Ghana face-off Super Eagles of Nigeria in London Unity Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana face-off Super Eagles of Nigeria in London Unity Cup

The Ghana Black Stars will face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a match on Wednesday, May 28, at Brentford’s GTech Community Stadium. This game is for a spot in the London Unity Cup final on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

The first semi-final kicks off on Tuesday 27 May, with Trinidad and Tobago taking on Jamaica. The Unity Cup is an Afro-Caribbean international football tournament that was last held in 2004.

This competition, featuring the national teams of Ghana, Jamaica, Nigeria, and Trinidad and Tobago, will make its comeback after a 21-year hiatus. It will include two semi-finals and a final, all to be played at the Bees’ home ground.

Players from the Nigeria Premier Football League and their coaching staff are already in London. They will be joined later today by their teammates from overseas.

Grant unveils Zambia 25-man provisional squad June friendlies
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Grant unveils Zambia 25-man provisional squad for June friendlies

Avram Grant, Zambia’s national football coach, has named a preliminary roster of 25 players. The squad will run two friendly games over the FIFA international window. On June 6, they will confront Sudan; four days later, in Morocco, Tunisia.

These friendly games will help Zambia prepare for their World Cup Qualifier matches in Group E. In September, Zambia will host Morocco and then play against Tanzania and Niger in October.

Zambia is also keeping the team engaged before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will take place in Morocco in December. The team qualified for AFCON by finishing first in Group G with 13 points, ahead of Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Chad. Zambia achieved this through four wins, one draw, and one loss.

The squad will be reduced before the trip to Morocco, but the coaches are open to adding more players before the September qualifiers. Players will undergo fitness tests as part of their preparation for the matches in Morocco.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS)

Toaster Nsabata (Zesco), Francis Mwansa (Green Buffaloes), Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos)

(DEFENDERS)

Gift Mphande (Rishon LeZion-Israel), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Kabaso Chongo, Killian Kanguluma (both Kabwe Warriors), Obino Chisala (Al Merreikh-Sudan), David Hamansenya (Leganes-Spain), Benedict Chepeshi (Zesco United),

(MIDFIELDERS)

Benson Sakala (Boleslav Mlada-Czech Republic), Miguel Chaiwa (BSC Young Boys-Switzerland), Kings Kangwa (Hapoel Beer’Sheva-Israel), Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov-Czech Republic), Emmanuel Banda (Al Tai-Saudi Arabia), Joshua Mutale (Simba Sc-Tanzania), Kelvin Kapumbu (Zanaco), Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos)

(FORWARDS)

Patson Daka (Leicester City-England), Edward Chilufya (Midtjylland-Denmark), Clatous Chama , Kennedy Musonda (both Young Africans-Tanzania), Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg-Germany), Kelvin Kampamba (Al Medina-Libya), Joseph Sabobo Banda (FC Zurich-Switzerland).

RS Berkane lift third TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

RS Berkane lift third TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title

RS Berkane has been crowned the champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2024/25, securing the title with a 1-1 draw in Zanzibar and winning on aggregate in a tense and emotional final match.

The Moroccan team, which had an advantage from the first leg, displayed determination and composure under significant pressure in Dar es Salaam to capture their third Confederation Cup title, adding to their victories in 2020 and 2022.

The packed stadium erupted as Simba SC took an early lead, fueling hopes of a comeback. Joshua Mutale scored in the 17th minute with a composed finish following a clever assist from Elie Mpanzu, giving Simba a 1-0 lead.

The hosts continued to apply pressure, with Steven Mukwala and Shomari Kapombe threatening RS Berkane’s goal. However, the Moroccan defence, led by goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi, remained steadfast and resisted the attacks.

Despite Simba’s initial advantage, VAR drama unfolded in the 73rd minute when a goal from Steven Mukwala was disallowed for offside. This pivotal moment allowed RS Berkane to maintain its aggregate lead.

