Category: Sport News

The inaugural edition of FIFA's new prime club competition is scheduled to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Esperance, Sundowns join Al Ahly & Wydad in Club World Cup

The inaugural edition of FIFA’s new prime club competition is scheduled to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025. 

Esperance, a Tunisian team, and Mamelodi Sundowns, a South African club, have secured their spots in the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup (Mundial de Clubes FIFA 25™) for next year. 

They have become the third and fourth teams from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to qualify for the competition – following the just-concluded semi-final matches of the CAF Champions League, which took place on Friday.

Esperance defeated Sundowns 2-0 on aggregate and will now play against Al Ahly in the final. 

The winner will qualify as African champions for the new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. Al Ahly and Wydad Casablanca have already secured their places in the competition.

Even if Esperance fails to win the final, they will still take up one of the two remaining CAF berths. Sundowns will also participate in the competition. 

The new FIFA Club World Cup format aims to feature elite teams from each confederation, with four African sides participating: Wydad (Morocco), Al Ahly (Egypt), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), and ES Tunis (Tunisia).

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Al Ahly beat Mazembe to set a date with Esperance of Tunisia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly beat Mazembe to set a date with Esperance of Tunisia

On Friday in Cairo, Egypt’s Al Ahly secured TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final spot with a 3-0 win over Mazembe.

As a result, they’ll face Esperance of Tunisia, who defeated Sundowns 2-0 on aggregate to set up this year’s final Al Ahly.

In the first leg of the match played in Lubumbashi, no team managed to score a goal. However, the return fixture in Cairo was full of drama.

In Cairo, Joel Beya’s goal for Mazembe was disallowed early in the second half before Abdelmonem’s powerful header off a corner broke the deadlock on 68 minutes.

Led by South African-born Percy Tau, the 11-time champions displayed tenacity, hunger, and quality to carry Egyptian football’s flag into next month’s final. 

Marcel Koller’s side responded to the threat of the visitors and showed the composure and quality that has made them African club football’s pre-eminent force over the past decade.

Mohamed Abdelmonem’s thumping header put them ahead in the 68th minute before late strikes from Wissam Abu Ali and Akram Tawfik completed the win as Al Ahly seeks to maintain its grip on African club football’s biggest prize.

Al Ahly secured a place in the final against Tunisian heavyweights Esperance after Akram Tawfik scored the third goal in the 12th minute of stoppage time. 

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Dreams coach Zito relishes chance against Zamalek for final spot
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Dreams coach Zito relishes chance against Zamalek

Dreams FC coach Abdul Karim Zito has stated that his team will not underestimate Zamalek in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final match.

Zito’s team held the former champions to a goalless draw at Cairo International Stadium, despite the home team’s dominance.

The Ghanaian team showed great resilience and managed to prevent Zamalek from winning. As a result, they returned home as the happier side and are now looking forward to the second-leg encounter. 

The match is scheduled to take place at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday, April 28, 2024, and Zito, the coach, is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead.

“We’ve put the first leg aside – we know it will be very difficult as it looks very frightening, but it is not impossible,” Karim Zito said, as quoted by Akoma Sports. 

The experienced coach is confident of securing victory, even if the game has to be decided after regulation time.

“We are ready should the game travel to penalties, but we aim to end the game within 90 minutes,” he stated. 

Zamalek arrived in Kumasi on Thursday, April 25 to continue their preparations for the anticipated encounter. 

The reigning defending champions and current league leaders, Bo Rangers, dominated Real Republicans in a spectacular game that saw them move five points clear at the top of the league table.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bo Rangers thrash Republicans to open a five-point gap

The reigning defending champions and current league leaders, Bo Rangers, dominated Real Republicans in a spectacular game that saw them move five points clear at the top of the league table. 

Bo Rangers have won 15 games this season after the 5-0 hammering of Real Republicans on Wednesday, causing Soccer Ambassadors to fall into the relegation zone. John Keister’s team dominated the struggling visitors, scoring three goals in the first half-hour of the game at Southern Arena.

