Category: Football Africa

Inter Milan’s Ange-Yoan Bonny switches allegiance to Ivory Coast
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Inter Milan’s Ange-Yoan Bonny switches allegiance to Ivory Coast

Inter Milan’s Ange-Yoan Bonny is in the running for the 2026 World Cup after switching from the French national team to the Ivory Coast.

Bonny, 22, was born in Aubervilliers, near Paris, and played for France at various youth levels. Ivory Coast head coach Emerse Fae contacted Bonny earlier this year and included him in the preliminary squad for a friendly match against South Korea on March 28.

Bonny is now eligible to play for the Ivory Coast after FIFA approved his request, and the French Football Federation signed off on it.

He has played 44 matches in all competitions for Inter Milan, scoring seven goals and providing seven assists since joining from Parma in the off-season.

Bonny aims to impress Fae before the World Cup, which will be held next month in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Ivory Coast is in Group E with Germany, Ecuador, and newcomers Curacao.

drissa Gueye to miss Premier League contest against Crystal Palace
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Idrissa Gueye to miss Premier League clash against Crystal Palace

David Moyes has confirmed Idrissa Gueye will miss the upcoming match against Crystal Palace. The Senegal defensive midfielder plays for Everton, who are trying to secure a spot in European competitions as the season comes to an end.

Gueye could not play in the last match, a 3-3 draw with Manchester City. In a press conference ahead of the Crystal Palace game, manager David Moyes confirmed that Gueye, who is 36 years old, will not participate. Moyes said, “He’s fine. He’s not training yet, but it’s not a serious injury, so we hope he’ll be back soon.”

Gueye debuted for Senegal in 2011 and played in the 2012 Summer Olympics, taking part in one match. He has played in two FIFA World Cups and six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

After losing in the 2019 AFCON final, he helped Senegal win the 2022 final. Gueye holds the record for the most caps for Senegal and is the first player from Senegal to earn over 100 caps.

He started his career at Diambars in Senegal and joined Lille’s reserve team in 2008. He played for Lille’s first team from 2010 to 2015, winning Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France in 2011. He then moved to Aston Villa and a year later signed with Everton.

USM Alger and Zamalek SC set for CAF Confederation Cup final first leg cracker
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

USM Alger and Zamalek SC set for CAF Confederation Cup final first leg cracker

The CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 final starts this week, with the first leg between USM Alger and Zamalek SC in Algiers on Saturday at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).

Both teams have won this competition before and want to add another title to their achievements in African football.

USM Alger will host the first leg at Stade 5 Juillet 1962. The second leg will take place at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday, May 16, at 21:00 local time (18:00 GMT).

USM Alger became the 2023 champions after drawing 2-2 on aggregate against Young Africans and winning on away goals. Zamalek secured their first title in 2019 by beating RS Berkane in penalties after a 1-1 draw and won again in 2024 with another away goals victory over the same team after a 2-2 aggregate score.

This season’s TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup final remains highly competitive. Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida will officiate the first leg, and Gabonese referee Pierre Atcho will handle the second leg.

Zamalek reached the final by defeating CR Belouizdad 1-0 on aggregate, while USM Alger progressed by winning on away goals against Olympic Club Safi, drawing 0-0 at home and 1-1 away. The champions will receive a record prize of USD 4 million as CAF invests in African football.

TOTALENERGIES CAF CONFEDERATION CUP 2025/26 FINAL

First Leg

USM Alger vs Zamalek SC

Date: Saturday, 09 May 2026

Venue: Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers, Algeria

Kick-off: 20h00 local time | 19h00 GMT

Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)

Second Leg

Zamalek SC vs USM Alger

Date: Saturday, 16 May 2026

Venue: Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt

Kick-off: 21h00 local time | 18h00 GMT

Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR set for CAF CL double header final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR set for CAF Champions League final double-header

The finale of this year’s CAF Champions League 2025/26 promises to be an electrifying showdown between South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Morocco’s AS FAR, as they go head-to-head in a two-legged duel for the title of continental champions.

The first leg kicks off in Tshwane (Pretoria), South Africa, on Sunday, May 17, at 14:00 GMT (16:00 local time). The action will then shift to Rabat for the return leg on Sunday, May 24, at 19:00 GMT (20:00 local time).

