Category: African News

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First leg CAF Champions League final draw between Mamelodi and Pyramids
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

First leg CAF Champions League final draw between Mamelodi and Pyramids

Mamelodi Sundowns drew 1-1 with Pyramids FC in the first leg of the 2024/25 CAF Champions League final on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

Lucas Ribeiro Costa scored in the second half to give Sundowns the lead. However, Pyramids equalised with a late header from Walid El Karti in stoppage time. This late goal sets up an exciting second leg in Cairo next month.

Both teams played carefully in the first half with few chances. Iqraam Rayners and Arthur Sales had shots that went just wide for Sundowns, while Fiston Mayele and Ibrahim Adel tried their luck but were stopped by Sundowns’ goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

The game became more intense after halftime. Costa scored in the 54th minute after he found a loose ball in the box, sending the local fans into a frenzy. Sundowns could have scored again, but substitutes Peter Shalulile and Neo Maema missed their chances late in the game.

As stoppage time began, Pyramids fought back. Mohanad Lasheen sent a perfect cross to El Karti, who was unmarked in the six-yard box. He scored with a precise header, surprising the home crowd.

This draw keeps the tie balanced before the second leg in Cairo on June 1, where the new CAF Champions League trophy will be awarded. Pyramids remain unbeaten in the knockout stages and achieved an important result in their first final.

Sundowns will feel disappointed about conceding late, but they will hold on to their solid performance as they prepare for the return match.

The match reached fans across 28 countries, showcasing African club football on a global stage. Both teams now focus on their preparation for the crucial match in Cairo, where a new chapter in this major competition will unfold.

Big CAF Champions League showdown between Sundowns and Pyramids
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Big CAF Champions League showdown between Sundowns and Pyramids

Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC will face off in the first leg of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday, May 24.

Sundowns have reached the Champions League final for the third time, having previously won in 2016 and been runners-up in 2001. This year, they finished second in Group B, behind ASFAR, and advanced to the knockout stage by defeating Esperance de Tunis and Al Ahly on away goals.

After clinching their eighth consecutive domestic championship, Sundowns aim for continental success, though coach Miguel Cardoso noted that the Champions League is tougher than the Betway Premiership.

“With all due respect to the Premiership, this is another level we are going to face,” said Cardoso. “We have a very tough challenge ahead in this Champions League final. We also need to be strong and play high-quality football.”

Pyramids set to compete in their first Champions League final after previously reaching the Confederation Cup final in 2020. They advanced by finishing second in Group D, defeating ASFAR and Orlando Pirates in knockout rounds.

Coach Krunoslav Jurcic has a tactical plan for the first leg, focusing on a balanced approach to counter their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses.

Pyramids and Sundowns have faced each other twice in the current Champions League, with a 0-0 draw in Pretoria and a 1-0 win for Sundowns in Cairo. Sundowns have a record of 10 wins, 9 draws, and 7 losses against Egyptian teams, while Pyramids have 1 win, 3 draws, and 2 losses against South African teams.

The return match will take place at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday, June 1.

Simba set for a tough task against Berkane in CAF Confed Cup final
by Football Sierra Leone

Simba set for a tough task against Berkane in CAF Confed Cup final

Simba will face a tough matchup against a Moroccan side at Amaan Stadium at 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Sunday, May 25th. They lost 2-0 to RSB Berkane in the first leg of the 2025 CAF Confederations Cup final last week.

Coach Fadlu Davids and his team are determined to rise to the occasion in the second leg. Goals from Mamadou Camara and Oussama Lamlaoui provided RSB Berkane with a significant advantage heading into the second leg. David noted that his players felt “overwhelmed” by the situation.

Berkane scores a lot of goals at home in the first 20 minutes due to the pressure. We were tactically prepared but not emotionally ready. My players were a bit overwhelmed by the occasion and the pressure,” Davids said during the post-match press conference after the first leg.

As Simba strives to score in their pursuit of the CAF Confederations Cup title, RSB Berkane’s coach, Mouin Chaâbani, emphasised his team’s aim to secure an away goal to solidify their lead.

