Category: Sport News

Benin cruise past Sierra Leone to progress to next stage of WAFCON qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Benin cruise past Sierra Leone in first round WAFCON qualifiers

On Monday, Sierra Leone faced a 3-1 defeat in the Women’s AFCON qualifier second leg against Benin at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex, resulting in their elimination from the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations 2026 qualifiers. (Photo SLFA)

This loss followed a 2-1 defeat in the first leg at Kégué Stadium last Thursday, Sierra Leone was eliminated with an aggregate score of 5-2. This result means Benin will face Nigeria’s Super Falcons in the second round.

The visitors first scored in the 38th minute through Marguerite Ahouassou, and Germaine Honfo doubled their lead in the 44th minute. Aude Gbedjissi added a penalty goal, sealing their victory. Although the host team managed to reduce the deficit to 3-1, it was too late for a comeback.

In the first match, Benin’s captain Aude Gbedjissi scored a brace, with her first goal coming in the 23rd minute after receiving a solid pass from the left. She skilfully manoeuvred past the Sierra Leone goalkeeper to open the scoring. Benin started brightly and could have scored more in the first 15 minutes, but they missed several chances.

The Sierra Queens equalized in the 35th minute when Kadiatu Kamara capitalized on a corner play, striking the ball long over the Benin goalkeeper.

However, the home side quickly responded and regained their one-goal lead after being awarded a penalty in the 44th minute. The Benin captain converted the penalty for her second goal, ending the first half with a 2-1 advantage for her team.

After the recess, both teams struggled to take control of the tie with scrappy football, as there were no goals in the second forty minutes.

The final phase of the competition is divided into three groups, each consisting of four teams. The top two teams from each group will directly qualify for the quarter-finals, along with the two best third-placed teams.

From this stage onward, the competition follows a knockout format leading up to the final, where the winner will be crowned.

The 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations is the 16th edition of this tournament, bringing together the best women’s football teams in Africa.

Read Related – Benin beat Sierra Leone in first-leg WAFCON qualifiers.

Second Round

● M33 & M34: Angola – Zimbabwe vs. Malawi 

● M35 & M36: Botswana – DR Congo vs. South Africa

● M37 & M38: Tanzania – Equatorial Guinea vs. Uganda – Ethiopia

● M39 & M40: Eswatini – Namibia vs. Zambia

● M41 & M42: Burundi – Burkina Faso vs. Djibouti – Togo

● M43 & M44: South Sudan – Algeria vs. Cameroon

● M45 & M46: Rwanda – Egypt vs. Ghana

● M47 & M48: Kenya – Tunisia vs. Niger – Gambia

● M49 & M50: Benin – Sierra Leone vs. Nigeria

● M51 & M52: Guinea – Cape Verde vs. Gabon – Mali

● M53 & M54: Chad – Senegal vs. Ivory Coast

Emmanuel Latte Lath nets brace on his MLS debut for Atlanta
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivorian Emmanuel Lath nets brace on his MLS debut for Atlanta

Emmanuel Latte Lath had an impressive debut for Atlanta United, scoring two goals in one game. Broadcaster Mike Conti celebrated with, “It’s a double latte!” after his second goal. (Photo Atlanta United)

Latte Lath made history by being the first player to score two goals in a debut for the club on February 22. His goals came in the 41st and 63rd minutes.

Coach Ronny Deila praised his speed and skill, noting, “He’s quick, has great direction, and can finish with both feet.”

Before the match, there were questions about whether he would play the whole game, having just joined the team from Middlesbrough FC.

Latte Lath was substituted in the 90th minute, fulfilling his goal to score in his first match. “I’m really, really happy,” he said.

His first goal came from a corner by Saba Lobjanidze, which he headed in. He described it simply: “I jump.”

His second goal came in the second half when he scored in a scramble after a deflection from Montreal’s goalkeeper. Deila remarked, “When he’s focused, he can threaten any defense.”

Latte Lath signed on February 4 and made his debut just over two weeks later, rounding out a busy offseason for the team.

Starting the season at home with new players was a great way to begin 2025, drawing a large crowd. All three designated players, including Latte Lath, contributed significantly in Deila’s first match. “Their hard work and teamwork helped us immensely,” he said.

Guinean striker Serhou Guirassy nets four against Union Berlin
by Football Sierra Leone

Guinean striker Serhou Guirassy nets four against Union Berlin

Inform Guinean International Serhou Guirassy scored four goals to lead Borussia Dortmund to a 6-1 victory over Union Berlin, giving Niko Kovac his first win as head coach.

Dortmund went ahead in the 25th minute when Union’s Diogo Leite deflected a shot from Julian Ryerson into his own net. Guirassy scored his first goal in the 40th minute with a header from Pascal Gross’s cross and added another in the 75th minute, also set up by Gross.

Maximilian Beier assisted Guirassy’s hat-trick goal five minutes later, and Guirassy completed his scoring with a header in the 83rd minute, bringing his season total to 13 league goals.

Beier finished the scoring in the 89th minute. Gross’s four assists marked the first time in five years that a player achieved this feat in the Bundesliga. Nico Kovac, who took over as coach in January, has Dortmund in 10th place with 32 points as they prepare to face Lille in the Champions League next month.

