Category: Sport News

Forward Augustine Williams scores as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds triumph over the Rowdies
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Forward Augustine Williams scores as Pittsburgh Riverhounds triumph over the Rowdies

Sierra Leone international Augustine Williams scored his second goal of the season as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds secured a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rowdies at the hot and humid Highmark Stadium on Sunday.

The scoring began with an own goal by former Hounds defender Thomas Vancaeyezeele, followed shortly by Augi Williams, who headed in a goal to put the Hounds (5-6-2) two goals ahead.

Manuel Arteaga managed to pull one back for the Rowdies (2-9-2) just five minutes before halftime, but the Hounds held on to secure their second straight home win.

The Hounds started aggressively, with Luke Biasi and Robbie Mertz testing Rowdies keeper Ethan Bandré. They took the lead in the 15th minute due to an own goal from Vancaeyezeele and added a second five minutes later with a header from Williams.

Arteaga’s goal for the Rowdies followed a clever setup, but Hounds goalie Eric Dick’s key save against Blake Bodily kept the Hounds ahead. Jackson Walti nearly extended the lead late, but his shot was deflected.

Luke Biasi, the Modelo Man of the Match, assisted on Williams’ goal and contributed defensively.

Up next, the Hounds will host Westchester SC in the USL Jägermeister Cup at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 28, marking the first meeting between the two teams.

Abdeslam Ouaddou named new Head Coach of Orlando Pirates
by FSL News

Abdeslam Ouaddou named new Head Coach of Orlando Pirates

Orlando Pirates legend Benedict “Tso” Vilakazi supports the appointment of Abdeslam Ouaddou as the new coach. He believes Ouaddou is the right choice to replace Jose Riveiro, who has joined Al Ahly in Egypt.

The Buccaneers have officially announced the appointment of the former Marumo Gallants coach. He will be supported by Mandla Ncikazi, Rayaan Jacobs, Helmi Gueldich, and Tyron Damons.

“Listen, he did well at Marumo Gallants. Pirates supporters need to rally behind him and show confidence, saying we believe in you. We saw the great work he did at Gallants and hope he can bring that success to Pirates,” Vilakazi said in an interview with Sowetan.

“He’s a capable coach based on his achievements with Gallants, where he improved their position without a pre-season. With the talent and resources at Pirates, I believe he can elevate the club.

This is a chance for him to create his legacy, especially working with quality players. If given time, I am confident he will succeed. Having a pre-season will certainly help.

Born in Alnif, Morocco, the 46-year-old Ouaddou has extensive experience as both a player and coach, earning 68 caps for the national team and playing in top European leagues.”

ES Tunis beat LAFC to keep Club World Cup hopes alive
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tunisian club ES Tunis eliminated from FIFA Club World Cup

Tunisian team ES Tunis lost 3-0 to English club Chelsea in their last Group D match of the Club World Cup at Lincoln Financial Field early Wednesday morning.

A stellar Tosin Adarabioyo performance confirmed their Round of 16 spot as defender Tosin Adarabioyo scored the first goal with a header, followed by Liam Delap’s first goal for Chelsea, and Tyrique George added a late goal to help Chelsea win in Philadelphia and move on to the knockout stage of the Club World Cup.

Chelsea controlled the game and created many chances. They broke the deadlock just before halftime when Tosin Adarabioyo headed a free-kick from Enzo Fernandez into the net. Liam Delap then scored, finishing calmly despite pressure from two ES Tunis defenders.

The team continued to play well in the second half, not allowing any chances for the opposition. Coach Enzo Maresca also gave debuts to Mamadou Sarr and Andrey Santos.

As in the first half, Chelsea waited until stoppage time to score again. Tyrique George hit a powerful low shot that Bechir Ben Said could not stop, rounding off a strong performance by Chelsea.

https://twitter.com/DAZNFootball/status/1937752748335989030

Mighty Blackpool fans excited as Rodney Michael makes a U-turn
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mighty Blackpool fans excited as Rodney Michael makes U-turn

With confidence of A free hand in his capacity as club’s Chairman, mighty Blackpool supporters and community elders have strongly demonstrated their support for Chairman Rodney Michael, thereby persuading him to take up his role once more.

In April of this year, the football administrator stepped down from his position based on principle. However, in recent weeks, Blackpool’s inner circle and their passionate fans have expressed their gratitude to the chairman and have rallied for him to return to lead the club.

This sentiment was conveyed during several meetings held with other Executive Committee members in Michael’s absence.

Following several successful meetings, Mr. Michael has agreed to resume his position as chairman knowing that he will have the required support and protection to run the Executive Committee effectively.

