Category: African News

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Zamalek off to a strong start in Confederation Cup group stage
by FSL News

Zamalek off to a strong start in Confederation Cup group stage

Match Day 01 of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stages featured three notable matchups in northern Africa. Defending champions Zamalek SC from Egypt, USM Alger from Algeria, and RS Berkane from Morocco each hosted their opening matches.

Zamalek SC, a two-time champion, secured a solid 2-0 victory over Mozambique’s Black Bulls FC, with goals from Ahmed Abdelhamid and Nabil Emad.  

In Group B, RS Berkane triumphed 2-0 against Angola’s Club Desportivo de Lunda Sul, with Issoufou Dayo scoring both goals.

The final match saw USM Alger deliver a dominating 6-0 win against Orapa United from Botswana, featuring two goals from Ismail Belkacemi and contributions from Saadi Raouani, Wale Alli, Nabil Lamara, and Islam Mrili.  

The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will continue with Match Day 02 on Sunday, December 8th.

Vital opening win for Simba in group stage start campaign
by Football Sierra Leone

Simba begins CAF Confederation group campaign with a vital win

Tanzanian team Simba SC began their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage with a 1-0 win against Angola’s Bravos do Maquis at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

Jean Ahoua scored the only goal with a penalty in the first half, putting Simba at the top of Group A. The penalty occurred in the 27th minute after Edmilson from Bravos handled the ball.

Ahoua struck the penalty into the top left corner, out of the goalkeeper’s reach.

The match was intense, with both teams creating chances. Despite pressure from Simba and several close attempts by Steven Mukwala, they could not score again.

In the second half, Bravos sought to equalize, but Emmanuel Edmond had a penalty saved by Simba’s goalkeeper. Bravos missed other chances, and Simba’s Joshua Mutale hit the post in the 66th minute.

Both teams made substitutions, but neither could find the net in the final minutes. Simba’s solid defense held strong, securing an important win.

This victory positions Simba SC at the top of Group A, ahead of the later match between Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien and Algeria’s Constantine. Simba’s win could be crucial for their chances of reaching the knockout stages.

Raja Casablanca suffer defeat to FAR Rabat as Pirates edge Belouizdad
by Football Sierra Leone

Raja Casablanca suffer defeat to FAR Rabat as Pirates edge Belouizdad

FAR Rabat shocked Raja Casablanca with a 2-0 win in a heated Moroccan derby at the Stade Larbi Zaouli during the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Tuesday.

Ahmed Hammoudan scored the first goal in the 41st minute after a defensive mistake. Raja missed a chance to equalize when Sabir Bougrine’s penalty shot was saved. Khalid Aït Ouarkhane secured the win in stoppage time after a counterattack.

This victory marked FAR Rabat’s first win over Raja since 2020 and puts them at the top of Group B, while Raja needs to regroup after a tough start.

  • **Orlando Pirates Beat Belouizdad in Algiers**

Orlando Pirates returned to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a 2-1 victory over CR Belouizdad at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962.

Mohau Nkota shone with two first-half goals, scoring in the fifth and 27th minutes. Belouizdad pulled one back with a header from Khanyisa Mayo, but the Pirates’ defense held strong for the win.

This result places Orlando Pirates tied with Al Ahly at the top of Group C, with Al Ahly leading on goal difference.

  • **Esperance Tunis Defeats Djoliba in Tunis**

Esperance Tunis won convincingly, defeating Djoliba 4-0 at the Stade Hammadi Agrebi.

Raed Bouchniba opened the scoring in the fourth minute, followed by a goal from Elias Mokwana. Oussama Bouguerra added a header for a third while Koussay Maacha scored in stoppage time.

Djoliba struggled to keep up with Esperance, who now shares the top spot in Group D with Pyramids FC after strong opening matches.

Defending champions Al Ahly wallop Stade d'Abidjan in Cairo
by Football Sierra Leone

Defending champions Al Ahly wallop Stade d’Abidjan in Cairo

Group C, Defending champions Al Ahly began their pursuit of a third consecutive TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title with a decisive 4-2 victory over Côte d’Ivoire’s Stade d’Abidjan in Cairo on Tuesday.

Al Ahly took control in the first half with a 3-1 lead, featuring two goals from Kahraba and one from Mohamed Magdi Kafsha.

Stade d’Abidjan responded with a goal from Kassoum Koné, but Kahraba sealed the win in the second half, despite a late goal from Roger Assalé.

In Group B, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa were held to a 0-0 draw by DR Congo debutants Maniema Union.

Despite dominating possession and creating multiple chances, including a shot that hit the crossbar, the Sundowns could not find the net.

Looking ahead, the tournament will feature the anticipated Moroccan derby between Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat, as well as a match between CR Belouizdad and Orlando Pirates in

In Group D, Pyramids FC delivered an impressive 5-1 triumph over Angola’s Sagrada Esperança at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium.

Ibrahim Adel starred with two goals, including a stunning opener. Fiston Mayele, Mohamed Hamdy, and Ahmed Atef also contributed, while Sagrada managed a late consolation from Cachí.

Esperance will also face Djoliba in the final Group D fixture later this evening.

Young Africans suffer opening Champions League Group Stage defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Young Africans suffer opening Champions League Group Stage defeat

The CAF Champions League group stages started with a surprise as Young Africans SC lost 2-0 to Al Hilal on Tuesday, November 26, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Al Hilal scored two goals in the second half. Adama Coulibaly scored first, followed by Yasser Muzammil, leaving the Tanzanian champions struggling in their first match of the tournament. Al Hilal now leads Group A.

The crowd at the stadium supported the Young Africans SC as they pressured Al Hilal early on. Aziz Ki played a key role in their attack.

Young Africans SC dominated possession but couldn’t break through Al Hilal’s defense. After halftime, despite their continued attacks, they left defensive gaps. A long goal kick from Al Hilal’s goalkeeper reached Adama Coulibaly, who skillfully bypassed his defender and scored by sliding the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Young Africans SC couldn’t break Al Hilal’s solid defence. Yasser Muzammil sealed the victory with a similar goal. He connected with a long pass, ran toward the goalkeeper, and finished at the near post.

In another Group A match, TP Mazembe’s hopes for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League took a hit when they drew 0-0 with Algeria’s MC Alger.

Egypt's Al Ahly eye another CAF Champions League title
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s Al Ahly eye another CAF Champions League title

Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller they are always aiming for the title as his team prepares to start the defence of their CAF Champions League title against Stade d’Abidjan on Tuesday.

The 2023/24 tournament group stage begins today, with top African clubs competing for the championship. Al Ahly will host Stade d’Abidjan at the Cairo International Stadium, seeking their third consecutive title.

The Red Eagles are unbeaten in their last 15 home matches in the tournament, with 13 wins. Koller emphasized their ambition, stating, “This edition will be difficult because all teams want to win, but our fans’ support drives us.”

Captain Mohamed El Shenawy shared a similar goal: “We want to win this title for the third time. We are used to handling pressure and will take it step by step.”

Stade d’Abidjan coach Alexandre Lafitte acknowledged the challenge: “We are in a tough group with experienced teams, but we’ve prepared well.”

In Group A, Al Hilal travels to Tanzania to face Young Africans, while Algeria’s MC Alger returns to the Champions League against DR Congo’s TP Mazembe.

Group B features a derby match between Moroccan teams Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat. Raja aims to regain its form, while FAR looks to leverage its league positioning. South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will meet the Manema Union of DR Congo.

In Group D, last year’s runners-up Esperance face Djoliba of Mali, and Pyramids FC takes on Angola’s Sagrada at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo.

Group C includes an important match between Algeria’s Chabab Belouizdad and South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, both eager to secure early points.

Barbra Banda is the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year
by FSL News

Zambia’s Barbra Banda wins BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year

Zambia and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda has been named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, emerging as the top vote-getter from BBC Sport readers following a five-player shortlist.

The shortlist was selected by a panel of global football experts based on performances from September 2023 to August 2024. Banda expressed her surprise and gratitude, saying, “I would like to thank everyone who voted and those who have supported me—my family, my national team, and the Pride team.”

