Category: African News

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Striker Serhou Guirassy nets hat-trick as Guinea thrash Ethiopia

Striker Serhou Guirassy nets hat-trick as Guinea thrash Ethiopia

Striker Serhou Guirassy scored an impressive hat trick in the first half, leading Guinea to a resounding 4-1 victory over Ethiopia in their 2025 CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The match, held at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, showcased Syli National’s dominance from the outset. Guinea secured their lead in the 18th minute when Guirassy successfully converted a penalty after Birhanu Bekele’s foul inside the box.

The Germany-based attacker extended his lead in the 37th minute, finishing from close range after a well-timed pass from Seydouba Cissé. Just before half-time, Guirassy completed his hat-trick by slotting home in stoppage time from a François Kamano assist, securing a 3-0 lead at the break.

Guinea continued their dominance in the second half, with Seydouba Cissé adding a fourth goal in the 48th minute, finishing a through ball from Mady Camara.

After Matchday Three, DR Congo leads Group H with nine points, followed by Tanzania with four points and Guinea with three points. Ethiopia remains at the bottom with just one point.

Ethiopia scored a goal in the 53rd minute through Kenean Markneh, but Guinea’s victory renewed their prospects for qualification, while Ethiopia faces a challenging path to keep their hopes alive.

Zambia's Copper Bullet misfire against Chad at home

Zambia held by Chad in Afcon Qualifier at home

Zambia was unable to defeat Chad in the third match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium on Friday.

Currently, Zambia is in 2nd place in Group G with four points. However, the team’s performance left a bitter taste for Chipolopolo’s fans, who were hoping for a back-to-back win for the first time in the group.

In a recap of the match, Zambia and Chad played to a 0-0 draw at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium. Despite dominating possession, Chipolopolo failed to score against a resilient Chad side, which was content to absorb pressure and counterattack when possible.

Zambia is currently in second place in the group with four points from three matches. Cote d’Ivoire is leading with six points and a game in hand. Chad is in third place with two points, and Sierra Leone is at the bottom with one point.

Zambia almost scored when Francisco Mwepu hit the post in the 84th minute, but Chad’s defense held firm to secure a valuable point away from home.

Zambia's Coppa Bullets eye back-to-back win in race to Morocco AFCON

Zambia’s Copper Bullets eye second win in race to Morocco AFCON

Zambia won their last Africa Cup of Nations qualifier 3-2 against Sierra Leone, despite a shaky start. They are currently 2nd in Group G with 3 points, having won one game and lost one.

Avram Grants’ Copper Bullets will aim to boost their chances of qualifying by defeating Chad.

In their last six matches across all competitions, Zambia has won once, drawn, and lost four times. They have struggled defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last 15 games.

Chad suffered a 0-2 loss against Ivory Coast in their most recent qualifier and currently sits 4th in Group G with just 1 point from two games. They have struggled both offensively and defensively, failing to win any of their last four matches.

In their last six matches, Chad has managed 2 draws and 4 losses, scoring only 2 goals and conceding 8. They will need to significantly improve to challenge Zambia in their upcoming match.

Predicted Starting Lineups

Zambia: Mulenga, Chapeshi, Sunzu, Chongo, (c) Musonda, Chaiwa, Banda, Kangwa, Chisala, Chama, Musonda

Chad: Gabin, Mbogo, Nounchil, Abdaraman, Tchouplaou, Osee, Allarabaye, Yeo, Damba, Hiver, (c) Mouandilmadji

The Copper Bullets are looking for their second win in a row (Photo: ZFA)
The Copper Bullets are looking for their second win in a row (Photo: ZFA)
A Group F stalemate between Ghana and Sudan in Accra

A Group F stalemate between Ghana and Sudan in Accra

In the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, Ghana continued to struggle in Group F with another goalless draw against Sudan. (GFA Photo) – the Black Stars couldn’t take advantage of their home ground despite having a lot of possession at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ghanaian fans were hopeful that the Black Stars would record their first win after their slow start in Group F, which included a surprising home loss to Angola and an away draw against Niger. Despite the significant pressure, Ghana coach Otto Addo remains confident in his team’s abilities.

Players like Jordan Ayew, West Ham attacker Moahmed Kudus, and Antoine Samedu were all part of the starting eleven but couldn’t make a difference in the stalemate.