At the historic training grounds in Kingtom, where the elders, fans, a varied collection of Executive Committee members, and the chairman will gather to speak with the players, the formal reintroduction of the chairman will take place.

This development raises a spark of hope for the giants of Sierra Leone football, especially as they find themselves fighting against relegation.

Horoya AC crowned champions of Guinea Ligue 1 Pro
by Football Sierra Leone

Horoya AC crowned champions of Guinea Ligue 1 Pro

Horoya AC secured the Guinea Ligue 1 Pro championship for the 2024/25 season, marking the end of their two-year wait for a league title.

Horoya rebuilt their team with both experienced players and new talent after missing out on the title for two seasons.

On Sunday, they secured the championship with a 1-1 draw against Flamme Olympique. Last year’s champions, Hafia, drew 0-0 with Renaissance, which meant Horoya could not be caught with three games left to play.

Under coach Soufiane Souaré, Horoya finished with 52 points. Renaissance and Hafia are in second and third place with 39 and 38 points, respectively, as they compete for second place in the final matches.

Horoya will now prepare for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League. They have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League two times, in 2018 and 2019.

CAF mourns victims of horrific football stadium disaster in Algeria
by FSL News

CAF mourns victims of horrific football stadium disaster in Algeria

Dr. Patrice Motsepe, President of CAF, expressed condolences to the Algerian Football Federation, the government, and the people of Algeria after a tragic incident during MC Alger’s League Title celebrations that led to three deaths and over 70 injuries.

Football fans died, and more than 70 others were injured after falling from the upper tier of a stadium in Algeria on Saturday. MC Alger secured their league title with a goalless draw against NC Magra, but joy quickly turned to panic after the final whistle.

Local media reported that a security barrier broke at the Stade du 5 Juillet, causing multiple spectators to fall from a high point into the mostly empty section below. Emergency services rushed to the scene to help the injured in Algiers, the capital of Algeria. Nearby fans were left shocked.

Photos taken after the incident clearly show where the barrier gave way at the stadium, which can hold 64,200 people. MC Alger’s players had been celebrating just moments earlier. The Algerian Ministry of Health stated that the Beni Messous University Hospital received 38 injured people, while three deaths were confirmed. Ben Aknoun Hospital treated 27 injured people, and Bab El Oued Hospital took in 16.

According to Algeria’s Ministry of Health, three spectators died and over 70 were injured during the football match between MC Alger and Najem Magra.

CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe expressed deep sadness over the incident, extending condolences to the Algerian government and the affected families. He wished a speedy recovery to the injured and affirmed CAF’s commitment to assist the Fédération Algérienne de Football.

MC Alger lift their ninth Algerian Ligue 1 title after goalless draw
by Football Sierra Leone

MC Alger lift their ninth Algerian Ligue 1 title after goalless draw

MC Alger secured their ninth Algerian Ligue 1 title, their second consecutive championship, with a goalless draw against Nadjem Magra, who were already relegated, on the final day of the 2024-25 season at the 5 July Stadium in Algiers.

The single point earned lifted Khaled Ben Yahia’s team to 58 points, placing them two points ahead of fierce rivals JS Kabylie, who secured second place by winning their match elsewhere.

With this achievement, MC Alger stands as the third-most decorated club in the league’s history, trailing only Kabylie with 14 titles and Belouizdad with 10.

Knowing that a draw would secure their championship, the capital club controlled possession from the beginning but faced a stubborn defense from Nadjem Magra. Early chances for Guinean forward Mohamed Salio Bangura were turned away.

Nadjem Magra, having already been relegated with a 15th-place finish and just 31 points, rarely pushed forward but nearly stunned the home crowd when forward Amrane sent a half-volley past the post midway through the first half.

At halftime, Ben Yahia made substitutions, bringing on Mohamed Zograna, Mehdi Boucharit, and Sofiane Bayezid to improve scoring, but the team struggled to create significant chances. A close attempt came from Bangura in the 78th minute, but the goalkeeper, Imad Benchlef, saved it.

The match concluded with celebrations from over 45,000 fans honoring the club’s 1976 African Cup win. After being eliminated by Orlando Pirates in the previous CAF Champions League, MC Alger plans to strengthen its squad for the next season.

Meanwhile, Nadjem Magra faces relegation, marking the end of their top-flight stay, while Belouizdad qualifies for CAF inter-club competition for the sixth consecutive season.

