Category: African News

Our African football page passionately on all continental topics of all National and International football news, Identifying football heroes on our continent.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Osimhen, Salah, Hakimi named in final three for CAF Award

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, and Moroccan International Achraf Hakimi are the final three for the CAF 2023 Player of the Year Award. The current holder is Senegal’s Sadio Mane.

The Confederation of African Football has unveiled the final three players for the CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award.

After he scored 26 Serie A goals, Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has been crowned the Italian Footballers’ Association Player of the Year for his Napoli performances last season.

He was presented with the award on Monday night after helping his side win their first league title in 33 years.

Osimhen scored 26 Serie A goals in 2022-23, breaking former World Best George Weah’s record as the highest-scoring African in the Italian top flight in the process.

Mohamed Salah leads the way for top Premier League African goal scorer with 149 goals, 243 matches and 65 assists since joining Liverpool in 2017.

He won the African Award back to back in 2017 and 2018 and was runners-up in 2019 and 2022 behind former team mates Sado Mane. 

Achraf Hakimi made headlines after he was named to Morocco’s 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

His winning penalty with a panenka-style shot in a shoot-out against Spain in the round of 16 helped secure a place for his country in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Yassine Bounou is one of the finalists for the Best Goalkeeper category, alongside Cameroon’s Andre Onana and Egypt’s Mohamed El Shenawy.

On Monday, 11 December 2023, the award ceremony will be held at the Palais des Congrès, Movenpick, Marrakech, Morocco, 19H00 local time (18H00 GMT).

The ultimate winner of each category is decided following votes from a panel consisting of the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals from Member Associations, Head Coaches and captains of Member Associations and clubs involved in the group stages of the Interclub competitions.

Connect with us @football_sierra – on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, African News and CAF 2023 Awards.

Defending Champions South Africa beat Burkina Faso to book AFCON ticket
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

South Africa beat Burkina Faso to book AFCON ticket

South Africa has qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations to be played in Morocco next year after their 2-0 win over Burkina Faso.

On Monday, Linda Mothlalo and Nicole Michael scored the goals as Banyana_Banyana overcame Burkina Faso in a return leg played at the nation’s capital on Monday afternoon.

After a 1-1 draw in Yamoussoukro, Cote d’Ivoire, a few days ago, the defending champions dug deep to secure their ticket to Morocco next year.

At Pretoria’s Lucas Moripe Stadium, Motlhalo’s 55th-minute strike, followed by Michael’s 63rd-minute goal, ensured the defending champions book their spot in Africa’s most prestigious national women’s competition next year.

Meanwhile, in Burundi, Algeria completed the job with a 1-0 win over the East African nation to make a return to the competition after missing out on the 2022 edition in Morocco.

Following their comfortable 5-1 lead at home, the North Africans were assured of a place with an easy return leg against Burundi.

Ines Boutaleb scored as Algeria sealed a 6-1 aggregate two-legged victory and booked a place in Morocco next year.

The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Women’s Cup of Nations, Morocco 2024 qualifiers continue on Tuesday to determine who will advance to the prestigious women’s national team competition.

Connect with us @football_sierra – on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, African News and CAF Africa Women’s Cup of Nations. 

Defending Champions South Africa beat Burkina Faso to book AFCON ticket
Defending Champions South Africa beat Burkina Faso to book AFCON ticket
Ines Boutaleb scored as Algeria sealed a 6-1 aggregate two-legged victory and booked a place in Morocco next year.
Ines Boutaleb scored as Algeria sealed a 6-1 aggregate two-legged victory and booked a place in Morocco next year.
Benchikha appointed Simba coach after Oliveira exit
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Simba appoint Algerian Abdelhak Benchikha as head coach

Tanzanian giants Simba SC have confirmed the appointment of Algerian Abdelhak Benchikha as their new head coach.

The Reds of Msimbazi announced their new boss via Facebook with a welcoming message, “Welcome to our new coach, Abdelhak Benchikha.”

