Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Moroccan side Wydad AC to face a tricky contest against Man City
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Moroccan side Wydad AC to face a tricky contest against Man City

Wydad AC will begin their FIFA Club World Cup journey on Wednesday, facing off against the English football club Manchester City. The match will take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Wydad earned their place in this prestigious tournament by being crowned CAF Champions League winners, marking their third title at the end of the 2021/22 season.

Similarly, Manchester City qualified as previous winners of the UEFA Champions League, having claimed their first European title in the 2022/23 season.

Wydad finished third in the Botola Pro 1 league this season, 16 points behind champions RSB Berkane. This poor performance resulted in the departure of their head coach, Rhulani Mokwena, after just one season.

Now under the leadership of Amine Benhachem, the Moroccan club is gearing up to take on City in what promises to be an uphill battle.

“It’s going to be a tough match—there’s no denying that,” Benhachem stated in the lead-up to the game. “But we believe we can compete. We have our style of play, and we’ll give it our best shot.”

Manchester City’s squad for the tournament includes new signings Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders, and Marcus Bettinelli. These additions enhance manager Pep Guardiola’s options, offering both defensive stability and attacking flair.

Having won the last edition of the Club World Cup, City is eager to assert their dominance in the competition’s revamped format.

Congo reinstated to African Nations Championship (CHAN)
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Congo reinstated to African Nations Championship (CHAN)

Congo has been reinstated in the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a successful appeal to the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This decision comes just weeks before the tournament starts on August 2.

The CAF Appeals Jury accepted Congo’s protest against a previous ruling that disqualified their national team, the Red Devils A’. The Congolese Football Federation (Fecafoot) argued against the initial decision, which came after Equatorial Guinea filed a complaint.

Equatorial Guinea, who lost to Congo in the CHAN play-offs (0-0 in the first leg and 2-1 in the second), claimed that Congo had used an ineligible player, Japhet Mankou, and invalid player licenses. CAF’s Disciplinary Jury initially sided with Equatorial Guinea, awarding both matches to them by default and fining Congo $10,000, last January.

The Appeals Jury has now reversed that ruling, restoring the original match results and confirming Congo’s place in the tournament. As a result, Equatorial Guinea has been disqualified.

This reversal raises questions about the consistency and transparency of CAF’s disciplinary processes. The decision cancels the previous punishment and brings the integrity of the organization’s decisions into question.

Congo will compete in Group D of the CHAN alongside defending champions Senegal, as well as Sudan and Nigeria, making for a tough group stage.

Although the reinstatement comes just in time for final preparations, it adds controversy to the tournament’s lead-up. Critics argue that such last-minute changes weaken CAF’s authority, while supporters see it as fixing earlier mistakes. Despite the turmoil, Congo now has the chance to focus on their performance in a challenging group.

Iqraam Rayners's goal helps Sundowns to win FIFA Club World Cup opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Iqraam Rayners’ goal helps Sundowns to win FIFA Club World Cup opener

Man of the Match, Iqraam Rayners’s only goal got Mamelodi Sundowns three critical points in their FIFA Club World Cup opening against Ulsan HD at the Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

The match began with Sundowns showing early intent as Arthur Sales took a tight-angle shot, which the goalkeeper saved. Ulsan soon retaliated with a close-range effort that went over the bar.

For 20 minutes, both teams struggled for possession until Rayners shot just wide. He later had a free-kick disallowed but, in the 36th minute, scored following a brilliant pass from Lucas Ribeiro. Teboho Mokoena then took a powerful free-kick that was parried away by the goalkeeper.

In the dying moments of the first half, Ronwen Williams came off his line to intercept a ball that ultimately eluded him. Luckily, Divine Lunga was there to clear the danger. Sundowns went into the break with a 1-0 lead.

In the second half, Ulsan dominated possession and created several scoring opportunities, but Sundowns’ defense held strong. Rayners nearly scored, but a key tackle prevented it. Ulsan pressed for an equalizer, yet Williams made crucial saves.

Bafana Ba Style almost extended their lead, but Ulsan cleared the ball off the line. After a scare when Williams misplayed the ball, Cupido made an important clearance.

As pressure increased, Ulsan sought a late equalizer, while Sundowns focused on maintaining their lead, ultimately becoming the first team in Group F to secure a victory in the tournament.

Espérance de Tunis suffer opening Club World Cup defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Espérance de Tunis suffer opening Club World Cup defeat

Tunisian champions Espérance de Tunis faced a tough start to their 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, losing 2-0 to Brazil’s Flamengo on Monday evening at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Giorgian de Arrascaeta scored the first goal in the 17th minute, finishing a cross from Luiz Araújo. Araújo then secured the win with a great goal in the 70th minute.

Flamengo controlled the first half, while Espérance played defensively and struggled to move the ball out of their half. Flamengo’s early dominance led to De Arrascaeta scoring from close range.

Espérance’s coach, Maher Kanzari, made some strategic substitutions at halftime, bringing in attackers Abdramane Konate and Elias Mokwana, which sparked an improvement in their performance. Just three minutes into the second half, left back Mohamed Ben Hamida took the initiative and landed the first shot on target.

Despite their efforts, Espérance struggled to convert opportunities into goals. Their star player, Youcef Belaïli, squandered a promising chance in the 62nd minute when his shot from outside the penalty area sailed high over the bar. Araújo’s goal eight minutes later dashed any remaining hopes of a comeback.

Looking ahead, Espérance will face Los Angeles FC in Nashville, Tennessee, as both teams aim to secure a victory in Group D. Meanwhile, Flamengo is set to clash with Chelsea for the top position in the group.

Female candidates steps up as SLFA election intensifies
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Female candidate steps up as SLFA election intensifies

The list of contenders for the Sierra Leone Football Association presidential race continues to grow, among them a female aspirant hoping to become the second woman to head the body.

Aminata Bangura has announced her bid to succeed the incumbent Thomas Daddy Brima, who is running for a second term when the election is held in August 2025.

Also in the race are two serving football club chairman, Bo Rangers’ Babadi Kamara, the current SLFA president; Thomas Daddy Brima; and Umar Bah of Real Republicans and the present manager of the home-based Leone Stars.

Incumbent president Thomas Daddy Brima, who has already completed his first four years in office, is set to face off against his rivals for this sought-after position.

While Babadi Kamara has been widely touted as the frontrunner, Aminata Bangura is challenging that narrative, with many believing she could spring a surprise in the upcoming election on August 2, 2025.

Although the SLFA and the electoral board have yet to officially announce the list of candidates, this source has been closely following the nomination process.

Four years ago, Thomas Daddy Brima won the presidency by defeating Sadick Deen-Nyarkoh with a close vote of 31 to 26, marking the first SLFA elections in eight years and succeeding former FIFA executive member Isha Johansen.