Category: Football Africa

Brighton & Hove Albion have officially unveiled Ghana international Ibrahim Osman after he penned a five-year deal until summer 2019.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghanaian Ibrahim Osman pleased to join Premier League club

Brighton & Hove Albion have officially unveiled Ghana International Ibrahim Osman after he penned a five-year deal until summer 2019.

Osman completed his transfer to Brighton from the Danish club FC Nordsjaelland in January. He officially became a part of their first team over the weekend.

The 19-year-old has expressed his excitement about joining Albion and his journey to the Premier League, saying, “It’s a dream come true as a young guy to be in a new country, in a new team, new environment. I am happy to be here. I’m the type of player who is direct and ambitious for goals.”

Osman also reflected on his time at FC Nordsjaelland, saying, “It was really good and I had happy moments there, playing with different and amazing types of people. It was really good for me.”

Brighton move delights for Malian midfielder Malick Yalcouye
by FSL News

Brighton move delights Malian midfielder Malick Yalcouye

Malian midfielder Malick Yalcouye is happy to have joined Brighton from IFK Goteborg on a contract until June 2029.

The 18-year-old player, hailing from Mali and Ivory Coast, joined Goteborg after honing his skills at the Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas. He showcased his talent by making his professional debut in the African Champions League.

Malick’s debut game for Goteborg was in February during the Swedish Cup, and he started his first league match against Djurgardens IF in April.

Demonstrating his prowess, he scored his first league goal for the club later that month against IF Brommapojkarna.

Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler said, “We are happy to have Malick at the club. He is a talented midfielder with great potential to become a top player.

He is excited about this next career stage, and we look forward to helping him progress.”

Ajax reach verbal agreement to re-sign former Chelsea and Aston Villa forward Bertrand Traoré
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ajax reach verbal agreement to sign attacker Bertrand Traoré

Ajax and Bertrand Traoré reportedly agreed to a contract extension, according to De Telegraaf. The 28-year-old player, who previously played for Ajax, is said to have signed a contract with the club until the summer of 2026.

De Telegraaf also mentioned that Ajax and Traoré’s representatives will finalize the agreement over the weekend, followed by a medical examination.

Traoré, who is from Burkina Faso, is considered a valuable acquisition for Ajax, especially since the club has limited financial resources for transfers.

The attacker previously played for Ajax and was part of the team that reached the Europa League final against Manchester United in the 2016/17 season.

He scored thirteen goals and provided six assists in 39 games before moving to Olympique Lyon.

Subsequently, he played for Aston Villa, Istanbul Basaksehir, and Villarreal before being released from the latter on a free transfer last season.

Nigeria defender Gabriel Osho departs Luton for French side AJ Auxerre
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria defender Osho departs Luton for French side AJ Auxerre

Luton Town defender Gabriel Osho has moved to French club Auxerre after his contract at Kenilworth Road ended and will wear the number 3 shirt.

Osho played for Luton when they were promoted to the Premier League in 2022-23. He made a total of 85 appearances for Luton Town.

The 25-year-old will now play in France’s top league as Auxerre was promoted under manager Christophe Pelissier. Osho has signed a one-year deal with an option for an additional 12 months.

Born and trained in Reading, he has been a solid central defender in the Championship. He scored in the play-off semi-final and helped his team rise to the elite in 2022-2023.

Last season, he played 21 Premier League games, scoring 2 goals, and was called up to the Nigerian national team in March but couldn’t play due to injury.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1811692916038934674

Rhulani Mokwena speaks after joining Morocco's Wydad Athletic Club
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Rhulani Mokwena speaks after joining Wydad Athletic Club

The 37-year-old Rhulani Mokwena has confidently taken on the role of the new head coach of Morocco’s football giants, Wydad Athletic Club, as they gear up for the 2024/25 season.

Mokwena made it clear that he has no intention of recruiting players from Mamelodi Sundowns to join Wydad Athletics Club, emphasizing the importance of respecting his former club and players as he embarks on his new journey.

Despite reports of a disagreement with Sporting Director Flemming Berg leading to his departure from PSL champions Sundowns, Mokwena is focused on maintaining a positive relationship with his former employers.

Having signed a three-year contract with Wydad Athletic Club, Mokwena is determined to implement an attractive brand of football while securing victories in as many matches as possible.

He is unwavering in his ambition to lead his new team to triumph in every game and competition, acknowledging the tough competition from local rivals Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat.

Having signed a three-year contract with Wydad Athletic Club, Mokwena is determined to implement an attractive brand of football while securing victories in as many matches as possible.
Having signed a three-year contract with Wydad Athletic Club, Mokwena is determined to implement an attractive brand of football while securing victories in as many matches as possible.
Bo Rangers face San Pedro as EE Lions meet ASC Jaraaf
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bo Rangers face San Pedro as EE Lions meet ASC Jaraaf

Sierra Leone’s East End Lions and Bo Rangers will play West African teams in the Caf Confederation Cup and Caf Champions League in August.

Get ready for an exciting match-up as the Sierra Leone Champions Bo Rangers take on the Ivorian side San Pedro in the preliminary stages of the 2024/2025 CAF Champions League.

Mark your calendars for the matches scheduled between the 16th and 18th of August, with a thrilling trip to Ivory Coast the following weekend.

Under the guidance of Coach John Keister, the team aims to continue their winning streak and advance to the group stages of the prominent inter-club competition in Africa.

The winner between Rangers and San Pedro will face the winner between Al Hilal of Sudan and Libya 2 in the second round of the competition in September.

In the last competition’s second round, they were knocked out by Algerian team CR Belouizdad with a 6-2 aggregate score over two matches.

