Category: Sport News

Senegal play to a goalless draw against Tunisia in U17 AFCON
by Football Sierra Leone

Senegal play to a goalless draw against Tunisia in U17 AFCON

Defending champions Senegal must wait until the final day of group matches to officially secure their place in the quarterfinals of TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

In their second group encounter on Friday, Senegal and Tunisia played to a stalemate, ending in a 0-0 draw in a tough contest within Group C.

Although Senegal controlled possession, they could not break through the well-organized defense of the North Africans, who were steadfast in both defensive and offensive efforts throughout the game.

Following a slim 1-0 win against The Gambia in their initial match, Senegal aimed to secure a spot in the quarterfinals early. Conversely, Tunisia, after a strong start with a 3-0 victory over first-timers Somalia, sought to achieve an upset.

With both sides earning a point, the concluding match day of the group phase is set to be thrilling. Senegal will take on Somalia in a crucial must-win match, while Tunisia is set to face The Gambia, who still hold a slim chance of progressing from this tough Group C.

Both matches on Match Day 3 are scheduled for Monday, April 7. The two teams finishing at the top of the group will not only ensure a quarterfinal spot but also earn the chance to represent Africa at the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year.

SLFA boss Thomas Daddy Brima released after meeting bail conditions
by Football Sierra Leone

SLFA boss Thomas Daddy Brima released after meeting bail conditions

A significant development has occurred in Sierra Leonean football following the release on bail of SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima, Acting General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh, and Finance Manager Ibrahim Bah, who were arrested on corruption allegations.

Mr Brima and co meet bail conditions of 500 million old Leones each and two sorties each. Residing in the Western Area – The SLFA congress is expected to go ahead as planned on Saturday.

The trio was taken into custody by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Thursday, causing a stir in the nation’s football community just days before the highly anticipated SLFA congress.

Their release, confirmed by ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala at a press conference, ensures that they will attend the congress scheduled for Saturday in Freetown. The arrests sparked controversy, prompting the Union of Premier League Clubs to dramatically withdraw from the Sierra Leone Premier League in protest.

This situation has drawn comparisons to past incidents, particularly the legal troubles of former SLFA President Isha Johansen, which ultimately resulted in Sierra Leone’s suspension by FIFA in 2018.

As the congress approaches, all eyes will be on the SLFA leadership. Will they be able to restore stability and prevent external sanctions, or is Sierra Leonean football facing yet another crisis? For now, the football community waits in anticipation for the next chapter in this ongoing saga.

Listen to the SLFA boss after he was released

Uganda beat neighbouring Tanzania to increase qualification hopes
by Football Sierra Leone

Uganda beat neighbours Tanzania to increase qualification hopes

After their heavy opening loss to Morocco, Uganda made a strong recovery, securing a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over neighbouring Tanzania on Match Day 2 of the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 on Thursday.

Three second-half goals from Simon Wanyama, Richard Okello, and James Ogere’s expertly taken penalty secured a convincing win for the Ugandan team.  

The determined Ugandans came out strong from the start, with Wanyama, Bogere, and Isima Magala creating some thrilling attacking plays for their side.  

Tanzania, also looking to recover from a 4-1 loss to Zambia, attempted to break through the Ugandan defense but struggled with poor decision-making.  

Both teams went into halftime with the score still level, setting the stage for an exciting second half.  

Wanyama scored the first goal in the 61st minute, providing a much-needed sense of calm for the Ugandan squad.  

In the 85th minute, a moment of lost focus allowed Okello to seize a loose ball in the danger zone, extending Uganda’s lead with only five minutes remaining.  

With the match firmly under their control, Uganda rounded off their victory after Tanzania committed a foul in the final minutes, allowing Magala to confidently convert the penalty for the third goal.  

This crucial win propels Uganda ahead of the last-placed Tanzania, whose chances in the tournament are now precarious.

Burkina Faso book FIFA U-17 World Cup spot afer defeating Egypt
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Burkina Faso book FIFA U-17 World Cup spot afer defeating Egypt

Burkina Faso has reached the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals and is the first African nation to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

On Thursday evening, the West African team defeated a struggling Egypt 2-1 to secure their spot in the knockout stages and the FIFA World Cup finals with a game to spare.

Burkina Faso’s qualification came after their opening Group A win against Cameroon, where they won 2-1 on Monday, followed by Thursday’s victory, which featured goals from Issouf Dabo and the standout performer Asharaf Tabsoba.

