Guinea-Bissau's Beto nets in Everton's Carabao Cup win
by FSL News

Guinea-Bissau’s Beto nets in Everton’s Carabao Cup win

To send Everton into the third round of the Carabao Cup, Guinea-Bissau forward Beto scored in Round 2 of the English competition.(Photo Everton)

Everton defeated Mansfield Town 2-0 with Portuguese-born Guinea-Bissau striker Norberto Gomes Betuncal, commonly known as Beto, adding on the scoresheet.

Asserting their supremacy over the English third-tier team, the Toffees had Argentina midfielder Carlos Alcaraz putting Mansfield goalie Liam Roberts under examination, who made an amazing diving save.

Roberts was once again called to action when he tipped Dwight McNeil’s free kick over to maintain Mansfield in contention at Goodison Park.
Although Everton was in control of the game, they failed to score and Mansfield was searching ghosts by halftime.

Everton’s breakthrough came in the 51st minute when Carlos Alcaraz assisted Harrison Armstrong just outside the penalty box.

They almost extended their lead when Beto shot straight at Mansfield’s goalie, Liam Roberts. 

However, the Guinea-Bissau forward ultimately scored from a low cross by Armstrong, securing a League One triumph and a spot in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Ghana pick squad for Chad and Mali World Cup qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana picks 24-man squad for Chad and Mali World Cup qualifiers

With games against Chad and Mali scheduled in early September, Ghana head coach Otto Addo has released his squad list for the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

In Addo’s selection of 24 players, only one home-based player made the cut, that is Accra Hearts of Oak goalie Benjamin Asare.

Thursday, September 4, the Black Stars will first go to N’Djamena to face Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno.

They will return home four days later to face Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8, in front of what is predicted to be a big crowd.

Among the well-known players listed are Tottenham Hotspur’s Mohammed Kudus, Athletic Bilbao’s Iñaki Williams, Leicester City’s Jordan Ayew, and Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey.

Defensive stalwarts like Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, and Gideon Mensah have also been remembered, while Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo and Atalanta forward Kamaldeen Sulemana enhance the attack.

Reflecting Otto Addo’s strategy of combining knowledge with youth as Ghana pushes, youngsters like Ibrahim Sulemana and Christopher Bonsu Baah also made the team. For a great presentation to the candidates.

With two important games ahead, the Black Stars will be aiming for maximum points to boost their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In Addo's selection of 24 players, only one homebased player to make the cut that is Accra Hearts of Oak goalie Benjamin Asare.
In Addo's selection of 24 players, only one homebased player to make the cut that is Accra Hearts of Oak goalie Benjamin Asare.
Rakotondrabe says he was startled after Madagascar down Sudan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Rakotondrabe says he was startled after Madagascar down Sudan

Romuald Rakotondrabe, the head coach of the Madagascar national team, expressed his surprise at how his team defeated Sudan to reach the final of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).

The match took place at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Tuesday, where Madagascar won 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Toky Rakotondraibe in the 116th minute. This victory secured Madagascar’s place in its first CHAN final.

Rakotondrabe expressed that he struggled to find words to convey his feelings after the match. He highlighted the amazing achievement of the team despite losing a player to injury early and another to a red card, leaving them with only ten players for much of the game. He praised his players, stating, “They are really good people, and that contributed to our win.”

After the red card, Rakotondrabe adjusted the team’s strategy, saying, “It was challenging after our player was sent off, so we brought in another player to help maintain possession.”

When asked about their chances against Morocco in the final, he said, “I can’t say if we can win the title. Beating Sudan does not guarantee victory. Although we lost two players before the match, we have others who can take their place.” He added that they hoped some players could make a difference in the final. He remarked, “We said before the semifinal that we must return to Nairobi, and now we will.”

While Sudan will play in the third-place match on Friday in Dar es Salaam, Madagascar will head back to Nairobi for the final at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on Saturday.

Morocco edge Senegal to set CHAN final date with Madagascar
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco edge Senegal to set CHAN final date with Madagascar

Morocco has reached the final of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a thrilling penalty shootout against Senegal at Mandela National Stadium on Tuesday. The semifinal ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, and Morocco won the shootout 5-3.

As a result, they’ll face Madagascar, who reached this stage of the competition for the first time in their history after thumping Sudan 1-0 on Tuesday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Senegal scored first in the 16th minute with a goal from Joseph Layousse after a corner kick from Libasse Gueye. Morocco quickly equalised in the 22nd minute with a right-footed shot by Sabir Bougrine that went past Senegal’s goalkeeper, Marc Diouf.

The first half had some drama, including a yellow card for Senegal’s Moussa Cisse in the 7th minute for a rough tackle on Youssef Mehri.

Both teams created chances, with Morocco’s Annas Bach forcing a good save from Diouf just before halftime.

In the second half, Senegal substituted Christian Gomis for Velho Cisse. Tension rose when Morocco’s Marouane Louadni initially received a red card in the 53rd minute, but it was later changed to a yellow after a VAR review.

Senegal almost scored again in the 59th minute with Layousse’s long-range shot, but it was saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Al Harrar. Morocco responded, with Youssef Mehri’s header saved by Diouf in the 66th minute.

The match ended 1-1 after regular time, leading to extra time where both teams made substitutions but failed to score. The game went to penalties, and Morocco triumphed 5-3.

They will face Madagascar in the final next Saturday. This victory highlights Morocco’s strong tournament performance under coach Tarik Sektioui, who previously led the team to wins against Tanzania (1-0), the Democratic Republic of Congo (3-1), and Zambia (3-1). The upcoming final presents Morocco with an opportunity to secure the CHAN title.

Sierra Leone's Hindolo Mustapha joins German side FC Nürnberg on loan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Hindolo Mustapha joins German side FC Nürnberg on loan

Sierra Leone’s Hindolo Mustapha, after he penned a new deal with Premier League side Crystal Palace, the youngster will spend the 2025/26 season on loan at German League 2 team FC Nürnberg.

Mustapha has been handed a fresh experiment with Nürnberg, in the German 2. Bundesliga team, on loan until the end of the season, following his fresh deal at Palace until 2028.

Having 11 goals and seven assists in 29 games, the 19-year-old had a fantastic 2024–25 season, winning the Player of the Season award from Palace Under21s and getting nominated for the Player of the Season award in the Premier League 2.

Since he was nine years old, Mustapha has been at the club; in January 2024, he signed his first professional deal.

Scoring in his first two games for the Under-21s in the 2024/25 season, he hit the ground running and was given his first-ever call-up to the Sierra Leone senior side. On only his second appearance for his country, he scored his first international goal there—a stunning solo effort against Zambia.

Mustapha was also on the first-team roster at the club level in a midseason friendly against HamKam in March 2025. He was put up for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award later that month.