First leg CAF Champions League final draw between Mamelodi and Pyramids
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

First leg CAF Champions League final draw between Mamelodi and Pyramids

Mamelodi Sundowns drew 1-1 with Pyramids FC in the first leg of the 2024/25 CAF Champions League final on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

Lucas Ribeiro Costa scored in the second half to give Sundowns the lead. However, Pyramids equalised with a late header from Walid El Karti in stoppage time. This late goal sets up an exciting second leg in Cairo next month.

Both teams played carefully in the first half with few chances. Iqraam Rayners and Arthur Sales had shots that went just wide for Sundowns, while Fiston Mayele and Ibrahim Adel tried their luck but were stopped by Sundowns’ goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

The game became more intense after halftime. Costa scored in the 54th minute after he found a loose ball in the box, sending the local fans into a frenzy. Sundowns could have scored again, but substitutes Peter Shalulile and Neo Maema missed their chances late in the game.

As stoppage time began, Pyramids fought back. Mohanad Lasheen sent a perfect cross to El Karti, who was unmarked in the six-yard box. He scored with a precise header, surprising the home crowd.

This draw keeps the tie balanced before the second leg in Cairo on June 1, where the new CAF Champions League trophy will be awarded. Pyramids remain unbeaten in the knockout stages and achieved an important result in their first final.

Sundowns will feel disappointed about conceding late, but they will hold on to their solid performance as they prepare for the return match.

The match reached fans across 28 countries, showcasing African club football on a global stage. Both teams now focus on their preparation for the crucial match in Cairo, where a new chapter in this major competition will unfold.

Sierra Leone's Rodney Michael nets as Safa go top in Championship race
by @football_sierra

Sierra Leone’s Rodney Michael nets as Safa go top in title race

On Saturday, Sierra Leone international Rodney Michael scored for his Lebanese top-flight club, Safa SC, as they maintained a strong 4-0 triumph against Al Hikima.

Safa SC chased its fourth championship in club history as Michel Melki, Batran I, Rodney Michael, and midfielder Khaled Takaji were
all on the score sheet.

This victory helps them to maintain their excellent results and strong ranking in the league table over the eighth round of matches of the championship.

As part of a reorganised framework in August 2024, Sierra Leone International signed a two-year agreement with the Lebanese top-tier, therefore setting the groundwork for its upcoming developmental initiative.

Career Partway…

He made his professional debut on June 19, 2021, and scored his first goal on June 30, 2021. On March 22, 2022, he was transferred to Indy Eleven in the USL Championship, but left after the 2022 season.

In February 2023, he signed with FK Mornar in the Montenegrin First League.

Big CAF Champions League showdown between Sundowns and Pyramids
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Big CAF Champions League showdown between Sundowns and Pyramids

Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC will face off in the first leg of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday, May 24.

Sundowns have reached the Champions League final for the third time, having previously won in 2016 and been runners-up in 2001. This year, they finished second in Group B, behind ASFAR, and advanced to the knockout stage by defeating Esperance de Tunis and Al Ahly on away goals.

After clinching their eighth consecutive domestic championship, Sundowns aim for continental success, though coach Miguel Cardoso noted that the Champions League is tougher than the Betway Premiership.

“With all due respect to the Premiership, this is another level we are going to face,” said Cardoso. “We have a very tough challenge ahead in this Champions League final. We also need to be strong and play high-quality football.”

Pyramids set to compete in their first Champions League final after previously reaching the Confederation Cup final in 2020. They advanced by finishing second in Group D, defeating ASFAR and Orlando Pirates in knockout rounds.

Coach Krunoslav Jurcic has a tactical plan for the first leg, focusing on a balanced approach to counter their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses.

Pyramids and Sundowns have faced each other twice in the current Champions League, with a 0-0 draw in Pretoria and a 1-0 win for Sundowns in Cairo. Sundowns have a record of 10 wins, 9 draws, and 7 losses against Egyptian teams, while Pyramids have 1 win, 3 draws, and 2 losses against South African teams.

The return match will take place at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday, June 1.

Simba set for a tough task against Berkane in CAF Confed Cup final
by Football Sierra Leone

Simba set for a tough task against Berkane in CAF Confed Cup final

Simba will face a tough matchup against a Moroccan side at Amaan Stadium at 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Sunday, May 25th. They lost 2-0 to RSB Berkane in the first leg of the 2025 CAF Confederations Cup final last week.

Coach Fadlu Davids and his team are determined to rise to the occasion in the second leg. Goals from Mamadou Camara and Oussama Lamlaoui provided RSB Berkane with a significant advantage heading into the second leg. David noted that his players felt “overwhelmed” by the situation.

Berkane scores a lot of goals at home in the first 20 minutes due to the pressure. We were tactically prepared but not emotionally ready. My players were a bit overwhelmed by the occasion and the pressure,” Davids said during the post-match press conference after the first leg.

As Simba strives to score in their pursuit of the CAF Confederations Cup title, RSB Berkane’s coach, Mouin Chaâbani, emphasised his team’s aim to secure an away goal to solidify their lead.

“A 2-0 victory in the final is never completely comfortable. It’s just the first leg, and we’ll have to defend our chances until the last second of the return leg. Scoring an away goal can make a huge difference; it’s something we must keep in mind,” Chaâbani stated.

The winners of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup final will receive a brand new trophy.

Sierra Leone-born Trevoh Chalobah gets first England national call up
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone-born Trevoh Chalobah gets first England national call up

England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced his squad for the upcoming matches against Andorra and Senegal, featuring Trevoh Chalobah, who earns his first senior call-up.

Notable inclusions are Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney, recently moved from Brentford, and returning forward Ollie Watkins. Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke was omitted.

Chelsea defender Chalobah joins teammates Reece James and Levi Colwill in the squad, along with Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer.

Chalobah has captained various England youth teams and notably led the under-17 side in 2016 before an ankle injury cut short his under-19 European Championship campaign. He made his U21 debut in 2019.

England will play a World Cup qualifier against Andorra on June 7, followed by a friendly against Senegal at Wembley on June 10.

Here is the squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford.

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dan Burn, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers.

Forwards: Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins.