Category: Football Africa

Egypt's Al Ahly close in on record 45th Premier League title
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s Al Ahly close in on record 45th Premier League title

Africa — Al-Ahly are closig in on another title with just a win away from winning a record 45th Egyptian Premier League title after a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against NBE Club.

This win in the seventh round keeps the championship race exciting and sets up an important final match.

Rivals Pyramids FC also stay in the title hunt with a strong 2-0 win over Petrojet. Meanwhile, Ceramica Cleopatra had a convincing 4-0 victory over Al-Masry, ensuring the title remains in contention until the end.

Al-Ahly leads the table with 55 points and will play Pharco FC on Wednesday, May 28, in a winner-takes-all match for the championship.

A win will give Al-Ahly 58 points, sealing the title regardless of the result between Pyramids FC and Ceramica Cleopatra. 

In their recent match, Al-Ahly beat NBE Club 2-1 at Cairo International Stadium. Midfielder Emam Ashour scored first for Al-Ahly in the 21st minute with a powerful shot from outside the box. NBE Club’s Yao Anwar equalized in stoppage time at the end of the first half, surprising the home fans.

Just when it looked like they would share the points, Wessam Abou Ali scored a last-minute goal for Al-Ahly, igniting celebrations among their supporters.

This win puts Al-Ahly at 55 points, keeping them two points ahead of Pyramids, fourteen points ahead of Zamalek while NBE Club stays fourth with 37 points.

South Africa's U20 defender Tylon Smith named Player of Tournament
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

South Africa’s U20 defender Tylon Smith named Player of Tournament

South Africa defender Tylon Smith has been named Player of the Tournament at the 2025 CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The strong centre-back played regularly for the Amajitas, delivering great performances in every match to help his team advance through the tournament.

In the semi-finals, he scored an equaliser against Nigeria, which allowed South Africa to reach the final and compete for the championship.

In the final match against Morocco, held at Cairo International Stadium, Smith played a key role in defense, helping his team shut out the North African side.

In the final, both teams delivered an exciting match but ended the first half goalless. Gomolemo Kekana scored the only goal in the 70th minute, assisted by Fletcher Smythe-Lowe. Despite Morocco’s efforts in the last 20 minutes, they couldn’t overcome South Africa’s solid defense.

In the end, Gomolemo Kekana’s goal secured the win for South Africa, making the Amajitas Champions of the 2025 U20 AFCON in Egypt.

The strong centre-back consistently played for the Amajitas, delivering excellent performances in every match to help his team progress through the tournament.
The strong centre-back consistently played for the Amajitas, delivering excellent performances in every match to help his team progress through the tournament.
Nigeria win U-20 AFCON bronze after defeating hosts Egypt on penalties
by FSL News

Nigeria win U-20 AFCON bronze after defeating hosts Egypt on penalties

Nigeria secured third place in the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025 after winning an eye-catching penalty shootout 4-1 against the host team, Egypt, on Sunday.

The third-place match at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo ended in a tie at 1-1 after 90 minutes, leading to penalties where Nigeria kept their cool to claim their fifth bronze medal in U-20 AFCON history.

This victory marked Nigeria’s fifth bronze medal and their 14th top-three finish in U-20 AFCON history. It also continued their good record against host teams, as they beat Egypt for the second consecutive tournament.

Egypt, on the other hand, could not keep their perfect record in third-place matches and conceded their first goal at this stage.

Egypt started strong, scoring in the third minute with a goal from Osama Omar. Nigeria equalized early in the second half when Bidemi Amole scored.

The match went straight to penalties without extra time. Nigeria scored all four of their penalty kicks, while Egypt missed two.

Egypt’s early goal pressured Nigeria, but Nigeria soon took control, creating several chances. Clinton Jephta and Precious Benjamin both tested goalkeeper Abdel Monem Tamer, while Israel Ayuma missed with long shots.

Two minutes into the second half, Nigeria equalized when Divine Oliseh passed to Amole, who scored. Nigeria pushed for a winner, with substitutes Tahir Maigana and Kparobo Arierhi boosting the attack. Egypt almost clinched victory in stoppage time, hitting the bar and post.

