Category: Football Africa

Guinea's Serhou Guirassy nets brace in Dortmund's defeat to Barca
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy nets brace in Dortmund’s defeat to Barca

On Wednesday, Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy and Ferran Torres each scored two goals as Barcelona defeated Borussia Dortmund 3-2 at the BVB Stadion Dortmund, moving to second place in the UEFA Champions League.

The game picked up after halftime when Raphinha scored for Barcelona in the 53rd minute before Dortmund quickly equalized with a penalty from Guinean International Serhou Guirassy after he was fouled.

Torres scored shortly after coming on, putting Barcelona ahead again. Dortmund equalized when Guirassy scored his second goal.

Torres sealed the win with a quick goal from a counter-attack. Barcelona’s victory keeps them in second place, two points ahead of teams on 13 points. Dortmund remains just outside the top eight with 12 points.

End of 2nd Half 90+5′

FULL TIME: BORUSSIA DORTMUND 2-3 BARCELONA

Dortmund pushed for another goal, but Schlotterbeck missed a chance with a header and was offside. Barcelona held on for the important win.

Mamelodi Sundowns appoint Miguel Cardoso as the new Head Coach
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mamelodi Sundowns appoint Miguel Cardoso as new Head Coach

Mamelodi Sundowns has appointed Miguel De Azevedo Cardoso as the new Head Coach, effective immediately.

This decision follows unsatisfactory results, despite the Sundowns Board giving Manqoba Mngqithi and his Technical Team a chance to lead the Club.

“I feel truly privileged and am happy to be here. This is a club with a rich heritage, and I am joining a team that has a strong identity. I will do my best to bring joy to the fans and represent them in the best way possible,” Cardoso told reporters on Tuesday.

“I am a simple man, but I have high standards. I want to win consistently. I aim to win trophies and contribute to the club’s legacy. When I eventually leave, I want to be remembered among the great coaches of this club, like Pitso Mosimane, Rulani, Steve Komphela, and Manqoba.”

Coach Miguel was previously in charge of Espérance Sportive de Tunis, where he reached the finals of the 2023/24 CAF Champions League. He brings three assistants with him: Fabio Fernandes, Pedro Azevedo, and João Araújo.

Miguel has coached at top clubs in Portugal, Spain, France, Greece, and Ukraine, including Porto, Braga, Deportivo La Coruña, Celta Vigo, AEK Athens, Nantes, and Shakhtar Donetsk. Steve Komphela and Kennedy Mweene will continue in the Club’s Technical Team.

Mamelodi Sundowns thanks Manqoba Mngqithi and Wendell Robinson for their years of loyal service and wishes them well in their future endeavors. They will always be part of the Mamelodi Sundowns Family. The Club also appreciates Romain Folz, who recently joined.

The players will meet the new coaches when they return to training on Wednesday.

Al Hilal Omdurman beat TP Mazembe in Group A Champions League tie
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Hilal Omdurman beat TP Mazembe in Group A Champions League tie

Al Hilal Omdurman achieved a significant 2-1 victory over TP Mazembe during their second Group A match in the CAF Champions League, held on Sunday night. (Photo TP Mazembe)

The match took place at the Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya in Mauritania, where Al Hilal showcase resilient and a commendable performance to preserve their perfect record in the group stage.

Al Hilal commenced the match with a strong offensive, earning a penalty in the 22nd minute after Alioune Faty committed a foul in the box.

Mohamed Abdelrahman expertly converted the penalty, giving Al Hilal an early advantage.

In response, TP Mazembe showcased their attacking capabilities, although they struggled with accuracy in the final third.

In the 64th minute, Oscar Tshikomb found the equalizer for Mazembe with an impressive long-range effort, rekindling hopes for the visiting team.

However, Al Hilal’s Jean Girumugisha made a decisive impact in the closing moments of the match. He delivered a remarkable strike from outside the box, successfully placing the ball in the bottom left corner and igniting celebrations among Al Hilal supporters.

Despite their commendable efforts, TP Mazembe experienced their first defeat of the group stage following a previous draw in their opening match.

With this win, Al Hilal leads Group A with six points from two matches, followed by MC Alger, who beat Young Africans 2-0 on Saturday. Mazembe has one point and Young Africans sit at the bottom after two losses.

Al Hilal will aim to maintain their momentum against MC Alger on Saturday, while Mazembe needs a strong performance against Young Africans to revive their campaign.

Josh Koroma scores Huddersfield Town winner to strengthen promotion chances
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Josh Koroma scores Huddersfield’s winner to strengthen promotion chances

Sierra Leone international Josh Koroma contributed significantly to Huddersfield’s victory over Mansfield Town, as the latter faced their fifth consecutive defeat in League One.

In his sixteenth appearance of the season, Koroma scored his sixth goal, helping Huddersfield ascend to fourth place in the league standings and secure a playoff spot.

The match began with Huddersfield taking an early lead in the eighth minute. Ben Wiles scored, finding the net off the inside of the near post after an impressive run and low cross from the left delivered by Josh Koroma.

Mansfield equalized in the 31st minute when Jacob Chapman parried a header from Aden Flint, stemming from an Aaron Lewis corner, which allowed Will Evans to strike the rebound into the goal.

However, the visitors quickly regained the lead within two minutes. Jose Koroma could chase down a long ball and skillfully directed his shot across Christy Pym, placing it into the far corner of the net.

In the last of four added minutes at the end of the first half, Mansfield nearly equalized again when George Maris struck the post with a low shot from 20 yards.

Mansfield experienced a moment of fortune when Tom Lees directed a close-range free header directly at Pym in the 51st minute, following a free-kick taken by Ben Wiles. Shortly thereafter, Mansfield came close to scoring again as Chapman made two swift saves from attempts by Keanu Baccus and Aaron Lewis.

In the 62nd minute, Flint prevented a goal by clearing a shot from Michal Helik off the line during a corner kick. As the match approached its conclusion, Lees inadvertently headed the ball against his own crossbar during the last of five added minutes. Despite mounting pressure from Mansfield, Huddersfield managed to secure their fourth consecutive victory.

Mimosas, Stellenbosch, Zamalek & Enyimba in CAF Confed ties this weekend
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mimosas, Stellenbosch, Zamalek & Enyimba in CAF Confed action this weekend

On Sunday, Stellenbosch will look to regain their winning form in the CAF Confederations Cup, while ASEC Mimosas aims for consecutive victories over Orapa United.

In Group D, the reigning CAF Confederations Cup champions, Zamalek, will face the Nigerian side Enyimba at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Zamalek commenced their CAF Confederations Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Black Bulls at the Cairo International Stadium on November 27.

Currently, they hold 2nd place in Group D, with Al Masry leading the group after the first matchday. Al Masry is set to compete against Black Bulls at Estadio do Zimpeto.

Additionally, Stellenbosch FC will strive to bounce back when they compete against the Moroccan team RSB Berkane at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Stellenbosch experienced a 2-0 defeat to Stade Malien in their previous match, while RSB Berkane opened their CAF Confederations Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Lunda Sul two weeks ago.

Furthermore, ASEC Mimosas has the opportunity to secure a second consecutive victory as they take on Orapa United at the Francistown Stadium on Sunday.

ASEC Mimosas currently occupies 2nd position in Group C following their 2-0 win against Jaraaf on November 27, while USM Alger, in 1st place, is scheduled to face Jaraaf at Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade on Sunday evening.

Fixtures Sunday, 8 December

Group A

CS Constantine vs Simba
Bravos do Maquis vs CS Sfaxien

Group B

Stellenbosch vs RSB Berkane
Lunda Sul vs Stade Malien

Group C

Orapa United vs ASEC
Jaraaf vs USM Alger

Group D

Black Bulls vs Al Masry
Enyimba vs Zamalek

Aimen Mahious nets as Belouizdad earn away win in Abidjan
by FSL News

Aimen Mahious nets in Belouizdad’s crucial win in Abidjan

Aimen Mahious played a pivotal role for CR Belouizdad by scoring the decisive goal in the 71st minute, enabling the team to secure a 1-0 victory over Stade d’Abidjan in a highly competitive Group C match of the CAF Champions League at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny on Saturday.

This victory revitalizes the Algerian champions’ prospects following their initial loss to Orlando Pirates, while Stade d’Abidjan remains in last place in the group, yet to accumulate any points after two matches.

CR Belouizdad started strong, exerting pressure on their opponents; however, they faced challenges in overcoming the resilient Ivorian side.

The first half concluded without any goals, as both teams struggled to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. Seydou Touré, the goalkeeper for Stade d’Abidjan, made several critical saves that kept his team in contention.

The breakthrough came midway through the second half when Mahious, well-positioned in the penalty area, received an astute pass from Abderrahmane Meziane and skillfully directed the ball into the bottom corner of the net, eliciting a jubilant response from the Belouizdad bench.

Stade d’Abidjan valiantly pursued an equalizer, yet their finishing proved inadequate. Ezechiel Zaddy came closest in the 87th minute, with a powerful attempt that narrowly missed the target, sailing over the crossbar.

As a result of this match, Belouizdad climbs to third place in Group C, trailing the co-leaders Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates by just one point. The group remains highly competitive, with Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates each on four points, while Belouizdad follows with three.

Unfortunately, Stade d’Abidjan’s path to advancement remains precarious, as they continue to seek their first victory in the tournament.

