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.

Candas Fiogbé receives first Benin International call-up
by Football Sierra Leone

Candas Fiogbé receives first Benin International call-up

Benin’s head coach Gernot Rohr has revealed a 25-player roster for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe and South Africa. Among the key additions is 19-year-old striker Candas Fiogbé, who is based in Italy and is receiving his first call-up.

Although Fiogbé has yet to participate in a senior match, he has been active with Atalanta’s under-20 squad in Italy’s Primavera 1 league and their under-19 team in the UEFA Youth League, where he netted six goals.

In addition, defender Brandon Agounon makes a return to the roster after being part of the squad a year ago, even though he has not yet made an appearance for the national team.

Benin will, however, be without French-based players Aiyegun Tosin and Cédric Hountondji due to injuries, while Olivier Verdon has been left out of the squad for disciplinary reasons.

Verdon, 29, featured in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt. The squad comprises only two players from local clubs, with the rest hailing from teams in 17 different nations.

Benin has two upcoming matches: an away game against Zimbabwe in Durban, South Africa, on March 20, followed by a home match against Bafana Bafana in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on March 25. The roster features only two home-based players, with the rest coming from clubs in 17 different countries.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Saturnin Allagbé (Botev Vratsa, Bulgaria), Marcel Dandjinou (JDR Stars, South Africa), Serges Obassa (Remo Stars, Nigeria) 

Defenders: Moise Adilehou (Laval, France), Brandon Agounon (Châteauroux, France), Rodrigue Fassinou (Coton Sport Benin), David Kiki (Steaua Bucharest, Romania), Rachid Moumini (Ayéma), Tamimou Ouorou (Hatta, United Arab Emirates), Yohan Roche (Petrolul 52, Romania), Rabiou Sankamao (Wydad Fès, Morocco), Mohamed Tijani (Yverdon Sport, Switzerland)

Midfielders: Mattéo Ahlinvi (Arsenal Tula, Russia), Mariano Ahouangbo (Soliman, Tunisia), Gislain Ahoudo (Gabès, Tunisia), Samadou Attidjikou (Al Masry, Egypt), Sessi d’Almeida (Apollon Limassol. Cyprus), Dodo Dokou (Smouha, Egypt), Imourane Hassane (Grasshoppers Zurich, Switzerland)

Forwards: Jodel Dossou (Victoria Rosport, Luxembourg), Candas Fiogbé (Atalanta, Italy), Andréas Hountondji (Standard Liège, Belgium), Steve Mounié (FC Augsburg, Germany), Junior Olaitan (Grenoble, France), Steve-Waren Traoré (Haka, Finland) 

Sebastien Haller is back in Côte d'Ivoire national team for World Cup qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sebastien Haller is back in Côte d’Ivoire national team for World Cup qualifiers

Sebastien Haller is back in the Côte d’Ivoire national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Gambia after missing three international windows due to injuries.

Playing for Borussia Dortmund on loan at FC Utrecht, Haller will strengthen the team’s attack, as they aim to keep their lead in the qualifying group.

Midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin returns after last playing in March 2023, filling in for the injured Jean Michaël Seri. Ibrahim Sangaré also returns after missing the Africa Cup of Nations and replaces Seko Fofana, who is out due to fitness issues.

Clément Akpa, a left-back from AJ Auxerre, earns his first call-up. Amad Diallo from Manchester United and Wilfried Zaha from Galatasaray are absent; Diallo is injured, and Zaha has not played under coach Emerse Faé.

Maxwel Cornet from Genoa did not get called up, but Oumar Diakité from Reims stays in the squad despite poor club form.

Familiar players like Franck Kessié and Evan Ndicka remain, as the Elephants lead their World Cup qualifying group by one point over Gabon.

Côte d’Ivoire Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

  • Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana, Mohamed Koné, Ali Badra
  • Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou, Clément Akpa, Willy Boly, Ousmane Diomandé, Guéla Doué, Evan Ndicka , Hassane Kamara, Wilfried Singo
  • Midfielders: Jean Aholou, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Ibrahim Sangaré, Franck Kessié, Hamed Traoré
  • Forwards: Simon Adingra, Vakoun Bayo, Oumar Diakité, Evann Guessand, Jean Krasso, Nicolas Pépé, Benié Traoré, Sébastien Halle

 

  • Upcoming Fixtures:

Burundi vs Côte d’Ivoire – March 22, 19:00 GMT, Stade de Meknès, Morocco

Côte d’Ivoire vs Gambia – March 26, 19:00 GMT, Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan

Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy and Bangoura named in Guinea 23-man squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy and Bangoura named in Guinea 23-man squad

Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund and young talent Ibrahima Sory Bangoura have been selected for Guinea’s squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Somalia and Uganda. Notably absent are Mohamed Bayo, Ilaix Moriba, and Saidou Sow.

