Category: Sport News

CAF confirm dates for next AFCON in Morocco 2025
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF confirm dates for next AFCON in Morocco 2025

The CAF Executive Committee has announced dates for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Morocco.

The Morocco 2025 tournament will start on Sunday, December 21, 2025, and end with the final match on Sunday, January 18, 2026. This event will bring together the best African football talent and will surely excite fans across the continent and beyond.

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe expressed confidence that the AFCON Morocco 2025 will be a great success and the best in the history of the competition.

The announcement followed discussions with various parties, taking into account international and domestic match schedules.

The CAF boss also noted the significant growth of Women’s football in Africa and the expected success of WAFCON Morocco 2024.

CAF is committed to protecting and advancing the interests of African players and developing African football to be globally competitive.

Motsepe expressed gratitude to King Mohamed VI of Morocco, the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), its President Fouzi Lekjaa, the Government, and the people of Morocco for hosting the AFCON Morocco 2025.

CAF set to name 2024 African Nations Championship hosts
by FSL News

CAF set to name 2024 African Nations Championship hosts

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee is expected to name the host nation for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after today’s virtual meeting of the Executive Committee, Africa Soocer reports.

This prestigious tournament provides a platform for showcasing the talents of home-based players across the continent.

The highly anticipated announcement is scheduled for Friday, June 21, 2024, following the Executive Committee’s virtual meeting, where various important matters will be deliberated.

The CHAN tournament is pivotal in CAF’s development strategy by promoting competitiveness and growth among member associations.

The selected host nation will bear the responsibility of ensuring a successful tournament. CAF’s decision will be based on various factors, including infrastructure, logistics, and commercial viability.

Expectations are high for this announcement, as the CHAN tournament has garnered increased popularity and reputation, providing a noteworthy platform for African football to shine.

CAF’s unwavering commitment to delivering a world-class event will further solidify the 2024 CHAN tournament as a resounding success, securing its place in the African football calendar.

It’s worth noting that Kenya was initially slated to host the 2024 CHAN tournament.

Sierra Leone up four places in latest FIFA World rankings
by FSL News

Sierra Leone up four places in latest FIFA World ranking

Sierra Leone rose to 122nd from 126th in the latest FIFA men’s world rankings after securing four points in World Cup qualifiers in June.

A slow improvement also saw them move from 35th in Africa to 34th place.

Neighbours Liberia has made the biggest climb in the latest FIFA Rankings, jumping 10 spots from 152 to 142.

After a 2-1 win over Djibouti and a 2-2 draw against Burkina Faso in June’s 2026 World Cup qualifying matches, the team moved up to 122nd, just behind Camoross, Togo and Sudan, respectively.

During the June international break, Coach Amidu Karim’s team secured a win and a draw in their last two qualifying games.

Sierra Leone achieved their best-ever ranking in August 2014 when they gained 14 places, entering the top 50 for the first time in their history.

At the time, the Leone Stars ranked 50th globally and was in the continent’s top seven places in 2014. 

Meanwhile, In Africa, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Cameroon, Mali and South Africa make the top ten. 

In the global rankings, the top three remain the same, with Argentina (1st), France (2nd), and Belgium (3rd) maintaining their positions.

However, the rankings behind them have shifted, as Brazil (4th, up 1) and England (5th, down 1) swapped places.

Portugal (6th), the Netherlands (7th), and Spain (8th) retained their spots in the top ten, while Croatia (9th, up 1) surpassed Italy (10th, down 1), who still hold onto a place among the leading teams.

For the full FIFA Men’s Rankings click here.

Striker Kei Kamara heads 145 Major League career goals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Kei Kamara heads 145 Major League career goals

In a 1-1 tie against Austin FC, Los Angeles extended its undefeated streak to nine games in all competitions.

Kei Kamara scored a late header, securing a crucial point for the team. As a result, he equals Landon Donovan’s mark of 145 career MLS goals for second place on the league’s all-time list.

Jáder Obrian from Austin’s team scored first in the game, but Kamara tied the score in the 90th minute with his first MLS goal.

LAFC’s current season record is 10-4-4 with 34 points. This goal was Kamara’s 145th regular-season goal, putting him in second place in league history, tied with Landon Donovan.

It’s worth mentioning that Kamara has scored for 11 different MLS clubs since he joined the league in 2006.

Austin took the lead in the 19th minute when Obrian’s deflected shot beat Hugo Lloris, marking the first time LAFC had conceded a first-half goal since May 4 and only the second goal allowed in MLS play since then.

Throughout the second half, LAFC maintained pressure on Austin, finishing with a 17-3 advantage in shots.

The equalizer finally came in the 90th minute when Kamara headed in Mateusz Bogusz’s cross from the back post, tying the score 1-1.

Kei Kamara equals Landon Donovan's mark of 145 career MLS goals for second place on the league's all-time list.
Kei Kamara equals Landon Donovan's mark of 145 career MLS goals for second place on the league's all-time list.
African Cup of Nations may be rescheduled to December 2025
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Africa Cup of Nations may be rescheduled to December 2025

A potential rescheduling of the next African Cup of Nations in Morocco to December 2025 is being considered to avoid a clash with the new-look Club World Cup.

The Cup of Nations was scheduled to take place mid-year starting from the 2019 edition in Egypt. However, the last two editions did not take place as planned.

