Category: Football Africa

Ex-Super Eagles defender Taye Taiwo inducted into Marseille Hall of Fame
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ex-Nigeria defender Taye Taiwo inducted into Marseille Hall of Fame

The former Super Eagles defender, Taye Taiwo, has been given a special recognition by the French Ligue 1 team Olympique Marseille. He’s now a part of their esteemed Club of Legends.

Taiwo, who played for Marseille from 2005 to 2011, made a significant impact during his six-year tenure, scoring 25 goals and providing 23 assists in 271 appearances. He was a key member of the team that won the Ligue 1 title, the League Cup, and the French Super Cup.

At 39 years old, the Nigerian international, who also had stints at AC Milan and QPR, retired from professional football in 2019 and has been residing in France since then. Marseille’s Club of Legends serves as a hall of fame, recognizing players who have made notable contributions to the club’s history.

With this induction, Taiwo joins an elite group of players, including Samir Nasri, Lorik Cana, and Mamadou Niang. His recognition is a testament to his outstanding achievements and contributions to the club. Taiwo is one of only four Nigerians to have played for Marseille, alongside Wilson Oruma, Joseph Yobo, and Victor Agali.

https://twitter.com/OM_English/status/1886133115275317587

Ivorian striker Emmanuel Latte Lath move to Atlanta United completed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivorian striker Emmanuel Latte Lath move to Atlanta United completed

Middlesbrough has formally announced the transfer of striker Emmanuel Latte Lath to Atlanta United for a fee of £22.5 million.

The Major League Soccer side confirmed that the contract for the Ivory Coast international is through the 2028 MLS season with an option for 2029.

This transaction represents a record sum received by Middlesbrough and is noted as the highest fee ever paid in Major League Soccer (MLS) history, successfully completed just prior to the transfer deadline on Monday.

Emmanuel Latte Lath, a 26-year-old international from Ivory Coast, has made a significant impact at Middlesbrough since joining from Swiss club St. Gallen in August 2023, scoring 27 goals in 59 Championship appearances.

His standout season was 2023-24, where he netted 16 goals and two in the EFL Cup. In April, he scored eight goals in six games, earning Player of the Month honors. He ranks among the top six center forwards in several categories since the start of last season.

Nigerian striker Emmanuel Dennis joins Blackburn on loan from Forest
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigerian striker Emmanuel Dennis joins Blackburn on loan from Forest

Blackburn Rovers have completed the loan signing of striker Emmanuel Dennis from Nottingham Forest on transfer deadline day.

Dennis, 27, is their third signing of the day, joining Yuri Ribeiro from Braga and Cauley Woodrow from Luton Town.

Dennis began his career with Zorya Luhansk in Ukraine, where he made a strong debut by scoring in a 3-0 victory and gained valuable experience in the Europa League. He later moved to Club Brugge, scoring 19 league goals in 85 appearances.

After a loan spell with FC Cologne, Dennis joined Watford in June 2021, where he netted 10 Premier League goals and made a notable debut against Aston Villa.

His performances attracted Nottingham Forest’s attention, leading to a £20 million transfer in August 2022. He continued to perform well in the Premier League, scoring against teams like Aston Villa and Newcastle United.

Dennis has also had loan spells with Istanbul Basaksehir and his former club, Watford, and has earned eight caps for the Nigerian national team.

Burkina Faso international Nasser Djiga ready for Premier League
by FSL News

Burkina Faso international Nasser Djiga ready for Premier League

Wolverhampton Wanderers has strengthened its defense by signing Burkina Faso international Nasser Djiga on a contract that runs until 2030.

Djiga, 22, joined Wolves from Red Star Belgrade, where he spent 18 months in the Serbian SuperLiga. He began his career at Vitesse FC in Burkina Faso and later moved to FC Basel in Switzerland, winning the Swiss Super League.

Djiga had a loan spell at Nîmes in France before a successful loan at Red Star last season, where he helped the team win the Serbian SuperLiga and the Serbian Cup. He also played in the Champions League against Manchester City.

Wolves’ chairman, Jeff Shi, said, “We’re happy to welcome Nasser. Many worked hard to make this happen, and we are excited to see him become part of the Wolves family. This signing is a great investment for the club. Nasser has huge potential, and we look forward to seeing him develop.”

Sporting director Matt Hobbs added, “We wanted to strengthen our central defense, and Nasser can help the squad now and in the future. He is the quick and aggressive center-back we need, and we’re eager to see him compete for his spot.”

Zimbabwe's Marshall Munetsi is raring to go after joining Wolves
by Football Sierra Leone

Zimbabwe’s Marshall Munetsi is raring to go after joining Wolves

Marshall Munetsi has expressed his delight after he joined Wolves on transfer deadline day from Reims in France on a three-and-a-half-year deal. He has played at Reims since 2019 and became a leader there.

Before deciding to move, he talked to former teammate Emmanuel Agbadou and fellow Zimbabwean Tawanda Chirewa, who both gave him positive feedback.

Speaking to the club’s website on joining Wolves: “I’m delighted. This is a dream come true. I’ve always wanted to be part of something big, and joining Wolves is significant for me and my family. The Premier League is the best place to be, and I’m thrilled to join the team.

“I’m excited because this is my first chance to represent a bigger club. There is also a larger Zimbabwean community in England, which will help me feel more at home.”