Genk’s Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, a young player from Belgium is expected to make his first appearance for the senior national team in these important matches.

The Syli National team currently ranks third in their qualifying group. They will play Somalia in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on March 21, and then travel to Kampala to face Uganda on March 25.

Guinea needs to win both matches to stay in the race for a World Cup spot, as only the group winners qualify.

Meanwhile, Nantes defender Saidou Sow chose to stay with his pregnant wife, which is why he is not on the team.

Another notable absence is Naby Keita, who has played for Liverpool and Werder Bremen. The team captain is working on getting back to full fitness at Ferencvaros and expects to return in June.

Despite these changes, key players like François Kamano, Abdoulaye Touré, and Serhou Guirassy will play in the important double-header.

The squad also includes experienced defenders Mohamed Ali Camara and Mouctar Diakhaby, who have recovered from injuries.

The midfield features Mady Camara from PAOK Salonique and Morlaye Sylla from FC Arouca, while Serhou Guirassy, who has just moved to Borussia Dortmund, will lead the attack.

A new player in the squad is 21-year-old Bangoura, who has impressed at KRC Genk in Belgium and is now receiving his first senior call-up.

Guinea Squad

Goalkeepers: Moussa Camara (Simba SC, Tanzania), Mory Keita (Hafia FC, Guinea), Soumaïla Sylla (Stade de Reims, France)

Defenders: Mohamed Ali Camara (Young Boys, Switzerland), Antoine Conte (Igdir FK, Turkey), Ibrahima Sory Conté (UTA Arad, Romania), Ibrahim Diakité (Cercle de Bruges, Belgium), Mouctar Diakhaby (Valencia CF, Spain), Dembo Sylla (FC Dender, Belgium), Isiaga Sylla (Montpellier HSC, France), Sekou Oumar Sylla (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands)

Midfielders: Ibrahima Sory Bangoura (KRC Genk, Belgium), Aguibou Camara (PFK Ludogorets, Bulgaria), Mady Camara (PAOK Salonique, Greece), Seydouba Cissé (CD Leganés, Spain), Morlaye Sylla (FC Arouca, Portugal), Abdoulaye Touré (Le Havre AC, France)

Forwards: Aliou Badara Baldé (FC Lausanne-Sport, Switzerland), Algassime Bah (APOEL FC, Cyprus), Yadaly Diaby (Grenoble Foot 38, France), Kandet Diawara (FC Pau, France), François Kamano (Damac FC, Saudi Arabia), Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)

Head Coach: Michel Dussuyer

Upcoming Fixtures:

Guinea vs Somalia – March 21, 21:00 GMT, Abidjan

Uganda vs Guinea – March 25, 16:00 GMT, Kampala

South Africa stun Egypt in African Nations Championship qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

South Africa stun Egypt in African Nations Championship qualifier

South Africa has qualified for the next round of the 2025 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers after a 3-1 victory over Egypt in Cairo, giving them a 4-2 aggregate win.

The Bafana Bafana played confidently, with goals from Neo Maema, Yandisa Mfolozi, and Luthuli leading the way. Maema opened the scoring in the 15th minute, and Mfolozi added a second goal in the 26th minute. Egypt scored just before halftime, but Luthuli converted a penalty five minutes into the second half to secure the win.

In another match, Gabon lost to Gambia in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw. Gabon was awarded a penalty but missed the chance, allowing Gambia to win the shootout.

Malawi advanced with a 2-0 home win over Comoros, making it a 4-0 aggregate victory. Wongani Lungu and Binwell Katinji scored for Malawi.

The final round of qualifiers will be in May, with the first leg from May 2-4 and the second leg on May 10-11. The final tournament will be held in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in August.

