Category: Football Africa

MC Alger advance after goalless draw with Colombe Sportive
by Football Sierra Leone

MC Alger advance after goalless draw with Colombe Sportive

MC Alger advanced to the group stage of the CAF Champions League after securing a goalless draw against Colombe of Cameroon in Algiers on Sunday night.

Mouloudia progressed on aggregate after last week’s 1-1 draw. The Algerian giants return to Africa’s top club competition with renewed confidence.

At the Ali Amar Stadium, MC Alger started strong, dominating possession but struggling with precision in their final passes. Colombe’s solid defense and alert goalkeeper thwarted many threats, forcing Mouloudia to keep recycling possession.

As the match continued, Colombe found their rhythm, aiming to control the game and counterattack, but they also struggled to create clear opportunities.

The second half of the match was marked by fouls and cautions, but neither team could find a decisive moment. MC Alger, despite not being at their best, achieved their goal of progressing to the next stage and joining the continent’s elite.

Now, they focus on the upcoming draw and aim for a deep run in the competition, 49 years after winning their first African title in 1976.

Colombe exits the tournament after a commendable two-leg effort, showing strong organization at home and resilience in Algiers. MC Alger will represent Algeria in the group stage alongside JS Kabylie, as both clubs seek success.

CR Belouizdad sink Guinea's Hafia to reach CAF Confed group stage
by Football Sierra Leone

CR Belouizdad sink Guinea’s Hafia to reach CAF Confed group stage

CR Belouizdad advanced to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage with a 2–0 home victory over Guinea’s Hafia, finishing the aggregate score at 3–1.

After a scoreless first half, the Algerian champions increased the intensity and found the net twice in a span of 14 minutes through Amir Meziane and Lamine Boussouar, effectively ending Hafia’s pursuit.

This outcome follows a 1–1 draw from the previous week away, where Belouizdad established the necessary foundation to complete the task in front of their fans.

Belouizdad initially demonstrated patience, moving the ball around and probing down both wings without overextending themselves.

Hafia, remaining compact and disciplined, attempted to counterattack and restrict the space in between the lines, a strategy that proved effective during a tight first 45 minutes that yielded few clear opportunities.

The hosts emerged from halftime with increased determination, pushed higher up the pitch, and circulated the ball more swiftly through the midfield, immediately putting pressure on the Guinean team.

The first goal came in the 54th minute when Abderrahmane Meziane finished off a right-side play with a composed shot, putting Belouizdad ahead 1–0 and increasing their aggregate lead.

The goal prompted Hafia to push for an equaliser, which Belouizdad exploited. In the 68th minute, Lotfi Boussouar extended the lead with a precise shot from the edge of the penalty area, finding the corner of the net.

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi in race for CAF Men’s Award
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi in race for CAF Men’s Award

Mohamed Salah is among 10 footballers nominated at the CAF Awards 2025 for the men’s Player of the Year award.
Salah, who captains Egypt’s national team, is in the running for the top honour at the African football awards, set for later this year. Last season, he played a key role in Liverpool’s 20th Premier League win and became their third-highest scorer ever.
Between January 6 and October 15, 2025, Salah scored 16 goals and made nine assists for Liverpool, and added four goals and one assist for Egypt.
Achraf Hakimi is also nominated for Africa’s top men’s player award. He helped Morocco win a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics and had a standout season with Paris Saint-Germain, winning the Champions League and all three major French trophies in the 2024-25 season.
At 26, Hakimi is the only defender on the shortlist. Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen is also nominated after an impressive first season with Galatasaray in Türkiye, where he won the league title.
Players from eight African countries are up for the men’s award. Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy is among them, as well as Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye and Pape Matar Sarr, who both play in the Premier League.
The 2025 CAF Awards will also crown a Goalkeeper of the Year, Coach of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Club of the Year, and National Team of the Year.