This highly anticipated final pits two former champions of Africa’s premier club competition against each other, each to reclaim their spot at the top. Mamelodi Sundowns are on the hunt for their second title, having previously celebrated victory in 2016, while AS FAR is eager to end a 41-year drought since their last triumph in 1985.

In addition to the honour of lifting Africa’s most sought-after club trophy, the teams will also vie for a record prize fund. CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe recently announced that the winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League will walk away with a remarkable USD 6 million, marking a 50% increase from previous editions.

Dates and kickoff times of the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final

First Leg – Mamelodi Sundowns vs AS FAR

Date: Sunday, 17 May 2026

Venue: Tshwane, South Africa

Kick-off: 16h00 local time | 14h00 GMT

Second Leg – AS FAR vs Mamelodi Sundowns

Date: Sunday, 24 May 2026

Venue: Rabat, Morocco

Kick-off: 20h00 local time | 19h00 GMT

Ismaila Sarr helps Crystal Palace close in on Conference League final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ismaila Sarr helps Crystal Palace close in on Conference League final

Ismaila Sarr scored the fastest goal in Conference League history to help Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 in the first leg of their semi-final tie.

Sarr found the net just 21 seconds into the match in Poland after receiving a pass from Jean-Philippe Mateta. Shakhtar controlled possession afterward but struggled to create clear chances.

They equalized quickly in the second half when Oleh Ocheretko scored from close range. However, Palace took the lead again in the 58th minute when Daichi Kamada scored his first goal since October 2024.

Jorgen Strand Larsen added a third for Palace after a smart play, giving them a strong position heading into the second leg at Selhurst Park on May 7.

Oliver Glasner, the Palace coach, has led the team to memorable victories, including last season’s FA Cup win. With Sarr’s eighth goal in the competition, Palace looks poised to reach the final on May 27 in Leipzig.

Strand Larsen, despite previous struggles in the Premier League, proved his worth with this crucial goal.

CAF and UEFA confirm an MoU aimed at strengthening collaboration
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF and UEFA confirm an MoU aimed at strengthening collaboration

The Confédération African Football (CAF) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) have signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation and foster football development across Africa and Europe.

This agreement, formalised by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin in Vancouver, Canada, aims to deepen collaboration in essential areas of the sport.

Running until June 30, 2031, the MoU focuses on youth and women’s football, technical development, refereeing, governance, and education. CAF Member Associations will have opportunities to participate in select CAF–UEFA youth competitions, as well as initiatives like the CAF African Schools Football Championship.

A key aspect of the partnership is coach education, promoting the exchange of technical expertise and best practices to improve coaching standards. Additionally, refereeing development will be supported through structured knowledge-sharing programs.

The agreement also facilitates cooperation through observer programs at major tournaments and professional exchanges to enhance administrative and technical capacities. Regular governance meetings will monitor progress, ensuring alignment on shared goals.

Both organizations believe this partnership highlights football’s capacity to drive opportunity, education, and social development while setting the stage for ongoing collaboration.

Ghana to host the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in 2027
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana to host the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in 2027

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has awarded Ghana the hosting rights for the CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2027, coinciding with the nation’s 70th anniversary of independence.

This highlights Ghana’s rich football heritage and its vital role in African football development.

This will be Ghana’s second time hosting the tournament, having previously done so in 1999, when the team lifted the trophy at home. The competition will feature 12 teams, showcasing Africa’s brightest young talents and serving as an important pathway to professional football.

Ghana, a four-time champion, has a proud tradition in youth football, having produced many iconic players, including Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, and André Ayew. Additionally, Ghana made history as the first African nation to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2009.

The top four teams from the tournament will qualify for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, adding further significance. The most recent edition took place in Egypt, where South Africa claimed the title, reflecting the rising quality of youth football in Africa.

CAF will announce the dates and venues for the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, Ghana 2027, soon.

Dates Confirmed for Champions League, Confederation Cup draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Record-breaking prize money awaits CAF inter-club winners

The finals of the CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup are set to offer more than just continental glory; the winners in the 2025/26 season will receive record-breaking prize money.

