Category: Sport News

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.

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

ES Tunis beat LAFC to keep Club World Cup hopes alive

LAFC’s journey in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup came to an end on Friday, as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Tunisian side ES Tunis at Nashville SC’s GEODIS Park. The turning point of the match came in the second half, where a late penalty save played a crucial role in the outcome.

After suffering a defeat in their opening match against the Brazilian team Flamengo, ES Tunis bounced back with a win over the MLS side on Friday, reigniting their chances in the tournament.

In the first half, LAFC had two goals disallowed within the opening 30 minutes, as both Olivier Giroud and David Martínez found the back of the net but were ruled offside.

ES Tunis had their close call when Youcef Belaïli was brought down in the box, initially earning a penalty. However, after a review by Video Assistant Referee (VAR), referee Espen Eskås changed the decision, issuing a yellow card to Belaïli for simulation instead.

Belaïli later turned the tide for the Tunisians, scoring midway through the second half with a well-placed finish from the edge of the box.

As the match approached its climax, LAFC earned a lifeline in the form of a penalty kick deep into stoppage time when Marlon was knocked over in the area. However, goalkeeper Bechir Ben Saïd stood tall and denied Denis Bouanga’s attempt, securing ES Tunis their first win of the tournament.

New MK Dons deal for Kinshasa-born Jonathan Leko
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

New MK Dons deal for Kinshasa-born Jonathan Leko

MK Dons has announced that winger Jonathan Leko has penned a new contract to remain at Stadium MK.

Since joining the club in 2022, Leko has made 55 appearances and has contributed to 12 goals across League One, League Two, and the EFL Trophy.

He is known for his speed and has already had memorable moments, including two goals against Wrexham in the current season.

Leko is well-liked for his personality and sense of humor. After facing a serious injury while on loan at Burton Albion in 2024, he worked hard to regain his fitness and returned to play in March during a victory against Cheltenham.

Head Coach Paul Warne expressed his excitement about having Leko on the team, noting his talent and competitive nature. Sporting Director Liam Sweeting also highlighted Leko’s potential under Warne’s leadership and praised the medical team’s efforts in helping him recover. Everyone at MK Dons congratulates Jonathan on his new deal.

 EFL League Two Milton Keynes Dons.

CAF named Kenya as host of CHAN 2024 final match
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF named Kenya as host of CHAN 2024 final match

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced that Kenya would serve as the host nation for the final match.

The grand finale of the tournament will be held at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on August 30. The match for third place will take place at Uganda’s Mandela Stadium in Kampala, and the tournament will start at Tanzania’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on August 2.

The eagerly awaited tournament is set to unfold during the summer months in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Originally slated for February 2025, the event has been pushed back to August due to issues with infrastructure readiness, stadium availability, and ensuring adequate team participation.

Zanzibar has been selected as a host venue for the upcoming 2024 CHAN tournament, reflecting CAF’s commitment to expanding African football.

Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar previously hosted the CAF Confederation Cup 2024/25 Final, enhancing its reputation.

The tournament marks a return to East Africa, following the 2016 edition in Rwanda, and will take place from August 2 to August 30, 2025, across three host nations.