Category: Football Africa

Striker Patson Daka to miss Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Patson Daka to miss Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone qualifiers

Zambia will have to do without Patson Daka in next month African Cup of Nations qualifiers after Leicester City’s injury update on Patson Daka, the 2017 African Youth Player of the Year.

Daka, the Zambia international, was forced off the field during a recent friendly against RC Lens due to an injury, which will sideline him for an extended period, as confirmed on the club’s website.

The 25-year-old will be absent from the upcoming English Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur, and there are concerns about his availability for Zambia’s 2025 AFCON qualifiers next month.

Manager Steve Cooper expressed his disappointment, stating, “Patson [Daka] is not great news. He sustained a serious ankle injury in the game against Lens last week and will be out of action for several months.

The striker underwent an operation on Friday. It’s a setback for both club and country as he was showing promise during pre-season.

Daka, known as Zambia’s key player with 21 goals in 48 matches for Chipolopolo, faces a challenging recovery period, with important matches against Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone on the horizon next month.

Antoine Semenyo's late equaliser helps Bournemouth draw at Forest
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Antoine Semenyo’s equaliser helps Bournemouth draw at Forest

Ghanaian International Antoine Semenyo scored a late goal to help AFC Bournemouth secure a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on the opening day of the season.

Chris Wood put Nottingham Forest ahead with a close-range goal in the first half. Dango Ouattara had a goal disallowed.

Semenyo’s goal earned the Cherries their first point of the new season.

Dean Huijsen made his Premier League debut, and Julián Araujo was named on the bench for the first time.

Evanilson’s registration came too late for inclusion. Semenyo led the line for the Cherries, alternating with Luis Sinisterra.

The match started positively for the Cherries, with Ouattara heading just over from a corner. However, the game was paused for ten minutes when Danilo was injured following a challenge with Semenyo.

Wood opened the scoring for Nottingham Forest, tapping in a rebound after Neto parried Ryan Yates’s shot. The Cherries then had a goal disallowed, as Lewis Cook was ruled offside in the build-up to Ouattara’s goal.

First-leg Confederation Cup defeat for hosts East End Lions
by FSL News

East End Lions suffer first-leg Confederation Cup defeat

On Sunday, ASC Jaraaf from Senegal secured a 1-0 victory over East End Lions in the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup at the Southern Arena. (Photo Credit EE Lions)

After an intriguing first hour of the contest – substitute Papa Souleymane Dione accounted for Jaraaf’s goal in the 77th minute. But, before their goal, they missed a penalty in the first half and hit the woodwork.

Head coach Malick Daf mentioned that despite the missed penalty and hitting the woodwork. “The team showcased a strong effort against the home side, who had the advantage of local support.”

Daf and his side have immediately turned their attention to the return fixtures next weekend in Senegal. “We’ll return home to prepare for the next match, knowing we will be facing a strong opponent.”

Coach Daf also commented on the missed penalty, saying that even the best players can miss a penalty and emphasized that what matters is the overall result.

East End Lions’ head coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara described the result as ‘disappointing’ while expressing hope to overturn the result in Senegal in the upcoming game.

The second leg is scheduled for Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Stade Lat Dior in Senegal.

CAF Confederation Cup first leg preliminary results
CAF Confederation Cup first leg preliminary results
Bo Rangers draw 1-1 with San Pedro set up a tense return fixture
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bo Rangers draw 1-1 with San Pedro to set up tense return fixture

In the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League preliminary round, Bo Rangers, the champions of Sierra Leone, tied 1-1 with San Pedro from Ivory Coast in the first leg on Saturday.

The first-leg tie showcased an intense battle through the 90th minute at the Southern Arena in Bo City. The home team scored first in the 48th minute through Mohamadu Lamin, causing excitement among the fans.

However, they were unable to capitalize on their lead. The Ivorian team equalized through Issouf Dosso in the 73rd minute, resulting in a draw.

The return fixture is scheduled for next weekend, expected to be an exciting match as the winner will advance to the second preliminary round.

In other matches, Commercial Bank of Ethiopia achieved a 2-1 victory away against FC Vitalo from Burundi, while Namibia’s Africa Stars secured a 1-0 win over Gaborone Galaxy from Botswana.

Raja Casablanca defeated Garde Nationale 2-1 in Niger. Saber Bougrine opened the scoring for Raja Casablanca in the 20th minute, but their opponents equalized in the 37th minute.

