Category: Football Africa

Guinea ready for co-hosts Uganda African Nations Championship cracker
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea ready for co-hosts Uganda African Nations Championship cracker

In a Group C match in Kampala on Friday, Guinea and Uganda will face one another for the first time in the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Uganda, having lost their opening game to Algeria 3-0, must rally for a positive result against the local Syli National on Friday. A win for Guinea will almost ensure they reach the tournament knockout stages after their 1-0 win over Niger in the opener.

Guinea will play their 17th CHAN game and their 15th different opponent. Losing to Morocco in 2018 and then defeating Cameroon in the 2020 third-place playoff, they have previously played tournament hosts twice.

For Guinea, this game also marks their fourth against East African opponents. Among their earlier accomplishments are a 1-0 victory over Rwanda in the 2020 quarterfinals, a 2-2 tie with Tanzania in the group stage same year, and a 10 defeat against Sudan in 2018.

Uganda is playing a West African side for the seventh time. They have defeated Senegal in 2022 and Burkina Faso in 2014. In their most recent games, they have lost to Togo and Côte d’Ivoire and drawn with Mali and Côte d’Ivoire.

East End Lions and Bhantal FC to know continental opponent on Saturday
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

East End Lions and Bhantal FC to know continental opponents on Saturday

Sierra Leone’s East End Lions and Bhantal FC will learn their CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup rivals during the Preliminary Draw in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

One of Sierra Leone’s most decorated clubs, East End Lions, is not a stranger to inter-club competition, but Bhantal will be making their debut on the continental stage after two season of gaining promotion to the top-flight.

The draw is set for Saturday, August 9, at 1:00 p.m. local time (10:00 a.m. GMT) and will be streamed live on CAF’s YouTube channel.

“From our first steps in the Sierra Leone Premier League to securing a coveted spot in the CAF Inter Clubs Competitions, the journey of Bhantal FC is nothing short of inspirational,” Bhantal FC noted.

This occasion ushers in what promises to be another thrilling season of Africa’s top club tournaments—the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.

The Preliminary Round is scheduled to kick off on 19 September 2025, followed by the Second Preliminary Round starting on 17 October 2025.

The Group Stage of both the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will begin on 21 November 2025, with the knockout phase set to commence on 13 March 2026.

Continuing the success of prior draws conducted in television studios, CAF’s strategic partner in the area, Azam Media, will host the Draw in its facilities.

Along Canal+, CAF has held draws at SuperSport and beIN Sports studios, two of the important allies in advancing the growth of interclub events.

East Africa is still showing strong increases in the total viewership for both the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup and the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

Cyriel Dessers nets Rangers UEFA Champions League triumph
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cyriel Dessers nets in Rangers UEFA Champions League triumph

In the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, Scottish powerhouse Rangers quickly dispatched Viktoria Plzen and Nigerian forward Cyriel Dessers was on the score sheet at Ibrox Stadium.

With a great finish in only 15 minutes at the Ibrox Stadium on Tuesday, France Youth international Djeidi Hamara Gassama fired Rangers ahead.

Dessers placed Gassama in Viktoria’s penalty area, and the 21-year-old winger curled in exquisitely to defeat Florian Wiegele, the visiting goalie.

In the 42nd minute, after Lukáš Hejda of Rangers was knocked down in the box, Cyriel Dessers doubled the advantage from the penalty spot without hesitation.

Viktoria had difficulty saying the Teddy Bears in the second part of the game, which brought pain in her side.

In the 51st minute, Rangers finished the game when Oliver Antman swept in a lovely cross for the unmarked Djeidi Gassama to head in from close range.

With the return leg in the Czech Republic on Tuesday, August 12, Rangers’ 30 triumph over Viktoria Plzen pulls them closer to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

Defending Champions Senegal beat Nigeria in Group D Opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defending Champions Senegal beat Nigeria in Group D Opener

Beginning their title defence in the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024, defending champions Senegal narrowly defeated Nigeria 1-0 at Amaan Stadium on Tuesday.

After a fast counterattack in the 75th minute, Christian Gomis scored the winning goal and delighted the Senegalese supporters.