With a 1-1 draw at the end of regular time, the match went to penalties. Nigeria scored all four of their penalties, while Egypt’s Mohamed Atef and Ahmed Kabaka had their shots saved by 15-year-old goalkeeper Ebenezer Harcourt.

FT 1-1 Penalties – Nigeria (4-1)Egypt 

South Africa lift U-20 AFCON champions for the first time in their history
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

South Africa lift U-20 AFCON title for the first time in their history

South Africa claimed their first TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Morocco in the final held at the June 30 Stadium in Cairo on Sunday night.

The decisive moment came from Gomolemo Kekana, who scored a stunning goal in the second half. His powerful right-footed shot from outside the box bent into the top corner in the 70th minute, breaking the deadlock in a tense match characterised by tactical discipline and strong defensive play. The goal was awarded after a VAR review.

This win marked a historic achievement for South Africa, as they had never reached a U-20 AFCON final since 1997, when they lost to Morocco. This time, they turned the tables, avenging that earlier defeat to lift the trophy and become the twelfth different nation to win the title.

Both teams entered the final unbeaten, with impressive defensive records. Morocco appeared more fluid in the first half, creating better chances through Jones El Abdellaoui and Ilias Boumassaoudi. However, South African goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe was in excellent form, keeping the game scoreless.

South Africa, which improved steadily after losing their opening match to Egypt, demonstrated resilience and patience. Although Shakeel April and Mfundo Vilakazi had opportunities, neither side could score before halftime.

The second half began with Morocco pressing forward, with Othmane Maamma and Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal coming close to scoring. However, the North Africans could not convert, and South Africa’s high pressure eventually paid off. Following Kekana’s spectacular goal, South Africa maintained their composure under pressure. Despite Morocco’s attempts to equalise, South Africa’s defence, led by Tylon Smith and Sfiso Timba, held strong.

This victory signifies South Africa’s first-ever youth continental triumph and adds them to a growing list of recent debut winners, following Senegal’s success in 2023. It also ended their troubling history against North African teams, breaking a streak of five previous defeats, all by a single goal margin.

Fletcher Lowe finished the tournament with a standout 24 saves, highlighting South Africa’s defensive strength. Kekana’s crucial goal marked their ninth of the tournament, helping them overcome DR Congo, Nigeria, and Morocco in the knockout rounds.

For Morocco, the defeat in the final represented a missed chance for a second title, ending their 14-match unbeaten run in the U-20 AFCON. Despite their strong performances, they are still in search of another crown.

South Africa vs Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

South Africa and Morocco set for intriguing U20 AFCON final

South Africa vs Morocco are set to battle in the highly anticipated CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations final this Sunday at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo — a repeat of their iconic 1997 encounter.

Back then, Morocco U20 edged past South Africa 1-0 to clinch the title. Now, history is on the line once again. Morocco eyes its second championship, while South Africa U20 is chasing its first-ever continental crown.

This marks South Africa’s fifth appearance in a CAF tournament final, yet they’ve never beaten a North African team in such high-stakes matches — each loss by a single goal. Morocco U20, meanwhile, boasts a perfect record against Southern African teams in this tournament, defeating both Lesotho and Angola during the group stage.

Road to the CAF U-20 AFCON Final: South Africa vs Morocco

Both teams took similar routes to reach the final:

  • South Africa overcame DR Congo and Nigeria

  • Morocco dispatched Sierra Leone and hosts Egypt

This is the fifth time the U-20 AFCON is being held in North Africa — with history favoring North African teams when playing on home turf.

South Africa started slowly but has grown stronger, scoring eight goals in four wins. Goalkeeper Fletcher Lowe leads the tournament with 24 crucial saves.

Morocco enters the final unbeaten in 14 matches, scoring eight goals shared among top talents like Jones El Abdellaoui and Yassir Zabiri.

🥉 Third Place Play Off: Nigeria vs Egypt

Before the final, Nigeria and Egypt will meet in the third-place play-off at the same venue on Sunday at 18:00 local time (15:00 GMT). This will be their sixth clash in U-20 AFCON history.

Nigeria holds the edge, with three wins — including victories in 2005 (final), 2009, and 2023 group stages. Egypt’s lone win came in 2013’s semi-final. Their 2007 encounter ended in a draw.

Notably, Nigeria has performed well against host nations, boasting six wins and only two losses. Their most dominant win was a 4-0 demolition of Tunisia in the 2023 third-place match.

RS Berkane 2-0 Simba SC
by Football Sierra Leone

RS Berkane win to gain first-leg advantage over Simba SC

The much-anticipated RS Berkane vs Simba SC showdown in the CAF Confederation Cup final lived up to expectations as Moroccan club RS Berkane claimed a crucial 2-0 victory in the first leg at Berkane Municipal Stadium on Saturday.

The match marked the first part of the two-legged Simba SC CAF final journey, where the Tanzanian giants faced a strong and determined RS Berkane side. The win puts RS Berkane on the brink of securing their third continental title.

Strong Start for RS Berkane

RS Berkane dominated from the outset. In the 8th minute, Mamadou Camara opened the scoring with a powerful header from a Hamza El Moussaoui corner. Just six minutes later, Oussama Lamlaoui added a second goal, converting a sharp pass from Imad Riahi to make it RS Berkane 2-0 Simba SC early in the game.

Simba SC’s Missed Opportunities

Despite the early setback, Simba SC created chances to get back into the match. Leonel Ateba and Elie Mpanzu came close to scoring, but RS Berkane’s defense and goalkeeper Hamza Hamiani were solid throughout. Simba’s struggle deepened when midfielder Abdulrazack Hamza exited the match due to injury.

VAR Drama & Late Action

In the second half, RS Berkane had a third goal ruled out by VAR in the 60th minute for offside. Still, they continued to threaten through counterattacks, with Issoufou Dayo and Mateus Santos nearly adding to the scoreline. Simba SC held on, avoiding further damage ahead of the return leg.

Second Leg All to Play For

The second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final is set for Sunday, 25 May at 15:00 GMT, where Simba SC will need to overturn the deficit to win their first continental trophy. Meanwhile, RS Berkane are one step closer to lifting their continental title for the third time.

El Abdellaoui strike helps Morocco set U20 final date with South Africa
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

El Abdellaoui strike helps Morocco set U20 final date with South Africa

Morocco Beats Egypt to Reach CAF U 20 Africa Cup of Nations Final

Morocco has secured their spot in the final of the CAF U 20 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Egypt 1-0 in a tense semi-final clash on Thursday. The Morocco U20 team displayed great discipline and composure to advance.

CAF U 20 Africa Cup of Nations Semi-Final: A Tight Encounter

The match was closely contested, with both teams fighting hard for dominance. Egypt controlled the early phases but failed to break through Morocco’s organized defense. As the game progressed, Morocco gradually took control, with midfielders Reda Laalaoui and Hossam Essadak playing key roles.

El Abdellaoui’s Winning Goal

The turning point came in the 77th minute when substitute Jones El Abdellaoui scored from a perfectly delivered cross by Ismaël Aouad. The goal lifted Morocco and left Egypt chasing an equalizer.

Morocco’s Defense Shuts Down Egypt

Despite Egypt’s late push through players like Ahmed Kabaka and Mohamed Raafat, the Morocco U20 team stood firm. Their solid backline ensured they held on to their lead and kept a clean sheet.

What’s Next for the Final?

This win puts Morocco in the final of the CAF U 20, where they will face South Africa, who also won their CAF U-20 semi-final 1-0 against Nigeria. Meanwhile, Egypt will play Nigeria for third place.

Houssam Essadak claims Man of the Match award after a standout performance
Houssam Essadak claims Man of the Match award after a standout performance
Morocco's U-20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi aims for a win against Egypt
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco’s U-20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi aims for a win against Egypt

Morocco U-20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi says his team will show “respect, focus, and ambition” in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations against Egypt.

Morocco has already qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile and now aims for the continental title. Thursday’s match in Cairo is a key opportunity.