First Leg Results:

  • Gambia 0-0 Gabon (February 28, 2025)
  • Comoros 0-2 Malawi (March 2, 2025)
  • South Africa 1-1 Egypt (March 2, 2025)

Second Leg Fixtures:

  • Malawi 2-0 Comoros – March 8, 2025 –  Malawi win 4-0 on aggregate
  • Gabon 0-0 Gambia – March 8, 2025 – Gambia win on penalties
  • Egypt 1-3 South Africa – March 9, 2025 – South Africa win 4-2 on aggregate
Salah nets brace as a late goal from Sarr secured Crystal Palace's win
by Football Sierra Leone

Salah nets brace as late goal from Sarr secured Crystal Palace’s win

Mohamed Salah had another strong game for Liverpool, scoring two goals in their latest Premier League match. This win helps Liverpool stay at the top of the league.

Meanwhile, Ismaïla Sarr scored a brilliant goal for Crystal Palace in their 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town. Liverpool faced a tough challenge against Southampton, who surprised everyone by scoring first just before halftime.

However, Liverpool quickly equalized with a goal from Darwin Núñez and then Salah scored two penalties, raising his total to 25 goals and 17 assists this season.

At Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace struggled against Ipswich until Sarr’s late goal broke the deadlock. He now has 8 goals and 3 assists this season.

Crystal Palace is currently in 12th place and will play Fulham in the FA Cup later this month. Liverpool, meanwhile, will face Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League, leading 1-0 in the first leg.

Fecafoot president Samuel Eto set for CAF's March 12 election after CAS ruling in favour
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fecafoot president Samuel Eto’o set for CAF’s March 12 election after CAS ruling in favour

Fecafoot president Samuel Eto’o can now run for a position on Africa’s soccer governing body after successfully appealing a prior decision that had blocked his candidacy.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland ruled in Eto’o’s favour on Friday. He had appealed to overturn the Confederation of African Football’s (CAF) decision to exclude him from the executive committee elections.

Eto’o, 43, is a former striker who played for top clubs like Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea. He has been president of the Cameroon Football Federation since 2021 and has faced controversy during his time in office.

In September, FIFA banned Eto’o from attending national team games for six months due to “offensive behavior and violations of fair play.” The ban was a result of his misconduct involving officials.

Last July, CAF fined Eto’o $200,000 for violating ethics and sportsmanship principles by becoming a brand ambassador for a betting company. Eto’o’s lawyers announced in February that this fine was overturned on appeal.

The 54 member federations will elect their leaders in Cairo next Wednesday. CAF president Patrice Motsepe from South Africa is running unopposed for a second term. FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expected to be present. Eto’o now has the opportunity to compete for a seat on the executive committee thanks to the CAS ruling.

The CAS stated, “The panel found enough information to overturn the CAF’s decision about Mr. Eto’o’s ineligibility.” They added that it will be up to the CAF assembly meeting on March 12, 2025, to evaluate the candidates.

Exciting Second Round U17 African Women’s World Cup Qualifiers
by Football Sierra Leone

Exciting Second Round U17 African Women’s World Cup Qualifiers

The second round of qualifiers for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco starts this weekend. Several exciting matches are lined up.

Africa has four spots available for the tournament, and teams are eager to qualify.

On Saturday, March 8, the first-leg matches will take place. Cameroon will host Ethiopia, and Tanzania will play against Zambia. A key matchup is South Africa versus Nigeria, two teams with strong international experience.

Other interesting matches include Sierra Leone against Guinea and Benin facing DR Congo.

In East Africa, Uganda will meet Kenya in a CECAFA derby, while Algeria will challenge Botswana in a north versus south match.

Another match to watch is Cote d’Ivoire against Burundi. The second-leg matches are set for March 14 and will be important for deciding which teams qualify.

Zambia and Nigeria, who represented Africa in the last World Cup in the Dominican Republic, hope to win at home and continue their journey.

Some teams are well-known in youth competitions. Nigeria, a five-time qualifier for the U-17 Women’s World Cup, is favoured against South Africa. Cameroon relies on its experience to defeat an improving Ethiopia team.

Zambia must be careful with Tanzania, which has shown its potential. Meanwhile, DR Congo, with less experience, hopes to surprise Benin. Finally, Algeria needs to stay alert against Botswana, a team that can create upsets.