The match started cautiously, but Burkina Faso took the lead late in the first half, with Dabo scoring in the 41st minute. After halftime, Egypt pressed forward, but they struggled to penetrate a well-organized Burkinabe defense. Tabsoba, who delivered another impressive performance, sealed the victory with a goal in the 69th minute, extending his team’s lead.

Despite the second goal, Egypt continued to search for a confidence-boosting goal, which finally came in the 78th minute from Belal Ateya’s strike. This goal made for a tense finish to the match, as Egypt desperately sought an equalizer while Burkina Faso remained determined, knowing qualification was within their grasp.

The match concluded with a 2-1 victory for Burkina Faso, marking their second win out of two games and ensuring their advancement to the next round and the FIFA World Cup. They will next face South Africa in a match that is now of secondary importance for them.

Egypt will compete against Cameroon, who currently have one point following their earlier draw with South Africa. This match will be crucial for both teams as they vie for a spot as one of the best third-placed teams.

SLFA boss Daddy Brima detained as entire executive goes under investigation
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

SLFA boss detained as entire executive goes under investigation

The president of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) Thomas Daddy Brima slept overnight at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) as the country’s anti-corruption commission (ACC) investigated their executive.

All three individuals are expected today at the Anti-Corruption Commission office for further scrutiny.

The ACC has confirmed that the investigation is underway and is inviting the media to imminently reveal further details that remain unclear.

The detention of the FA boss Thomas Daddy Brima, Mr Bawoh and the Finance officer comes just three days before the much-awaited SLFA Congress which is a stage that will gauge the atmosphere ahead of the next election.

Fifa delegates are also expected in Sierra Leone ahead of the SLFA congress on April 5th.  This recent development has left uncertainty regarding how FIFA will respond. In 2018, FIFA suspended Sierra Leone from international football due to government interference in the management of the country’s football association.

The ban follows a decision by the country’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which barred two leading officials from the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) from entering the governing body’s offices.

FIFA stated, “The suspension will be lifted once the SLFA and its recognized leadership have confirmed to FIFA that the SLFA administration, premises, accounts, and communication channels are once again under their control.”

Al Masry excel in Confederation Cup Quarter-Final first-leg victory over Simba
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Masry secure quarter-final first-leg victory over Simba

Al Masry delivered a solid performance at home, defeating Simba 2-0 in Suez during their exciting first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-Final on Wednesday night.  

After a lively beginning where both teams aimed for an early advantage, the hosts found their rhythm and took charge of the match.  

With a more measured approach to the game, Abderrahim Deghmoum scored the opening goal in the 16th minute, providing Al Masry with a crucial score to ease their nerves.  

Simba, however, remained hopeful of a comeback as they pushed forward in numbers, but Al Masry’s well-organized and steadfast defence thwarted the Tanzanian powerhouse.  

As the second half began, both teams resumed their high-energy play from the first half.  

Despite both sides having a reasonable share of possession, neither could penetrate the other’s defence, and both teams missed the key pass to break through. 

In the closing moments of the match, Nigerian forward John Ebuka secured a decisive and hard-earned win for the Egyptians in the 89th minute by scoring a goal that provided his team with a valuable two-goal advantage going into the return leg next week.

Stellenbosch and Zamalek share CAF Confederation Cup spoils
by Football Sierra Leone

Stellenbosch and Zamalek share CAF Confederation Cup spoils

Stellenbosch and Zamalek ended their first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final at DHL Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday without any goals.

Although there was an energetic atmosphere and moments of offensive play from both teams, neither side was able to score in a closely fought match.

Stellenbosch, competing in the knockout stages of a continental tournament for the first time, delivered a commendable performance and created opportunities to secure a home victory.

The closest they came was in the 72nd minute, when Andre de Jong’s header narrowly missed the target after a well-placed cross from Fawaaz Basadien.

Earlier, Ismaël Touré also made Zamalek goalkeeper Mohamed Awad work hard with a powerful header that was saved down low to the corner.

Zamalek, who have won the CAF Champions League five times and are among the favorites in this tournament, dominated possession for significant periods but found it difficult to penetrate Stellenbosch’s well-structured defense.

The Egyptians came closest to scoring when Naser Mansy’s header required an excellent save from Sage Stephens, and Mostafa Shalaby shot just over the bar late in the first half.

Both teams showed commitment in a match marked by fouls and interruptions. Despite several substitutions in the second half, the draw means the tie will be decided in Cairo next week. While Zamalek will have the advantage at home, Stellenbosch’s determination and attacking potential suggest they could still pull off an upset.

