Category: Football Africa

Moroccan Hakim Ziyech pens Al Duhail deal in qatar
by FSL News

Moroccan Hakim Ziyech pens Al Duhail deal in Qatar

Moroccan international football player Hakim Ziyech has officially joined Qatari club Al Duhail. The club announced the news today, stressing that its “management succeeded in obtaining the signature of the Moroccan international player Hakim Ziyech in order to join the first football team.” 

“Al Duhail Sports Club Management succeeded in obtaining the signature of the Moroccan international player Hakim Ziyech to join the first football team,” the club noted

Signing Ziyech is considered a strong addition to the team’s offensive line, given his long experience after a career full of participation with his country’s national team, which began in 2015, in addition to playing for Chelsea, Ajax, Twente, Heerenveen, and finally with Galatasaray before joining Al Duhail.

Ziyech had tough experiences with his former clubs, particularly Galatasaray and Chelsea. The Atlas Lion faced the challenges of being benched with Chelsea and also spoke of experiencing personal issues with the Turkish club’s coach.  

Sierra Leone native Amara Nallo sent off in defeat to PSV
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone native Amara Nallo sent off in Liverpool’s defeat to PSV

Liverpool teenager Amara Nallo was sent off just four minutes into his Champions League and Liverpool debut, as his team lost 3-2 to PSV on Wednesday. At 18 years and 72 days old, he became the youngest player to receive a red card for Liverpool, breaking Michael Owen’s record.

Since Liverpool had already qualified for the Champions League round 16, manager Arne Slot used a young squad. Nallo came on as a substitute in the 83rd minute. Shortly after, he fouled PSV’s Johan Bakayoko, and the referee ruled it denied a clear goalscoring chance, leading to the red card.

PSV took the lead with a penalty from Cody Gakpo in the 28th minute. Bakayoko equalized, but Harvey Elliott quickly scored for Liverpool. PSV then scored two more goals before halftime.

Despite the defeat, Liverpool finished top of their group with 21 points from eight matches. They will move directly to the round of 16 in March, facing either PSG, Benfica, AS Monaco, or Brest, but Nallo will miss the first leg due to suspension.

Centre-back Amara Nallo joined Liverpool from West Ham United in September 2023. An England U19 international, Nallo is now a regular for the Reds’ U21s after impressing with the U18s initially.

Issa Kallon confirms move to Chinese Super League side Chengdu Rongcheng
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Issa Kallon confirms move to Chinese Super League side Chengdu Rongcheng

Chinese Super League last season’s third-place side, Chengdu Rongcheng, set to announce the signing of Sierra Leone winger Issa Kallon.

The player has confirmed that they have reached an agreement for a two-year contract with Chengdu Rongcheng.

Issa Kallon, 29, who joined Shanghai Port from Dutch side Cambuur in 2022, has been handed a new chapter in his career after leaving Nantong Zhiyun.

The Sierra Leone International recorded seven goals and eight assists in 45 appearances for Shanghai Port when they won the title before moving to join Nantong Zhiyun in 2024, scoring five goals & two assists in 22 matches

He scored on his debut for Nantong Zhiyun in the Chinese Super League opening game of the 2024/2025 season. Nantong Zhiyun played away from Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw in March last year.

He equalizer for Nantong Zhiyun in the 67th minute. He received a pass and slotted the ball at the bottom right of the net.

Kallon had joined Nantong Zhiyun after winning the title of last season with Shanghai Port. 

He started his football career as a youth exponent from FC Utrecht and made his Eredivisie debut on 24th August 2014 in a 1-2 away win against Feyenoord on 24 August 2014 in a 1–2 away win against Feyenoord.

Nigeria's Akor Adams joins Sevilla from Montpellier
by FSL News

Nigeria’s Akor Adams joins Sevilla from Montpellier

On Monday, Akor Adams, aged 24, officially signed with Sevilla in a transfer deal valued at approximately €7 million, as reported by L’Équipe.

The Nigerian striker has departed from Montpellier HSC and has entered into a contract with the La Liga club that extends until 2029.

Adams’ transfer occurs during a challenging time for Montpellier, which is currently positioned second-from-bottom in Ligue 1 with 15 points, putting the club at risk of relegation to Ligue 2.

