Category: Football Africa

CAF Confederation Cup's last eight set for quarter-final draw
by FSL News

Confederation Cup last eight set for quarter-final draw

The final eight teams to compete in the 2023/24 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup were confirmed on Sunday, March 3, after the conclusion of Match Day 6 in the group stages.

Four previous winners will be in the draw – the final list of quarter-finalists includes Rivers United from Nigeria, Dreams FC of Ghana, Abu Salem of Libya, and the Egyptian side Modern Future.

The four former champions are Rivers United, Dreams FC, Abu Salem, and Modern Future, who have all been exceptional in the competition and will be looking to make a name for themselves on the continent.

Last season’s winner of the competition – USM Alger, went on to lift the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup in a thrilling encounter against record CAF Champions League holders Al Ahly.

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Ex-Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic set for Algeria job
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ex-Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic set for Algeria job

Algeria has hired Vladimir Petkovic as their new coach to lead the team through qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Petkovic replaces Djamel Belmadi, who resigned earlier this year. Algeria is currently leading its qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup. The immediate task of Petkovic, the team’s coach, will be to continue building on this momentum.

Friendly matches against Bolivia and South Africa are on the horizon, and they will be the first test of his ability to motivate the team and establish his tactical philosophy.

He will arrive in Algiers this weekend, and a news conference is scheduled on Monday, according to a statement by the Algeria Football Federation.

Petkovic coached Switzerland in the 2018 World Cup, where they drew with Brazil and beat Serbia in the group stage before losing to Sweden in the round of 16.

After leaving Switzerland, he coached the French club Bordeaux but was fired in February 2022.

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Sundowns, Mazembe seal quarter-final places after wins
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sundowns, Mazembe seal quarter-final spots after wins 

Mamelodi Sundowns and TP Mazembe secured their places in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League with victories in Group A on Saturday.

Sundowns won 2-0 away at Nouadhibou, thanks to first-half goals from Grant Kekana and Themba Zwane. 

The South African side started strongly and deservedly took the lead midway through the first half when Kekana headed home a free-kick from Marcelo Allende. 

Zwane added a second goal in the 70th minute, courtesy of a fine assist from substitute Lebohang Mokoena. Sundowns peppered the Nouadhibou goal with shots throughout the game, but goalkeeper Babacar Diop kept the scoreline respectable for the visitors. 

Sundowns’ win secured their place in the quarter-finals with one match remaining in the group stage, while Nouadhibou was eliminated.

TP Mazembe also secured their quarter-final place with a 3-0 win over Pyramids of Egypt. The DR Congo club started the match slowly but took the lead through Joel Beya’s goal. 

They extended their lead just before halftime with a skilful exchange inside the penalty area that led to Glody Likonza scoring. 

Mazembe netted a third early in the second half, but it was disallowed for offside.

Pyramids pushed for a comeback, but Mazembe’s defence stood firm and thwarted their attempts. Substitute Patient Mwamba sealed the victory for Mazembe in the dying moments of the game after capitalizing on a mistake by Pyramids’ Blati Toure. 

Mazembe’s win moved them to second place in the group with 10 points, while Pyramids are out of the competition with only four points.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – African News.

Angola's Petro Atletico into quarter-finals after Al Hilal draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Angola’s Petro Atletico reach quarter-finals after Al Hilal draw

Angolan team Petro Atletico secured their place in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Sudanese side Al Hilal in their penultimate Group C match on Friday. 

The game was played in Benghazi, where Hilal are hosting their home matches.

The result means that the Angolan champions advance to the last eight of the competition, having established an insurmountable lead at the top of their group. 

Petro knew they only needed one point to qualify, and they produced a disciplined defensive performance to earn the points they required. Al Hilal possessed the ball for most of the game and had more opportunities, but Petro goalkeeper Hugo Marques made several crucial saves to keep a clean sheet. 

They extended their unbeaten run to four games and secured their spot in the top two of Group C with nine points. 

Al Hilal and Esperance will compete for the other qualifying spot behind Petro.

IN GROUP B – Simba secured a goalless draw against ASEC Mimosa, elevating their position to the second spot with six points.

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Al Ahly's win sinks Medeama's knockout hopes
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly’s win sinks Medeama’s knockout hopes

Al Ahly demonstrated their superiority in a tense 1-0 victory over Ghana’s Medeama in Kumasi, bringing them one step closer to the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.

The win keeps Al Ahly at the top of Group D with nine points, four ahead of CR Belouizdad and Young Africans, who will face each other on Saturday.

Despite their opposition’s request for a postponement due to an aeroplane accident, the game was played at its original time at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Al Ahly had the added advantage of Percy Tau’s return from international duty, as well as the return of Amr El-Sulya and Karim Nedved, who had been out due to injury.

While the hosts put up a strong fight in the first half, Al Ahly’s goalkeeper, Mostafa Shobier, was up to the task, making some spectacular saves.

The second half saw Al Ahly dominate the game, with Hussein El-Shahat scoring the only goal of the match just four minutes in. Despite Medeama’s desperate attempts to equalize, Al Ahly maintained their composure, securing their place at the top of Group D with nine points.

With a strong performance like this, it’s clear that Al Ahly is not just a contender for the CAF Champions League title but a force to be reckoned with.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – CAF Champions League.

Baba Yara Stadium to host Dreams, Club Africain cracker
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Baba Yara Stadium to host Dreams, Club Africain cracker

Dreams FC will leave no stone unturned as they gear up for their upcoming CAF Confederation Cup match against Club Africain of Tunisia on Sunday.  