During the match, Ghana struggled to score, with Mohammed Kudus and Iñaki Williams coming closest to finding the net. However, Sudan’s defence, led by goalkeeper Mohamed Al Mustafa, held strong. Ghana’s attacking players had difficulty breaking through Sudan’s determined defence, and despite late pressure, they were unable to score, resulting in a goalless draw.

In their three matches so far, the Black Stars are currently in third place in Group F with just two points, while Sudan has moved up to second place with four points after securing a draw. Sudan host Ghana in Libya on October 15th for match day four of the qualifiers.

Angola is currently leading the group with six points from two games, and Niger is at the bottom with one point. Angola is scheduled to play against Niger on Friday. 

Zimbabwe go top of Group J after win over Namibia

Zimbabwe go top of Group J after win over Namibia

Zimbabwe has taken the lead in Group J  of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers for Morocco next year on five points after securing a 1-0 victory over Namibia.

The match took place at the Orlando Stadium on Thursday afternoon. Zimbabwe scored the winning goal through Khama Billiat in the 34th minute from the penalty spot.

This victory places Namibia at the bottom of the group after losing their first two matches against Cameroon and Kenya.

Zimbabwe currently holds the top position in Group J until the outcome of the match between Kenya and Cameroon, which will take place at the Japoma Stadium in Douala on Friday.

Both Zimbabwe and Namibia will face each other again in a few days in South Africa on neutral ground.

This upcoming match is expected to be closely contested due to the rivalry between the two nations. Namibia must win at least to revive their qualification hopes.

Sierra Leone to face Neighbours Liberia in qualifying for CHAN 2024

Sierra Leone to face Neighbours Liberia in qualifying for CHAN 2024

The Sierra Leone national home-based team has been drawn to face neighbouring Liberia in the first-round qualifiers for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The draw, conducted in Cairo on Wednesday, 09 October, involved 40 nations in determining the two rounds of qualifiers, which will be played on a home and away basis.

The tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from 01 to 28 February 2025. This marks the first occasion in CAF history that the tournament will be jointly hosted by three nations.

The tournament qualifiers are set for October 25-27 and November 1-3, 2024, with the final round scheduled for December 20-22 and December 27-29, 2024.

Nineteen African nations will compete, including the host nations (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) and three qualified nations from each of CAF’s six Zonal Unions.

The tournament is exclusive to players competing in their local leagues and offers a prize money of $2 million. The last edition was won by Senegal, defeating the hosts, Algeria, in the finals.

WAFU A ROUND 1

Sierra Leone vs Liberia

1st Leg: 25 – 27 October | 2nd Leg: 01 – 03 November

ROUND 2

Sierra Leone / Liberia v Senegal

Mauritania v Mali

Guinea v Guinea-Bissau

1st Leg: 20 – 22 December | 2nd Leg 27 – 29 November

Accra Sports Stadium to host Ghana v Sudan after CAF's approval

Accra Sports Stadium to host Ghana v Sudan after CAF’s approval

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved Ghana to host their upcoming home game against Sudan in the 2025 AFCON Qualifiers at the newly renovated Accra Sports Stadium.

This decision follows a thorough inspection confirming that the stadium is in satisfactory condition. The match is set to take place at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, October 11. Following this, Ghana will travel to Libya for the return fixture on Monday.

Sudan and Ghana currently hold the second and third positions in Group F. They are scheduled to face each other twice in the tournament qualifiers, which will be held in Morocco next year.

Sudan arrived in Ghana on Monday, October 7, to commence their preparations for the two upcoming games. The Black Stars will play at home on Thurs

Champions Al Ahly, CRB, Pirates, and Stade D’Abidjan in Group C

Champions Al Ahly, CRB, Pirates and Stade D’Abidjan in Group C

The official draw for the Group Stages of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League for the 2024/25 season has set up what promises to be an exciting phase of Africa’s top club competition.

Al Ahly SC of Egypt, the most successful club with 12 titles, will headline Group C, which includes CR Belouizdad of Algeria, former champions Orlando Pirates, and Stade D’Abidjan, who are making their first group stage appearance.

All six of CAF’s Zonal Unions will be represented in this season’s edition of the Group Stages, showing the continued growth of African football across the continent.

TP Mazembe, five-time champions, will headline Group A and will face off against Young Africans, Al Hilal, and MC Alger of Algeria.