They trail behind Stade Rennais, who occupy the relegation playoff position by two points, and are three points adrift of AS Saint-Étienne, which holds a guaranteed place in the top flight for the upcoming season.

Furthermore, this exit comes amidst speculation regarding Téji Savanier’s potential departure. Savanier, who was the club’s leading goalscorer last season with 11 goals, has attracted interest from the Saudi Arabian club Al-Taawoun.

Montpellier has recently achieved victories in their last two league matches, equalling the number of wins they secured in the first 17 matches of the current domestic campaign.

In these recent encounters, Adams did not participate, as Jordanian forward Musa Al-Taamari excelled, scoring a brace in the 2-1 victory over AS Monaco.

Adams joined Montpellier in August 2023 from Lillestrøm, where he had an outstanding season, netting 15 goals in 15 appearances in the 2023 Norwegian top-flight season.

Intriguing group stage matches as AFCON 2025 draw confirmed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Intriguing group stage matches as AFCON 2025 draw confirmed

Holders Ivory Coast will face Cameroon in Group F of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco. They will also compete against Gabon, led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Mozambique.

The tournament will take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, with the opening match featuring hosts Morocco against Comoros.

The teams are divided into six groups of four. The tournament will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, across six host cities and nine stadiums in Morocco.

As the host nation, Morocco will lead Group A, facing strong contenders Mali, Zambia, and Comoros. In Group B, record seven-time champions Egypt will meet South Africa, Angola, and last year’s bronze medallists Zimbabwe.

Group C features Nigeria against Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania—who will co-host the AFCON in 2027. Defending champions Senegal are in Group D, competing against the Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, and Botswana.

Group E includes Algeria, the 2019 champions, who will take on Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan. In Group F, Côte d’Ivoire will face rivals Cameroon, along with Gabon and Mozambique, as they aim for back-to-back titles.

The top two teams from each group and four of the best third-placed teams will advance to the Round of 16.

The draw captivated viewers in over 90 countries and featured African football legends Serge Aurier, Aliou Cissé, Joseph Yobo, and Mustapha Hadji. This marks Morocco’s first time hosting the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON since 1988.

TOTAL ENERGIES CAF AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS, MOROCCO 2025 

  • GROUP A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
  • GROUP B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
  • GROUP C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
  • GROUP D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
  • GROUP E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
  • GROUP F: Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Egyptian Omar Marmoush was pleased with his Premier League debut
by FSL News

Egyptian Omar Marmoush was pleased with his Premier League debut

Egyptian international Omar Marmoush made an “amazing” debut for Manchester City after they won 3-1 against Chelsea in the Premier League. (Photo Credit Man City)

Marmoush joined the team just two days ago and started the game at the Etihad Stadium. Chelsea took the lead early with a goal from Noni Madueke in the third minute.

Josko Gvardiol equalized for City before halftime. In the second half, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden scored to give City the win.

Marmoush played 74 minutes before Kevin De Bruyne replaced him. He showed good skills during the game, having a goal disallowed for offside and demonstrating confidence with the ball.

“Yeah, it was an amazing debut,” Marmoush said after the match. “I’m really happy to be here. The debut was really nice. We won the game, and the atmosphere was crazy. I’m so happy to be part of this.”

He added, “I hope to keep playing well. This is just the beginning, and I look forward to more wins.” Marmoush also thanked the City fans for their great support and mentioned fellow new signing Abdukodir Khusanov’s debut.

Read Related – Omar Marmoush proud as first Egyptian player to join Manchester City
Dango Ouattara becomes first from Burkina Faso to score Premier League hat-trick
by FSL News

Dango Ouattara becomes first Burkina Faso player to score Premier League hat-trick

Burkina Faso International Dango Ouattara’s impressive performance made him the first player from the West African nation to score a hat-trick in the Premier League. On Saturday, he led Bournemouth to a 5-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Vitality Stadium.

This win boosts Bournemouth’s hopes for a top-four finish and a spot in the Champions League. It marks Forest’s first loss since December.

Bournemouth has extended their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to 11 games and is just one point off the top four. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest is now nine points behind leaders Liverpool.