Ghana’s Baba Yara Stadium is set to host the contest as Dreams plan to upset their North African counterparts. In the first meeting, Club Africain won 2-0 in November 2023.

A win for Dreams FC would not only avenge the first-leg defeat to Club Africain but can virtually guarantee their progression to the next round. 

Coach Karim Zito is confident that Dreams FC can overcome the Tunisians and move closer to the competition’s knockout stages. 

Both sides are in excellent form – Club Africain won their last two league matches and Dreams is unbeaten in their last four games in the Ghana Premier League.

Dreams FC is determined to make the most of their home advantage and seal their spot in the knockout stages.

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Fixtures – Sunday, 25 February

  • 13h00 GMT | SuperSport United – Modern Future FC
  • 16h00 GMT | Abu Salem – Zamalek 
  • 16h00 GMT | Stade Malien – Diables Noirs
  • 16h00 GMT | Dreams FC – Club Africain
  • 16h00 GMT | Al Hilal Benghazi – USM Alger
  • 16h00 GMT | Academica do Lobito – Rivers United FC
  • 19h00 GMT | CO Coyah – Sagrada Esperanca
  • 19h00 GMT | Sekhukhune United – RS Berkane 

 

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Mali's Mamadou Doumbia pens Watford long-term deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali’s Mamadou Doumbia pens Watford’s long-term deal 

Watford FC has signed Mali youth international striker Mamadou Doumbia on a five-year contract. 

The 18-year-old left-footed player will join the Hornets from the Malian side, Black Stars FC, on July 1, 2024.

Doumbia stands at 6ft 3in and has a combination of impressive ball control, flair, and natural finishing instincts.

The Striker made his international debut was marked by his performances at the 2023 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored four goals in five games, helping Mali to finish fourth. 

He continued his excellent form at the Under-17 World Cup, scoring four more goals, including a hat-trick against Uzbekistan in the team’s opening fixture. 

Mali went on to win the third-place play-off against Argentina, with Doumbia scoring the third goal.

The Hornets are in their second season back in the second tier, having last been relegated from the Premier League in 2022.

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Medeama SC face gigantic Al Ahly test in CAF Champion League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Medeama SC face gigantic Al Ahly test in CAF Champion League

Moses Parker, the President of Medeama SC, has stated that the club is determined to secure victory against Al Ahly in the upcoming CAF Champions League encounter. 

Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to host the highly anticipated between Medeama SC and Al Ahly on Friday and is of significant importance to Medeama SC.

Speaking to Akoma FM, Moses Parker expressed his confidence in Medeama’s ability to emerge victorious, citing their previous triumph over TP Mazembe in 2015. 

“Medeama is going all out – this game means a lot to us. We did it in 2015 against TP Mazembe at Essipong, so repeating it won’t be difficult. This Friday, we will shock Ghanaians by defeating Al Ahly and secure qualification in Algeria,” Parker said.

Al Ahly of Egypt, record 11-time title-holders, leads the Group standings with six points, followed by Young Africans and CR Belouizdad with five points each, while Medeama remains at the bottom with four points.

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ASEC Mimosas eye win over Simba in CAF Champions League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

ASEC Mimosas, Simba set for Champions League showdown

This weekend, the CAF Champions League resumes with Ivorian side Asec Mimosas, who are top of Group B, set to play against Tanzanian side Simba SC in Abidjan. 

Asec Mimosas presently standing fourth in the Ivorian top tier – knows that they must avoid defeat to keep their momentum going after three wins in their last four Champions League matches.

Simba SC will be tough competition as they aim to maintain their composure in the group stages, having won their last two league matches. 

The first meeting between the two teams at Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam, they played to a 1-1 draw. 

In the first leg, Saidi Ntibazonkiza put Simba SC ahead with a penalty in the 44th minute, but after the break, ASEC Mimosas secured a point with a goal from Serge N’guessan Archange Pokou in the 77th minute in Group B action.

The other teams in the group are Wydad AC, who are struggling for form in the competition this season. 

They will travel down south to face Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy, who stunned them in their backyard in the opening group match. 

The former champions are at the bottom of the Group with a single win from four outings and know that anything less than a victory could spell the end of their campaign.

  • TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Match Day 5 Fixtures:

 

  • Friday, 23 February
  • 16h00 GMT | Al-Hilal – Petro de Luanda
  • 16h00 GMT | Medeama – Al Ahly SC
  • 19h00 GMT | Asec Mimosas – Simba SC

 

  • Saturday, 24 February

 

  • 13h00 GMT | Jwaneng Galaxy – Wydad AC
  • 13h00 GMT | TP Mazembe – Pyramids FC
  • 16h00 GMT | Nouadhibou – Mamelodi Sundowns FC
  • 16h00 GMT | Young Africans – CR Belouizdad
  • 19h00 GMT | ES Sahel – ES Tunis

 

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The Road to AFCON 2025 in Morocco Begins in March
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

The Road to AFCON 2025 in Morocco to start in March

Between March 20-26, eight teams will play home and away ties to determine the final four teams to advance to the qualifier proper joining 44 other nations.

The four preliminary round winners will join the 44 exempted teams in the group stage following the draw on Tuesday at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

The qualifiers will be played on home and away fixtures during the next FIFA International Break between 20 – 26 March 2024.

CAF say the dates, venues, and kick-off times for the matches will be announced at a later date.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has tentatively agreed to hold the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco during July and August of next year, according to a CAF official who spoke to AFP.

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Here are the results of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Preliminary Draw:
Here are the results of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Preliminary Draw: