Anfield, Semenyo’s new contract is a huge boost for manager Andoni Iraola, who had been linked to interest from Manchester United, Liverpool, and Tottenham this summer.

DR Congo's striker Kabongo Tshimanga pens Crawley Town deal
by FSL News

DR Congo’s Kabongo Tshimanga pens Crawley Town deal

After being released by League One team Peterborough United, DR Congo striker Kabongo Tshimanga has inked a two-year deal with Crawley Town Football Club.

Tshimanga has demonstrated his ability as a goalscorer by enjoying fruitful runs with sides like Boreham Wood and Chesterfield. Last season, he scored 13 goals in an amazing loan season at Swindon Town.

For four straight seasons during his time at Oxford City, Boreham Wood, and Chesterfield, Tshimanga, 26, was chosen for the Team of the Year. Among his many personal accolades are Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year at several teams.

Having previously represented England C, his best year was in 2018–19 at Oxford City, where he scored an amazing 37 goals in all contests. Before relocating to Peterborough in January 2023, Tshimanga had scored 74 goals over 141 outings. With Crawley Town, he would want to recover his scoring ability.

Kabby could play in Friday’s friendly against Hearts; he is presently training with the team in Spain.

Sierra Leonean Women’s AFCON referee Fullah speaks of her dreams
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leonean Women’s AFCON referee Fullah speaks of her dreams

Chosen to officiate at the next TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, July 5–26, 2025, a top female referee from Sierra Leone, Aminata Fullah, is dreaming of fulfilling her goal of refereeing at a FIFA World Cup.

One of the continental officials appointed to supervise the upcoming continental exhibition under the direction of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), a structural adjustment driven by the need to improve inclusivity, competition, and visibility for women’s football throughout Africa, Fullah is working to advance in her field.

This appointment is a major turning point in her refereeing life. Aminata’s distinction as the first Sierra Leonean official to work an AFCON tournament highlights her outstanding talent and unrelenting passion for the game.

Acknowledging this achievement

“It holds significant value for my career. From the moment I began refereeing, my goal has been to leave a lasting impact on myself and the profession. I have committed myself to working diligently to realise this aspiration,” she shared with this platform.

“For me, this is merely the start; my goal is to officiate at a FIFA World Cup final. It’s a dream of mine, and with the grace of the Almighty, I believe I will achieve it.”

Regarding Inspiring Girls Who Aspire to Follow Her Path!

“It provides me with greater hope and motivation to strive harder than ever because such recognition serves as an inspiration, not just to me, but to other young girls in Sierra Leone and across the continent who wish to pursue refereeing as a career.”

“Indeed, this marks my first significant assignment, and I saw on social media that it’s also the first occasion in Sierra Leone football history to have a referee at a CAF international tournament.”

“I have officiated local matches, participated in regional WAFU A competitions, and been involved in FIFA World Cup qualifiers, but this is my debut in a major CAF tournament, like the Women’s African Cup of Nations.”

I commenced my career in 2020 and have consistently put in the effort to reach this point and beyond. My passion for refereeing remains strong, and by the grace of God, I envision myself still in this profession five years from now and further. I aspire to be a top-tier referee not only in Africa but globally, inshallah.”

The opening match of the tournament will be played in Rabat at the newly-built Olympic Stadium between hosts Morocco and Zambia on 5 July, two of Africa’s most improved women’s football nations since the finals were last played in 2022.

The match will kick off at 21h00 local time (20h00 GMT).

  • Group A | Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Group B | Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana
  • Group C | South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania
Steven Caulker pens player and coach deal with Stjarnan in Iceland
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Steven Caulker pens player and coach deal with Stjarnan in Iceland

Former Sierra Leone international Steven Caulker has signed a deal as both a player and assistant coach with Icelandic top-tier club Stjarnan FC.

“We are proud and honoured to announce that Steven Caulker has joined Stjarnan, taking on a dual role as player-assistant coach for the men’s first team,” the Iceland top-tier side noted.