Though Nigeria pushed hard, with Nduka Junior and Raymond Tochukwu getting early yellow cards, the game showed a tense first half with few chances.

Marc Diouf, the goalie for Senegal, made critical saves while both sides battled to capitalise on chances.

Nigeria pressed for an equaliser in the second half, but Senegal’s defence, spearheaded by Seyni Ndiaye and Joseph Layousse, held firm despite Nigeria’s late attacks, including a near miss from Vincent Temitope.

Coach Souleymane Diallo of Senegal claimed his players felt no pressure in defending their title, a sentiment reflected in their excellent showing.

Senegal leads Group D with this victory; Nigeria hopes to rebound in their next games.

Algeria ease past co-hosts Uganda in Group C opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Algeria ease past co-hosts Uganda in Group C opener

Beginning their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 with a resounding 3-0 triumph over co-hosts Uganda at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.

Algeria, who showed their great tournament pedigree, won thanks to goals from Ayoub Ghezala, Abderrahmane Meziane, and Soufiane Bayazid.

This triumph extended Algeria’s unbeaten run in the group stage to seven games and marked their third consecutive victory against Uganda.

Although Uganda tried to create an offence—including Karim Watambala’s shots and a header from Gavin Kizito—they struggled to capitalise on chances. Under Adem Alilet and Ilyés Chétti’s strong defence, Algeria stood strong all through the game.

The results emphasised Algeria’s outstanding performance in the tournament, now with ten clean sheets in thirteen games.

Uganda has issues with matches against Niger and South Africa ahead as the tournament goes on; meanwhile, Algeria hopes to keep up their success against Niger.

Guinea fend off Niger to begin CHAN 2024 with a win
by Football Sierra Leone

Guinea fend off Niger to begin CHAN 2024 with a win

At the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Guinea opened their 2024 CHAN campaign with a 1-0 victory over Niger.

Just two minutes after halftime, Mohamed Bangoura II’s second-half goal following a VAR review was his only one.

Both sides played with a physical approach and carefulness, which resulted in a chaotic first half with little obvious chances. Although Niger tried to equalize, including a near miss from replacement AbdoulLatif Goumey, Guinea’s defense held firm.

This victory puts Guinea in a good position inside Group C, while Niger struggles in their tournament after a dismal beginning.

Uganda, Algeria, and South Africa are among the group’s hosts as well.It was a frustrating beginning for Niger’s fifth CHAN participation, particularly after a promising fourth-place performance in 2022.

Coach Harouna Doula are now fighting an uphill struggle to preserve their hopes for a quarterfinal. On the other hand, Guinea would seek to gather steam in pursuit of another strong tournament showing.

Morocco hit CHAN 2024 ground running with win over Angola
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco hit CHAN 2024 ground running with win over Angola

Morocco began their search for a third African Nations Championship (CHAN) crown with a dominant 20-win over Angola in their first Group A match at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.

Morocco deservedly triumphed as Imad Riahi scored a beautiful longrange goal in the first half and Angola’s Kinito scored an own goal in the second half.

Once again, Morocco’s talent was on display in this competition, which included only players from local leagues.In 2018 and 2020, they have captured the CHAN twice already.Morocco hoped to build on their 13-match undefeated streak in this tournament by starting a new team and expecting much.

From the beginning, Coach Tarik Sektioui’s team immediately took charge and established the tempo.

Morocco scored in the 29th minute after a few opportunities and corners. Mohamed Hrimat gave Riahi a perfect pass, who fired a strong right-foot shot from outside the box, defeating Angolan goalie Neblú.

Before halftime, the Atlas Lions pressed for a second goal, with Riahi, Anas Bach, and Marouane Louadni testing Angola’s goalkeeper, Neblú.Looking for their first CHAN opening match victory, Angola developed opportunities via Jó Paciência and Aguinaldo Matias, but Morocco’s El Mehdi Al Harrar was resolute.

Morocco kept control in the second half and scored again in the 81st minute when backup Youness El Kaabi’s shot bounced off Kinito into the goal.Led by captain Hrimat, Morocco’s defense held strong even as Angola tried to respond with a long shot from Mafuta.

As they get ready to meet cohosts Kenya, Morocco remains undefeated in CHAN group stages; Angola is still looking for their first win and will regroup before going against Zambia.