Tensions soared throughout the match, especially after Simba’s Yusuph Kagoma received a second yellow card and was sent off in the 50th minute, shifting the balance in favour of RS Berkane.

As Simba desperately sought a second goal, Soumaila Sidibe emerged as the hero for RS Berkane. He scored a crucial equaliser with a well-placed right-footed shot from a tight angle, beating goalkeeper Moussa Camara and silencing the home crowd.

This goal sealed the draw and effectively dashed Simba’s hopes, as RS Berkane’s aggregate lead became insurmountable.

This victory marks RS Berkane’s third TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title, further solidifying their status as a continental powerhouse, having previously lifted the trophy in 2020, 2022, and now in 2025.

This victory marks RS Berkane’s third TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title, further solidifying their status as a continental powerhouse, having previously lifted the trophy in 2020, 2022, and now in 2025.
This victory marks RS Berkane’s third TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title, further solidifying their status as a continental powerhouse, having previously lifted the trophy in 2020, 2022, and now in 2025.
Daniel Kanu's Charlton Athletic promoted to Englidh Championship
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Daniel Kanu’s Charlton Athletic promoted to English Championship

Charlton Athletic triumphed over Leyton Orient in an all-London playoff finale at Wembley, securing their promotion to the Championship. A first-half free-kick from Macaulay Gillesphey was the only difference between the two teams in the match.

In the 31st minute, the defender scored a free kick, curling the ball past Leyton Orient goalkeeper Josh Keeley and into the net. This goal was the only one of the match, giving Charlton a win over their London rivals in the League One play-off final.

Charlton confirmed their return to the Championship after being away for five years. The match ended after a long 11 minutes of added time in the second half. When referee Andrew Kitchen blew the full-time whistle, the sold-out Charlton fans at Wembley erupted in celebration.

Daniel Kanu joined the club at the U11 level and signed his first professional contract in February 2022. He had a great 2021/22 season as a first-year scholar, scoring 41 goals for the academy and winning the Valley Gold Young Player of the Year award.

He made his first team debut for Charlton in February 2022, just 10 days after signing his pro deal, and scored his first senior goal in a Papa John’s Trophy match against Plymouth Argyle in November 2022. He made his full league debut on Boxing Day against Peterborough United.

In October 2023, Kanu joined Southend United on a 28-day loan, which was extended until January 2024. He was recalled in December 2023 and signed a new long-term contract with Charlton in February 2024, keeping him at the club until 2027.

Sierra Leone's Sierra Queens register first win in Mauritania Womens Cup
by @football_sierra

Sierra Leone’s Sierra Queens register first win in Mauritania Women’s Cup

Sierra Queens celebrated their first victory in the ongoing WAFU A Women’s tournament, Group B, in Mauritania by defeating neighboring Guinea 3-1 in their second match.

This win has revitalized their chances of qualifying for the next round. Goalkeeper Hannah Juana was awarded the Woman of the Match for her outstanding performance.

Coach Malik Hassan Mansary said the team was calm ahead of their second match. After losing their first, they never wanted to lose the second, so there were a lot of technical decisions made to improve their results.

After suffering a 3-0 defeat to Gambia in their opening match, Sierra Leone turned their fortunes around with this impressive victory at the Cheikha Ould Boïdiya Stadium in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

They will play Senegal next on Monday in another important match to help them reach the knockout stages.

In Group A, Liberia and Mauritania ended their match in a 1-1 draw. on Saturday as Mali downed Guinea-Bissau 4-1.

In Group B, Senegal won their second game, thrashing The Gambia 6-0. They had previously won 2-1 against Guinea.

Guinea has lost two matches and is likely to be eliminated after their final group game against The Gambia on Monday.

Goalkeeper Hannah Juana was awarded the Woman of the Match for her outstanding performance.
Goalkeeper Hannah Juana was awarded the Woman of the Match for her outstanding performance.