Category: Football Africa

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.

Augustus Kargbo's Cesena announce 2024/25 pre-season schedules
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo’s Cesena announce 2024/25 pre-season schedule

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo’s Italian side Cesena has announced their schedule for the pre-season ahead of the new Serie B campaign for the 2024/25 season.

Kargbo was pivotal as Cesena secured promotion to Serie B after winning the Serie C championship against Pescara F.C. by 1-0, thanks to Edoardo Pierozzi In August.

The team’s first training session, under the guidance of the new coach Mignani, is set to start tomorrow. Thirty players have been called up for the first seasonal meeting, including six from the Primavera team.

The schedule for this week includes daily double training sessions at 9 am and 5:30 pm until Friday at the Villa Silvia sports centre. Additionally, all training sessions this week will be open to the public.

On Saturday, July 13, the team will leave for Acquapartita for a two-week retreat. The first two friendlies of the season have been scheduled. The team will play against the local Representative of Alto Savio on Sunday, July 14 and against Sampierana on Thursday, July 18.

New Bournemouth deal for Ghana's Antoine Semenyo
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

New Bournemouth deal for Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo

Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo has signed a new five-year contract with AFC Bournemouth until summer 2029. The 24-year-old defender had an excellent season at the Vitality Stadium.

Semenyo joined Cherries from Bristol City for around £ 9 million in January 2023. CEO Neill Blake said, “It’s clear to see Antoine’s growth since joining 18 months ago.

He’s made great progress and had a fantastic first full season with us. Signing a long-term contract was important for us to recognize his role on our team, and we look forward to more success in the years to come.”

Semenyo had a terrific season, helping the club achieve their record-breaking Premier League points total of 48.

He played 33 matches last season, scoring eight goals and providing two assists. His standout performance led to AFC Bournemouth winning the Premier League’s Most Improbable Comeback award for 2023/24.

He also earned the club’s Player of the Month award for November. Since joining in January 2023, he has played 47 times for the Cherries in all competitions.

He made his International debut for the Ghana national team during a 3-0 victory in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Madagascar on June 1, 2022. On November 14, 2022, Semenyo was selected for Ghana’s 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

 Togolese descent Lilian Brassier joins Marseille
by FSL News

 Togolese descent Lilian Brassier joins Marseille

Togolese descent Lilian Brassier has joined Olympique de Marseille on loan from Stade Brestois. The 24-year-old defender has signed with an option to buy after passing a medical examination.

 The centre-back began his professional career at Stade Rennais and made his debut in Ligue 2 in the 2019-2020 season. He was then loaned to Valenciennes FC, where he played 27 matches.

He was spotted by Stade Brestois 29 and joined them in the following season in Finistère. His skills in duels and heading were noticeable from the start in Ligue 1.

Lilian Brassier is a versatile and adaptable defender known for his quality recovery with his left foot. He played 30 matches, scored 3 goals, and helped Stade Brestois 29 finish on the podium and secure a place in the Champions League during the 2023-24 season.

With over 100 matches and 5 goals in Ligue 1, he has become a reliable central defender at the age of 24.

Ivory Coast's head coach, Emerse Fae, is confident that his team will qualify for the 2025 tournament in Morocco from Group G.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Emerse fae confident of reaching Morocco from Group G

Ivory Coast’s head coach, Emerse Fae, is confident that his team will qualify for the 2025 tournament in Morocco from Group G.

Fae became the manager of the Ivory Coast U23 and assistant coach of the Ivory Coast senior team in May 2022. Later, in January 2024, he was appointed as caretaker of Ivory Coast for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16, following the dismissal of Gasset.

Under his leadership, Ivory Coast clinched the 2023 AFCON title, and Fae was awarded the Best Coach of the tournament.
The Ivory Coast has been assigned to a challenging group for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where they will compete against Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Chad in Group G.

Fae mentioned his familiarity with the Zambian team, which Ivory Coast previously played against in the last Afcon qualifying.

“We played against Zambia for the last Afcon qualifying so we know this team very well,” Fae said.

“No easy games in African football but we are defending champions and must be ready to defend our crown by reaching Morocco 2025,” Fae was quoted as saying.

“The team appreciates the proximity of the upcoming games, as they prefer not to have long trips.”

The qualifiers will occur across six match days in September, October, and November of this year. Fae expressed his preference for playing all the games quickly, as it helps the team to stay focused and allows them time to prepare if they qualify for the competition.

The 2025 Afcon finals are scheduled to begin on 21st December next year, with the final on 18th January 2026.

The Ivory Coast has been assigned to a challenging group for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where they will compete against Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Chad in Group G.
The Ivory Coast has been assigned to a challenging group for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where they will compete against Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Chad in Group G.