In the upcoming CAF Confederation Cup, East End Lions will be facing off against ASC Jaraaf from Senegal in the initial stage of the 2024/2025 Inter-club competition.

The first match will be hosted by The Killers from the 16th to the 18th of August, followed by a trip to Senegal to compete against Association Sportive et Culturelle Jaraaf the following weekend.

The victor between Union Touarga Sportif (UTS) or Racing Club d’Abidjan will confront the winner of East End Lions or ASC Jaraaf in the second-round qualifiers.

The CAF Interclub men’s competitions are gaining popularity in African club football, drawing larger global TV audiences due to the increasing quality of African football.

In the previous season, reigning champions Al Ahly SC extended their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title to a record-extending 12, while their arch-rivals Zamalek were crowned champions of the CAF Confederation Cup for the second time.

Full CAF Champions League first and second-round draws in the preliminary stages of the 2024/2025 Interclub competition.
Full CAF Champions League first and second-round draws in the preliminary stages of the 2024/2025 Interclub competition.
Full CAF Confederation Cup Draw in the first round preliminary stages of the 2024/2025 Interclub competition.
Full CAF Confederation Cup Draw in the first round preliminary stages of the 2024/2025 Interclub competition.
Southern Province side Bo Rangers have been placed in Pot three ahead of the draw of the Preliminary Stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone Champions Rangers in Pot 3 ahead of CAF CL draw

Southern Province side Bo Rangers have been placed in Pot three ahead of the draw of the Preliminary Stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

Having won the Sierra Leone title back-back, coach John Keister’s team will now set their sight to make the group stages of the top-tier Inter club competition in Africa.

In the last competition’s second round, they were knocked out by Algerian team CR Belouizdad with a 6-2 aggregate score over two matches. The CAF Interclub men’s competitions are highly popular in African club football, with increasing global TV audiences due to the growing standard of African football.

The CAF Champions League will feature 59 clubs from 47 African countries, and the CAF Confederation Cup will include 52 clubs from 41 countries.

The draw for the Preliminary Stages of the 2024/2025 Interclub season will take place at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

Its is scheduled to be broadcast live on CAF’s official YouTube channel, CAF TV, at 15:00 local time (noon GMT). The last competition was won by Al Ahly SC of Egypt.

The CAF Champions League will feature 59 clubs from 47 African countries.
The CAF Champions League will feature 59 clubs from 47 African countries.
Defender Okoli is excited to begin after joining Leicester
by FSL News

Defender Okoli is excited to begin after joining Leicester

Highly-rated young defender Caleb Okoli has expressed his delight in joining Leicester City from Serie A side Atalanta on a permanent deal, subject to Premier League and international clearance.

The 22-year-old centre-back, who played for Italy at the EURO U21 Championships in 2023, has signed a five-year deal with the Foxes as they get ready for the 2024/25 Premier League season.

In an interview with Foxes Hub, Okoli, who is a Okoli is Igbo and Yoruba by descent stated, “I believe the time is right for me to take a major step forward.

I’m thrilled about my decision and eager to begin playing in the Premier League. I feel prepared to start with my new team here in Leicester.”

Okoli, who was born in Vicenza, Italy, joined Atalanta in 2015. He had a successful loan spell at SPAL during the 2020/21 season, making 16 appearances and scoring once in a 2-1 victory over Lecce.

https://twitter.com/LCFC/status/1810699683087671437

Milo FC clinches historic first title in Guinea's Ligue 1
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Milo FC clinches historic first title in Guinea’s Ligue 1

Milo FC made history by winning the Guinean championship for the first time. They secured the title with a 2-1 victory over Ashanti Golden Boy.

Milo FC’s title win marks a significant milestone for the club and sets a new benchmark in Guinean football.

This win gave them a five-point lead over their closest rivals, Hafia FC, who lost 3-1 to AS Kaloum.

Abdoulaye Yonta Camara, Milo FC’s top scorer, played a key role in their victory, scoring two goals. This win, coupled with their season record of 16 wins, 5 draws, and 5 defeats, earned them a spot in the African Champions League.

This achievement was a disappointment for Hafia FC, who hoped to win their 17th Guinean championship.

The final day of the season also saw AS Kaloum defeating Hafia FC 3-1, while other matches ended in a draw or a victory for different teams.

Milo FC de Kankan supporters celebrated with jubilant spirits.
Milo FC de Kankan supporters celebrated with jubilant spirits.
The search for Moroccan footballers lost at sea is ongoing
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

The search for Moroccan footballers lost at sea is ongoing

The search continues for two Moroccan footballers who went missing off the country’s northern Mediterranean coast on Saturday.

Ittihad Tanger, a Moroccan club, informed the BBC that five staff members, including senior players Abdellatif Akhrif, 24, and Salman El-Harrak, 18, were on a yacht excursion near the city of Tetouan.

Emergency services rescued three individuals, including club employee Oussama Aflah, young players Soumaimane Dahdouh and Abdelhamid Maali, after they had been adrift at sea for several hours.

Ittihad Tanger president Mohamed Cherkaoui confirmed that the search for the missing players is ongoing and urged caution regarding information shared about the pair on social media.

After being rescued, Aflah spoke to a local media outlet, Tanjaoui, and recounted the events of Saturday afternoon. He mentioned that everything was normal until heavy winds suddenly took them away from the boat while they were swimming within sight of the shore.

Deputy president Anass Mrabet mentioned to Reuters that the men were not wearing life jackets when they went swimming. Ittihad Tanger has been competing in Morocco’s top flight since 2015 and secured their sole league title in the 2017-18 season.