Author: FSL News

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Ghana Black Queens record winning WAFCON start
by FSL News

Ghana Black Queens record winning WAFCON start

Ghana started their TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 win over debutants Cape Verde in their Group D opener on Wednesday.

Doris Boaduwaa scored the first goal for the Black Queens just six minutes into the match after receiving a pass from Portia Boakye. In the second half, Ghana increased their lead when Cape Verde’s Eleia Vieira accidentally scored an own goal in the 54th minute.

Cape Verde, playing their first match ever in the continental finals, ended the game with 10 players after Klaydiana Borges was sent off in stoppage time.

This win gives Ghana a strong start in a tough group as they aim to build on the bronze medal they won in the last tournament. For Cape Verde, the defeat marks a tough beginning to a historic campaign, but their participation is significant for women’s football in the island nation.

Ghana, with experience and confidence, had never lost to a newcomer in the tournament. They quickly showed their strengths as they made their 12th appearance at the event. Boaduwaa’s early goal helped Ghana control the match against Cape Verde, who tried to fight back but struggled against Ghana’s organised play.

Cape Verde entered the match filled with emotion for their debut. Head coach Silvéria Nédio described this game as a historic moment for their team.

Daniel Kanu has been named in the Sierra Leone squad for their upcoming international friendlies against Liberia
by FSL News

Daniel Kanu receives Sierra Leone call-up

Daniel Kanu has been named in the Sierra Leone squad for their upcoming international friendlies against Liberia.

The Leone Stars are scheduled to face Liberia on Saturday, June 6 (5 pm BST) and again on Tuesday, June 9 (5 pm BST) as part of their preparations for future competitive fixtures.

Kanu, 21, will be aiming to carry his impressive domestic form onto the international stage after enjoying a standout loan spell with Walsall during the 2025/26 campaign.

The striker played a key role throughout the season, earning widespread recognition for his performances and contributions in front of goal.

His excellent displays were rewarded with four end-of-season awards, underlining his impact and making him one of the club’s standout performers.

Morocco edge past Cameroon to reach CAF U-17 AFCON semi-finals
by FSL News

Morocco edge past Cameroon to reach CAF U-17 AFCON semi-finals

Morocco secured a 1-0 victory over Cameroon in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday, thanks to a goal from Mohamed Habib Zinbi in the 17th minute.

This win marks Morocco’s third consecutive semi-final appearance, where they will face either Senegal or Mali on Thursday.

Despite not playing as strongly as in the group stage, Morocco’s defense held firm, with goalkeeper Rayan Yaakoubi making key saves, particularly against Cameroon’s Arnold Massokon.

Cameroon struggled to equalize in the second half, with several chances either going wide or being blocked. Coach Tiago Lima Pereira lauded his team’s maturity in maintaining their lead.

For Cameroon, this loss was disappointing after bouncing back from an initial defeat against Côte d’Ivoire to reach the knockout stage. While they created opportunities, their failures in the final moments cost them.

The win showed that Morocco can adapt their game style when needed. After finishing Group A with seven points, they demonstrated they can endure pressure and secure a win.

The Atlas Cubs are now just one match away from the final, with the chance to lift the trophy on home soil still alive.

Kenya and Uganda share U17 first leg qualifying spoils
by FSL News

Kenya and Uganda share spoils in U17 first-leg qualifier

CECAFA teams Uganda and Kenya have settled to a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the second round of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup 2026 qualifier.

The hosts, Uganda, took the lead after 13 minutes, with Shadia Nabirye scoring at the FUFA Kadiba Stadium.

After a well by Immaculate Acen, Nabirye was quick to rebound after Kenyan goalkeeper Mishel Okoyo had parried back the ball. But the Kenyan did not give up and continued attacking the Ugandan goal.

After recess, Kenya’s technical bench made changes bringing Emily Adhiambo and Gaudencia Maloba to replace Fleviah Khatenje and Ivy Atieno.

Adhiambo later leveled matters for Kenya with a long shot taken from far outside the box after 61 minutes.

The two teams tried to create more scoring opportunities, but failed to find the goals.

The Uganda Teen Cranes coach Sheryl Ulanda Botes, said that her team created some decent scoring opportunities, but where not sharp in finishing. “We need to go back to the drawing board and prepare well for the return leg,” said Botes.

Action continues on Saturday with Tanzania hosting South Africa, while Ethiopia will face Burundi on Sunday.

Four other teams from Africa will qualify to join hosts Morocco for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup final tournament.

Eritrea eye AFCON 2027 gropup stage spot as they face Eswatini
by FSL News

Eritrea eye AFCON 2027 group stage spot as they face Eswatini

Eritrea will break an 18-year hiatus from the Africa Cup of Nations by welcoming Eswatini in the Moroccan city of Meknes on Wednesday, marking the first qualifier for the 2027 tournament.

The Preliminary Round qualifiers begin this week, with twelve teams competing for six spots in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027.

Eritrea needs a positive outcome over two legs to advance into the group stage of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Twelve of the lower-ranked teams will face off in two-legged matchups, battling for a chance to progress to the group stage playoffs, following a draw that took place in January.

After the success of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025, this fresh cycle kicks off as teams aim for a place in next year’s finals hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Exciting matches are expected, starting on March 25 at Stade d’Honneur when Eritrea and Eswatini meet in Meknes. Eswatini will then host the return leg on March 31 at the Somhlolo National Stadium.

Lesotho will take on Seychelles at the Free State Stadium on March 26, with a rematch three days later. Djibouti and South Sudan will clash at Juba Stadium, and on March 26, Somalia plays Mauritius in Matola, before the return leg in Saint Pierre on March 31.

Chad and Burundi will meet in N’Djamena on March 27, also playing a competitive return leg in Bujumbura. Lastly, Sao Tome e Principe faces Ethiopia on March 27, with the second leg in Dire Dawa on March 31.

The six teams advancing from this qualification phase will join the other 42 CAF Member Associations in the finals next year.

TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations PAMOJA 2027 Preliminary Round Fixtures
Times are GMT

25/03 – 14h00: Érythrée vs Eswatini – Stade d’Honneur, Meknès
31/03 – 14h00: Eswatini vs Eritrea – Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba

26/03 – 14h00: Seychelles vs Lesotho – Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
29/03 – 15h00: Lesotho vs Seychelles – Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein

26/03 – 13h00: Djibouti vs South Sudan – Juba Stadium, Juba
29/03 – 13h00: South Sudan vs Djibouti – Juba Stadium, Juba

27/03 – 13h00: Somalia vs Mauritius – Lalgy Arena, Matola
31/03 – 15h00: Mauritius vs Somalia – National Sports Complex, Saint Pierre

27/03 – 13h00: Tchad vs Burundi – Stade Olympique, N’Djamena
31/03 – 13h00: Burundi vs Chad – Stade Intwari, Bujumbura

27/03 – 16h00: Sao Tome e Principe vs Ethiopia – Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium, El Jadida
31/03 – 13h00: Ethiopia vs Sao Tome e Principe – Dire Dawa Stadium