Steven Caulker has had a successful career in football. He has played over 150 matches in the English Premier League for teams like Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, QPR, and Southampton.

He has also played for the England national team and later led Sierra Leone as captain in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Recently, Steven continued his career in Turkey, playing for Alanyaspor, Fenerbahçe, and Fatih Karagümrük, where he was an important player and a leader.

Most recently, he made 33 appearances for Ankara Keçiörengücü SK in the Turkish First League.

“We warmly welcome Steven Caulker to Stjarnan and believe our community will make him feel at home in Garðabær.”

Wydad Athletic suffered a three-straight defeat in the FIFA Club World Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Wydad Athletic suffer third straight defeat in FIFA Club World Cup

On Thursday in Washington, D.C., a first-half goal by Cassius Mailula was negated by second-half goals from Kodjo Fo-Doh Laba and Kaku, allowing Al Ain to defeat Wydad AC 2-1.

Both teams took to the pitch with a sense of determination, playing not just for points but for pride, having already been eliminated from contention for the round of 16 in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Both Manchester City and Juventus, two storied clubs in European football, had already secured the top two spots in Group G, rendering this match a contest for respect rather than advancement.

The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as fans filled the stands, eager to see their teams deliver a strong performance despite the stakes being low. Each player on the field understood the significance of this match, not only for their clubs’ legacies but for their own professional reputations.

Nonetheless, both clubs aimed to exit the tournament on a positive note, and it was the UAE side that left the pitch with their heads held high after completing the comeback.

Wydad Athletic Club to wrap up Club World Cup Group G against Al Ain
by Football Sierra Leone

Wydad Athletic eye first Club World Cup win against Al Ain

Wydad Athletic Club will conclude their final Group G match in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Al Ain FC on Thursday at Audi Field, located in Washington, DC, the capital of the United States.

In their second Group G match on June 22, Wydad suffered a 4-1 defeat to the Italian football powerhouse Juventus FC, extending their winless streak across all competitions to three matches.

As a result, the Moroccan football heavyweights currently sit in third place in the group standings. A win against Al Ain would allow Wydad to finish third, behind Manchester City and Juventus.

“We want to win for our fans and for our coach,” said Nordin Amrabat, Wydad’s midfielder. The team’s head coach, Mohamed Amine Benhachem, and the team doctor were involved in a traffic accident in the USA. Amrabat added, “We want to leave America with a good feeling. If you don’t win, you don’t have a good feeling; that means you’ve played three games and lost all three. For us as a club, winning is important, God willing.”

Al Ain has not won in their last two matches, including a heavy 6-0 loss to Manchester City on June 22. They currently sit in fourth place in Group G, but a win over Wydad could move them up to third.

“Our goal is to earn three points. We have the same aim for every game,” said Vladimir Ivic, Al Ain’s head coach. “We know we are a big club, the biggest in Asia. We strive to win every game in our championships, both cups, and the Asian Champions League. This match will be no different. We want to show our best in the final game. Overall, this tournament has been a great experience with everything well organized.”

This match will be the first time Wydad faces Al Ain in any competition. Canadian referee Drew Fischer will officiate the game on Thursday.

Nigerian International Moses Simon joins French side Paris FC
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigerian International Moses Simon joins French side Paris FC

Moses Simon, 29, has joined Paris FC in the French Ligue 1 from FC Nantes in a contract until June 2028.

The winger is known for his speed and strong crossing ability. He has a lot of experience in top-level football, both in clubs and national teams.

Simon started his career at AS Trenčín in Slovakia after training at the GBS Academy in Nigeria. He then played for La Gantoise in Belgium and Levante UD in Spain.

In 2019, he joined FC Nantes and quickly became an important player. He played almost 180 matches in Ligue 1 and won the Coupe de France in 2022.

As a player with over 70 caps for the Nigerian Super Eagles, Moses Simon is well-prepared for major competitions. His experience will help strengthen Paris FC’s team as they move into Ligue 1 McDonald’s next season.