At the Paris Olympics, Banda scored four goals for Zambia, including a hat-trick against Australia, making her the leading African goalscorer in Olympic history with 10. She also netted 13 goals for the Pride in the 2024 NWSL season, despite joining in March.

Aitana Bonmati from Spain and Barcelona came second in the voting, while Sophia Smith of the USA and Portland Thorns finished third. Banda became the second-most expensive women’s football signing in history when she transferred to the Pride for $740,000 (£581,000).

Banda, who ranked 12th in the 2024 Women’s Ballon d’Or, is a former professional boxer. She highlighted the challenges young girls face in pursuing sports in Zambia but noted that her mother eventually supported her passion for football.

Pride head coach Seb Hines praised Banda’s contributions to the team and African football, emphasizing her humility and team-first mentality.

TP Mazembe crowned Queens of African women’s club football
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

TP Mazembe crowned Queens of African women’s club football

TP Mazembe ladies from the Democratic Republic of Congo have won the CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco 2024.

In the final match at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi in El Jadida, TP Mazembe defeated the former champions and hosts AS FAR by a score of 1-0.

This victory is Mazembe’s first title in the tournament, erasing the disappointment of their early exit in 2022.

The deciding goal came from Marlene Kasaj, who scored on a penalty kick in the first 10 minutes. Mazembe defended their lead strongly throughout the match.

AS FAR pushed for an equalizer after falling behind, but TP Mazembe’s solid defence kept a clean sheet in the first half.

After halftime, TP Mazembe maintained their lead while AS FAR struggled to score.

Along with the Champions League trophy, TP Mazembe will receive $600,000, while AS FAR, as runners-up, will take home $400,000.

Tanzania stun Guinea to reach AFCON 2025 in Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tanzania stun Guinea to reach AFCON 2025 in Morocco

Simon Msuva scored a key header in the second half, giving Tanzania a 1-0 victory over Guinea at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on Tuesday. This win qualified the Taifa Stars for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

Tanzania finished second in Group H with 10 points, making it impossible for Guinea and Ethiopia to catch up.

Msuva’s goal in the 61st minute came from a cross by Mudathir Yahya, exciting the home fans and bringing Tanzania closer to their fourth AFCON appearance. This was Msuva’s third goal of the qualifying campaign.

Although Guinea pressed for an equalizer, they could not break through Tanzania’s strong defence. Their best chance came when Mady Camara hit the crossbar, but they failed to score.

With this loss, Guinea ended their hopes of qualifying with nine points in third place. Tanzania’s victory secured their spot in their second consecutive AFCON and their fourth overall.

Group H Standings (Finalized for Tanzania):

  1. DR Congo – 12 points (5 matches played)
  2. Tanzania – 10 points (6 matches played, qualified)
  3. Guinea – 9 points (6 matches played)
  4. Ethiopia – 1 point (5 matches played)
Malawi thrash Burkina Faso as they finish bottom of Group L
by FSL News

Malawi thrash Burkina Faso as they finish bottom of Group L

Malawi won their final Group L match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers, beating Burkina Faso 3-0 at the Bingu National Stadium on Monday.

Despite this victory, Senegal and Burkina Faso still advance to Morocco. Before this match, Malawi had not won any of their last 10 qualifiers. Gabadinho Mhango opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a long-range shot, leading 1-0 at halftime.

In the second half, Richard Mbulu scored with a header in the 57th minute, and Lloyd Aaron sealed the win in the 62nd minute with a close-range goal.

Although this win was uplifting, Malawi finished last in the group due to a lower goal difference compared to Burundi. Burkina Faso, already qualified, struggled in the match and ended the group stage with 10 points, finishing second behind Senegal.

Senegal remains unbeaten and aims to keep that record in their final match against Burundi on Tuesday. They have 13 points, with eight goals scored and only one conceded.

Final Group L Standings:

  1. Senegal – 13 points (4 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses)
  2. Burkina Faso – 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses)
  3. Burundi – 4 points (1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses)
  4. Malawi – 4 points (1 win, 1 draw, 4 losses)