Benchikha will kick start his Simba reign after the dismissal of Brazilian Roberto Oliveira. Last season, Benchikha guided Algerian club USM Alger to TotalEnergies Confederation Cup glory. 

Simba ended Oliveira’s 18-month tenure after a disappointing African Super League elimination by Al Ahly last month.

The Algerian first task ended in a 1-1 draw against ASEC Mimosa

in the TotalEnergies Champions League encounter on Saturday. 

Benchikha had a success story with USM Alger after he delivered a continental trophy. 

Hopefully, their new technician can replicate USM Alger’s success after recent setbacks.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, African News and Zimba Tanzania News. 

Burkina Faso wallop Ethiopia to go second behind Egypt
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Burkina Faso wallop Ethiopia to go second behind Egypt

The Les Étalons of Burkina Faso recorded their first win in the 2026 World Cup qualifier over Ethiopia Walias on Tuesday in Morocco.

All three goals were scored in the second half at El Jadida, Morocco, to claim up to second behind Egypt.

The Burkinabess opened the scoring in the 69th minute through a Blati Touré (Burkina Faso) right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal, assisted by Bertrand Traoré.

Ten minutes later, Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso) converted a penalty with a left-footed shot to the high centre of the goal.

Their third came in the 90th minute from Dango Ouattara’s right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.

Having opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Guinea Bissau third on Friday, they now secured four points from their opening two matches ahead of Bissua on goal difference. 

Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Djibouti are fourth, fifth and sixth on the table, respectively, following matchday two.

Elsewhere, South Africa suffered a serious setback in Group C after losing to Rwanda in Butare. Rwanda won 2-0 both goals in the first half, while the South Africans battled to create attacking opportunities for themselves.

Rwanda tops the group with four points, followed by South Africa with three, Nigeria, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe with two apiece and Benin with a point – precisely on the table.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, African News and CAF FIFA World Cup 26 CAF Qualifiers.

Côte d’Ivoire beat The Gambia 2-0 to make it two in two in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cote d’Ivoire’s perfect start as Liberia suffer second defeat

2023 Africa Cup of Nations host Cote d’Ivoire recorded a second straight win in their 2026 World Cup qualifying after beating the Gambia 2-0 on Monday to maintain their 100 per cent record.

Christian Kouame and Seko Fofana scored the goals for the Elephant in Dar es Salaam at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium, where Gambia played their home Group F tie.

As a result, Jean-Louis Gasset’s side topped Group H with six points and eleven goals in favour. 

Elsewhere in Group H, Ten-man Liberia suffered a second straight defeat in the qualifiers after Equatorial Guinea defeated the Lone Star 1-0 courtesy of captain Emilio Nsue’s early goal. 

Emilio Nsue was the scorer for Equatorial Guinea in their opening win against Namibia on Wednesday. 

In th day’s other matches, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya and Madagascar recorded emphatic away victories over Djibouti, Seychelles and Chad, respectively.

The qualifiers take place on Tuesday as teams aim to gain early advantages.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, African News and CAF FIFA World Cup 26 CAF Qualifiers.

FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifying matches and results on Monday
FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifying matches and results on Monday
A brace from striker Mahmoud Trezeguet gave Egypt a 2-0 win over a 9-man Sierra Leone at the Samuel K. Doe stadium in Monrovia on Sunday (19th November 2023)
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nine-man Sierra Leone suffer 2-0 defeat to Egypt

Mahmoud Trezeguet scored a brace as Egypt dislodged nine-man Sierra Leone in match day two of the 2026 World Cup qualifier in Liberia on Sunday.

Coach Amidu Karim started brightly but was unable to take advantage of half-cut chances in the opening minutes of the game at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium.

The visitors took the lead in the 18-minute after a decent finish as Egypt maintained their perfect start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 away win against Sierra Leone in Liberia on Sunday.

His second came in the 62-second minute from a clever pass from Liverpool’s striker Mohamed Salah, who fines Trezequet to double the visitors lead.

