Category: Sport News

All you need to know about CAF Confederation Cup knockout rounds
by FSL News

All you need to know about CAF Confederation Cup knockout rounds

Dates and kick-off times have been officially announced for the quarter-finals of the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, marking an exciting stage in the knockout rounds of this prestigious tournament.

This mid-March, several high-stakes matches will take the spotlight across Africa, featuring a highly anticipated Moroccan derby and a series of fierce North African rivalries, all battling for a coveted spot in the semi-finals.

One of the standout matchups sees Moroccan teams Olympique Club de Safi and Wydad AC face off. The first leg kicks off in Safi on 15 March at 22:00 GMT, followed by the return leg in Casablanca on 22 March at 19:00 GMT. This tie guarantees that at least one Moroccan side will make it to the last four.

In another significant clash, Egyptian club Al Masry SC will compete against Algeria’s CR Belouizdad. Their first game is set for 14 March at 20:00 GMT, with the decisive second leg scheduled for 21 March at 19:00 GMT.

Egyptian giants Zamalek SC will also start their quarter-final quest away from home, facing off against AS Otoho from Congo on 14 March at 13:00 GMT, with the return leg taking place on 22 March at 16:00 GMT.

Additionally, DR Congo’s AS Maniema Union will host Algeria’s USM Alger in the first leg on 15 March at 13:00 GMT, while the return fixture in Algeria is set for 22 March at 19:00 GMT.

These dates and times come after last month’s quarter-final draw in Cairo, where teams learned their opponents and potential pathways to the final. The ties will be played over two legs, with the aggregate winners moving on to the semi-finals of Africa’s second-tier club tournament.

The draw has laid out a clear road to the final: the team emerging from the AS Maniema Union and USM Alger clash will face the winner of the Moroccan derby between Olympique Safi and Wydad Casablanca. On the other side of the bracket, the victor between Al Masry and CR Belouizdad will meet the team that advances from the battle between Zamalek and AS Otoho.

The semi-finals are scheduled for 10–12 April (first legs) and 17–19 April (second legs), with the two-legged final taking place in May, crowning the new champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup. With the schedule now set, the eight remaining clubs can fully focus on their preparations as they aim for continental glory.

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 – Quarter-final fixtures (all times GMT)

First legs

14 March 2026

13:00 — AS Otohô vs Zamalek SC

14 March 2026

20:00 — Al Masry SC vs CR Belouizdad

15 March 2026

13:00 — AS Maniema Union vs USM Alger

15 March 2026

22:00 — Olympique Club Safi vs Wydad AC

Second legs

21 March 2026

19:00 — CR Belouizdad vs Al Masry SC

22 March 2026

16:00 — Zamalek SC vs AS Otohô

22 March 2026

19:00 — Wydad AC vs Olympique Club Safi

22 March 2026

19:00 — USM Alger vs AS Maniema Union
The first leg semi-finals of the 2023/24 CAF Champions League campaign will take place on Saturday, April 20th.
by Football Sierra Leone

Dates confirmed for Inter-club Champions League quarter-finals

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has confirmed the dates and kick-off times for the quarter-finals of the 2025/26 CAF Inter-club Champions League. These matches will take place across Africa in March.

A key match to watch is between the Egyptian team Al Ahly and the Tunisian team Esperance Sportive de Tunis. The first leg will be in Tunis on 15 March at 21:00 GMT, and the return leg will be in Cairo on 21 March at 19:00 GMT.

South African team Mamelodi Sundowns will play against Mali’s Stade Malien. Their first leg is on 13 March at 18:00 GMT, and the return match will be in Bamako on 22 March at 16:00 GMT.

Defending champions Pyramids FC will face the Moroccan team AS FAR. They will meet on 13 March at 22:00 GMT in Morocco, with the return match in Egypt on 21 March at 16:00 GMT.

Moroccan team RS Berkane will play against Sudan’s Al Hilal starting on 14 March at 22:00 GMT, with the second leg on 22 March at 16:00 GMT.

These quarter-finals highlight both classic rivalries and new matchups with clubs from North, West, and Southern Africa. The draw for these matches was held in Cairo last month.

The matches will be played over two legs, and the winners will advance to the semifinals. The winners of the Al Ahly vs. Esperance match will face the winner of the Mamelodi Sundowns vs. Stade Malien game. On the other hand, the victor of AS FAR and Pyramids FC will face the winner of the RS Berkane vs Al Hilal match.

The semi-finals are set for April, with the first legs between 10 and 12 April and the return legs between 17 and 19 April. The final will take place in May to decide the new continental champion.

