Category: Sport News

Wydad record strong start in CAF Confederation Cup
by FSL News

Wydad record strong start in CAF Confederation Cup

Wydad Casablanca, former African champions, started their campaign strongly by beating debutants Nairobi United 3–0 in Casablanca in their Group B CAF Confederation Cup group stage opener.

Ayoub Boucheta, Mohamed Bouchouari, and Mohamed Rayhi scored the goals for Wydad.

AS Maniema Union also earned three points with a 2–0 win over Azam FC in Kinshasa. Christian Panzi scored first, and substitute Chadoma Ozome added a second goal late in the game.

In Group C, CR Belouizdad from Algeria won 2–0 against Singida Black Stars in Algiers. Goals from Belhocini and Benguit put them at the top of Group C on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch needed stoppage time to beat AS Otoho 1–0, with Angelo Cupido scoring in the 90+3 minute for a thrilling home victory.

Matchday 1 Results – Group B
• Wydad 3–0 Nairobi United
• Maniema 2–0 Azam

Matchday 1 Results – Group C
• CR Belouizdad 2–0 Singida Black Stars
• Stellenbosch 1–0 Otoho d’Oyo

Al Masry beat Kaizer Chiefs to signal strong intents
by Football Sierra Leone

Al Masry beat Kaizer Chiefs to signal strong intents

Al Masry defeated Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in their 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup Group D match at the Suez Stadium on Sunday.

This win marks a strong start for coach Nabil Kouki’s team, who now look forward to facing Zesco United in Zambia on November 30.

Kaizer Chiefs, led by co-coaches Khalil Ben Youssef and Cedric Kaze, were disappointed after conceding a late goal.

Despite struggling early on, with goalkeeper Brandon Petersen making crucial saves, they improved and equalised in the 66th minute through Dillan Solomons.

However, a failure to clear a corner in the 87th minute allowed Mohamed Hashem to score, securing the victory for Al Masry.

Elsewhere, Olympique de Safi and USM Alger both won their first matches in Group A.

Safi had a strong performance, securing a 1–0 victory away at Djoliba. Salaheddine Errahouli scored the only goal in the 29th minute. The Moroccans defended well under pressure in the second half to secure the win.

In Algiers, USM Alger won a thrilling match against San Pedro, finishing 3–2.

Houssem Ghacha, Adem Alilet, and Saadi Radouani scored for USM Alger. San Pedro responded with goals from Dramane Kamagate and Mouhammadou Karamoko.

Petro Atlético top Group D with a win over Simba  in Tanzania
by Football Sierra Leone

Petro Atlético top Group D with a win over Simba  in Tanzania

On Sunday, Simba SC from Tanzania lost 1-0 at home to Petro de Luanda from Angola in a Group D match. Bernardo Dias scored the only goal in the 78th minute.

Petro Atlético secured the only away victory on Matchday 1, defeating Simba 1–0 in Dar es Salaam with a late goal from Benny, who finished calmly after a build-up involving Tiago Reis.

In another match, Esperance and Stade Malien played to a 0–0 draw in Tunis, positioning Petro Atlético as the early leaders in Group D.

Matchday 1 Results – Group D

• Simba 0–1 Petro Atlético

• Esperance 0–0 Stade Malien

Standings – Group D

  1. Petro Atlético – 3 pts
  2. Esperance – 1 pt
  3. Stade Malien – 1 pt
  4. Simba – 0 pts

Next Fixtures 

• Petro Atlético vs Esperance

• Power Dynamos vs Pyramids 

Pyramids, Al Ahly, Young Africans and Sundowns register wins in CAF Champions League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Pyramids, Al Ahly, Young Africans and Sundowns register wins in CAF Champions League

The group stages of the 2025/26 Caf Champions League kicked off with an exciting slate of matches, showcasing dominant performances from some of the biggest clubs.

In Group A, reigning champions Pyramids made a statement by defeating Nigeria’s Rivers United 3-0 in Cairo, thanks to a stunning hat trick from Ahmed Atef El Sayed.

Meanwhile, Caf Confederation Cup winners RS Berkane matched that scoreline against Zambia’s Power Dynamos, who had previously knocked out Vipers. Goals from Aaron Katebe, a clinical finish by Mounir Chouiar, and Paul Bassène’s second-half penalty sealed the victory for the Moroccans.

Over in Group B, record champions Al Ahly put on a show with a commanding 4-1 win against JS Kabylie in Cairo. Trezeguet found the net twice, Mohamed Sherif added another, and a late own goal from Kabylie capped off a convincing performance.

Tanzania’s Young Africans also got off to a solid start, clinching a 1-0 win over FAR Rabat in Zanzibar, courtesy of a sharp second-half finish from Prince Dube.