Sierra Leone frustratedly finished the match with nine players on the field, as Tyrese Fornah and Abdul Jarju Kabia were sent off – with only a point from their opening two games. 

The victory bookmarked Egypt’s first victory over Leone Stars in three meetings as Leone Stars played two games in the qualifiers with no goals, one draw and a loss and two goals conceded,

Egypt sits atop Group A with an impeccable six points from two games, leading ahead of Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia, and Sierra Leone, each having amassed only one point after one game.

How qualifying works

The nine group winners will qualify automatically for the FIFA World Cup 26™. The four best runners-up will compete for one place at the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, African News and CAF FIFA World Cup 26 CAF Qualifiers.

Ivory Coast thrash Seychelles in 2026 World Cup qualifying opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivory Coast thrash Seychelles in World Cup qualifier  

Afcon 2023 host Ivory Coast cruised past Seychelles 9-0 in Abidjan on Friday to create a record winning margin for a World Cup qualifier in Africa in Group F.

Goals from Borussia Dortmund forward Sebastien Haller, Ibrahim Sangare, Simon Adingra, Seko Fofana. A brace apiece from Karim Konaté & Hamed Traore. J. Krasso was the other scorer as the home side recorded a big opening win on matchday one and Group F match day one. 

Seychelles, a tourist destination off the east coast of Africa, is 195th in the FIFA rankings, 121 places below the Ivory Coast.

The same day in Group A, Guinea-Bissau and Burkina Faso played to a 1-1 draw in their opening Group A World Cup 2026 opening qualifier in Morrocco on Friday.

Mama Baldé scored through a header to give Guinea-Bissau their lead, but a solo goal from Bertrand Traoré in the 61st minute drew parity for the visiting team.

As a result, following Egypt’s 6-0 thrashing of Djibouti on Thursday at the Cairo International Stadium, they remain top of group A after the first round of matches.

Elsewhere on Friday, Inaki Williams’s last-gasp winner helped Ghana to an opening 1-0 victory over Madagascar in their qualifier for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

In other matches, Mali, Tunisia, Zambia and Cameroon all recorded opening wins – although Cameroon suffered an injury scare when their Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana went off injured 10 minutes from time.

The action to continue on Saturday, as African reigning champions Senegal and South Africa are among the teams to complete the 26-fixture first-round ends. Matchday two begins on Sunday.

 

Friday’s World Cup 2026 qualifier results

  • Burkina Faso 1-1 Guinea-Bissau (Group A)
  • Cameroon 3-0 Mauritius (Group D)
  • Eswatini 0-1 Libya (Group D)
  • Zambia 4-2 Congo Brazzaville (Group E)
  • Guinea 2-1 Uganda (Group G)
  • Ivory Coast 9-0 Seychelles (Group F)
  • Liberia 0-1 Malawi (Group H)
  • Tunisia 4-0 Sao Tome e Principe (Group H)
  • Comoros 4-2 Central African Republic (Group I)
  • Ghana 1-0 Madagascar (Group I)
  • Mali 3-1 Chad (Group I)

 

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The Match officials halted the contest due to the misty foggy weather condition
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ethiopia FA complained to Fifa over fog disruption

Following the goalless draw with Sierra Leone, Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) has lodged a complaint with the world governing body Fifa over a foggy disruption of their opening World Cup qualifying match. 

It’s doubtful a decision will be taken for a replay, but the EFF want a change of time for their next match against Burkina Faso at the Stade El Abdi on Tuesday evening.

In a statement today, the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) said it has filed a complaint with FIFA over the conditions under which the match was allowed to be played.

The EFF said the decision to allow the qualifier to continue in those conditions was incorrect and unfair, stating, “It should have been postponed.“

The two teams eventually shared the spoils after the stop-start match ended 0-0 after 15 minutes of stoppage time.

The Wailias will continue their training in Morocco and play Burkina Faso at the same venue on Tuesday evening.