With the quarter-final schedule now confirmed, teams will focus on this important stage of the competition, where they will compete for a spot in the semi-finals and the chance for continental success.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2025/26 – Quarter-final fixtures (all times GMT)
First legs

13 March 2026

18:00 — Mamelodi Sundowns vs Stade Malien

13 March 2026

22:00 — AS FAR vs Pyramids FC

14 March 2026

22:00 — RS Berkane vs Al Hilal

15 March 2026

21:00 — Esperance ST vs Al Ahly

Second legs

21 March 2026

16:00 — Pyramids FC vs AS FAR

21 March 2026

19:00 — Al Ahly vs Esperance ST

22 March 2026

16:00 — Al Hilal vs RS Berkane

22 March 2026

16:00 — Stade Malien vs Mamelodi Sundowns
Amir Abdou named new Burkina Faso head coach
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Amir Abdou named new Burkina Faso head coach

Burkina Faso has appointed Amir Abdou as the new head coach of the national football team. The Burkina Faso Football Federation believes this marks a new era of discipline and ambition for the Stallions.

Abdou, 53, takes over from Brama Traore, who was dismissed after the team’s early exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The federation chose him for his strong understanding of African football and his success with national teams.

He previously led the Comoros team to the knockout stages of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 2021 and achieved success with Mauritania, including a notable win over Algeria at AFCON 2023. Abdou also won two league titles with FC Nouadhibou and recently worked at Hassania Agadir in Morocco.

Burkina Faso has a strong football history, reaching the AFCON final in 2013 and the semi-finals in 2017 and 2021. However, they have struggled with consistency. Abdou must now enhance a team filled with experienced players and emerging talents.

His first matches are scheduled for March 2026, and the federation has not yet confirmed the opponents. With World Cup qualifying and upcoming tournaments ahead, there is little room for error. Fans expect the Stallions to regain their status as one of Africa’s top teams, and the federation hopes Abdou’s leadership will help them achieve this

Moroccan Hakim Ziyech opens his Wydad Athletic Club
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Moroccan Hakim Ziyech opens his Wydad Athletic Club account

Moroccan international Hakim Ziyech scored his first goal for Wydad AC on Saturday, leading his team to a 1-0 win against RS Berkane at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca.

The former Ajax and Chelsea winger converted a penalty kick in the final moments of the match to keep Wydad’s unbeaten streak in the Botola Pro 1 alive.

Wydad remains unbeaten in the Moroccan league this season, with eight wins and two draws from 10 games. They sit in second place with 26 points, just one point behind Raja Casablanca, coached by South African Fadlu Davids. Wydad has four games in hand because it is participating in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Ziyech joined the club as a free agent in late October and has now scored one goal and provided one assist in five matches across all competitions.

He played a key role in Morocco’s performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where the team became the best-performing African team in history by reaching the semi-finals.

Injuries have been a challenge for the 32-year-old, and he missed Morocco’s home Africa Cup of Nations in December and January.

Ziyech hopes to maintain his good form and secure a place in Morocco’s squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Former Allenskan top striker Mohamed Buya Turay joins Star Sport
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Former Allsvenskan top striker Mohamed Buya Turay joins Star Sport

Former top goal scorer in Sweden, Mohamed Buya Turay, has officially joined Star Sport Academy, bringing with him a wealth of invaluable experience. “We’re thrilled to welcome Mohamed to Star Sport Academy,” said Chairman Ing, Yankuba Jusu Tarawally.

“He’s a dynamic attacking player with remarkable speed and an impressive presence in front of the goal.” As the newest addition to the team, the striker will don the number 95 jersey. Turay, originally from Sierra Leone, began his career with the local club FC Mattia.

He made his professional debut in 2014 when he signed with Juventus IF, a club in Sweden’s Allsvenskan. During his time there, Buya made 25 appearances and found the back of the net 32 times.

Turay quickly advanced up the ranks and played for three different clubs in Sweden’s second-tier league, namely Västerås SK, AFC Eskilstuna, and Dalkurd FF, from 2014 to 2018.

In 2018, he signed with the Belgian Jupiler Pro League club Sint-Truiden, but was loaned out to Djurgarden IF in Sweden’s Allsvenskan in 2019. During his stint at Djurgarden, Turay made 29 appearances and scored 15 goals, which earned him the prestigious Golden Boot award in Allsvenskan.

After his loan at Djurgarden, Turay transitioned to the Chinese Super League, first joining Hebei China Fortune in 2020 and later signing with Henan Songshan Longmen.

Now, the Sierra Leone international is back home and ready to embark on a new adventure with Star Sport Academy.

Now, the Sierra Leone international is back home and ready to embark on a new adventure with Star Sport Academy.
Now, the Sierra Leone international is back home and ready to embark on a new adventure with Star Sport Academy.
CAF lauds Gianni Infantino for his impressive ten years of leadership as FIFA President
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF lauds Gianni Infantino for his impressive ten years of leadership as FIFA President

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has congratulated Gianni Infantino for his ten years as President of FIFA.

CAF believes that this decade of leadership offers a chance to look at its relationship with FIFA during this time.