Mohamadu Lamin and Suffian Kalokoh scored two goals each, while Mohamed Kabba added another goal to the Southern Arena’s tally, igniting a celebratory atmosphere. 

This win highlights their determination to clinch yet another Sierra Leone top-tier title. This season, Real Republicans have won only four matches, lost eleven, and drawn the other nine.

They now find themselves in the relegation zone, with just 21 points after 24 games. 

Elsewhere, Wusum Stars continue their strong form by defeating Freetonians SLIFA 2-0 in Makeni, while Wilberforce Strikers secured a 1-0 away victory over East End Lions.

Augustine Williams rescues a point for Indy Eleven
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustine Williams rescues a point for Indy Eleven

Indy Eleven played against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and drew 1-1 on Saturday at Weidner Field. Augustine Williams scored the equalizer in the 31st minute on Saturday.

Colorado Springs started strong in the match through Ronaldo Dumas scoring in the third minute.

Indy scored a goal in the 31st minute by Augi Williams, assisted by Aedan Stanley. It was the second in eight games for the Sierra Leone International. 

Both teams ended the first half with a 1-1 draw, with Indy holding 56% of possession. 

In the second half, Indy played well against the 10-man Colorado Springs squad following Wahab Ackwei’s red card in the 58th minute. However, Indy couldn’t find the match-winner. 

Indy has scored in seven consecutive matches to start the season, the longest stretch to open a USL Championship campaign since six games to open the 2019 season. 

They’ll host North Carolina FC at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, airing locally on WNDY and streaming nationally on ESPN+.

Scottish Premiership side Dundee Football Club is interested in securing Amadou Bakayoko's future at Dens Park by offering him a permanent contract.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Dundee eye permanent deal for striker Amadou Bakayoko 

Scottish Premiership side Dundee Football Club is interested in securing Amadou Bakayoko’s future at Dens Park by offering him a permanent contract.

The striker from Sierra Leone has been an influential player for the Dark Blues this season, playing a crucial role in achieving a top-six position. 

He joined the club on loan from Forest Green Rovers last summer and has secured the second spot in the club’s top scorers list.

Bakayoko scored the decisive goal in their victory against St Johnstone at the end of March, which helped them secure a place in the top half of the table. Now, the team is looking forward to their final five matches of the season, with Celtic being their next opponent this coming Sunday.

Beyond that, work is already underway to bolster the squad for next season.

Manager Tony Docherty has expressed his satisfaction with the striker’s performance this season. He has also revealed his intentions to reduce the number of loan deals next season and replace them with permanent deals, including Bakayoko.

“We’re recruiting for next season, evaluating current players and exploring external options. We brought in 11 loans this season, but some may become permanent based on performance. Bakayoko falls into this category. If a player is doing well and our relationship is strong, we want to continue working together, especially if it’s been successful.”

John Kamara made a great start to his season at Unity City in the Philippine Football League (PFL) by scoring his debut goal on Sunday.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Midfielder John Kamara opens League account with United City

John Kamara made a great start to his season at Unity City in the Philippine Football League (PFL) by scoring his debut goal on Sunday. 

Kamara’s goal, which came through a header, was scored just before the half-time break and gave his team the lead after the home team had equalised. 

Unity City went on to win the game 4-1 on Sunday. Kamara, who used to play for Egaleo, said he was thrilled to have started the season with a positive result. 

He was named Man of the Match and included in Week three’s Team of the Week.

He added that he was happy to have helped his team with a goal and that winning away from home was a great achievement.

As a result, United Coity moved up to fifth on the table. 

“John Bankolé Kamara is a significant signing for United City FC. His versatility, leadership, and technical ability make him a valuable addition to the squad,” Coach Marian said of the midfielder after they signed him

Last season, the former Keşla enforcer played for Egaleo in the Greek second-tier league before leaving to join United City.

City is Kamara’s tenth professional club since he started with Tadamon Sour SC in 2008.