Kenya beat two-time champions DR Congo in CHAN opener
by Football Sierra Leone

Kenya beat two-time champions DR Congo in CHAN opener

On Sunday at a sold-out Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, Kenya marked their long-awaited premiere at the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 with a remarkable 1-0 victory over two-time champions DR Congo.

In a close opening Group A match, Austin Odhiambo’s first-half goal turned out to be the deciding element.Though their initial nervousness, the hosts confidently declared their presence on the continental stage before a packed audience of 60,000 supporters.

Giving a stage for budding local talent to shine—and Kenya’s fresh generation did not disappoint—the TotalEnergies CHAN is a biennial competition only for participants in their own country’s domestic leagues.

The game began with a disallowed goal for DR Congo due to offside in the fifth minute. Kenya took control, and just before halftime, Odhiambo scored from a pass by David Sakwa, giving Kenya a 1-0 lead in their CHAN final debut.

In the second half, DR Congo pressed for an equalizer, but Kenya’s defense, led by goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, held strong, with critical saves and effective clearances. Coach Benni McCarthy made tactical changes to secure the lead in the final minutes.

Despite seven minutes of stoppage time causing anxiety, Kenya clinched their historic first CHAN win. This victory marked them as the third debuting country to win their first game in the competition. DR Congo extended their winless streak to five games and will face Morocco next, while Kenya prepares to play Angola on Thursday.

Morocco set for African Nations Championship opener against Angola
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco set for African Nations Championship opener against Angola

With a game against Angola at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium, Morocco will start their hunt of a third title in the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 against Angola.

Triumph in 2018 and 2020, the team aims for back-to–back titles and seeks to use their outstanding track record of 13 games without loss.

Head coach Tarik Sektioui underlines the need of winning the first game to raise self-confidence; team captain Mohamed Rabie Hrimat agrees.

A difficulty arises with Angola, also a five-time participant and runner-up in 2011. Despite having player losses as a result of international transfers throughout training, Coach Pedro Gonçalves says he believes in his side.Though still a competitive team, Angola has never won an opening game in four attempts.

Morocco topped their group and Angola beat Lesotho; both teams qualified admirably for the tournament.

Amid pre-tournament difficulties including player departures and injuries, Sektioui values the resilience and maturity of his team.Sunday’s game represents the first CHAN encounter between the two countries.

Tanzania's Taifa Stars open CHAN campaign with a win over Burkina Faso
by Football Sierra Leone

Tanzania’s Taifa Stars open CHAN campaign with a win over Burkina Faso

Starting the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) cohost Tanzania with a powerful effort, defeated Burkina Faso 2-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Saturday evening.

Just before halftime, Abdul Sopu scored a penalty, giving the Taifa Stars a ten lead. Zimbwe Jr. added a second goal in the 71st minute, helping Tanzania win the game and early lead in fiveteam Group B.

Coach Hemed Morocco’s team had not won their first match in the tournament during the 2009 and 2020 editions, but they started off well in Dar es Salaam. With early goal attempts, Clement Mzize and Feisal Salum both challenged Burkina Faso’s goalkeeper, Ladji Sanou.

With Souleymane Sangare and Papus Ouattara generating possibilities and putting Tanzania’s goalie Yakoub Suleiman under counterattacks to the test, Burkina Faso also had their opportunities.

Just before the break, Tanzania had a golden chance to score when Frank Tologo fouled Mzize in the box.Opening the Tanzanian scoring, Sopu took the penalty and sent Sanou the wrong way.

Tanzania kept applying pressure in the second half, which led to their second goal in the 71st minute. Zimbwe Jr. headed Mudathir Yahya’s cross to raise their advantage to 20.

Burkina Faso pressed forward in the last minutes of the match in search of a comeback.Tertius Bagre and Ouattara both battled to find their composure in important moments, therefore enabling the Taifa Stars to hold on to their advantage and claim victory.

Tanzania’s upcoming challenge is against Mauritania on August 6th, followed by a match with Madagascar on August 9th. They will conclude their group campaign with a game against the Central African Republic on August 16th.

Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda are co-hosting the CHAN finals, which feature 19 nations divided into four groups.