Category: African News

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Liberia's Watanga face an uphill CAF Champions League task
by FSL News

Watanga face an uphill CAF Champions League task

Liberia’s Watanga FC is facing a tough challenge in the CAF Champions League as they prepare to take on their Algerian counterparts in the second leg of the competition on Thursday.

Having suffered a 2-0 defeat to MC Algiers in the first leg at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, Watanga FC must display courage and begin the second leg with determination to score an early goal and make up for the deficit.

Although it will be a difficult task, it is not impossible. However, it will be tough given that the Algerian team will be more confident with a two-goal lead and will likely aim to score early at home to alleviate the pressure.

The return match will be held at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida, Algeria, but it will take place without any audience in attendance.

English Championship side Portsmouth has completed the signing of Abdoulaye Kamara from Borussia Dortmund for an undisclosed fee.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea’s Abdoulaye Kamara pens long-term deal with Portsmouth

English Championship side Portsmouth has completed the signing of Abdoulaye Kamara from Borussia Dortmund for an undisclosed fee.

The 19-year-old Guinea-born midfielder has signed a four-year deal on the south coast.

Blues boss John Mousinho said, “He’s an extremely promising young player who arrives with plenty of pedigree, having been at Dortmund and PSG before that. We think he’s ready for Championship football and can really kick-start his career with us, so we’re delighted to have him here.

He’s a powerful and combative midfielder who can handle the ball well – he’s right up there in terms of his athleticism and game understanding. It’s a brave step for Abdoulaye to come over and look to prove himself in England, and I’m excited to start working with him.”

Kamara is a graduate of the Paris Saint-Germain academy and moved up three age groups to appear for their under-19 side.

He made the switch to Dortmund in the summer of 2021 and has featured for the German giants at the under-23 level.

Broos names prelim Bafana squad for AFCON qualifiers
by FSL News

Broos names prelim Bafana squad for AFCON qualifiers

Bafana Bafana’s head coach, Hugo Broos, has recently unveiled a preliminary squad comprising 38 members for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan.

The team to commence their AFCON journey by facing Uganda at the Orlando Stadium on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 6 pm. Subsequently, they will proceed to play their second match in the group against South Sudan on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

Following the preliminary squad announcement, the final 23-member squad will be unveiled in the coming days. Broos’ Bafana squad includes 11 Mamelodi Sundowns players, with Sipho Chaine and Van Duivenbooden being the only uncapped players.

Nicholas Opoku makes Kasimpasa's debut in draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nicholas Opoku makes Kasimpasa’s debut against Hatayspor

Ghanaian defender Nicholas Opoku, 27, made his debut for his new club in the Turkish Super Lig, Kasimpasa SK, as they drew 1-1 against Hatayspor on Monday.

Opoku, who joined the club on a free transfer after leaving French club Amiens SC, played for 82 minutes in his first game.

During his time at Amiens, he appeared in 102 matches across all competitions, demonstrating strong defensive skills in 23 games in Ligue 2 last season.

Opoku’s football journey began in Ghana with Berekum Chelsea. After impressing at Tunisian side Club Africain, he signed with them in 2017. Opoku then moved to Udinese in Italy in July 2018.

On the international stage, Opoku has represented Ghana 18 times since his debut in 2017. He brings solid tackling, aerial ability, and a composed presence on the field to the Black Stars’ setup.

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.

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.
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.

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.