CAF Awards 2025 – Men’s Player of the Year nominees

  • André-Frank Zambo-Anguissa (Cameroon/Napoli)
  • Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids)
  • Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)
  • Denis Bouanga (Gabon/Los Angeles FC)
  • Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund)
  • Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain)
  • Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco/RS Berkane)
  • Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray)
  • Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal/Everton)
  • Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal/Tottenham Hotspur)
CAF Interclub group stage draw the date and venue confirmed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Interclub group stage draw date and venue confirmed

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the date and location for the group stage draw of the CAF Champions League and the Confederation Cup.

The ceremony will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 3, 2025.

Additionally, October 31 is the deadline for clubs participating in the 2025/26 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup group stage to submit their final squad to CAF.

Teams have the opportunity to make changes by adding new signings or omitting players before the deadline.

CAF has confirmed that the group stage draw for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup
CAF has confirmed that the group stage draw for the 2025/26 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup
CAF names continental referees for AFCON 2025 training in Cairo
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF names continental referees for training in Cairo ahead AFCON 2025

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a selection of the continent's finest referees chosen for an elite training camp in Cairo, Egypt, scheduled from November 8 to 13.

The initiative aims to enhance the officials’ fitness, match management, and decision-making abilities in preparation for significant CAF tournaments.

The intensive program will include referees from Africa, such as Egypt’s Amin Omar, Senegal’s Issa Sy, Kenya’s Peter Waweru, Somalia’s Omar Artan, Ghana’s Daniel Laryea, Mauritania’s Dahane Beida, Algeria’s Mustapha Ghorbal, and South Africa’s Abongile Tom. Many other notable referees from across the continent will also take part.

CAF highlighted that the training will also include Video Match Officials (VMOs), trainers, VAR personnel, and members of its Referees Committee.

The Cairo camp is part of CAF’s wider preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which is set to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

Hakim Ziyech set to seal a return to Morocco to join Wydad Casablanca
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Hakim Ziyech set to join Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca

Journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported that Hakim Ziyech has finalized his move to Wydad Casablanca, returning to Morocco with a one-year contract. This marks an emotional homecoming for the player.

At 32, Ziyech joins Wydad as a free agent after leaving Al-Duhail in the summer of 2025, ending weeks of speculation about where he would go next.

Several clubs in Europe and the Middle East showed interest, but Ziyech decided to return to his home country.

Ziyech became well-known for his play at the 2022 World Cup and during his time at Ajax. Inconsistent performances and loans to Galatasaray and Al-Duhail marked his period at Chelsea.

His return to Casablanca marks a fresh start for Ziyech, representing an essential moment in his career.

The player’s creativity and experience can help drive the team’s domestic and continental ambitions as they compete for both the Botola Pro title and CAF Champions League glory.

CR Belouizdad hold Hafia as USM Alger lost to Académie Diallo Amadou
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CR Belouizdad hold Hafia as USM Alger lost to Académie Diallo Amadou

The first-leg matches of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup's second preliminary round on Sunday, 19 October, showcased exciting competition as African teams competed for an early advantage toward the group stage.

Algeria’s CR Belouizdad managed to secure a valuable away draw against Hafia FC from Guinea. At the same time, their fellow citizens, USM Alger, experienced a narrow loss against Académie Diallo Amadou from Côte d’Ivoire.

In another significant encounter, Djoliba AC from Mali achieved a crucial away victory over Burkina Faso’s USFA.

Hafia FC (GUI) 1–1 CR Belouizdad (ALG)  

CR Belouizdad returned from Conakry with an essential 1–1 draw that keeps their chances of qualification alive as they head into the return leg in Algiers. Hafia FC took the lead in the 62nd minute thanks to Alhassane Kamara. Still, Belouizdad quickly levelled the score just three minutes later when Khacef found the net, securing a vital outcome for the Algerian team.

Académie Diallo Amadou (CIV) 1–0 USM Alger (ALG)  

The Algerian powerhouses, USM Alger, faced a challenging night in Côte d’Ivoire, losing 1–0 to Académie Diallo Amadou. The home team struck early when Kalilou Garjo took advantage of a defensive mistake in the ninth minute.

Despite dominating periods and creating multiple opportunities, the Algerian side failed to score and will now strive to reverse the situation in the return match in Algiers.