Angolan Abdenego Nankishi joins VfB Stuttgart
by FSL News

Angolan Abdenego Nankishi joins VfB Stuttgart

Abdenego Nankishi, whose parents are from Angola, has joined VfB Stuttgart’s U21 team after leaving SV Werder Bremen.

He is the second new player for the U21 team this season. Nankishi, a left winger, moves from the club based in Cannstatt.

At 22 years old, he started training at Werder Bremen at the U13 level and eventually reached the first team.

During the 2021/2022 season, he made seven appearances for the second-division team but could not break into the senior squad due to an injury.

In the next two seasons, Nankishi went on loan to Heracles Almelo, a Dutch first-division club, where he scored three goals in the Eredivisie. After that, he had a loan spell with a third-division team in Munich in the second half of the 2023/2024 season. Last year, he made 17 appearances for Werder Bremen’s U23 team, scoring four goals and providing six assists.

Now that his contract with Werder Bremen has ended, Nankishi will join the U21 team in the 3rd division.

Stephan Hildebrandt, the director of the youth academy, said: “We are happy to have our new signing from the far north. He will play an important role on the attacking wing.

Abed has many skills, is fast, and understands the game well. He has gained some experience in the 3rd division. We believe he will improve our team and has great development potential for VfB.”

Serhou Guirassy goal helps Borussia Dortmund beat Mamelodi Sundowns
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Serhou Guirassy goal helps Borussia Dortmund beat Mamelodi Sundowns

Borussia Dortmund achieved their first victory on the second matchday of Group F, with the Guinean international striker Guirassy playing a key role in their FIFA Club World Cup second game. 

In Cincinnati, BVB triumphed over South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns with a final score of 4-3, setting their sights on advancing to the round of 16 in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Mamelodi Sundowns proved to be a formidable opponent, particularly in the first half hour of the match. They took the lead in the 11th minute with a goal from Ribeiro.

However, Nmecha capitalised on a significant error by goalkeeper Williams to equalise at 1-1 in the 16th minute. Guirassy then put BVB ahead by scoring in the 34th minute, followed by new signing Bellingham, who, in his first start, extended the lead to 3-1 just before halftime in the 45+1 minute. The game attracted 14,000 spectators, with around 8,000 of them being BVB fans.

The stadium erupted again in the 60th minute when Mudau accidentally deflected a Svensson cross into his own net, making the score 4-1 for BVB.

Despite the setback, the South African team refused to back down. Rayners scored to make it 4-2 just two minutes later, and in the 90th minute, Mothiba further reduced the deficit to 4-3, intensifying the match’s excitement.

Sundowns faced a defeat but still have a chance to reach the quarter-finals. However, they need to improve their defensive performance to stay in contention.

Dortmund edge South Africa's Sundowns in seven-goal thriller
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Dortmund edge South Africa’s Sundowns in seven-goal thriller

In an exciting match that ended with a close 4-3 loss, Mamelodi Sundowns battled hard, but Borussia Dortmund came from behind to defeat the South African side in their first win at the Club World Cup.

Fresh off their victory against Ulsan HD, Sundowns startled the Bundesliga squad by scoring first in only 11 minutes. Lucas Ribeiro gently slid the ball beyond Gregor Kobel and skillfully navigated defenders.

Dortmund quickly recovered, equalising five minutes later. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams made a mistake by mispassing to Felix Nmecha, who easily scored into an empty net.

The equaliser boosted Dortmund’s confidence and exposed Sundowns’ weaknesses in playing from the back. Dortmund pressured Sundowns’ right side, and on 34 minutes, Julian Brandt delivered a cross that Serhou Guirassy headed in to make it 2-1.

Things got worse for Sundowns just before halftime. Jobe Bellingham, making his debut, scored with a volley after collecting Williams’ punched clearance, giving Dortmund a 3-1 lead.

Sundowns came back with more energy in the second half. Tebogo Mokoena nearly scored from a free-kick, hitting the side-netting. But Sundowns fell further behind when Khuliso Mudau accidentally headed Daniel Svensson’s cross into his net.

Instead of giving up, Sundowns fought back. Just three minutes later, Mokoena hit the post from a set-piece, and Iqraam Rayners quickly scored from the rebound, marking his second goal in the competition.

Substitute Lebo Mothiba scored for Dortmund in the 90th minute from a cross by Jayden Adams, helping them secure their first points of the campaign.

In the group stage, all four teams remain in contention after Fluminense’s draw with Ulsan. Sundowns need to beat Fluminense to improve their chances of advancing, while Dortmund faces winless Ulsan.

African supporters still have hope for the quarter-finals, but Sundowns must enhance their defence to minimise mistakes.