On his time in France: “When I first arrived, I didn’t expect to stay long, but I really enjoyed my time there. The league is tough, and I gained valuable experience that will help me at Wolves.”

On talking to Chirewa and Agbadou: “Tawanda was excited to hear I’m joining him. Agbadou contacted me too; he was welcomed by me at Reims, so now he gets to welcome me to Wolves.

Wolves recognize Agbadou’s impact—his energy and strength are vital for any top team. He’s been a good friend for three years, so I look forward to playing together.”

On bringing leadership skills:

“Being a leader is challenging, but I believe in supporting and guiding others. I aim to lead by example, both on and off the pitch, and bring these qualities to Wolves based on what I learned at Reims.”

Striker Kelechi Iheanacho could return to English football
by Football Sierra Leone

Kelechi Iheanacho signs for Middlesbrough on loan from Sevilla

Middlesbrough is in talks to sign former Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho on loan until the end of the season.

Iheanacho, 28, left Leicester City in the summer to join Sevilla in Spain. However, he has not made an impact there and has not scored in La Liga.

Kelechi Iheanacho and Leicester City began the 2021–22 season with the FA Community Shield match against Manchester City. Iheanacho came on as a substitute in the 79th minute and scored the winning goal with an 89th-minute penalty against his former club.

In the 2022–23 Season, Iheanacho was named Leicester’s Player of the Year after a season that ultimately led to the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

In the 2023–24 Season, Iheanacho scored six goals in 26 matches across all competitions as Leicester City secured promotion back to the Premier League by winning the EFL Championship. However, on June 7, Leicester City announced that he would be released and would not sign a new contract with the club.

Iheanacho and Leicester started the 2021–22 season with the 2021 FA Community Shield against Manchester City. Iheanacho was substituted on during the 79th minute and scored the winning goal, an 89th-minute penalty against his former club.

Zamalek enter race to Alhassan Koroma in the current transfer window
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zamalek enter race to sign Alhassan Koroma in current window

Zamalek’s Board of Directors is focused on acquiring Sierra Leone international Alhassan Koroma as part of their efforts to strengthen the first football team during the current winter transfer period.

According to Cairo 24, the African giants aim to sign the 24-year-old winger from Al-Shahaniya Club in Qatar, who also plays for the Sierra Leone national team.

Zamalek intends to bring in Alhassan Koroma on a six-month loan, with an option to buy at the end of the season if the player performs well with the team.

So far this season, Koroma has played 14 matches for his Qatari club, scoring four goals and providing four assists.

Notably, Alhassan Koroma scored the winning goal for his team in their recent match against Al Wakra, which features Hamdi Fathi, the former star of Al Ahly and the Egyptian national team.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1885755136225554910

Egypt's Mohamed Salah becomes Premier League sixth all-time top scorer
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah into Premier League top six all-time top scorers

Egypt and Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has been a key player in Premier League history and continues to rise in all-time goals rankings.

He scored two goals, making him the sixth-highest scorer in Premier League history and helping Liverpool maintain a nine-point lead at the top of the table.

Salah scored the first goal from a penalty at Bournemouth and added another goal 15 minutes before the end of the match, securing three points for his team.

Salah is one of only five players in Premier League history to score 20 or more league goals in five or more seasons. He joins well-known players like Alan Shearer, Sergio Agüero, Harry Kane, and Thierry Henry.

He also surpassed Frank Lampard to become the sixth-highest goalscorer in the league’s history.

In a season where Arne Slot hopes to win league honours, he may owe some of that success to Salah.

Six Days to the 35th edition AFCON 2025 draw in Morocco
by Football Sierra Leone

The schedule for Africa Cup of Nations 2025 confirmed

  • Morocco and Comoros will start the tournament on December 21, 2025. The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations will take place in six cities with nine stadiums. The final match will be held at the 69,500-seat Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on January 18, 2026.

The Confederation African Football (CAF) has released the match schedule for this major football event. Nine venues in six cities will host the tournament.

The opening game between Morocco and Comoros will take place at the new Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

Rabat will feature four venues for the matches. The other host cities include Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier, each with one venue.

Quarter-final matches will happen in Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, and Agadir. The semi-finals will be in Rabat and Tangier, while the third-place play-off will take place at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.

A total of 52 matches will occur over 29 days, showcasing the talent and excitement of African football.

Click here to download the full match schedule 

Sierra Leone winger Augustus Kargbo pens Blackburn Rovers deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone winger Augustus Kargbo pens Blackburn Rovers deal

Blackburn Rovers have signed Sierra Leone international Augustus Kargbo on a permanent deal until 2027. The 25-year-old forward joins from Cesena on a two-and-a-half-year contract, with details of the transfer fee undisclosed.

Kargbo, who is Rovers’ third signing of the January transfer window, started his professional career at Campobasso and later moved to Crotone in Serie B. After a successful loan at Reggiana, where he scored 11 goals and helped the team gain promotion, he made his Serie A debut with Crotone.

Kargbo scored three goals in 18 appearances for the Serie B side this season – all coming in the opening nine games of the season.

In August 2023, Kargbo joined Cesena and had a standout season, scoring nine goals in 31 appearances, helping the club win the Serie C title. He has also found the net for the Sierra Leone national team, with five goals in 21 caps.

The transfer is pending approval from football authorities, and he will be available for selection once international clearance and visa requirements are met.