Category: Football Africa

Ghana's defender Patric Pfeiffer joins Swiss Super League side Young Boys
by FSL News

Ghana’s defender Patric Pfeiffer joins Swiss Super League side

Ghanaian defender Patric Pfeiffer has moved to Swiss Super League champions Young Boys for the 2024/25 season.

“Reinforcement from the Bundesliga: 24-year-old central defender Patric Pfeiffer comes from FC Augsburg and will play the current season on loan at YB,” Young Boys posted on the official Facebook page.

Pfeiffer, who is 1.96m tall, joined Young Boys from German Bundesliga side FC Augsburg. He struggled to get playing time at FC Augsburg last season.

Born in Hamburg, Germany, to Ghanaian parents, Pfeiffer chose to play for Ghana last year after representing Germany’s under-18 and under-19 teams.

However, the Swiss side has confirmed that Pfeiffer will return to FC Augsburg at the end of the 2024/25 season.

Currently on loan to Young Boys, Pfeiffer will be aiming to assist the team as they take on Turkish giants Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League play-off round, hoping to secure a spot in the group stage.

Attacker Mustapha Bundu on target in Plymouth Argyle's Cup win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Attacker Mustapha Bundu on target in Plymouth Argyle’s Cup win  

Sierra Leone’s striker, Mustapha Bundu, scored as Plymouth Argyle’s head coach, Wayne Rooney, achieved his first win in the Carabao Cup match on Wednesday evening.

The team rebounded from their 4-0 Championship defeat at Sheffield Wednesday with a 3-0 victory over Cheltenham Town at Home Park.

Plymouth Argyle had more chances in the first half, with Ryan Hardie and Freddie Issaka going close, while Ethon Archer hit the post with a low shot five minutes before half-time.

Ben Waine broke the deadlock after an hour, tapping in from close range after Adam Randell’s free-kick was parried onto the crossbar.

After taking the lead, Argyle dominated the game, with substitutes Mustapha Bundu and Morgan Whittaker missing good chances.

In the 81st minute, Hardie doubled the lead with a close-range finish from Ibrahim Cissoko’s cross.

Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu sealed the win in the 84th minute with a controlled finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

In his first game in charge on Sunday, Rooney’s team had suffered a 4-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.

However, for this match, Rooney made changes to the lineup, with only young midfielder Darko Gyabi and goalkeeper Conor Hazard remaining, as Michael Cooper was set to join Sheffield United as their new goalkeeper.

Argyle 3 

Waine 62, Hardie 81, Bundu 84 

Cheltenham 0 

Abu Kamara nets in Norwich Carabao Cup win over Stevenage
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Kamara scores first Norwich’s goal in win over Stevenage

On Tuesday, Abu Kamara, a native of Sierra Leone, scored his first goal for Norwich as they secured a 4-3 victory over Stevenage, earning a spot in the second round of the Carabao Cup at Carrow Road.

The team made seven changes from their last game. Newcomers to the starting lineup included Brad Hills, Jaden Warner, Amankwah Forson, Abu Kamara, George Long, Onel Hernández, and Kellen Fisher.

Kamara, who last season was pivotal in Portsmouth’s promotion, scored his first goal for Norwich, in the first start, but Stevenage quickly equalized.

Hernández then scored, but Stevenage equalized again. In the second half, Kamara and Hernández, both scored again, leading to Norwich’s 4-3 win.

17-year-old Elliot Myles made his senior debut towards the end of the match. Next, Norwich City will play against Blackburn Rovers at Carrow Road on Saturday at 3 pm.

The Carabao Cup Round Two draw will be conducted live on Sky Sports after the Leeds United v Middlesbrough match on Wednesday, 14 August.

Highly rated youngster Gift Sunday joins Norwegian side
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Highly rated youngster Gift Sunday joins Norwegian side

Norwegian football club FK Bodø Glimt has officially announced the signing of Nigerian forward Gift Sunday.

“The 18-year-old Nigerian Gift Sunday is the newest addition to Bodø/Glimt,” Bodø Glimt noted on their website

He hails from the P Sports Academy in his home country and has recently signed with Bodø/Glimt until the summer of 2028.

“It’s a great experience for me to sign my first professional contract with such a big club like Glimt. It’s a dream come true,” says a smiling Gift Sunday to glimt.no.

“We’ve been following each other for a while, and he has previously visited us during a training stint. Now we’re looking forward to getting to know him even better,” says sporting director Håvard Sakariassen.

The 2024/25 CAF Interclub season will kick off on Friday
by FSL News

The 2024/25 CAF Interclub season set to kick off on Friday

The 2024/25 CAF Interclub season set to start this week with the Preliminary Rounds of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

The First Preliminary Round First Leg will take place between August 16-18, with the return leg set for August 23-25, 2024.

