by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zimbabwe Rally Troops for DRC, Sierra Leone Clashes

Zimbabwe has officially announced their squad for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 qualifying matches. Head Coach Ramon is set to lead the Warriors squad for the opening two AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Sierra Leone and DRC.

The Warriors are set to face off against Sierra Leone on September 24th in Morocco, a crucial match that could impact their chances of advancing in the tournament.

Just four days later, on September 28th, the Warriors will return home to Harare, where they will host the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These matches are pivotal as Zimbabwe aims to secure vital points in their quest to qualify for AFCON 2027.

Zimbabwe squad for Afcon 2027 qualifiers

GOALKEEPERS

  • ELVIS CHIPEZEZE (MAGESI)
  • MARTIN MAPISA (HARDROCK)
  • NELSON CHADA (SCOTLAND)

DEFENDERS

  • DIVINE LUNGA (MAMELODI SUNDOWNS)
  • MUNASHE GARANANGA (LYNGBY BK)
  • CORBIN MTUNZI (IPSWICH TOWN)
  • SHANE MAROODZA (SARAJEVO)
  • SEAN FUSIRE (SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY)
  • EMMANUEL JALA (SCOTLAND)
  • PETER MUDUHA (SCOTLAND)
  • KEVIN MOYO (SCOTLAND)
  • ISAAC MABWA (LIVERPOOL)

MIDFIELDERS

  • MARSHALL MUNETSÍ (WOLVES)
  • ANDY RINOMHOTA (READING FC)
  • ABUBAKAR MOFFAT (SCOTLAND)
  • MARVELLOUS NAKAMBA (PANETOLIKOS)
  • PROSPER PADERA (ŠK SEINAJOIKI)

FORWARDS

  • THANDO NGWENYA (AMAZULU)
  • TAWANDA CHIREWA (WOLVES)
  • BILL ANTONIO (KV MECHELEN)
  • DANIEL MSENDAMI (MARUMO GALLANTS)
  • TAWANDA MASWANISHE (MOTHERWELL)
  • PRINCE DUBE (HARDROCK)
  • TINO KADEWERE (ARIS SALONICA)
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sébastien Desabre Names Star-studded DR Congo Squad

DR Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre has named key players for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, including Aston Villa’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa.

The qualifiers consisted of 12 groups, with matches from September 24 to October 6. DR Congo is in Group E alongside Equatorial Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe.

Their first match will be against Equatorial Guinea on September 24 in Kinshasa, followed by a match against Zimbabwe in Harare on September 28.

Desabre has added new European players, including Willy Kambwala and Ezechiel Banzuzi, to the squad after their 2026 World Cup journey, where they made history with their first appearance in 52 years.

Yoane Wissa scored their first World Cup goal during this time. Twenty-nine players will compete in the qualifiers, with training camps running from September 21-28 in Kinshasa and Harare.

Additionally, a second list of 24 players will participate in friendly matches against Uganda in South Africa on October 2 and 5. The new players will join the team in Zimbabwe during the camp from September 28 to October 6.

Desabre names star-studded D.R Congo squad to start 2027 AFCON qualifiers
Desabre names star-studded D.R Congo squad to start 2027 AFCON qualifiers
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Sierra Leone Bow Out of WAFU U17 After Mauritania Stalemate

Sierra Leone’s U17 boys national team (Sierra Stars) have been eliminated from the race for a spot in the 2027 Africa U17 Cup of Nations after a goalless draw with Mauritania in their final WAFU Zone A Championship group match on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

The draw offered little consolation after the Sierra Stars suffered heavy defeats to Gambia and Senegal, losing 4-1 and 5-0 respectively, to end their campaign without a win.

Assistant captain Abu Bakarr Senesie Maya Junior was the standout performer against Mauritania, earning the Player of the Match award for an impressive midfield display marked by defensive discipline and effective distribution.

Coached by Patrick Bangura, Sierra Stars struggled to compete with their West African opponents, with defensive lapses and a lack of cutting edge in attack undermining their hopes of advancing to the next stage of the continental qualification pathway.

The early elimination represents another setback for Sierra Leone’s youth football program and is likely to intensify calls for greater investment in grassroots scouting, competitive youth leagues, and long-term player development.

The result leaves the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) facing renewed pressure to strengthen the country’s youth football structures ahead of future international competitions.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Star Sport Academy Enjoy Dream Debut, Secure Next-Round Spot

Star Sport Academy have continued its remarkable rise by reaching the second qualifying round of the CAF Champions League in its maiden appearance in the competition.

Founded less than four years ago and having spent only two seasons in the Sierra Leone Premier League, the Freetown-based club secured qualification after a 1-1 away draw against Medina United in Banjul, The Gambia, on Sunday.

The Sierra Leonean vice-champions advanced on the away goals rule after the first leg ended in a goalless draw at the Southern Arena in Bo last weekend.

Santigie Fornah gave Star Sport Academy a vital breakthrough eight minutes into the second half, heading home to put his side in control of the tie. Although Medina United equalised deep into stoppage time through Ebou Sanyang, the goal came too late to deny the visitors a historic qualification.

The achievement makes Star Sport Academy only the third Sierra Leonean club in the CAF Champions League era to progress beyond the preliminary qualifying round, following FC Kallon in 2007 and Bo Rangers in the 2023/24 campaign.

Before the competition was rebranded from the African Cup of Champions Clubs to the CAF Champions League, several Sierra Leonean clubs also enjoyed success on the continental stage. Real Republicans, Sierra Fisheries (now FC Kallon), and Mighty Blackpool all eliminated opponents, with Mighty Blackpool remaining the country’s only club to have reached the quarter-finals of Africa’s premier club competition.

Star Sport Academy’s reward is a second qualifying round showdown against Moroccan giants RS Berkane next month. The Sierra Leonean side will host the first leg as they seek to continue their fairytale run in African football.

Star Sport Academy Enjoy Dream Debut, Secure Next-Round Spot
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone’s representatives are in interclub action today

Sierra Leone’s two teams are back in action today for the 2026/27 CAF interclub competitions. Star Sport Academy and East End Lions both have important first-round return matches in the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup in The Gambia and Liberia, respectively.

Star Sport Academy, playing in their first-ever CAF Champions League, travel to Banjul to face Medina United Academy at the Independence Stadium at 16:30 GMT. Their first match ended in a 0-0 draw, keeping the tie open for today’s game.

This match is significant because it marks the return of interclub and senior international football to The Gambia after more than six years. If today’s game ends in another 0-0 draw, the teams will go to penalties to decide who advances.

Additionally, any scoring draw would impact the aggregate score and depend on CAF’s rules, while a loss would end Star Sport Academy’s first continental campaign.

On the other hand, East End Lions, the Orange FA Cup champions, go into their second-leg match against Ivorian team Afad Plateau with a slight advantage.

They will meet at the SKD Stadium in Monrovia at 16:00 GMT after drawing 1-1 in the first match in Abidjan. This result was East End Lions’ best away performance in CAF interclub competition.

Now tied on aggregate, a goalless draw would allow East End Lions to advance to the next round under the away-goals rule, as they scored once in Abidjan.

This is a chance for Sierra Leone’s clubs to shine on the continental stage, gain experience, and possibly advance in Africa’s main interclub competitions.

Star Sport Academy aims to make history in their first Champions League campaign, while East End Lions look to build on their strong away result. By the end of the day, we will know if Sierra Leone has two clubs, one club, or no clubs advancing to the next round.