However, Marouane Zila restored Raja Casablanca’s lead in the 66th minute, securing a 2-1 win for the Moroccan club.

Some results of the first-leg matches of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Preliminary Round:

– FC Villa Jogo 1-2 Commercial Bank of Ethiopia
– FC Vitalo 0-4 Young Africans
– Africa Stars 1-0 Gaborone Galaxy
– Ngazi Platinum 0-0 AS Maniema
– Saint-Louis 0-1 Sagrada Esperança
– Garde Nationale 1-2 Raja Casablanca
– Red Star 0-0 Djoliba Bamako
– Stade d’Abidjan 1-1 FC Teungueth
– Bo Rangers 1-1 San Pedro
– Douanes du Burkina Faso 0-0 Cotonou du Bénin
– Al Nasr 0-0 Al-Merreikh

CAF makes historic $50,000 giveaway to interclub representatives
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF makes historic $50,000 giveaway to interclub representatives

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has recently announced that each team participating in the Preliminary Stages will receive $50,000 in financial assistance.

This marks the first time CAF has provided financial assistance to clubs at this stage of the competition.

This decision is aligned with CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe’s pledge to enhance club competitions and provide increased financial aid to clubs.

The ongoing leg matches commence on the 16 August, followed by return legs from 23-25 August 2024. The upcoming Second Preliminary Round in September will determine the clubs advancing to the group stage.

Previously, clubs were required to progress to the Group Stages to qualify for a share of the overall prize money. Over the last couple of years, the CAF Executive has made substantial investments in African Club Football. 

TOTALENERGIES CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

  • Position | Prize Money
  • Winner | USD 4,000,000
  • Runner-up | USD 2,000,000
  • Semi-Finalists | USD 1,200,000
  • Quarterfinalists | USD 900,000
  • 3rd of Group | USD 700,000
  • 4th of Group | USD 700,000

 

TOTAL ENERGIES CAF CONFEDERATION CUP

  • Position | Prize Money
  • Winner | USD 2,000,000
  • Runner-up | USD 1,000,000
  • Semi-finalists | USD 750,000
  • Quarterfinalists | USD 550,000
  • 3rd of Group | USD 400,000
  • 4th of Group | USD 400,000

 

Somalian referees to officiate Lions, ASC Jaraaf first leg Confederation Cup preliminary
by FSL News

Somalian referees to officiate Lions, Jaraaf first leg preliminary

On Sunday, Somalian officials will oversee Sierra Leone’s East End Lions and ASC Jaraaf’s first-leg preliminary of the CAF Confederation Cup match at the Southern arena in Bo City.

Ahmed Hassan Hussein Ahmed will be the main referee, with assistance from Ali Mohamud Mahad as AR 1 and Mowlid Rage Ali as AR 2.

The fourth official for the match, Nur Muhudin Muhudin, is also from Somalia, while the Match Commissioner, Ivan Gartor Brown, is from neighbouring Liberia.

The return fixture is scheduled for next weekend in Senegal, and the winner of this two-legged tie will face the winner between UTC and RC Abidjan in the second preliminary round.

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Fixtures – CLICK HERE

Sierra Leone's side East End Lions completed their preparations for their first CAF Confederation Cup preliminary match on Sunday.
Sierra Leone's side East End Lions completed their preparations for their first CAF Confederation Cup preliminary match on Sunday.
Striker Amadou Bakayoko opens his J League account for Sapporo
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Amadou Bakayoko opens his J League account for Sapporo

Sierra Leone International striker Amadou Bakayoko scored his first J-League goal as Consadole Sapporo defeated Sagan Tosu in a high-scoring match with a score of 5-3 in round 27 of the season.

Bakayoko, 28, who joined the team on a free transfer, made his debut and scored from the penalty spot in the 89th minute.

Sapporo took an early lead with a goal from Supachok in the 10th minute, followed by another goal from Yoshinari Komai in the 11th minute, and a third goal in the 16th minute, giving them a 3-0 lead in the first half.

However, Tosu fought back in the second half, scoring in the 57th minute through Akito Fukuda and then closing the gap to one point in the 60th minute with a goal from Tojiro Kubo.

Sapporo scored their fourth goal with an own goal in the 70th minute, and Bakayoko sealed the victory for Sapporo with the fifth goal from the penalty spot in the 89th minute, securing the win when Tosu was once again within one point.

Sapporo’s win earned them three points, marking their first win in three games, while Tosu suffered their fifth consecutive game without a victory.

Meiji Yasuda J1 League Standings

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.