The Second Preliminary Round will take place between September 13-15 for the first legs of the second round, while the return legs to confirm the draw for the Group Stages will be played between September 20-22, 2024.

The champions Al Ahly SC (Egypt), Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) don’t need to play in the first round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. The top 12 clubs in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, including holders Zamalek SC, also don’t need to play in the First Preliminary Round.

It’s early in both competitions, but fans can expect great matchups. Clubs from across Africa will try to qualify for the second round and the group stages.

In the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, there are exciting matches like Young Africans, the Tanzanian champions, playing against Vital’O FC of Burundi. Also, Pyramids FC from Egypt will face JKU SC of Zanzibar, and former champions Orlando Pirates FC will face Disciples FC of Madagascar.

In the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, there’s an interesting match between Zambia’s Zesco United and Dynamos FC of Zimbabwe. UTS from Morocco will host RS Abidjan of Cote d’Ivoire, and Nsoatreman FC of Ghana will welcome TP Elect Sport of the Republic of Chad.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Fixtures – CLICK HERE 

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Fixtures – CLICK HERE

Senegal's Aigles de la Médina crowned Champions of WAFU A
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s Aigles de la Médina crowned Champions of WAFU A

The Aigles De La Medina from Senegal emerged as the champions of the WAFU A CAF Women’s Champions League, earning the opportunity to represent their region in the forthcoming CAF Women’s Champions League.

The tournament, which took place in a vibrant and diverse setting, showcased the participation of five clubs representing different countries. Aigles De La Medina, displaying remarkable skill and determination, clinched the top title, thereby earning the right to compete in the renowned continental contest.

The qualifiers saw the impressive performances of the Determined Girls from Liberia and the Mogbwemo Queens from Sierra Leone, who both put up a valiant fight. Their tenacity and talent made the final matches intensely competitive and thrilling for all involved.

In a pivotal match, Aigles De La Medina achieved a 2-1 victory against Determine Girls, who required a win to secure the title. This outcome provided Mogbwemo Queens with a chance to claim the championship, but they failed to win against the Red Scorpion from Gambia.

As the matches unfolded, Aigles De La Medina anxiously awaited the result between Mogbwemo Queens and Red Scorpions. In the end, it was a goalless draw.

The draw confirmed Aigles De La Medina as champions of the WAFU A Qualifiers with 7 points, followed by Determine Girls and Mogbwemo Queens with 6 points each.

Defending champions AS Mandé settled for fourth place with 4 points, as did Red Scorpion.

The CAF Women’s Champions League 2024 Finals is scheduled for November 2024, aiming to showcase the growth and competitiveness of women’s football on the continent, gaining momentum since its inception in Egypt three years ago.

Individual Trophies and Awards

  • Best Player: Jessica Quachie (Liberia – Determine Girls)
  • Best Scorer: Bountou Sylla, 4 goals (Guinea – Determine Girls)
  • Best Goalkeeper: Djaka Chérif Haidara (Mali – AS Mandé)
  • Fair Play: Mogbewmo Queens

 

Six more places to be confirmed for the following zones:

  • Hosts: To be announced
  • Title Holders: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
  • WAFU A: Aigles de la Medina (Senegal)
  • WAFU B: To be confirmed 
  • UNIFFAC: To be confirmed
  • COSAFA: To be confirmed
  • CECAFA: To be confirmed
Senegal's Aigles De La Medina won the WAFU A CAF Women's Champions League Qualifiers and will represent their zone in the upcoming CAF Women's Champions League in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Senegal's Aigles De La Medina won the WAFU A CAF Women's Champions League Qualifiers and will represent their zone in the upcoming CAF Women's Champions League in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Police FC beat APR to claim Rwanda Super Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Police FC beat APR to claim Rwanda Super Cup

Police FC emerged as the champions of the 2024 FERWAFA Super Cup, which marked the beginning of the season.

Coach Vincent Mashami’s team secured victory by defeating the reigning champions of the Rwanda Premier League, APR FC, in a penalty shoot-out with a score of 6-5. The final match took place at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday and concluded with a draw of 0-0.

Both teams had opportunities to score but were unable to capitalize on them. Yunusu Nshimiyimana had the best chance for APR FC, while Elijah Ani and Richard Kilongozi also came close for Police FC.

Mashami, whose team had undergone pre-season training in Uganda and played several warm-up matches, expressed that winning the Super Cup provided strong motivation for the upcoming season. He added, “We need to continue working hard because there are many matches ahead, including the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.”