Schedule of the Second Round of the African Qualifiers for the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

First-leg Matches

  • Saturday, March 8, 2025 (local time)

14:00

• South Africa vs Nigeria

• Uganda vs Kenya

• Botswana vs Algeria

17:00: Sierra Leone vs Guinea

19:00: Cameroon vs Ethiopia

  • Sunday, March 9, 2025 (local time)

14:00

• Tanzania vs Zambia

16:00

• Benin vs DR Congo

17:00

• Ivory Coast vs Burundi

Second-leg Matches

  • Wednesday, March 12, 2025 (local time)

17:00: Burundi vs Cote d’Ivoire

  • Saturday, March 15, 2025 (local time)

13:00: Ethiopia vs Cameroon

15:00: Zambia vs Tanzania

16:00:Nigeria vs South Africa

17:00: Guinea vs Sierra Leone

  • Sunday, March 16, 2025 (local time)

13:00: Kenya vs Uganda

15:30: DR Congo vs Benin

21:00: Algeria vs Botswana

Financial boost for African teams and others in FIFA Club World Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Financial boost for African teams and others ahead of FIFA Club World Cup

FIFA has unveiled an impressive prize pool of $1 billion for the upcoming 2025 Men’s Club World Cup, signaling a significant boost for international club football. Although the governing body has not disclosed the specific allocation of the prize money among participating teams, it is widely believed that the financial rewards will heavily favor top European clubs.

Notably, both Chelsea and Manchester City are anticipated to secure a minimum of $55 million each, reflecting their stature in the footballing world and their potential success in the tournament. This substantial financial incentive aims to enhance competition and elevate the prestige of the Club World Cup on a global scale.

The African teams taking part are Al Ahly (Egypt), Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), and Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco).

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, “The FIFA Club World Cup will be the highlight of club football and will show strong support for clubs in ways no other event has done. All money made from the tournament will go to the clubs involved and through the solidarity program; FIFA will not keep any of it. FIFA’s reserves for developing global football will stay intact.”

The 100-day milestone is an important step toward a tournament that aims to reshape club football globally. The financial support will greatly help the African teams, and other clubs on the continent will also gain from the solidarity program.

The four teams are getting ready for the competition. Ahly, Esperance, and Sundowns will all compete in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals in April. Esperance and Sundowns will face each other again after last season’s semi-final, which Esperance won. Ahly will play Sudanese club Al Hilal for a chance to reach the last four.

Nigeria's coach Eric Chelle names World Cup Qualifiers squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria’s coach Eric Chelle names World Cup Qualifying squad

Nigeria’s coach Eric Chelle has revealed his preliminary squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup Qualifiers match against Zimbabwe. The Super Eagles are set to play against the Warriors on March 25.

The match will take place at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo. Nigeria will also face Rwanda four days prior to their game against Zimbabwe.

Among the fresh faces is Genk forward Tolu Arokodare, who has been selected for his inaugural appearance with the Super Eagles, joining the team for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe in March.

The 24-year-old has exhibited outstanding performance in the Belgian Jupiler League, netting 16 goals and supplying 5 assists over 28 matches.

Tolu Arokodare has also scored 18 goals in all competitions this season, highlighting his ability to find the back of the net.

Defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha, and forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams are included for the first time. Home-based goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella may also return if they make the final list of 23 players.

This selection shows recent successes and the potential to improve the Super Eagles’ attack.

South Africa and Egypt share CHAN qualifier spoils at Free State Stadium
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

South Africa and Egypt share CHAN qualifier spoils at Free State Stadium

Jamie Webber scored a stunning goal to equalize for South Africa against Egypt in the first round of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier at Free State Stadium on Sunday night.

Egypt took the lead in the 66th minute with a goal from Mohamed Hassan Hashem Abdelaal, stunning the home crowd. However, Webber leveled the match in the 80th minute, beating Egyptian goalkeeper Mahmoud Mohamed Kassem.

Coach Molefi Ntseki expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance despite not securing a win. “A solid structure is essential as it helps players understand their roles and responsibilities,” he noted.

Ntseki acknowledged the challenge ahead, especially with a second leg to play in Egypt. Egypt’s coach Wael Reyad mentioned that many players were absent due to passport issues and recognized the match’s difficulty for his team.

Ntseki’s squad will return to Johannesburg on Monday and remain in camp until they travel to Egypt on March 6, 2025. The winner of this matchup will progress to the next round of the CHAN qualifiers in May 2025.