Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco named Nations Championship squad with high hopes
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco named Nations Championship squad with high hopes

Morocco’s national team is preparing for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) after missing the 2022 edition.

Coach Tarik Sektioui has named a 28-man squad aiming to reclaim the title they last won in 2020.

“We focused our selection on technical ability and team chemistry,” said Sektioui. Despite some player departures to Europe, we are confident this squad has what it takes to represent Morocco with pride.”

The squad features experienced players from local clubs like RS Berkane, Raja Casablanca, and Wydad Casablanca, including standout players from Berkane and two senior national team members: Youssef Belammari and goalkeeper Rachid Ghanimi.

The tournament, reserved for players in national leagues, will take place from August 2 to 30 across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Morocco is in Group A, competing against Kenya, Angola, Zambia, and DR Congo.

The team’s campaign starts against Angola. With a strong attacking lineup and past successes in CHAN, Morocco aims to showcase their strength and reclaim their status as a top contender in African football.

Morocco Squad – TotalEnergies CHAN 2024

Goalkeepers:

  • Al Harrar Elmehdi
  • Rachid Ghanimi (FUS Rabat)
  • Aqzdaou Omar (Wydad Casablanca)

Defenders:

  • Moufid Mohamed (Wydad Casablanca)
  • Boulacsout Mohamed
  • Mchakhchekh Mehdi
  • Louadni Marouane
  • Arrassi Bouchaib
  • Assal Abdelhak (RS Berkane)
  • Belammari Youssef (Raja Casablanca)
  • Zahouani Fouad

Midfielders:

  • Khairi Ayoub (RS Berkane)
  • Hrimat Mohamed Rabie
  • Souane Amine
  • Essadak Houssam
  • Hajji Reda (RS Berkane)
  • Bach Anas
  • Aït Ouarkhane Khalid
  • Bougrine Sabir

Forwards:

  • Mehri Youssef (RS Berkane)
  • El Mahraoui Anass
  • Bouhra Saïf-Eddine (Wydad Casablanca)
  • Baba Khalid
  • Riahi Imad (RS Berkane)
  • Salaheddine Errahouli
  • Mouloua Ayoub
  • El Kaabi Youness
  • Lamlioui Oussama (RS Berkane)
Attacker Fofin Turay extends FC Groningen deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Attacker Fofin Turay extends FC Groningen deal

FC Groningen has extended Fofin Turay’s contract until the summer of 2026, the deal includes an additional season run. 

With Sierra Leonean ancestry, Turay was born and grew up in Groningen. Starting football at GVAV Rapiditas, the 21-year-old winger joined FC Groningen’s Under12s, the youngest youth team, in 2015.

Making his first team debut in the 2023/24 season in the first home game of the season, Turay finished his academy training at Corpus den Hoorn successfully.

During the KKD season, Turay appeared in three cup games and sixteen league matches. Away to Ajax last season, he made his Eredivisie debut. Until his injury, he also played for FC Groningen under21.

Turay was hurt during training camp over the winter break last season, which prevented him from missing the whole second half of the season.

With this contract extension, FC Groningen is offering the homegrown player the time and space to concentrate on a full recovery, with the assistance of the specialists and amenities at the Top sport Zorg Centrum.

Turay has already played his first few matches in preparation for this new football season.

Hosts Morocco advance to Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Hosts Morocco advance to Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final

Hosts Morocco won 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 tie in regulation and extra time in Rabat on Tuesday night, advancing to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final for the second year in a row.

During the shootout, Khadija ErRmichi, Morocco’s goalkeeper, made a very important stop; Ghana missed two penalties. Morocco’s victory qualifies it for the final against Nigeria on Saturday; Ghana will fight South Africa for third place on Friday.

Ghana took the lead in the 26th minute with a goal from Stella Nyamekye in the game. In the 55th minute, Morocco equalized when Sakina Ouzraoui Diki scored under continued pressure.

Though each side had opportunities, neither could find a winner in normal time. Morocco made all their shots, therefore penalties decided the victor following extra time.

As they seek their first WAFCON championship at home, Moroccan players and supporters erupted in celebration upon the last whistle. Ghana will attempt to get a medal in the third-place match on Friday.

Morocco's Sakina Ouzraoui is our TotalEnergies Woman of the Match after a splendid performance vs Ghana!
Morocco's Sakina Ouzraoui is our TotalEnergies Woman of the Match after a splendid performance vs Ghana!
Super Falcons of Nigeria beat South Africa to reach into WAFCON final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Super Falcons of Nigeria beat South Africa to reach WAFCON final

Nigeria triumphed 2-1 over their closest rivals, South Africa, in a thrilling Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semifinal on Tuesday evening.

The win guaranteed their spot in the final, which also preserved their chances for a record-extending 10th continental title.

The game featured outstanding performances from Rasheedat Ajibade and Michelle Alozie, who scored pivotal goals that helped the Super Falcons avenge their 2022 loss to Banyana Banyana, reaffirming Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football.

Just before halftime, Ajibade converted a penalty after Bambanani Mbane handled the ball in the South African box to open the scoring. This aim mirrored Nigeria’s first-half dominance as they controlled the pace of the game with a disciplined defence and rapid transitions, with Alozie and Ihezuo constantly threatening.

In the second half, defending champions South Africa fought back and were given a penalty in the 60th minute when Hildah Magaia was fouled by Osinachi Ohale. Linda Motlhalo successfully converted the penalty, tying the scores and temporarily changing the momentum in favour of Banyana Banyana.

But just as extra time looked to be around, Michelle Alozie scored a spectacular long-range victor deep into stoppage time. Her 35-yard shot past goalkeeper Andile Dlamini set off rowdy celebrations among Nigerian players and fans at Stade Larbi Zaouli.

Tensions erupted during the final minutes of the game, leading to injuries and many yellow cards, with Chinwendu Ihezuo being carried off. Still, Nigeria held strong for nine minutes of stoppage time to guarantee the victory and go forward in the championship.

Still undefeated in the competition, the Super Falcons will go into the championship with fresh optimism. Meanwhile, South Africa’s title defence comes to disappointment despite their preparation for the third-place playoff.

Osman Kakay set for Kosice Uefa Conference League debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Osman Kakay set for Kosice Uefa Conference League debut

Sierra Leone international, Osman Kakay is set to make his UEFA Conference League debut as his Slovakian side FK Košice play host to Belarusians Neman Grodno this Thursday and the return leg six days later.

Kakay, 27, signed a two-year deal with FK Košice and should feature in the game after his impressive first game in a friendly 1-1 draw with Diósgyőr VTK in Hungary on Saturday.

The UEFA Conference League for the 2025/26 season opened its Second qualifying round qualifying stage, which will conclude on August 28.

Košice gained entry to the competition after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the UEFA Club Financial Control Body’s decision to refuse FC Dunajská Streda’s admission to the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League, for a breach of the multi-club ownership rule (Article 5.01 of the UEFA Club Competition Regulations).

In such case, the place of the club which has been relegated shall be taken by the club that finishes in the relegations places, except that the latter shall only be admitted in accordance with the eligibility criteria of the competition in question.

As a result, after confirmation from the Slovak Football Association (SFZ), FC Dunajská Streda will be replaced by FK Košice, the next best-placed club in last season’s top domestic championship.