“A 2-0 victory in the final is never completely comfortable. It’s just the first leg, and we’ll have to defend our chances until the last second of the return leg. Scoring an away goal can make a huge difference; it’s something we must keep in mind,” Chaâbani stated.

The winners of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup final will receive a brand new trophy.

Senegal's Pape Matar Sarr fit to face Manchester United in Europa final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s Pape Matar Sarr fit to face Manchester United in Europa final

Tottenham Hotspur coach Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Senegalese midfielder Pape Matar Sarr is fit to play against Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday.

Sarr was unsure for the match after getting injured during Spurs’ 2-0 loss to Aston Villa last Friday. Postecoglou explained that Sarr left the game as a precaution because he “felt something in his back.”

According to the London Evening Standard, Sarr is likely to start in midfield against United in Bilbao. Even though Postecoglou used a 4-4-2 formation against Villa Park, he may change his strategy for the final.

Sarr will face fellow Africans Andre Onana, Noussair Mazraoui, and Amad Diallo, who are in Manchester United’s squad for the match. Both teams are looking to improve after disappointing Premier League seasons, with United in 16th place and Spurs just one point behind in 17th.

Semi Ajayi and Grady Diangana released by West Bromwich Albion
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Semi Ajayi and Grady Diangana released by West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion has announced the release of Nigeria player Semi Ajayi and DR Congo midfielder Grady Diangana after the 2024/25 season.

Ajayi and Diangana joined West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2019 and were instrumental in the team’s promotion to the Premier League in their first season.

A club statement confirmed that defender Semi Ajayi and midfielders Grady Diangana and John Swift will leave the club at the end of June.

Ajayi, who joined from Rotherham United, made 177 appearances and scored 13 goals, including key strikes against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool, and a last-minute winner against Peterborough United in August 2021.

Diangana initially joined on a season-long loan from West Ham United before making the move permanent in summer 2020.

He scored on his league debut for the Baggies and went on to make 202 appearances, netting 26 goals. His final goals for the club came in a 5-1 victory over Portsmouth in January 2025, where he scored twice.

Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi grateful to be alive after surgery
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi grateful to be alive after surgery

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is ‘GRATEFUL’ to still be alive after having surgery for a serious abdominal injury.

The 27-year-old was put in an induced coma after he got hurt when he collided with the post while trying to reach a cross from Anthony Elanga during a game against Leicester.

Awoniyi had emergency surgery and was taken out of the coma on Wednesday evening. Medical staff are now watching his recovery.

Morgan Gibbs-White celebrated his goal in the crucial 2-1 win against West Ham by wearing a shirt with Awoniyi’s name. The team also warmed up in T-shirts bearing his name and number, with the message “we are all with you Taiwo.”

Awoniyi expressed on Instagram, “This season has been one of the most difficult of my career, but I have felt the love. With God’s grace, I am grateful to still be here, still fighting, and in good spirits.”

“Thank you to my teammates, coaches, staff, and the entire Forest family for your support. Your visits during my hospital stay really lifted my spirits. I can’t wait to be back on the field with the team.

The win against West Ham has moved Forest into seventh place, just one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea, whom we will host on the season’s final day, along with Aston Villa, in the tight race for a Champions League spot.”

New Bromley deal for Sierra Leone native Nathan Paul Lavaly
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

New Bromley deal for Sierra Leone native Nathan Paul Lavaly

Bromley Football Club has confirmed new deal for full-back Nathan Paul-Lavaly and several others.

Lavaly, a native from Sierra Leone made six senior appearances last season following his debut in their first home EFL game against AFC Wimbledon.

The Academy graduate also assisted in a recent match against Barrow and received a Special Achievement Award at our 2024/25 Awards Evening.

Paul-Lavaly played the full 90 minutes in our first home EFL game against AFC Wimbledon in the Carabao Cup. He has also made two more senior appearances against Chelsea U21s and Charlton Athletic in the EFL Trophy.

He was sent on loan to joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Carshalton Athletic on a one-month loan.

Egypt's Al Ahly close in on record 45th Premier League title
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s Al Ahly close in on record 45th Premier League title

Africa — Al-Ahly are closig in on another title with just a win away from winning a record 45th Egyptian Premier League title after a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against NBE Club.