Egypt's Pyramids with huge first-leg CAF Champions Leguea advantage
by FSL News

Egypt’s Pyramids with huge first-leg CAF Champions League advantage

Pyramids FC has made a significant advancement toward the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League following a decisive 4-1 victory over FAR Rabat in the first leg of their quarter-final match. This encounter took place on Tuesday evening at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo.

The Egyptian team demonstrated a dominant performance, establishing a 3-0 lead within the first 40 minutes, largely due to the exceptional contributions of Congolese striker Fiston Mayele and winger Ibrahim Adel.

Mayele opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, capitalizing on an assist from Mostafa Fathi. He further enhanced the team’s advantage with a close-range finish in the 12th minute, following a cutback from Adel.

Ibrahim Adel then added to the scoreline in the 38th minute by efficiently converting a chance from the left side of the penalty area, having been set up by Ramadan Sobhi.

The Moroccan team narrowed the gap just before halftime with a goal from Abdelfattah Hadraf, assisted by Youssef El Fahli. However, hopes for a comeback faded in the second half when Adel scored his second goal, bringing Pyramids FC’s tally to four after an assist from Blati Touré in the 67th minute.

Despite late pressure from FAR Rabat and several substitutions made in an attempt to regain control, the home team navigated the remainder of the match with composure, even striking the crossbar in stoppage time through Mostafa Fathi.

This commanding victory provides Pyramids FC with a three-goal advantage as they prepare for the return leg in Morocco, placing FAR Rabat in a challenging position as they seek to overcome this deficit in order to reach the semi-finals.

Mali make good start in Group D U17 AFCON after beating Angola
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali make good start in Group D U17 AFCON after beating Angola

Mali made a strong start to their TotalEnergies CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Angola on Tuesday at the Stade Municipal de Berrechid.

Goals from Ndjicoura Bomba and Soungalo Coulibaly secured all three points for the Malians in their opening Group D match, placing them at the top of the table ahead of Côte d’Ivoire and the Central African Republic, who were set to face each other later in the day.

Mali struck first in the 11th minute when Bomba, who was lively throughout the match, fired a right-footed shot into the top corner from the center of the box after being set up by Seydou Dembélé. The West Africans created several opportunities to extend their lead but were pegged back just before halftime.

Angola equalized in the third minute of added time at the end of the first half, with Jayden Puna scoring from close range after a clever headed assist by Manelson. The goal was confirmed by VAR after a brief review.

In the second half, both teams pushed for a winning goal in a physical contest, but it was Mali who found the breakthrough in the 74th minute. Substitute Coulibaly delivered a moment of brilliance, striking a right-footed shot from long range into the bottom left corner following a corner kick.

Angola pressed for a late equalizer, with Densel Liyun coming close in added time, but Mali held on to secure a crucial three points. This victory gives Mali early control of Group D and boosts their confidence ahead of their next match.

Alynho Haidara delivers a stellar performance as Côte d'Ivoire cruises past CAR
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alynho Haidara delivers top-notch a performance as Côte d’Ivoire ease-past CAR

In Group D on Tuesday evening Côte d’Ivoire put six goals past the Central African Republic, who managed to respond with just one goal, resulting in a commanding 6-1 victory for Côte d’Ivoire CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Alynho Haidara was the standout player on Tuesday, scoring an impressive four goals and earning the Man of the Match award. The former champions, aiming to follow in the footsteps of their seniors who won Africa’s most prestigious trophy last year, wasted no time in taking the lead.

Haidara opened the scoring in the 4th minute and was back on the scoresheet in the 13th minute, securing a two-goal cushion. He completed his hat trick in the 41st minute.

The Central African Republic pulled one back just before halftime, with Anan Otto scoring his first goal of the tournament in the 45th minute. However, returning from the break, the former champions continued to dominate, with Haidara capping off his exceptional performance by scoring his fourth goal in the 55th minute.

Mobio Franck and Yannis Touali also contributed with late strikes, rounding off an impressive performance in their opening match of the title chase.

Côte d’Ivoire’s commanding victory puts them at the top of Group D, with Mali in second after defeating Angola, followed by Angola and the Central African Republic. The TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations continues on Wednesday, highlighting top youth football from Africa.

Alynho Haidara was the standout player on Tuesday, scoring an impressive four goals and earning the Man of the Match award.
Alynho Haidara was the standout player on Tuesday, scoring an impressive four goals and earning the Man of the Match award.