Sundowns played to a draw as Yanga suffered their second defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sundowns played to a draw as Yanga suffered their second defeat

AS FAR demonstrated resilience on Saturday evening, securing a draw against former champions Mamelodi Sundowns in a CAF Champions League Group B match at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abd in El Jadida.

Iqraam Rayners gave Sundowns the lead with a goal in the 66th minute, but home captain Mohammed Hrimat equalized just eight minutes later, ensuring AS FAR remained at the top of the group with Sundowns in second place.

The match featured contrasting halves, with AS FAR initially dominating and Sundowns struggling to find their rhythm. After halftime, Sundowns improved, with Rayners scoring from a precise pass by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. However, an error by Williams allowed Hrimat to score into an empty net.

Meanwhile, in Group A, Young Africans suffered a second consecutive defeat, losing 2-0 to MC Alger at Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers, following a similar loss to Al-Hilal.

Ayoub Abdellaoui and Soufiane Bayazid secured the victory for MC Alger, momentarily placing them at the top of the group ahead of the upcoming match between Al Hilal and Mazembe.

CAF Award ceremony set for December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco
by FSL News

Morocco set to host CAF 2024 Awards December 16

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed that the prestigious 2024 CAF Awards will take place at the elegant Palais des Congrès in Marrakech on Monday, December 16. This highly anticipated event will gather Africa’s top football stars, celebrating their outstanding achievements and contributions to the sport.

The prestigious event will be held at the Palais des Congrès de Marrakech, starting at 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT, 20:00 Cairo time, and 21:00 East African time). The CAF Awards highlight the continent’s most outstanding football talents, honouring their exceptional achievements in both club and national competitions.

The ceremony will highlight the crowning of the CAF African Player of the Year in both men’s and women’s categories, an esteemed honour in African football.

It will also recognize achievements through awards for Best Coach, Best National Team, and Best Club. This year’s event promises to be spectacular, featuring an impressive lineup of nominees and guests from across Africa and beyond.

Set against Morocco’s rich footballing history and vibrant culture, Marrakech is the ideal location for this prestigious celebration.

Five nominees are in the running for the Men’s Player of the Year, with the same number competing in categories like Interclub Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year, and Club of the Year.

MC Alger coach Patrice Beaumelle eyes win over Young Africans
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

MC Alger coach Patrice Beaumelle eyes win over Young Africans

MC Alger coach Patrice Beaumelle aims to win against Tanzania’s Young Africans (Yanga) in their CAF Champions League match on Saturday, December 7, at Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers.

Beaumelle stressed the importance of this game for their chances of qualifying. “We need to win to improve our chances,” he said. MC Alger is coming off a 0-0 draw against TP Mazembe and hopes to capitalize on their home advantage.

He acknowledged Young Africans as a strong team with experienced players, despite their recent 2-0 loss to Al Hilal Omdurman. “Their loss doesn’t show their true ability; we need to be at our best,” he cautioned.

The match starts at 19:00 GMT, and a win would be crucial for MC Alger’s progress in Group A.

Group A is competitive, with Al Hilal leading after their first win. TP Mazembe is tied with MC Alger on one point, while Young Africans seek their first points.

Tough Fifa Club World Cup 2025 draw for African teams
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tough Fifa Club World Cup 2025 draw for African teams

Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca (WAC), Al Ahly of Egypt, Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa, and ES Tunis of Tunisia have all been drawn into challenging groups ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Group G features a competitive grouping that includes European champions Manchester City, Italian powerhouse Juventus, and UAE’s Al Ain, promising high-stakes matches and intense competition.

The tournament kicks off on Sunday, 15 June 2025, with all roads leading to the MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on Sunday, 13 July 2025 where the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ final will be played.

The expanded 32-team format of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has generated excitement across the football world, offering clubs like Wydad Casablanca a global stage to prove their capabilities.

Representing Morocco and African football, Wydad will strive to deliver top performances to navigate through the group stage and secure a place in the knockout rounds.

Group G is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling groups in the tournament, featuring a mix of established football giants and regional champions.

Manchester City brings formidable strength, while Juventus boasts a rich legacy in European football. Al Ain, representing the UAE, rounds out the group with its regional dominance.

The groups for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 reflect diverse global representation in the expanded format:

– **Group A:** Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami  

– **Group B:** Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders  

– **Group C:** Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica  

– **Group D:** Flamengo, Esperance de Tunis, Chelsea, Club Leon  

– **Group E:** River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter  

– **Group F:** Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan Hyundai, Mamelodi Sundowns  

– **Group G:** Manchester City, Wydad Casablanca, Al Ain, Juventus  

– **Group H:** Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, RB Salzburg