Category: Sport News

Leon solo nets winner as Sundowns edge ES Tunis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brayan León nets winner as Sundowns edge ES Tunis

Mamelodi Sundowns took a significant step towards the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Espérance Sportive de Tunis in a tense semi-final first leg in Tunis on Sunday evening.

The only goal came in the second half when striker Brayan León scored with a powerful header, demonstrating Sundowns’ resilience, especially after they went down to ten men late in the match.

Espérance started strong, creating good chances early on. Mohamed Tougaï forced a save from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, while Florian Danho hit the post in the 32nd minute. Despite their pressure and multiple set-pieces, they couldn’t break through Sundowns’ solid defence.

Sundowns emerged with renewed determination after halftime and struck just five minutes in. A precise cross from Thapelo Morena found León, who headed it into the top corner for a vital away goal.

Espérance seemed to have equalised in the 65th minute through Aboubacar Diakité, but a VAR review disallowed the goal due to a foul on the keeper. The hosts continued to press, with Ogbelu and Danho attempting shots, but Williams remained composed.

The match shifted in the 84th minute when Sundowns’ Grant Kekana received a red card, leaving them to defend their lead with ten players.

Espérance ramped up the pressure, creating late chances, but Sundowns held on for the 1-0 win, giving them a crucial advantage going into the return leg.

FAR Rabat secures semi-final advantage in first leg against Berkane
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

FAR Rabat secures semi-final advantage in first leg against Berkane

FAR Rabat moved closer to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final by defeating RS Berkane 2-0 in the first leg of their semi-final in Rabat on Saturday night.

In the second half, Ahmed Hammoudan and Khalid Ait Ourkhan scored the goals that gave the Royal Army an important advantage for next weekend’s return leg in Berkane.

This win puts FAR Rabat in control of the tie, while RS Berkane now faces a tough challenge to turn things around at home.

The match started cautiously, with both teams defending strongly and no goals scored in the first half. After halftime, FAR Rabat gained control, and Hammoudan opened the scoring in the 58th minute, reacting quickly to a loose ball.

This led to increased pressure from FAR Rabat, resulting in a second goal from substitute Ait Ourkhan in the 79th minute after a defensive error by RS Berkane.

The final score was 2-0 in favour of FAR Rabat, giving them a significant advantage going into the second leg. Berkane struggled to respond despite late efforts, and they now face a tough challenge at home on April 18 to overcome the deficit.

The winner will advance to the CAF Champions League final, facing either Espérance Sportive de Tunis or Mamelodi Sundowns.

Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala will not officiate at FIFA World Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala will not officiate at FIFA World Cup

Just two months before the competition, FIFA has dismissed Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala from officiating responsibilities at the forthcoming 2026 World Cup.

According to the latest list of World Cup 2026, Ndala, who presided over the Morocco and Senegal match in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), will not be on FIFA’s ultimate list of match officials.

His departure follows the AFCON final, among the most contentious contests in recent African football history. There were several questionable officiating decisions in the game, and Senegal players even left the field for a brief period. The outcome was reversed in the weeks after the match, therefore drawing more attention to Ndala’s performance.

Other accounts indicate Ndala may have adhered to institutional guidelines during the game, including advice against handing red cards to Senegal players following the interruption. These statements have not been formally verified.

Despite the debate, CAF absolved Ndala of any professional misconduct in January and kept assisting him in match assignments.

Senegal's Aliou Cisse named new Angola national head coach
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s Aliou Cisse named new Angola national head coach

The Angolan Football Federation (FAF) formally declared the appointment of Aliou Cisse as the new coach of the Angola national football team on April 9, 2026.

This news came just 24 hours after Cisse left his post with the Libyan national team, a position he had held for a short period since March 2025.

Fifty-year-old Aliou Cisse is well known for his incredible accomplishments, especially his triumphant stint with the Senegal national team, which he famously led to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph in 2022. His leadership abilities and coaching background have helped him become a sought-after person in African soccer.

Welcoming Aliou Cisse, head coach of the Angola national team, the FAF welcomed him via a post on their official Facebook page.

Cisse will have the difficulty of reenergizing the Angola side, which has battled in recent tournaments and missed qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

With the campaign scheduled to start in September, Angola is getting ready to begin its qualifying path for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations as it takes control. For Cisse to use his knowledge to steer Angola toward a prosperous future on the continental stage, expectations are great.

CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 Final Draw confirmed
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 Final Draw confirmed

A North African showdown is on the horizon at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026.

The host nation, Morocco, has been drawn into Group A alongside Tunisia, Egypt, and Ethiopia for the finals, which will take place from May 13 to June 2, 2026, at the Mohammed VI Complex in Rabat.

The Final Draw was held at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, featuring current African stars like Fiston Mayele (Pyramids FC and DR Congo), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly and Mali), and Ahmed Belhadji (Ceramica Cleopatra and Morocco), who helped kick off the event.

With only the top two teams from each group moving on to the quarter-finals, this competitive group echoes the recent UNAF qualifiers in Libya, which Morocco won.

In Group B, former champions Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon will square off against Uganda and debutants DR Congo. Two-time winners Cameroon claimed the title as recently as 2019, while Côte d’Ivoire celebrated their triumph in 2013.

Meanwhile, last year’s runners-up, Mali, find themselves in Group C, where they will face Southern African nations Angola and Mozambique, along with East African side Tanzania. Mali previously lifted the trophy in 2015 and 2017.

Finally, Group D features the reigning champions, Senegal, who will take on the 2015 silver medalists, South Africa, Algeria, and two-time winners Ghana. Ghana enjoyed success as champions in 1995 and 1999.

The eight teams that reach the quarter-finals will automatically qualify for the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup, set to be hosted in Qatar later that year. Additionally, the third-placed teams in each group will compete in two playoff matches to determine the final two qualifiers.

Ten African nations will again be present at the global finals. 

TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026:

GROUP A: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ethiopia

Groupe B: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroun, Ouganda, RDC

GROUP C: Mali, Angola, Tanzania, Mozambique 

GROUP D: Senegal, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana 
Historic East Africa 2027 AFCON dates for tournament confirmed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Historic East Africa 2027 AFCON dates for the tournament confirmed

CAF has announced that the tournament will take place from June 19 to July 18 in East Africa, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

This will be the first time three East African nations host AFCON together, and the first in the region since 1976, when it last occurred in Ethiopia.

This edition marks the 70th anniversary of AFCON and will be the last held in an odd-numbered year, with the tournament switching to every four years starting in 2028.

The Local Organising Committee of Uganda confirmed the tournament dates. Uganda will use two main stadiums: Mandela National Stadium and Hoima City Stadium. Host cities in Kenya include Nairobi, Eldoret, and Kakamega, while Tanzania will see matches in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Dodoma, and Zanzibar.

Kenya recently met a key CAF deadline by paying a Ksh3.9 billion ($30 million) hosting fee, showing its commitment to the tournament. Uganda announced it will waive visa fees for visitors for three months around the event.

Qualifying matches took place during the March FIFA international break, with teams from Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea advancing. AFCON follows the 2024 African Nations Championship, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, where Morocco defeated Madagascar.

Sullay Kaikai takes tally to twelve of the season nets in draw with Cheltenham
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sullay Kaikai takes tally to twelve of the season nets in draw with Cheltenham

Sierra Leone International Sullay Kaikai was on target as Cambridge United faced more late drama on Easter Monday as Cheltenham Town secured a 1-1 draw at the EV Charger Points Stadium.

Sullay Kaikai scored a powerful half-volley just before halftime to make his twelfth of the season, giving the U’s a 1-0 lead. However, an own goal in the final moments resulted in their drop to 4th place in Sky Bet League Two with five matches remaining.

Manager Neil Harris made one change to his starting team, bringing in Kaikai for James Brophy. United entered the match in 3rd place, aiming to end a three-match winless streak away from home against Cheltenham.

In the early stages, chances were limited. The first attempt came from Liam Bennett, whose long shot went over the bar. Cheltenham’s attackers struggled against United’s solid defence, and a good chance from Josh Davison went high.

As the half progressed, United showed strength in set-pieces. Kaikai’s corner led to a save by Cheltenham’s Day, but then Cambridge opened the scoring when Mamadou Jobe set up Kaikai, who fired into the net.

After halftime, Cheltenham came out stronger but failed to capitalise on their chances. United missed a good opportunity when Appere headed wide from close range.

With time running out, United needed to stay strong. A near miss from Watts kept their hopes alive, but they were ultimately caught out in added time when Cheltenham equalised after a deep cross from Young.