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi Scores Twice to Help PSG Beat Lyon
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi Scores Twice to Help PSG Beat Lyon

Achraf Hakimi scored two goals on Sunday night, leading Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to a 3-2 win against Olympique Lyon in Ligue 1.

The Moroccan International now has four goals and five assists in 18 appearances for Ligue 1. Hakimi, named Man of the Match, played very well in this important game. After a scoreless first half, PSG took the lead in the 53rd minute.

Bradley Barcola set up Hakimi, who shot into the bottom left corner of the goal, past Lyon’s keeper Lucas Perri. Seven minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé increased the lead with a great solo goal, weaving past defenders and striking the ball into the left side of the net.

Lyon fought back in the 83rd minute when Rayan Cherki scored after getting a pass from Georges Mikautadze. However, Hakimi scored again just two minutes later, thanks to a well-placed assist from Kang-In Lee.

Lyon continued to push for more goals. In stoppage time, Corentin Tolisso scored with a powerful header from an Ainsley Maitland-Niles cross. Despite this, PSG held on to win the match.

Congolese's Edo Kayembe nets for Watford in win over Luton
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Congolese Edo Kayembe nets for Watford in win over Luton

Tom Dele-Bashiru and Congolese player Edo Kayembe scored to help Watford win the derby against their local rivals at Vicarage Road.

Both goals came in the first half, with Dele-Bashiru scoring a penalty and Kayembe finishing after a great play from Giorgi Chakvetadze. Watford controlled the game well, especially in the first half, and secured a valuable win.

Watford is now just three points away from the Sky Bet Championship play-offs, bringing excitement after a strong performance against the Hatters.

Cleverley made two changes: Jeremy Ngakia played right-back instead of Ryan Andrews, and Tom Ince took Moussa Sissoko’s place in midfield due to injury.

James Abankwah and Kévin Keben remained as central defenders, with Mattie Pollock on the bench again. Vakoun Bayo returned from suspension as a substitute, while Mamadou Doumbia started in attack.

Imrân Louza captained the team after his impressive performances in midfield. The win elevated the London club to ninth in the English Championship standings.

Sierra Queen's coach Hassan Malik Mansaray optimistic ahead of Benin's second leg
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Queen’s coach Hassan Malik Mansaray optimistic ahead of second leg

Sierra Leone’s national women’s head coach, Hassan Malik Mansaray, remains hopeful after his team lost 2-1 to Benin in the first leg of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) women’s qualifiers.

The match on February 20 at the Kégué Stadium gave Benin a first-leg advantage, but Mansaray believes his team can win the return leg on February 24 in Monrovia.

Coach Mansaray, in his post-match interview, has emphasized the importance of their away goal, stating, “We will try to make the most of it. It was challenging for our players on natural grass, but at home – we will aim for victory.”

Despite the loss, Mansaray sees the away goal as a key advantage. He recalled past encounters with Benin in men’s football where Sierra Leone successfully turned around losses. “We can do the same here,” he said.

As they prepare for the return leg, Sierra Leone is eager to use their home support and refine their tactics. Mansaray’s comments reflect the team’s determination to secure qualification for AFCON 2026. With an away goal already scored, they hope to overcome the deficit and keep their hopes alive.

Meanwhile, his team has safely arrived in Monrovia, Liberia, in preparation for their crucial second-leg match in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers for Morocco 2026. The second leg is scheduled for Monday, February 24, 2026, at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville, Liberia.

Read Related Benin beat Sierra Leone in first-leg WAFCON qualifiers.

CAF Inter-club Champions League knockout phase draw revealed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Champions League knockout phase draw revealed

The knockout phase of this year’s CAF Champions League has been confirmed as the quarter-final and semi-final draws were conducted by the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) on 20 February.

The draw, held live from the beIN SPORTS studios in Doha, Qatar, created four exciting quarter-final matches. Eight of Africa’s top clubs will compete over two legs for a spot in the semi-finals.

Defending champions Al Ahly SC from Egypt will face Sudan’s Al Hilal SC. Al Ahly, with 12 titles, finished as runners-up in their group. They aim to win the title for a third consecutive year. Al Hilal, coached by Florent Ibengé, topped their group while playing in Mauritania due to conflict in Sudan.

Pyramids FC from Egypt will take on Moroccan club AS FAR. Pyramids, led by coach Krunoslav Jurčić, scored 14 goals in the group stage, while AS FAR went unbeaten with coach Alexandre Santos.

Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa will play Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis. Sundowns, champions in 2016, are eager to break their semi-final curse. Esperance, a four-time champion, topped their group and recently won the Tunisian Super Cup.

Finally, Algeria’s MC Alger, who conceded only two goals, will meet South Africa’s Orlando Pirates. The Pirates, who won in 1995 and finished first in their group, want to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2013.

The semi-final matchups are also set. The winner of Sundowns versus Esperance will face either Al Ahly or Al Hilal, while the winner of MC Alger versus Pirates will meet the Pyramids versus AS FAR winner.