The next AFCON was originally planned for July and August 2025. However, due to FIFA’s new 32-team tournament, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has had to reconsider these plans.

Recent reports have emerged that the event is set to span from late December 2025 to late January 2026, causing a shift in the football calendar to make room for FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup.

This scheduling change is expected to bring about significant adjustments and impacts on the international football scene.

The current plans are not yet confirmed but are under negotiation amid an escalating legal battle over the crammed football calendar.

Nigeria's Chidera Ejuke happy to join Spanish side Sevilla
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria’s Chidera Ejuke happy to join Spanish side Sevilla

Chidera Ejuke, the 26-year-old Nigerian winger, has joined Spanish side Sevilla on a free transfer from CSKA Moscow after a loan spell at Royal Antwerp.

Ejuke, a right-footed player, has primarily played as a left-winger and also has experience in all attacking positions in Europe.

The Nigeria winger said, “It’s all been very quick. I’m happy and very excited to be part of this family and I’m looking forward to achieving great things here. For a club like this to be interested in me is huge.

Communication has been easy, and I’m happy that everything has gone the way it has.”

Ejuke added, “It’s special to be the first Nigerian here. I feel good being part of this team. I’m looking forward to seeing what I can bring. I hope I can come back with Nigeria because it’s always nice to represent your country.”!

Chidera Ejuke started his European career with Valerenga in Norway, making 59 appearances, scoring 15 goals, and providing six assists across two seasons.

After playing for Heerenveen in the Netherlands, Ejuke joined CSKA Moscow, scoring 10 goals and providing 8 assists. He also had loan spells at Hertha Berlin and Royal Antwerp.

Ejuke made his debut for the Nigerian national team in 2020 and has earned eight caps during qualifying campaigns for the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.

Kenya’s Junior Starlets set for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup debut
by FSL News

Kenya’s Starlets set for FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup debut

Kenya’s Junior Starlets will camp in Spain for three weeks before heading to the Dominican Republic for the Women’s U17 World Cup in October and November.

On Sunday, they made history by becoming the first Kenyan side to qualify for a World Cup after a 5-0 aggregate win against Burundiat Ulinzi Complex, Nairobi.

The team will have a three-week camp in Marbella, Spain in September to prepare for the global tournament taking place between October 16 and November 3.

The draw for the tournament is scheduled for this month and Kenya will face strong teams from Asia, such as Japan and Korea.

Recap

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ will occur in the Dominican Republic from October 16 to November 3, 2024.

This will be the first time the Dominican Republic has hosted a FIFA tournament.

Spain won the tournament in 2022 and achieved the remarkable feat of holding the U-17, U20, and senior women’s titles simultaneously, becoming the first nation to do so.

Sixteen teams will compete to win the trophy and join the ranks of former champions DPR Korea, Korea Republic, France, Japan, and Spain.

Nigeria & Zambia secure tickets to FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
by FSL News

Nigeria & Zambia secure tickets to FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria and Zambia have officially secured their spots in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will occur in the Dominican Republic from October 16 to November 3, 2024.

 

Nigeria became the first African team to qualify for the women’s youth competition after defeating Liberia 6-1 on aggregate. They won 4-1 in the away match and then secured a 2-0 victory in the home leg in Abuja.

 

Zambia returned to the tournament after a 10-year absence by securing their spot on June 15. They won 3-1 in their first match in Ndola and then played to a goalless draw in the return leg in Morocco, which was enough to secure their place in the finals.

The third and final African spot in the tournament will be determined in the match between Kenya and Burundi on June 16. Kenya holds the advantage after winning the first leg 3-0 at home.

Ex-Nigerian International Finidi quits Super Eagles job
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ex-Nigerian International Finidi quits Super Eagles job

Finidi George has resigned as coach of the Super Eagles, stating, “I won’t work under another coach in the Super Eagles.”

This decision followed the NFF’s option to appoint a foreign coach after the team failed to win the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin.

During Finidi’s tenure, the Super Eagles suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat to the Benin Republic in Abidjan after a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

These results leave the Super Eagles winless after four matches, putting them in fifth place in Group C with just three points and jeopardizing Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Finidi, appointed as the substantive coach in April after serving as an assistant to Jose Peseiro, had his position reconsidered by the NFF due to the recent poor results.

The 53-year-old coach succeeded the Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, who left his post after his contract ended in February and had previously worked as Peseiro’s assistant for 20 months.

Crystal Palace have made their first summer signing with the arrival of Morocco centre-back Chadi Riad, in a deal worth £12m plus £2m in add-ons.
by FSL News

Morocco’s Chadi Riad joins Premiership side Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have made their first summer signing with the arrival of Morocco centre-back Chadi Riad.

The 20-year-old, who moved to Real Betis on loan from Barcelona last summer before making the move permanent, has joined the Eagles, external on a contract until June 2029.

Riad made 30 appearances for Betis in all competitions during the past campaign and helped them finish seventh in La Liga.

“As a full international at just 20 years old, Chadi is an exciting young player who we are delighted to be able to welcome to the club,” said Palace chairman Steve Parish.

Riad added: “I was interested in coming here because of the history of the club, and the league in which it plays.

“The club has high-level players who are young and I have come here to follow their same trajectory, to grow as they have grown.”

Riad was selected for the senior Morocco national team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He made his debut in a 3–1 pre-tournament friendly win over Sierra Leone on 11 January 2024.