He made his senior international debut for Sierra Leone in 2013 and has made over 20 caps for Sierra Leone. He played a pivotal role on the road to Cameroon in 2021. Kamara played in all Sierra Leone matches at the  2021 AFCON.

He was named Man of the Match and included in Week three's Team of the Week.
He was named Man of the Match and included in Week three's Team of the Week.
Dreams hopeful to reach first Continental final after draw in Cairo
by FSL News

Dreams hopeful to reach first Continental final after draw in Cairo

On April 28th, Dreams FC will host Zamalek in Kumasi for the second-leg semi-final of the CAF Confederation Cup, hoping to clinch their first-ever spot in the tournament’s semi-finals after a spirited performance against the Egyptian giants in Cairo.

The Dreams football team, who are participating in the competition for the first time, will try to defeat the Egyptian team in the next match, which will be held at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Karim Zito’s team has not lost any matches at home since the beginning of the competition.

Zamalek dominated the game in Cairo but failed to score due to Dreams’ strong defence. The White Knights had several chances to score, but their attacks lacked precision in the final third.

At the beginning of the match, Zamalek put pressure on Dreams with Shikabala, Mostafa Shalaby and Ahmed Hamdi all coming close to scoring before the midway point of the first half.

Despite their continued efforts, Dreams goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi was able to keep out shots from Shikabala and Travis Mutyaba.

Zamalek struggled to create clear-cut opportunities as they failed to convert their chances into goals, resulting in a goalless draw against the visitors.

Trevoh Chalobah disappointed after Chelsea's FA Cup defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Trevoh Chalobah disappointed after Chelsea’s FA Cup defeat

Trevoh Chalobah has expressed disappointment after Chelsea’s defeat in the FA Cup semi-final to Manchester City. However, he believes the team must quickly regroup ahead of the Premier League’s “seven finals.”

Despite creating clear chances throughout the 90 minutes, Chelsea was narrowly beaten by Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley. City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega twice denied Nicolas Jackson, and Chelsea also had a penalty appeal for handball turned down. 

Chalobah produced a strong display at Wembley, but he feels that the finer details in the attacking third cost the Blues the match. “We worked on the manager’s game plan for the last few days, and we stuck to it. However, we lacked the final details, which was finding the back of the net,” the 24-year-old explained.

Although the defeat ended Chelsea’s chances of claiming silverware this season, Chalobah believes that the team must learn from these types of experiences.

“We’ve been here twice this season, and a new group of boys have now had a feel for what being at Wembley is like. Hopefully, we have that again next season, and we have to up our levels to get into the final.”

Brazilian Sasse scores Esperance's winner against Mamelodi Sundowns
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brazilian Sasse scores Esperance’s winner against Sundowns

Esperance of Tunisia claimed a 1-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final match on Saturday. 

In the 41st minute, Yan Sasse, 26, from Brazil scored the only goal of the game. He converted a rebound after Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams parried his first attempt. Sasse’s compatriot, Rodrigo Rodrigues, played a significant role in the goal by providing an excellent through ball to Sasse.

The goal came soon after Sundowns had a goal ruled offside, Rodrigues had hit the woodwork, and teammate Houssem Tka had another shot cleared off the goalline. 

Sasse could have scored again in the second half, but a last-ditch tackle by Grant Kekana prevented him from doing so. 

Visiting Sundowns failed to equalize despite Mothobi Mvala’s shot, which was saved by Esperance’s goalkeeper. 

Esperance, bidding for their fifth Champions League title, held on to a narrow lead until the return leg.

Elsewhere, title-holders Al Ahly moved closer to their seventh final appearance in eight seasons by holding TP Mazembe to a goalless draw.

Ahly and Mazembe drew 0-0 in their match. Despite injuries to key players, Ahly achieved a satisfactory result. 

Mazembe drew their home quarter-final match but won the return match 2-1. Ahly will host Mazembe in Cairo, and Sundowns will face Esperance on Friday.