The Burkinabe scored three of his four shots on target and has significantly stepped up for Bournemouth, especially with strikers Evanilson and Enes Ünal injured.

This season, Ouattara has 10 goal involvements (six goals, four assists) for Bournemouth, surpassing his total from his first two seasons combined (two goals, five assists).

Ouattara is in his third season at AFC Bournemouth, where he was the first signing under Bill Foley in January 2023. He plays mostly as a left-back and scored a memorable late winning goal against Tottenham in a 3-2 match.

Ouattara, born in February 2002 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, started with Majestic FC and joined FC Lorient in 2020, initially playing for their reserve team.

He made 25 appearances and scored his first goal in April 2022. His strong performance earned him a spot on the Burkina Faso national team, where he scored a key goal in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

In the 2022/23 season, he was vital for Lorient, scoring six goals in 18 matches before joining Bournemouth in January 2023, despite interest from other teams.

Guinea's defender Saïdou Sow joins Nantes on a loan deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea’s defender Saïdou Sow joins Nantes on a loan deal

Ligue 1 side Nantes has signed Saïdou Sow, a Guinean international player, from Strasbourg on loan for six months. There is no option to buy him at the end of the loan.

Saïdou Sow was born on July 4, 2002, in Conakry, Guinea. He joined AS Saint-Étienne as a youth player in 2016 at the age of 14, where he played 57 matches.

In the summer of 2023, he signed a five-year contract with RC Strasbourg and has played 25 matches there. He has made a total of 50 appearances in Ligue 1.

On October 10, 2020, he played his first match for the Guinean national team under coach Didier Six. He has since earned 25 caps and scored one goal.

Saïdou Sow will wear number 24 for FC Nantes. He is 1.87 meters tall and is known for his strength in duels, especially in the air. He will be a valuable addition to the team.

Ivorian star Wilfried Zaha set for Charlotte FC MLS debut
by FSL News

Ivorian star Wilfried Zaha set for Charlotte debut in friendly

Wilfried Zaha could make his appearance with new outfit Charlotte FC after joining on loan from Turkish champions Galatasaray.

Charlotte will face Nashville SC today in a friendly match as they prepare for the upcoming MLS season. Zaha may join the squad for his first appearance in new colours at the Oxbridge Academy.

Zaha will play for Charlotte until January 2026, with an option to extend the loan until June 2026. The firmer Crystal Palace attacker will occupy a Designated Player spot and international roster slot on the Club’s 2025 roster.

The Ivory Coast international played 10 seasons in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Cardiff City, where the forward scored a total of 68 goals in 305 appearances.

For the past six months, Zaha was on loan at Olympique Lyonnais in France, where he made six appearances but did not score or assist.

“Wilfried is a world-class player who has shown his skills as a top goal scorer and creator of chances. His performances in the Premier League and on the international stage speak for themselves, and we believe he can make an immediate impact in MLS,” said Zoran Krneta, the general manager of Charlotte.

“He adds versatility to our attack and brings that extra magic that can help us win more games. We are excited to welcome a player of Wilfried’s talent and experience to our team.”

Zaha changed his national team to Ivory Coast before the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon. He debuted in a friendly against Sweden in January 2017, where he provided an assist. Since then, he has earned 33 caps, scoring four goals and providing six assists.

Omar Marmoush proud as first Egyptian player to join Manchester City
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Omar Marmoush proud as first Egyptian player to join Manchester City

The 25-year-old striker has transferred from Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany and has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract. He is the third new player to join the team this week, after Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.

The Egyptian International will wear the No.7 shirt for Manchester City after completing his move from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Marmoush has been a standout player in the Bundesliga for the past two years and has also been important for the Egyptian national team. He helped Egypt reach the final of the 2021 African Cup of Nations.

“It’s a great honor to be the first Egyptian to play for Manchester City and to show what my country can achieve,” Marmoush told City’s Channel.

“Playing for a big club like this has always been a dream of mine. Now that I am the first Egyptian at Manchester City, I am very happy, and I hope to keep playing at this level.

“The Premier League is the biggest and most followed league in Egypt because of players like Mo Salah and others from Egypt. Most young players dream of being in this league, so I am excited to be here.”