Quarter-final games will be played over two legs, with the first on 1 April and the return leg on 8 April. The semi-finals will follow the same format, leading to the final in June.

2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals:

  • QF 1: Al Ahly SC (EGY) vs Al Hilal SC (SDN)
  • QF 2: Pyramids FC (EGY) vs AS FAR (MAR)
  • QF 3: Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) vs Esperance Sportive de Tunis (TUN)
  • QF 4: MC Alger (ALG) vs Orlando Pirates (RSA)

Semi-Final Draw Outcome:

  • SF 1: Mamelodi Sundowns/Esperance Sportive de Tunis vs Al Ahly SC/Al Hilal SC
  • SF 2: MC Alger/Orlando Pirates vs Pyramids FC/AS FAR
CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-final matches confirmed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-final matches confirmed

The knockout stages of the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup are ready to begin after the quarter-final draw held by CAF on February 20.

The quarter-finals kick off with a North versus South match as two-time champions Zamalek SC of Egypt defend their title against tournament debutants Stellenbosch FC from South Africa.

Ivorian powerhouse Asec Mimosas, eager to reclaim continental glory, will face two-time champions RS Berkane of Morocco. Berkane has excelled in the group stages, finishing with the best record by collecting 16 points without a loss.

A thrilling Algerian derby is also on the cards, featuring CS Constantine, who are making their first appearance in the knockout stages, taking on a determined USM Alger side that aims to reclaim the title they won in the 2022/23 season.

The final quarter-final will see Egyptian team Al Masry face an in-form Simba SC from Tanzania, who are looking to advance past the last eight for the first time since the 2021/22 season.

The quarter-finals will showcase:

  • QF 1: Stellenbosch FC (RSA) vs Zamalek SC (EGY)  
  • QF 2: Asec Mimosas (CIV) vs RS Berkane (MAR)  
  • QF 3: CS Constantine (ALG) vs USM Alger (ALG)  
  • QF 4: Al Masry (EGY) vs Simba SC (TAN)  

The semi-finals will match the winners of RS Berkane/Asec Mimosas against USM Alger/CS Constantine and Simba SC/Al Masry against Zamalek SC/Stellenbosch FC.

For further details and statistics on the eight remaining clubs, click **HERE**.

Victor Osimhen nets as Galatasaray bow out of Euroepa League
by FSL News

Victor Osimhen nets as Galatasaray bow out of Europa League

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen found the back of the net for Galatasaray in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League matchup against AZ Alkmaar.

However, his effort was not enough to secure advancement, as the match concluded in a 2-2 draw, resulting in a 6-3 aggregate defeat that eliminated Galatasaray from the tournament.

The match, held at the vibrant RAMS Park on Thursday evening, showcased a gripping contest. AZ Alkmaar, guided by coach Maarten Martens, sealed their place in the Round of 16 after their earlier 4-1 victory in the first leg in Alkmaar.

In the second leg, Seiya Maikuma opened the scoring for AZ, followed by Denso Kasius, who extended their lead. Galatasaray fought back with goals from Victor Osimhen and Roland Sallai, but despite their resilience, they couldn’t overturn the deficit.

The draw meant that AZ Alkmaar advanced to the next stage of the competition, much to the disappointment of the home crowd.

Winger Agustus Kargbo speaks after an impressive Blackburn start
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Winger Augustus Kargbo speaks after an impressive Blackburn start

Winger Augustus Kargbo shares his thoughts after a strong start with Blackburn. First impressions matter a lot, and Augustus Kargbo has certainly made a notable impact during his first few weeks with the Rovers.

He made his debut as a late substitute against Queens Park Rangers shortly after signing with the club. Since then, Kargbo has demonstrated consistent growth, recording his first goal involvement by assisting Tyrhys Dolan during the 2-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle last weekend.

Kargbo executed an impressive run from the left flank, engaged in a one-two exchange with Makhtar Gueye, and successfully set up Dolan, who capitalized effectively against the Argyle goalkeeper, Conor Hazard.

The 25-year-old, who joined from the Italian club Cesena last month, has quickly become a valued member of the team and a favourite among the supporters. He expressed his enthusiasm about playing in front of the home crowd against Miron Muslic’s squad.

“I was delighted to finally participate in the league before our fans,” Kargbo remarked to Blackburn’s website. “It brings me great joy to assist the team, and I aspire to earn more playing time to contribute meaningfully. I hope to score goals shortly while continuing to support the team.”

“I take great pleasure in providing assists as much as I do in scoring goals. It enhances my confidence and helps us achieve our collective objectives. By delivering assists and scoring goals, we position ourselves to win matches. That remains my focus, and I continually seek to improve my ability to deliver accurate passes and be in the right places to score.”

Kargbo further noted, “Pape and I maintain open communication during training, along with Todd [Cantwell]. This connection enhances our teamwork. During our match against Wolves, Emmanuel [Dennis] and I also collaborated effectively. With Ty’s capabilities, it is evident that he enjoys playing and excels in one-twos, contributing to an impressive goal.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed the one-two with Pape and the decisive pass to Ty. It was a remarkable finish. We are all dedicated players eager to contribute, and I believe a strong connection is already forming among us.”