This win in the seventh round keeps the championship race exciting and sets up an important final match.

Rivals Pyramids FC also stay in the title hunt with a strong 2-0 win over Petrojet. Meanwhile, Ceramica Cleopatra had a convincing 4-0 victory over Al-Masry, ensuring the title remains in contention until the end.

Al-Ahly leads the table with 55 points and will play Pharco FC on Wednesday, May 28, in a winner-takes-all match for the championship.

A win will give Al-Ahly 58 points, sealing the title regardless of the result between Pyramids FC and Ceramica Cleopatra. 

In their recent match, Al-Ahly beat NBE Club 2-1 at Cairo International Stadium. Midfielder Emam Ashour scored first for Al-Ahly in the 21st minute with a powerful shot from outside the box. NBE Club’s Yao Anwar equalized in stoppage time at the end of the first half, surprising the home fans.

Just when it looked like they would share the points, Wessam Abou Ali scored a last-minute goal for Al-Ahly, igniting celebrations among their supporters.

This win puts Al-Ahly at 55 points, keeping them two points ahead of Pyramids, fourteen points ahead of Zamalek while NBE Club stays fourth with 37 points.

South Africa's U20 defender Tylon Smith named Player of Tournament
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

South Africa’s U20 defender Tylon Smith named Player of Tournament

South Africa defender Tylon Smith has been named Player of the Tournament at the 2025 CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The strong centre-back played regularly for the Amajitas, delivering great performances in every match to help his team advance through the tournament.

In the semi-finals, he scored an equaliser against Nigeria, which allowed South Africa to reach the final and compete for the championship.

In the final match against Morocco, held at Cairo International Stadium, Smith played a key role in defense, helping his team shut out the North African side.

In the final, both teams delivered an exciting match but ended the first half goalless. Gomolemo Kekana scored the only goal in the 70th minute, assisted by Fletcher Smythe-Lowe. Despite Morocco’s efforts in the last 20 minutes, they couldn’t overcome South Africa’s solid defense.

In the end, Gomolemo Kekana’s goal secured the win for South Africa, making the Amajitas Champions of the 2025 U20 AFCON in Egypt.

The strong centre-back consistently played for the Amajitas, delivering excellent performances in every match to help his team progress through the tournament.
The strong centre-back consistently played for the Amajitas, delivering excellent performances in every match to help his team progress through the tournament.
Nigeria win U-20 AFCON bronze after defeating hosts Egypt on penalties
by FSL News

Nigeria win U-20 AFCON bronze after defeating hosts Egypt on penalties

Nigeria secured third place in the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 after winning an eye-catching penalty shootout 4-1 against the host team, Egypt, on Sunday.

The third-place match at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo ended in a tie at 1-1 after 90 minutes, leading to penalties where Nigeria kept their cool to claim their fifth bronze medal in U-20 AFCON history.

This victory marked Nigeria’s fifth bronze medal and their 14th top-three finish in U-20 AFCON history. It also continued their good record against host teams, as they beat Egypt for the second consecutive tournament.

Egypt, on the other hand, could not keep their perfect record in third-place matches and conceded their first goal at this stage.

Egypt started strong, scoring in the third minute with a goal from Osama Omar. Nigeria equalized early in the second half when Bidemi Amole scored.

The match went straight to penalties without extra time. Nigeria scored all four of their penalty kicks, while Egypt missed two.

Egypt’s early goal pressured Nigeria, but Nigeria soon took control, creating several chances. Clinton Jephta and Precious Benjamin both tested goalkeeper Abdel Monem Tamer, while Israel Ayuma missed with long shots.

Two minutes into the second half, Nigeria equalized when Divine Oliseh passed to Amole, who scored. Nigeria pushed for a winner, with substitutes Tahir Maigana and Kparobo Arierhi boosting the attack. Egypt almost clinched victory in stoppage time, hitting the bar and post.

With a 1-1 draw at the end of regular time, the match went to penalties. Nigeria scored all four of their penalties, while Egypt’s Mohamed Atef and Ahmed Kabaka had their shots saved by 15-year-old goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt.

FT 1-1 Penalties – Nigeria (4-1)Egypt