Author: FSL News

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DR Congo ease past Ethiopia to maintain Group H lead
by FSL News

DR Congo ease past Ethiopia to maintain lead in Group H

DR Congo won 2-0 against Ethiopia in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification Group H match at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Monday night.

The Leopards now lead Group H after winning their first two matches. Walia Ibex are third in the table with one point from their first two games.

The Leopards had the first real chance of the game in the seventh minute, but Samuel Essende’s attempt was saved by the goalkeeper.

The score was 0-0 at half-time. Congo scored the first 17 minutes into the second half with a goal from Theo Bongonda.

Fiston Mayele added another goal in the 76th minute, sealing Congo’s 2-0 victory over Ethiopia.

Ethiopia 0 – DR Congo 2 (Bongonda 62′, Mayele 76′)

Ethiopia: Habtamu, Kasa, Hamid (Biniam 77′), Baye, Moges, Panom, Waza (Demissie 64′), Berhane, Dagnachew (Wondimu 83′), Gugsa (Belay 64′), Markneh

DR Congo: Bertaud, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Inonga, Ditu, Moutoussamy, Pickel (Sadiki 80′), Akolo (Bongonda 33′), Wissa (Elia 69′), Essende (Mayele 69), Kakuta (Kakuta 46′).

Ethiopia face tough DR Congo Group H qualifying contest
by FSL News

Ethiopia face tough DR Congo Group H qualifying contest

Ethiopia face a cracking test against DR Congo in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Monday at 9:00 pm CAT.

The match will take place at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Ethiopia drew 0-0 with Tanzania in their Group H opener maintaining their unbeaten run of four matches.

One of their players, Abinet Demise, missed training due to illness, while Gezahegn returned to light training.

DR Congo won 1-0 against Guinea in their first Group H match. The Leopards extended their unbeaten run to four games, with two wins and two draws, including one against South Africa.

Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre mentioned the need to improve the link between midfield and attack and expressed satisfaction with the team’s control during the match.

In total, Ethiopia and Congo have met six times, with the Leopards winning four matches, the Walia Ibex winning one, and one game ending in a draw.

The last time Ethiopia and DR Congo played, DR Congo won 3-0.

Burundi beat Malawi in AFCON qualifier Group L opener
by FSL News

Burundi beat Malawi in AFCON qualifier Group L opener

The Intamba of Burundi were impressive against host Malawi’s Flames as they defeated the home team 3-2 at the Bingu National Stadium on Thursday.

Burundi’s opening goal came from Chimwemwe Idana’s own goal in the 22nd minute, which was then equalized by Chawanangwa Kaonga’s 31st-minute goal for Malawi.

Burundi took the lead again, through Jean Claude Girumugisha two minutes later, but Malawi fought back with a goal in the second half when Lanjesi Nkhoma capitalized on Kaonga’s assist, sending the fans into ecstasy.

In a competitive battle, Burundi sealed the win with a goal by Mokono Elie Eldhino in the 87th minute – making the score 3-2.

The game ended with no further goals during the additional four minutes of play. With this win, Burundi is currently at the top of Group L as Senegal prepares to host Burkina Faso on Friday.

The Flames will travel to Bamako, Mali for their second Group L match against Burkina Faso next week. Malawi will face Senegal back-to-back in October. On the other hand, Burundi will host Senegal at BNS.

Zambia's Chipolopolo jet off to Ivory Coast for opener
by FSL News

Zambia’s Chipolopolo jet off to Ivory Coast for opener

Zambia’s Chipolopolo has left for Abidjan, where they will prepare for their upcoming Group G qualifier match for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The team, comprising both local players and others, flew to Abidjan early on Monday via Ethiopian Airlines.

Zambia is scheduled to play against Ivory Coast on Friday in Bouake and will then host Sierra Leone on September 10 in Ndola.

According to the report, the foreign-based players will travel directly to Ivory Coast, and the team is expected to be fully assembled by Tuesday.

Kelvin Kampamba, who plays for Al Nasr Benghazi in Libya, will not be able to participate in Friday’s game as he has lost his mother in Kitwe.

Kampamba was originally scheduled to join the team in Lusaka, but his plans were interrupted by the passing of his mother.

Striker Serhou Guirassy to miss Guinea's AFCON qualifiers
by FSL News

Striker Serhou Guirassy to miss Guinea’s AFCON qualifiers  

Serhou Guirassy is set to miss Guinea’s African Cup of Nations opening qualifying matches due to injury.

Borussia Dortmund striker was selected by Guinea’s technical team but will be unable to play due to an injury, which is a disappointment for Syli National opening campaign this month.

They are now looking for a replacement for Guirassy ahead of ties against the Leopards of DRC and the Taifa Stars of Tanzania.

Paquille will also have to fill in for central defender Saïdou Sow and left-back Issiaga Sylla.

Sow got injured during a match for Strasbourg and won’t be able to play. Ibrahima Sory Conté will take his place. Sylla got hurt during a Montpellier match and is also out. They’re working on finding a replacement.

Coach Charles Paquille is under pressure to keep the team competitive.

Guinea’s fans hope the remaining squad members will step up despite the injuries as they aim to start their AFCON 2025 campaign positively.