Group B will feature 2016 champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who will compete against three-time champions Raja Casablanca and AS FAR, both from Morocco, along with DR Congo outfit Maniema Union FC.

Group C will be led by the reigning champions, Al Ahly SC. The last group of the competition will see last season’s runners-up, ES Tunis, competing against Pyramids FC, GD Sagrada Esperanca, and Djoliba AC of Mali.

The group stages will be played between November 2024 and January 2025.

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 1: November 26-27, 2024  – ⁠Match Day 2: December 6-8, 2024 – Match Day 3: December 13-15, 2024 

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 4: January 3-5, 2025 Match Day 5: January 10-12, 2025 – Match Day 6: January 17-19, 2025

Click HERE for a list of fixtures.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group Stage Draw Results: 

GROUP A: TP Mazembe (RDC), Young Africans SC (TAN), Al Hilal (SUD), MC Alger (ALG)

GROUP B: Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA), Raja CA (MAR), AS FAR (MAR) Maniema Union (RDC)

GROUP C: Al Ahly SC (EGY), CR Belouizdad (ALG), Orlando Pirates (RSA) ,Stade D ‘Abidjan (CIV)

GROUP D: ES Tunis (TUN), Pyramids FC (EGY), GD Sagrada Esperanca (ANG), Djoliba AC (MLI)

CAF will soon announce details of the fixtures, venues and dates in due course.

Exciting matches lineup in CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage draw

Exciting matches lineup in CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage

The draw for the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage took place in Cairo on Monday, adding to the excitement surrounding the competition.

Defending champions Zamalek SC are in Group D with Al Masry, Enyimba, and Black Bulls. In Group C, USM Alger will compete against ASEC Mimosas, ASC Jaraaf, and Orapa United.

Group B features RS Berkane, Stade Malien, Stellenbosch FC, and CD Lunda Sul. Group A, known as the “Group of Death,” includes Simba SC, CS Sfaxien, CS Constantine, and Bravos do Maquis.

The group stage begins in November, with prestigious clubs from across Africa competing for the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup trophy.

The group stages will be played between November 2024 and January 2025. 

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage Fixtures Dates:

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 1: November 26-27, 2024  – ⁠Match Day 2: December 6-8, 2024 – Match Day 3: December 13-15, 2024 – ⁠Match Day 4: January 3-5, 2025 –Match Day 5: January 10-12, 2025 – Match Day 6: January 17-19, 2025

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage Draw Results:

Group A: Simba SC (Tanzania), CS Sfaxien (Tunisia), CS Constantine (Algeria), Bravos do Maquis (Angola)

Group B: RS Berkane (Morocco), Stade Malien (Mali), Stellenbosch (South Africa), CD Lunda Sul (Angola),

Group C: USM Alger (Algeria), ASEC Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire), ASC Jaraaf (Senegal), Orapa United (Botswana)

Group D: Zamalek SC (Egypt), Al Masry (Egypt), Enyimba FC (Nigeria), Black Bulls (Mozambique),

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 1: November 26-27, 2024  

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 2: December 6-8, 2024 

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 3: December 13-15, 2024 

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 4: January 3-5, 2025 

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 5: January 10-12, 2025 

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 6: January 17-19, 2025

Click HERE for list of fixtures.

Namibia set for crucial AFCON Group J qualifiers against Zimbabwe

Namibia set for crucial AFCON Group J qualifiers against Zimbabwe

Namibia set for crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group J qualifying matches against Zimbabwe. The team will play two important games against Zimbabwe on October 10 and October 14, 2024, in South Africa.

Bottom of the group having lost their opening two matches against Cameroon and Kenya in the race to Morocco, Namibia looks to review their chances against Zimbabwe.

The squad announcement comes at a critical point in their AFCON campaign, and the technical team will be relying on key players to perform well during the two matches. Both matches against Zimbabwe will take place in South Africa on neutral ground and are expected to be closely contested due to the rivalry between the two nations.

Namibia’s squad and tactics are crucial as they aim to qualify for AFCON 2025. The team will train in South Africa to refine their strategy and prepare for the challenges ahead. Their campaign now depends on their performance against Zimbabwe. Victory could propel them into a strong position, while defeat would jeopardize their chances.

Namibia must win at least of this month’s ties to revive their qualification hopes.