“We respect the Egyptian national team. They are strong and determined,” Ouahbi said at a pre-match press conference. “But we want to win this championship. We achieved our first goal by qualifying for the World Cup—now we want to finish the job.”

Egypt reached the semi-finals after defeating Ghana in a penalty shootout. Morocco advanced with a narrow 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone, thanks to an own goal.

Despite Egypt having home advantage, Ouahbi emphasizes that Morocco will focus on their own game. “We don’t worry about referees or the crowd. We focus on our game plan and seizing our chances,” he explained. This strategy has kept Morocco unbeaten in the tournament.

The match will be at Cairo’s June 30 Stadium at 18:00 GMT. 

Ouahbi feels that qualifying for the World Cup has relieved pressure on his players. “They were thrilled to make history, but they want more. We come to win,” he said.

This is Morocco’s first semi-final appearance since 2005, and a win would take them to their first final in nearly 40 years while chasing their first continental title.

The semi-final will be intense, as both teams are known for their discipline and skill. The winner will face Nigeria or South Africa in the final on Sunday.

For Ouahbi, the goal is clear: “This group has given everything. Now we want to give our country something to celebrate.”

Egypt's U20 coach Osama Nabih calls for fighting spirit against Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s U20 coach Osama Nabih calls for fighting spirit against Morocco

Egypt’s coach Osama Nabih declared that his team will fight “with strength and courage” as they prepare to face Morocco in Thursday’s semi-final of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025.

The match at Cairo’s June 30 Stadium promises to be exciting, featuring North African rivals driven by national pride. Kick-off is at 18:00 GMT on Thursday.

Following a thrilling quarter-final win over Ghana that secured Egypt’s place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, the young Pharaohs are focused on achieving continental success at home.

Nabih described the match as “like an Arab final,” acknowledging Morocco as a strong opponent that has been impressive at all levels.

Egypt reached the semi-finals after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Ghana, winning 5-4 in penalties, which also marked their return to the World Cup for the first time since 2011.

“The pressure to qualify was heavy,” Nabih admitted, noting that the players have gained mental stability since their success.

He also reflected on the tournament’s competitiveness, highlighting that all four semi-final teams were initially in the same group.

Egypt will face a Moroccan side that narrowly beat Sierra Leone 1-0 in their quarter-final.

Morocco remains unbeaten and boasts a strong defense, having kept three clean sheets in four matches.

Midfielder Ahmed Khaled “Kabaka” believes the team’s resolve is stronger than ever.

“We’ve vowed to fight until the end,” he stated, emphasizing that the World Cup qualification has boosted their morale.

Following a thrilling quarter-final win over Ghana that secured Egypt's place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, the young Pharaohs are focused on achieving continental success at home
Following a thrilling quarter-final win over Ghana that secured Egypt's place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, the young Pharaohs are focused on achieving continental success at home
CAF holds Women's Media Officers Workshop in Rabat, Morocco
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF holds Women’s Media Officers Workshop in Rabat, Morocco

The first CAF Women’s Media Officers Workshop has started in Rabat, Morocco, with twenty participants, mostly women from various African regions. (By Marie Esther Samura, Participant )

The workshop, themed “Her Path: Born Winner,” aims to help media officers improve their skills in media operations and communication strategies, supporting CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe’s goal of increasing women’s representation in African football.

The first day, May 13th, featured an introduction to the CAF Future Media Officers Program by Mr. Luxolo September, who highlighted advancements in CAF’s media operations since 2021 and emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust and empowering women in the field.

CAF Media Manager Charlotte Eyoum discussed the CAF Women’s Football Events and Opportunities Program, noting successful training sessions that have increased visibility for women media officers and connected them with experienced professionals.

Media Consultant Christophe Kukawka covered media facility planning in stadiums and the importance of staffing and training. He also introduced the New Media Mixed Zone concept and provided an overview of press operations.

Sheriff Hassan, CAF’s Head of Digital and Marketing, spoke about the federation’s digital platform, highlighting improvements in the production and global distribution of football content.

The day concluded with a panel discussion featuring women journalists and football administrators, focusing on the challenges women face in a male-dominated industry.