USFA (BFA) 0–1 Djoliba AC (MLI)  

Mali’s Djoliba AC secured a critical 1–0 win against USFA in Ouagadougou. The winning goal was scored in the 84th minute by Kader Knam, putting the visitors in a solid position heading into the second leg in Bamako.

With the return matches set for next weekend, all eyes will be on the Algerian teams CR Belouizdad and USM Alger, who will aim to utilise their home advantage and secure their places in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

Orlando Pirates suffer heavy CAF Champions League defeat
by Football Sierra Leone

Orlando Pirates suffer heavy CAF Champions League defeat

Orlando Pirates are staring down the barrel of an early exit from the CAF Champions League after suffering a disappointing 3-0 defeat of the 2025/26 second preliminary round to Saint-Éloi Lupopo at the Stade Frederic Kibassa Maliba in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, on Sunday.

As a result, they’ll face a daunting task as they prepare to host Saint-Éloi Lupopo at Orlando Stadium on Saturday, aiming to overturn a three-goal deficit.

This loss ended the Buccaneers’ impressive 11-match unbeaten streak across all competitions at the hands of the Congolese side in the first leg of their second preliminary round tie.

Last season, the Pirates made an impressive run in the CAF Champions League, reaching the semi-finals under coach Jose Riveiro before being eliminated by the eventual champions, Pyramids FC.

With new head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou at the helm, the Buccaneers have kicked off the 2025/26 season with great success.

They cruised through the first preliminary round, sweeping aside Lioli of Lesotho with a dominant 7-0 aggregate score, and bagged their fourth consecutive MTN8 title in South Africa.

Currently, the club sits third in the Betway Premiership, having accumulated 15 points from seven matches, which includes five wins and two losses.

In the latest rankings from the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), published on October 14, the club was recognised as the seventh-best team on the continent.

Yassir Zabiri nets brace as Morocco clinch maiden crown
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Yassir Zabiri nets brace as Morocco clinch maiden crown

Morocco triumphed over Argentina to claim their first FIFA U-20 World Cup, with Yassir Zabiri scoring twice in a thrilling final in Santiago.

As a result, the victory made Morocco the second African team to win the tournament, following Ghana’s win in 2009.

The match kicked off at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martinez Pradanos with immediate drama. Zabiri was fouled while attempting to score, but converted a free-kick into the top corner after a VAR review resulted in a yellow card for the Argentina goalkeeper. Zabiri later volleyed in a cross from Othmane Maamma to double the lead.

Argentina pressed for an equaliser, with Mateo Silvetti and substitutes missing key chances, while Morocco’s strong defence, led by Ismael Baouf, held firm. Despite Argentina’s possession and corner dominance, Morocco kept them at bay. When the final whistle blew, Moroccan players celebrated their long-awaited victory after 48 years.

Argentina 0-2 Morocco

Morocco goals: Zabiri (12 & 29). Visa Player of the Match: Zabiri

JS Kabylie record strong Champions League first leg advantage
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

JS Kabylie record strong CAF Champions League first leg advantage

Algeria’s JS Kabylie won 3-0 against US Monastir in the first leg of their final qualifying round for the CAF Champions League at the Stade Municipal Taieb Mhiri in Sfax.

This victory brings them closer to reaching the group stage of the tournament. The visitors from Algeria enjoyed solid support from their travelling fans as they delivered an outstanding performance.

The pivotal moment came early in the second half when Mehdi Merghem struck a stunning goal from distance that shocked the home side. Shortly after, Lahlou Akhrib capped off a brilliant team play with a well-timed finish.

JSK dominated the second half after a balanced first, taking a two-goal lead. In the 49th minute, Aimen Lahmeri crossed to Merghem, who skillfully scored. Mohamed Hamidi then split the USM defense with a clever pass, allowing Lahmeri to assist Akhrib for a close-range goal.

Babacar Sarr added a third for JSK in the final minutes. The teams will meet again next Saturday in Tizi Ouzou, where JSK aims to secure a spot in the group stage.