On Thursday, CAF released a statement titled, “CAF congratulates Gianni Infantino on his outstanding 10-year leadership as FIFA President.”

CAF President Patrice Motsepe said, “CAF congratulates Gianni Infantino for his excellent leadership as FIFA President over the past 10 years and for his significant contribution to the growth and development of football worldwide.”

He also highlighted the broad impact of Infantino’s work, stating, “African football and world football have a loyal partner in Gianni Infantino. CAF wishes him good health and all the best.”

Infantino was re-elected in June 2019 by acclamation for a second term at the Congress of FIFA in Paris. He first took charge of FIFA in February 2016 after Sepp Blatter’s departure and ran unopposed for another four-year term, which will last until 2023.

New CAF coaching requirements for National teams and Clubs football
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Updated coaching rules for clubs and competitions with national teams

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reiterated the coaching requirements established during its Executive Committee meeting on December 16, 2024, as part of efforts to improve African football standards.

These new coaching standards apply to all CAF competitions, including National Teams and the Women’s Champions League.

Key points include:

  • Coaches without the required certification must comply immediately.
  • Existing coaches without the necessary licenses have until the end of the 2026/2027 season to meet the requirements.
  • Clubs hiring new coaches must ensure they meet the new qualifications; newly hired coaches are not eligible for the grace period.
  • At least one coach in women’s competitions must be a woman.
  • Coaches failing to meet these requirements will face restrictions at stadiums during CAF matches and may be subject to additional sanctions.
New CAF coaching requirements for National teams and Clubs football
Augustus Kargbo features for Blackburn Rovers U21 side as part of recovery process
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo features for Rovers U21 side as part of recovery process

Sierra Leonean international Augustus Kargbo featured in Blackburn Rovers U21's recent match as they suffered a 3-2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion at Damson Park.

Kargbo, age 26, last appeared for the first team in October of the previous year, during which he was substituted.

In a positive development, Kargbo started and played for 45 minutes, marking his return following a hamstring injury. Additionally, Lorenze Mullarkey-Matthews also returned to action during the first half.

West Brom took the lead early in the match, with captain Muhamed Diomande scoring a header from an Alfie Maughan corner just 11 minutes in. Blackburn responded quickly, with Joe Boggan equalising through a long-range effort that struck the post before finding the net.

This goal was a result of strong Rovers’ pressure, highlighted by Aodhan Doherty hitting the post and Kargbo narrowly missing moments before the equaliser.

Just after the half-hour mark, Doherty curled a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box, granting Rovers a halftime lead.

The second half was relatively uneventful until Hindolo Mustapha levelled the score with 17 minutes remaining.

The situation deteriorated for Rovers shortly thereafter, as Harry Whitwell scored from close range, ultimately securing the victory for West Brom and leaving Blackburn Rovers with a disappointing result.

Morocco captain Romain Saïss retires from international football
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco captain Romain Saïss retires from international football

The captain of Morocco's national football team, Romain Saïss has announced his retirement at 35, ending over a decade-long career that boosted Morocco’s reputation in international football.

In an Instagram post, Saïss called his time with the Atlas Lions “the most beautiful chapter” of his life. He led the team during its historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making Morocco the first African team to achieve this, and earned 86 caps for his country.

Saïss thanked his teammates, coaches, and, especially, the fans, whose support helped the team surpass its expectations. He noted the important improvements in Moroccan football, saying wearing the national jersey has always filled him with pride.

As he retires, Saïss leaves the team in the hands of younger players while expressing that he will always carry the spirit of the Atlas Lions.

Sierra Leone's Alie Conteh joins Veikkausliiga side on loan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Alie Conteh joins Veikkausliiga side on loan

Finish club FC Inter Turku and Norwegian club Strømsgodset have finalized a one-year loan agreement for 21-year-old Alie Conteh, who will be heading to Turku with an option to purchase the Sierra Leone international striker.

Conteh made the move to Mjøndalen after a standout season in 2024, showcasing his talents in the second tier of Norwegian football.

Over a season and a half, he netted 12 goals in 41 league appearances, which garnered attention and led to his transfer to Strømsgodset, a team competing in Norway’s top league, in the summer of 2025.

During the latter half of last year, Conteh played in 16 top-flight matches, finding the back of the net twice.

At just 21 years old, Conteh has already earned eight caps for the Sierra Leone A national team, scoring two goals. He was also part of the squad for Sierra Leone’s recent World Cup qualifiers against Burkina Faso and Djibouti last autumn.

The FC Inter’s head of player scouting, Viki Savonen, highlighted Conteh’s potential, stating, “Alie brings a fresh option to our attack and enhances our presence inside the penalty area. His style of play is unpredictable, allowing him to pose a diverse threat to defenders.

While he may not be the tallest player on the field, he is physically strong and serves as an effective focal point in the attack. Though he has primarily played as a target striker in Norway, I believe we can harness his skills more dynamically, maximising his contributions to the team.