In the Champions League final, South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will face Morocco’s AS FAR, while Algeria’s USM Alger will compete against Egypt’s Zamalek in the Confederation Cup.

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe recently announced that the Champions League winners will earn USD 6 million, up from USD 4 million, a significant 50 percent increase, reflecting a rise from the USD 2.5 million that winners received in 2021.

The Confederation Cup has experienced even bigger gains, with prize money doubling from USD 2 million to USD 4 million. Both USM and Zamalek are recent champions, with USM winning in 2023 and Zamalek following in the next season.

CAF’s commitment to investing in African club football extends beyond the finalists. In a bid to assist clubs facing logistical challenges, Dr Motsepe announced that clubs eliminated in the preliminary stages will now receive USD 100,000 each, doubling previous support.

As a result, a record 130 clubs from across Africa will participate in both tournaments in the 2025/26 season.

This increase in prize money is part of CAF’s strategy to boost the value and competitiveness of African football, helping clubs develop talent and compete more effectively on the global stage.

Ex-Ivorian international Emmanuel Eboué speaks about a difficult family situation
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Emmanuel Eboué opens up about a difficult family situation

Former Arsenal and Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboue has opened up about the drastic turn his life took after his breakup with the mother of his three children.

During an appearance on the 5th House Podcast, the 42-year-old shared how legal issues ultimately left him financially devastated in England, the country where he enjoyed the peak of his professional career.

Eboué, who was a key player for the Gunners during the mid-2000s, revealed that the settlement led to him losing all his assets based in the UK. “I lost a lot. A lot. To be honest, I can’t disclose how much, but it was significant,” he stated, recalling his journey that began in the youth academy of ASEC Mimosas.

“I lost everything in my life while in England. I built my entire career there; I owned several properties, three houses, and a collection of cars. I lost them all, along with my money.” He reflected on his struggles, saying, “I was incredibly down.

Living in a place where the press knew my whereabouts made things even tougher. Each day, they were waiting outside, so I had to cover the windows with boxes, just to avoid being photographed. It really took a toll on me—I didn’t even have the appetite to eat.”

Eboué elaborated on how his downfall began: “My agent demanded €1 million, and I decided I’d rather stop playing football than give them that money. When I refused, my ex-agent reported me to FIFA, resulting in a one-year ban. To escape the spotlight, I moved back to Turkey, trying to keep my situation under wraps, and that’s when the divorce proceedings began.”

He began his European career with Belgium’s Beveren in 2002, but most notably, he spent the crucial years from 2005 to 2011 at Arsenal, making 214 appearances, including playing in the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final. Later, he joined Galatasaray, where he played consistently and clinched five domestic titles in Turkey.

Eboué made his international debut for the Ivory Coast in 2004, earning a total of 79 caps by 2013 and participating in five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and two World Cups.

Predominantly a right-back, he formed a solid defensive partnership with former teammate Kolo Touré for the Elephants. Eboué scored his first international goal in a 2-2 draw against Germany and was named in Sven-Göran Eriksson’s squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Hussein Mohamed suspended as Kenya Football Federation president
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Hussein Mohamed suspended as Kenya Football Federation president

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has suspended its president, Hussein Mohamed, amid a major scandal that is shaking the country’s football community.

In a statement released on Friday, the federation announced that Mohamed has been temporarily removed from his position while an investigation into serious claims of governance and ethical breaches is underway.

The FKF emphasized that this decision was made to uphold the integrity of the organization and ensure a thorough and transparent investigation. While officials did not disclose the specifics of the allegations, sources within the federation suggest that the controversy involves financial irregularities and potential abuse of power, escalating scrutiny on FKF’s leadership in recent weeks.

This suspension marks a significant shift for Mohamed, a well-known figure in Kenyan football administration. His leadership has included efforts to stabilize the federation and rebuild trust among stakeholders after years of instability in the sport.

The FKF stated that an interim leadership structure would be put in place shortly to maintain continuity in operations, especially with ongoing domestic competitions and national team activities. The federation also reassured fans, sponsors, and international partners of its commitment to accountability and transparency.

“The federation is fully committed to working with all relevant authorities to uncover the facts,” the statement read. “Appropriate actions will be taken based on the investigation’s findings.”