Group C saw wins for both Sundowns and Al Hilal. Sundowns triumphed 3-1 over DR Congo’s St. Eloi Lupopo, with Nuno Santos netting a brace and Marcello Allende adding another goal.

Al Hilal secured a gritty 2-1 victory against MC Alger in Kigali, with goals from Abdelrazek Omar and Mohamed Abdelrahman (“Al Gharbal”), even after finishing the match with 10 men.

In contrast, Simba faced a tough home loss, going down 1-0 to Angola’s Petro Atletico, with the lone goal scored by Benny. In the same group, Tunisia’s Esperance could only manage a draw against Mali’s Stade Malien in Tunis.

With match day two on the horizon, the excitement of the competition is set to continue next weekend.

  • Simba 0-1 Petro Atletico
  • RS Berkane 3-0 Power Dynamos
  • Pyramids 3-0 Rivers United
  • Al Ahly 4-1 JS Kabylie
  • Esperance 0-0 Stade de Malien
  • Mamelodi Sundowns 3-1 St. Eloi Lupopo
  • Young Africans 1-0 FAR Rabat
  • Al Hilal Omdurman 2-1 MC Alger
Striker Augustine Williams and Pittsburgh Riverhounds win USL title
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Augustine Williams and Pittsburgh Riverhounds win USL title

Sierra Leone International Augie Williams and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds won the USL Championship, their first league title in 26 years, by defeating FC Tulsa 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw at ONEOK Field.

Goalkeeper Eric Dick earned the Most Valuable Player award for making five saves during the match, including a critical stop against Tulsa’s Stefan Lukic in the shootout. This was his 16th shutout of the season, a team record.

Bertin Jacquesson, Robbie Mertz, Chase Boone, Sean Suber, and Beto Ydrach successfully converted their penalty kicks.

The Riverhounds made history by winning the title without conceding a goal in the playoffs, ending the year with 632 minutes of scoreless play.

The match began with plenty of action. Luke Biasi almost scored with a shot that hit the crossbar. Charles Ahl set up Augie Williams, who was denied by Tulsa’s Tyler Deric.

Tulsa had several chances, outshooting the Riverhounds 17-6. Dick made a crucial save against Kalil ElMedkhar in the 40th minute. Williams had one last chance before halftime but missed the target.

After the recess, Tulsa pressed hard in the second half, nearly scoring after a defensive mistake, but Griffin saved the day. A dangerous cross led to more scrambles, but Dick secured the ball.

Extra Time and Penalties

In extra time, neither team could find a breakthrough. During the shootout, after the Riverhounds went ahead 2-1, Lukic’s shot was saved by Dick. Ydrach then ended it with a shot down the middle as Deric dove to the side.

Hounds top the league, winning USL Championship Final
Hounds top the league, winning USL Championship Final
Sierra Leone's Daniel Kanu on target in Walsall win over Harrogate
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Daniel Kanu on target in Walsall win over Harrogate

Sierra Leone International Daniel Kanu was on target Walsall bounced back to form in League Two with a convincing victory over struggling Harrogate.

Goals from Daniel Kanu and Priestley Farquharson were enough as this win marked a strong response after last week’s defeat to Colchester and extended Harrogate’s streak to four consecutive home league wins.

In the early stages of the match, Harrogate’s goalkeeper James Belshaw was in fine form, making brilliant saves to thwart efforts from Ryan Finnigan and Charlie Lakin.

Defender Anthony O’Connor also came to his team’s rescue, clearing another shot from Lakin off the line. Eventually, Walsall broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute. Jamille Matt’s clever lay-off allowed Kanu to skillfully evade O’Connor’s challenge, leaving Warren Burrell on the ground before calmly rolling the ball into the bottom-right corner past Belshaw from 10 yards out.

As the second half began, Shawn McCoulsky managed to deliver Harrogate’s only shot on target, but Walsall keeper Myles Roberts was up to the task.

Farquharson sealed the victory in the 87th minute, rising high in the six-yard box to connect with Finnigan’s left-wing corner, powering in a decisive header that put the match beyond doubt.

Yassine Bounou named Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Yassine Bounou named Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year

Morocco's Yassine Bounou has been awarded the title of Goalkeeper of the Year in Africa for 2025, marking the second time in his career he has earned this esteemed recognition.

The award was presented during the CAF Awards ceremony held on Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco. Legendary former Egypt national team goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary had the honour of presenting the award to Bounou on stage.

The Al Hilal keepr outshone two other contenders for the accolade: Munir Mohamedi (RS Berkane – Morocco) and Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns – South Africa).

Previously, secured the Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2023 and successfully reclaimed it this year from Williams, who had taken home the title last year.

This latest achievement solidifies Bounou’s place among the continent’s top goalkeepers over the past decade.

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi wins CAF Men's Player of the Year Award
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi wins CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award

Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi has been named the African Men's Player of the Year on Wednesday, concluding a season in which he secured the UEFA Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain.

The 27-year-old also achieved his fourth Ligue 1 title last season, along with winning the French Cup and UEFA Super Cup; however, PSG finished as runners-up in the Club World Cup, resulting in Hakimi receiving a silver medal in New York.  

The right-back triumphed over two previous award winners, Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, to earn this accolade for the first time in his career.  

Hakimi expressed his pride in receiving the trophy, thanking his family, teammates, and Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui. Currently recovering from an ankle sprain, he aims to captain Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations starting December 21, as they seek their first title since 1976.

Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak won the best women’s player award, topping Sanaa Mssoudy and Rasheedat Ajibade, despite her team’s loss to Nigeria in the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations final.

It was a successful day for Morocco, with Yassine Bounou named best men’s goalkeeper and the under-20 World Cup-winning team recognised as the best men’s national team. Othmane Maamma was honoured as the best young men’s player, and Doha El Madani defended her title as best young women’s player.

Cape Verde’s Bubista won the men’s coach of the year award for leading the country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while Nigerian Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed her third consecutive title as women’s goalkeeper of the year.

CAF AWARDS 2025 WINNERS

CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)

 CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco / Al Hilal) 

CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Al Hilal)

 CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Brighton & Hove Albion)

CAF INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Fiston Mayele (DR Congo / Pyramids)

CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Othmane Maamma (Morocco / Watford)

CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)

CAF COACH OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Bubista (Cape Verde) 

CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Morocco Under-20 

CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (WOMEN) 

Nigeria

CAF CLUB OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Pyramids (Egypt)

REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Omar Abdulkadir (Somalia)

ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Liban Abdoulrazack (Djibouti)

REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Shamirah Nabadda (Uganda)

ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Tabara Mbodji (Senegal)

Morocco to face Brazil in U17 World Cup Quarter-finals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco to face Brazil in U17 World Cup Quarter-finals

Morocco has advanced to the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Mali in an exciting all-African clash on Tuesday.

The Atlas Cubs showcased their skill and determination in a match full of action. On the other African side, the young Stallions of Burkina Faso also advanced after eliminating newcomers Uganda 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 tie.

Burkina Faso will face Italy in the quarter-finals, while Morocco will take on Brazil.

Morocco scored twice from set pieces delivered by Moncef Zekri and managed to withstand a late attack from Mali to secure their place in the quarter-finals.

Ziyad Baha’s clever glance from Zekri’s free-kick put the North African team ahead in the 29th minute.

Raymond Bomba equalised from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time. Still, Ismail El Aoud quickly restored Morocco’s advantage with a powerful header from another Zekri corner just five minutes later.

Mali, who had reached the semi-finals in their last three tournaments, pushed hard after halftime but were struck by a setback when El Aoud scored his second goal with a powerful shot from outside the box midway through the half.

Captain Seydou Dembélé narrowed the gap with a spectacular late goal, but Morocco managed to hold on for a 3-2 win, earning them a prestigious quarter-final clash against Brazil.

Burkina Faso eliminate Uganda on penalties to reach U17 quarter-finals
by Football Sierra Leone

Burkina Faso eliminate Uganda on penalties to reach U17 quarter-finals

Uganda's impressive run in the FIFA U-17 World Cup ended sadly on Tuesday with a defeat to Burkina Faso in the Round of 16.

The match, held at the Aspire Zone on Pitch 5, ended in a 1-1 draw, but the Young Stallions advanced after winning 5-3 in the penalty shootout.

Entering this match with confidence high, Uganda had previously knocked out Senegal in the Round of 32.

Burkina Faso showed optimism after eliminating defending champions Germany, but faced challenges with injuries to key players Ashiraf Loukman Tapsoba and Isma Azelle.

Coach Brian Ssenyondo made one change to the lineup, bringing in Enock Bagenda to replace the suspended star forward, James Bogere.

The match was closely contested, with Burkina Faso having the edge in possession. Uganda had several chances, including a header from Isima Magala that hit the post.

In the 56th minute, Arafat Nkoola scored for Uganda, but Burkina Faso equalised through substitute Alassana Bagayogo. The match ended in a tie, prompting Coach Ssenyondo to substitute goalkeeper Adrian Mukwanga.

In the penalty shootout, Burkina Faso converted all their penalties, while only Derrick Ssozi missed for Uganda. Burkina Faso will face Italy in the quarterfinals after Italy’s 3-2 victory over Uzbekistan.