Cheltenham Town: Day, Jude-Boyd (Miller, 83’), Cundy, Wilson, Tomkinson, Stevenson (Young, 60’), Ashfield (Deeming, 83’), Hutchinson, Thomas, Davison (Faal, 67’), Bickerstaff (Broom, 68’)

Paul Kpaka Breaks Silence with Biblical Message After Kallon’s Shock Leone Stars Exit
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Paul Kpaka Breaks Silence with Biblical Message After Kallon’s Shock Leone Stars Exit

Less than 100 hours after the dismissal of Mohamed Kallon as head coach of Sierra Leone’s senior men’s national team, the Leone Stars, his assistant, Paul Augustine Kpaka, has publicly reacted, offering a cryptic yet poignant response that has stirred public debate.

Taking to his official Facebook page on Easter Monday, April 6, Kpaka, himself a former international striker, shared a biblical quotation from the Gospel of Mark: “A prophet is treated with honor everywhere except in his own hometown, among his relatives, and in his own house.”

Though brief, the message has been widely interpreted as a veiled commentary on the abrupt termination of Kallon’s tenure by the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) on April 2. Kallon, who remains one of Sierra Leone’s most celebrated football figures, was relieved of his duties in an April 2, 2026, SLFA decision that has since triggered intense public reaction across the football community.

His dismissal has since dominated headlines and sparked widespread discourse about the direction of the national team. However, his former assistant coach,e Paul Augustine Kpaka’s post quickly gained traction online, with supporters and followers flooding the comment section.

Many viewed the statement as a show of solidarity with Kallon, interpreting it as a reflection on the perceived lack of appreciation for local football icons. Others expressed optimism, suggesting that both men could emerge stronger from the setback.

The fact that the timing of the Kpaka’s message coincided with Easter Monday, a period often associated with reflection and renewal, added further symbolic weight to his words. When contacted for comment, the SLFA’s media department had since declined to address the matter, stating only that they would not respond at this time.

Neither Kallon nor Kpaka has issued a detailed statement regarding the circumstances surrounding the sacking. However, the unfolding reactions underscore the emotional and cultural significance of football in Sierra Leone, where the fortunes of the national team remain closely tied to national pride.

As speculation continues over the future of the Leone Stars and the next steps for both Kallon and his former assistant, Kpaka’s carefully chosen words have ensured that the conversation remains far from over.

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson

First leg AFCON 2027 preliminary qualifying advantage for Eritrea
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Eritrean athletes abscond in South Africa after qualification for AFCON qualifiers

Since 2009, more than 60 Eritrean football players have fled during international matches, prompting the Eritrean Football Federation to withdraw from significant competitions like the World Cup and AFCON qualifiers.

A few days ago, seven more players from the national team reportedly disappeared in South Africa after making history by advancing to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying stage for the first time in 19 years.

The players’ decision not to return home after their match against Eswatini has overshadowed Eritrea’s achievement. Out of ten locally based players, only three—Ablelom Teklezgi, Nahom Tadese, and Romel Abdu—returned.

Often called “African North Korea,” Eritrea faces criticism for its human rights and political repression. The national football team’s struggles reflect the government’s fear of athletes seeking asylum abroad.

Since 2009, a trend of defection during international fixtures has caused many players to flee, leading the Eritrean Football Federation to avoid major competitions due to potential political fallout. Since 2019, Eritrea has not competed internationally, driven by concerns over player defection.

Alex Bangura scores in Middlesbrough's draw at Swansea
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alex Bangura scores in Middlesbrough’s draw at Swansea

Sierra Leone’s Alex Bangura was back on the score sheet as Middlesbrough missed the chance to climb back into the top spots of the Championship, drawing 2-2 at Swansea City in a match with three penalties.

Boro took an early lead with Alex Bangura’s goal, but then gave away a penalty, which Zan Vipotnik converted.

Vipotnik scored another penalty just before halftime, giving Swansea a 2-1 lead after Sol Brynn fouled Eom Jisung. Middlesbrough tied the game when Tommy Conway scored from the spot after Eom’s challenge on Callum Brittain.

The draw extends Boro’s winless run to five matches, placing them third, just behind Ipswich on goal difference, with Ipswich having two games in hand. Swansea, still winless in four, moved to 15th place.

Coach Kim Hellberg may feel frustrated as his team couldn’t secure a win. Middlesbrough has only two victories in its last nine games, putting Ipswich in a better position for promotion. Boro had chances to win but settled for a draw, with Brynn making key saves and Conway scoring their equaliser.