Ethiopian Football Federation has requested FIFA to change the time of the next match against Burkina Faso. FIFA has informed that they’re looking into the issue and will respond quickly.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, African News and World Cup Qualifying News.  

Salah nets four as Egypt ease past Djibouti
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mohamed Salah nets four as Egypt thrash Djibouti

Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah recorded four goals in Egypt’s World Cup qualifying opening 6-0 win at home over Djibouti on Thursday at the Cairo International Stadium.

As a result, they go top of Group A ahead of taking on Sierra Leone on Sunday in the Liberian Capital, Monrovia.

After today’s four goals, Salah became Egypt’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifiers, with 15 goals.

The Liverpool forward opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a first-time finish using his weaker right foot before he converted a penalty kick to double his side’s lead five minutes later.

He completed his hat-trick early in the second half with another right-footed finish. His fourth goal of the game arrived on 69 minutes when he guided a low shot into the bottom corner of the net from just inside the 18-yard box.

Mostafa Mohamed and Trezeguet then completed the route.

Guinea-Bissau and Burkina Faso will lock horns tomorrow in Marrakesh, Morocco, to complete the first round of matches in Group A.

On Wednesday, Sierra Leone and Ethiopia played to a goalless draw at El Abdi Stadium.

 

  • Matchday 1 – 15 November

 

Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Namibia (Group H) | 1400 | Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Rwanda 0-0 Zimbabwe (Group C) | 1500 | Butare, Rwanda

Congo DR 2-0 Mauritania (Group C) | 1500 | Butare, Rwanda

Ethiopia 0-0 Sierra Leone (Group A) | 2000 | El Jadida, Morocco

16 November

 

Botswana 2-3 Mozambique (Group G) | 1500 | Francistown, Botswana

Burundi 3-2 The Gambia (Group F) | 1600 | Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Gabon 2-1 Kenya (Group F) | 1700 | Franceville, Gabon

Nigeria 1-1 Lesotho (Group C) | 1700 | Uyo, Nigeria

Algeria 3-1 Somalia (Group G) | 1700 | Baraki, Algeria

 

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, African News and World Cup Qualifying News.  

Ethiopia and Sierra Leone Group A 2026 World Cup opening qualifier ended in goalless (0-0) after a less productive display from both teams.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ethiopia, Sierra Leone Share Points After Barren Draw under Fog

Ethiopia and Sierra Leone Group A 2026 World Cup opening qualifier ended in goalless (0-0) after a less productive display from both teams.

Sierra Leone head coach Amidu Karim handed International debut to Derby County midfielder Tyrese Fornah and Abdulai Jarju Kabia Hapoel Kfar Saba defender at the Stade El Abdi (15.11.2023).

There was no urgency – both teams played pragmatic football with no clear-cut chances, no clear dominator, and the game became deadlocked at the break.

After a goalless first half, players returned to the Stade El Abdi to commence the second, but the mist prevented the match from continuing.

As a result, the contest was delayed due to bad weather conditions. The match was stopped due to a foggy stadium, which prevented the visibility of the players.

Mozambican Alvasio Celso officiates, assisted by Angola’s referees Jerson Emiliano, Ivanildo O Sancho and Mozambican fourth referee Guambe Bernardo, were all in discussion amid the poor weather conditions.

Eventually, the match was allowed to continue despite the misty conditions – the second 45 minutes was even worse as the contest became scrappy.

Both sides could not break the deadlock under such intimidating weather conditions.

Leone Stars were ranked 122nd in the latest FIFA rankings and now sit 21 places above their midweek opponents, who are still unbeaten after three meetings.

Sierra Leone will face the Pharaohs of Egypt on Sunday in the Liberian Capital as Burkina Faso visits Ethiopia on Tuesday in Morocco.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.net, African News, World Cup Qualifying News.

The Match officials halted the contest due to the misty foggy weather condition
The Match officials halted the contest due to the misty foggy weather condition