HISTORY -Cape Verde reach first-ever Women's Cup of Nations
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

HISTORY: Cape Verde reach first-ever Women’s Cup of Nations

Cape Verdean football is thriving, with the men's team qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and the women's team reaching the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco for the first time.
  • The participating 12 nations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations have been revealed. This continental competition will act as a qualifying event for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil in 2027.  
  • The teams that reach the semi-finals of WAFCON will gain direct qualification to Brazil, while two additional teams will enter the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.

In a tough contest, the Cape Verdean women defeated Mali 4–3 on aggregate to secure their spot in the tournament. This accomplishment shows the growth of women’s football in Cape Verde.

In the first leg, held in Praia, the match did not start well for coach Silvéria Nédio and her team. Mali, with more experience, took control and won 1–0, thanks to a goal from Coumba Dembélé in the 81st minute. This left Cape Verde with a tough challenge for the return leg.

In the second leg in Bamako, in front of a supportive Malian crowd, Cape Verde showed strong offensive skills. Larissa Melo scored the first goal in the 14th minute, followed quickly by Ivânia Moreira in the 17th minute. Elia Vieira added a third goal in the 24th minute, and a Malian own goal made it 4–0 for Cape Verde.

Although Oumou Koné scored twice for Mali, the match ended 4–2, giving Cape Verde a historic victory and a spot in the 2026 Women’s AFCON with an aggregate score of 4–3.

Road to the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2026:

First round:

– First leg: Guinea 0–0 Cape Verde

– Second leg: Cape Verde 1–4 Guinea

Second round:

– First leg: Mali 1–0 Cape Verde

– Second leg: Cape Verde 4–2 Mali

Aggregate score: Cape Verde wins 4–3

World Cup playoffs - Nigeria face Gabon as Cameroon take on DR Congo
by Football Sierra Leone

World Cup playoffs – Nigeria face Gabon as Cameroon take on DR Congo

Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo DR, and Gabon are the top runners-up in the CAF qualifiers and will compete in the African play-offs in November 2025. The winner advances to the FIFA Play-Off Tournament in March 2026.

The CAF qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded on October 14, with nine African teams qualifying directly. One more team will have a chance in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.

To reach the FIFA Play-Off Tournament in March 2026, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo DR, and Gabon will play in a continental play-off during the international window in November 2025.

The African play-offs will happen in Morocco, with the exact stadiums to be announced later. The matches will follow a knockout format, with semi-finals and a final.

The semi-finals will occur on Thursday, November 13, and the final will take place on Sunday, November 16.

How Teams 1 to 4 were determined

Teams 1, 2, 3 and 4 were determined according to the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking published on 17 October.

Team 1: the highest ranked team in the FIFA ranking – Nigeria (41) Team 2: the second highest ranked team in the FIFA ranking – Cameroon (54) Team 3: the third highest ranked team in the FIFA ranking – Congo DR (60) Team 4: the fourth highest ranked team in the FIFA ranking – Gabon (77)

Bo Rangers host Star Sport Academy in pre-season friendy
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bo Rangers to host Star Sport Academy in pre-season friendly

On Thursday, the Star Sport Academy will take on the Bo Rangers in an exhilarating training match as both teams prepare for the upcoming 2025/2026 Sierra Leone Premier League season.

The contest is set to begin at 4 PM at the Bo Coronation field. Under Coach Amidu Karim’s leadership, the team will start preparing for the upcoming season by facing off against the former champions, Bo Rangers.

This match presents an excellent opportunity for Coach Karim to assess some of the talented newcomers he has added to the squad as they work to establish a solid foundation for the season ahead.

The matchup not only promises to challenge some of the recently signed players but also gives them a chance to demonstrate their skills as the team gears up for the new campaign.

The contest is set to begin at 4 PM at the Bo Coronation field
The contest is set to begin at 4 PM at the Bo Coronation field
MC Alger advance after goalless draw with Colombe Sportive
by Football Sierra Leone

MC Alger advance after goalless draw with Colombe Sportive

MC Alger advanced to the group stage of the CAF Champions League after securing a goalless draw against Colombe of Cameroon in Algiers on Sunday night.

Mouloudia progressed on aggregate after last week’s 1-1 draw. The Algerian giants return to Africa’s top club competition with renewed confidence.

At the Ali Amar Stadium, MC Alger started strong, dominating possession but struggling with precision in their final passes. Colombe’s solid defense and alert goalkeeper thwarted many threats, forcing Mouloudia to keep recycling possession.

As the match continued, Colombe found their rhythm, aiming to control the game and counterattack, but they also struggled to create clear opportunities.

The second half of the match was marked by fouls and cautions, but neither team could find a decisive moment. MC Alger, despite not being at their best, achieved their goal of progressing to the next stage and joining the continent’s elite.

Now, they focus on the upcoming draw and aim for a deep run in the competition, 49 years after winning their first African title in 1976.

Colombe exits the tournament after a commendable two-leg effort, showing strong organization at home and resilience in Algiers. MC Alger will represent Algeria in the group stage alongside JS Kabylie, as both clubs seek success.

Augustus Kargbo return with injury worse than expected - Blackburn Rovers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo returns with injury worse than expected – Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn head coach Valerien Ismael has announced that Sierra Leone international Augustus Kargbo will be out for 12 weeks due to a more serious injury than initially thought, following his return from international duty.

The Blackburn Rovers striker sustained an injury while with Sierra Leone during the October break. However, he made substitute appearances in matches against Coventry and Sheffield United.

Kargbo reported ongoing pain, and a scan following the midweek match showed a tear that will keep him out for approximately three months. “Sadly, he is injured,” Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

“He is another one. He came back from the national team with a dead leg. He played at Coventry with this discomfort and against Sheffield United.

“He was complaining, and so we did a scan on Wednesday. He had an injury, and that will rule him out for at least 12 weeks. It was very tough for us to deal with that situation again.

“It’s a tear when he got kicked, which caused the dead leg. In an area where you can’t run or sprint. It was very bad news for him and for us.”

As a result, he missed Blackburn Rovers’ first home win on Saturday and his first of more matches on the sideline.