Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Champions League Draw Delivers Mouth-Watering Group Clashes

The CAF Champions League group stage draw took place on Wednesday, 28 October, in Cairo, with teams discovering their opponents for the upcoming matches.

In South Africa, the Buccaneers stand as the last Premier Soccer League team remaining in the competition after the surprising exit of defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns, who were knocked out by Wiliete SC in a 1-1 aggregate draw.

West Africa’s Horoya AC has been placed in Group D alongside Pyramids, Al Hilal, and MAS de Fes, as the competition kicks off in the last week of November with the first two matches in each group.

One of the most noteworthy stories from this season’s qualification campaign is the elimination of the reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, at the hands of Angola’s Wiliete SC, who will be making their debut in the group stage.

Traditional powerhouses like four-time winners Espérance, five-time champions Zamalek, and former winners MC Alger are also back in the mix, while Tanzania will be represented by two teams: Simba SC in Group C and Young Africans in Group B.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kallum Cesay Nets as Salford City Triumph in Six-Goal Thriller

Sierra Leone international Kallum Cesay scored his first goal of the season as Salford City, the league leaders, won 4-2 against Walsall, ending Walsall’s unbeaten start in League Two.

Salford started strong, looking for their seventh straight league win. They broke the deadlock in the 45th minute when Luke Molyneux sent a precise pass into the box, which Macauley Langstaff shot low into the far post.

Nine minutes into the second half, Brendan Wiredu took the ball from Courtney Clarke near Walsall’s box. Jorge Grant then scored by driving the ball inside the far post.

Walsall fought back in the 58th minute. Tai Sodje made a strong run down the right and provided a pass that Aaron Pressley slammed inside the near post. Just eight minutes later, substitute Lewis Simper headed in a beautiful cross from Mason Hancock to level the score.

However, Salford quickly regained the lead when Langstaff set up Cesay to score from close range just over a minute later.

The game was sealed with eight minutes remaining when Adebola Oluwo headed Molyneux’s corner into the near post.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Burkinabè Star Dango Ouattara Scores Equaliser as Brentford Earn Point

Brentford earned a 1-1 draw against Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Dango Ouattara, who started the match, scored his first goal of the season in the 63rd minute before being substituted in the 78th.

The Bees began well, but a poor pass from goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher put Aaron Hickey in a tight spot. This allowed Tim Iroegbunam to earn a penalty, which Oliver McBurnie converted in the 24th minute, giving Hull a 1-0 lead at halftime.

After the break, Brentford manager Keith Andrews made a double substitution that quickly changed the game. Igor Thiago found Dango Ouattara at the far post, and Ouattara equalized from close range in the 63rd minute. His goal marked a return to form after a slow start to the season.

Ouattara’s performance was crucial for the Bees, and the draw helped them secure a valuable point following their defeat to Liverpool. This goal highlights his importance in Andrews’ plans, especially after his record transfer from Bournemouth in the summer of 2025.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone Exit as Gambia and Guinea Reach U-20 AFCON Final

Sierra Leone lost 2-0 to The Gambia in the semi-final of the WAFU A U20 AFCON qualifiers at the Stade Mamadou Konate in Bamako, Mali.

Shooting Stars needed a win to keep their hopes alive, but they were outplayed by a strong Gambian team that moved on to the final. As a result, Sierra Leone will not compete in the 2027 U20 AFCON in Ghana.

The Gambia and Guinea will represent the West African Football Union A in the 2027 U20 African Cup of Nations as they join the 10 other teams already qualified for the CAN U20 finals. Morocco and Egypt qualified from North Africa, while Ghana and Burkina Faso came from West Africa B.

Sudan and Tanzania will represent East Africa, with South Africa and Mozambique qualifying from Southern Africa. Cameroon and the Central African Republic complete the list of teams from Central Africa.

The CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations will be played in Ghana in 2027

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Champions League: 16 Clubs Confirmed for 2026/27 Group Stage

The 16 clubs competing in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27 Group Stage have been announced after the Second Preliminary Round ended Sunday. The draw will take place in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, October 28.

One surprising outcome was the elimination of the defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns. In contrast, former champions Espérance, Zamalek, and MC Alger advanced after tough matches.

The Group Stage Draw will be held at the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) Headquarters in Cairo at 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT). The draw will organize the 16 teams into four groups of four. Matches will start in November.

Angola’s Wiliete SC eliminated Sundowns by drawing 1-1 in Pretoria, advancing on away goals after the first leg ended 0-0. This result brings new competition into the Group Stage. South Africa’s Orlando Pirates also moved forward, winning 5-0 on aggregate against Namibia’s African Stars.

Egypt’s Zamalek and Pyramids qualified successfully. Espérance advanced after overcoming a 1-0 first-leg loss to Libya’s Swehly SC in penalties. Algeria’s MC Alger scored three second-half goals to defeat Nigeria’s Rangers International.

Morocco’s RS Berkane and MAS de Fès both progressed, with Berkane winning comfortably while MAS de Fès secured a late victory. Tunisia’s Club Africain eliminated five-time champions TP Mazembe. Tanzania will again be represented by Simba SC and Young Africans.

Sudan’s Al Hilal Omdurman won 4-0 against Ethiopia’s Sidama Bunna, and Cameroon’s Colombe Sportive defeated Senegal’s Teungueth FC 3-0 overall. Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou reversed a first-leg loss to reach the Group Stage, and Guinea’s Horoya AC eliminated Al Merriekh on penalties.

As the draw nears, clubs are eager to find out their opponents. The 2026/27 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League winner will receive USD 6 million, with the Group Stage featuring four groups of four teams, where the top two from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.

Qualified Clubs – TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27 Group Stage

Al Hilal Omdurman (Sudan), Club Africain (Tunisia), Colombe Sportive (Cameroon), Espérance (Tunisia), FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania), Horoya AC (Guinea), MAS de Fès (Morocco), MC Alger (Algeria), Orlando Pirates (South Africa), Petro Atlético (Angola), Pyramids FC (Egypt), RS Berkane (Morocco), Simba SC (Tanzania), Wiliete SC (Angola), Young Africans (Tanzania), Zamalek SC (Egypt).