Following their Super Cup victory, Police FC will now focus on preparing for their upcoming match against CS Constantine in the 1st preliminary round of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, which will take place in Algeria.

On the other hand, APR FC, who secured the second position in the CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania last month, will shift their focus to their upcoming away match against Tanzania’s Azam FC in the 1st preliminary round of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, which will take place next weekend.

Police FC emerged as the champions of the 2024 FERWAFA Super Cup, which marked the beginning of the season.
Police FC emerged as the champions of the 2024 FERWAFA Super Cup, which marked the beginning of the season.
Ex-QPR striker Hamzad Kargbo elated to join Newport County
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ex-QPR striker Hamzad Kargbo elated to join Newport County

English League Two side Newport County has added former Queens Park Rangers striker Hamzad Kargbo to their team after a successful trial. Kargbo, a 6’4″ centre forward, is the Exiles’ 13th summer recruit.

Newport’s League Two campaign starts on Saturday away to Cheltenham Town. Kargbo, 22, has been on trial with Newport for much of the close season, playing in friendlies against Pontypridd United, Kidderminster Harriers, Bristol Rovers, and Hereford.

Kargbo expressed his excitement about joining the team, stating, “As soon as I first came here I could feel it in my heart that it was a place I wanted to be and here I am.”

He mentioned that it’s never easy coming in as a trialist, but he felt welcomed right away and is looking forward to working hard throughout pre-season to show what he can bring to the squad.

Kargbo has been with QPR since 12 years old and has been a regular in the Rangers’ under-23s during the last two seasons. He has also had loan spells at Vanarama National League sides Southend United and Oxford City.

Ex-FIFA & CAF long-time leader Issa Hayatou is dead
by FSL News

Former long-serving CAF president Issa Hayatou dies

Issa Hayatou, the former president of the Confederation of African Football, has passed away at 77. He led the continental governing body for 29 years, from 1988 to 2017.

Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, expressed his condolences in a post on Instagram, saying, “Saddened to hear of the passing of former CAF president, former FIFA president and interim FIFA vice-president and FIFA Council member Issa Hayatou. A passionate sports fan, he dedicated his life to sports administration. On behalf of FIFA, condolences go to his family, friends, former colleagues and all who knew him. Rest in peace.”

Hayatou was also a member of the International Olympic Committee for 15 years, through 2016, and remained an honorary member.

Hayatou, a national champion runner, transitioned to a prominent role in soccer from his native Cameroon.

He held leadership positions in the Confederation of African Football and FIFA. Despite facing challenges, including a temporary FIFA presidency and subsequent investigations, Hayatou made significant contributions to the sport.

He was elected to lead the Confederation of African Football in 1988 and became vice president of FIFA within four years.

In 2002, Issa Hayatou lost in an election against Sepp Blatter, the then-president of FIFA, despite European support. In 2015, after corruption investigations, Hayatou became interim president of FIFA for four months.

In 2017, he lost the CAF presidency after a 29-year reign. Hayatou was later banned from soccer for one year for breaching the “duty of loyalty” and reprimanded by the IOC Ethics Commission in 2011.

Rahimi Soufiane helps Morocco thrash Egypt to win bronze
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Rahimi Soufiane helps Morocco thrash Egypt to win bronze

Morocco clinched their first-ever Olympic medal in men’s football with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Egypt in the bronze medal match at Paris 2024 on Thursday.

Led by the remarkable Soufiane Rahimi, the Moroccan team delivered a stunning performance, completely outclassing the Egyptian side at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.

Rahimi, the tournament’s top scorer, extended his remarkable goal tally to eight, becoming the first player in Olympic football history to score in six consecutive matches.

Morocco took an early lead with a beautiful goal from Abde Ezzalzouli in the 23rd minute, followed by a goal from Rahimi just three minutes later.

The relentless Moroccan onslaught continued in the second half, with Bilal El Khannouss scoring a third goal in the 51st minute and Rahimi netting his second just after the hour mark to make it 4-0.

The team did not stop there, as Akram Nakach and captain Achraf Hakimi added to the tally with goals of their own, completing the 6-0 victory.

Morocco’s historic bronze medal at the Olympic football tournament marks their first-ever Olympic football accolade, celebrated as a triumph for the team and the entire African continent.

After the match, Rahimi expressed his elation, calling it a dream come true and a historic moment for Moroccan and African football.

At Paris 2024, Morocco secured their first-ever Olympic medal in men's football with a commanding 6-0 win over Egypt in the bronze medal match.
At Paris 2024, Morocco secured their first-ever Olympic medal in men's football with a commanding 6-0 win over Egypt in the bronze medal match.