Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Big CAF Champions League showdown between Sundowns and Pyramids
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Big CAF Champions League showdown between Sundowns and Pyramids

Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC will face off in the first leg of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday, May 24.

Sundowns have reached the Champions League final for the third time, having previously won in 2016 and been runners-up in 2001. This year, they finished second in Group B, behind ASFAR, and advanced to the knockout stage by defeating Esperance de Tunis and Al Ahly on away goals.

After clinching their eighth consecutive domestic championship, Sundowns aim for continental success, though coach Miguel Cardoso noted that the Champions League is tougher than the Betway Premiership.

“With all due respect to the Premiership, this is another level we are going to face,” said Cardoso. “We have a very tough challenge ahead in this Champions League final. We also need to be strong and play high-quality football.”

Pyramids set to compete in their first Champions League final after previously reaching the Confederation Cup final in 2020. They advanced by finishing second in Group D, defeating ASFAR and Orlando Pirates in knockout rounds.

Coach Krunoslav Jurcic has a tactical plan for the first leg, focusing on a balanced approach to counter their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses.

Pyramids and Sundowns have faced each other twice in the current Champions League, with a 0-0 draw in Pretoria and a 1-0 win for Sundowns in Cairo. Sundowns have a record of 10 wins, 9 draws, and 7 losses against Egyptian teams, while Pyramids have 1 win, 3 draws, and 2 losses against South African teams.

The return match will take place at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday, June 1.

Sierra Leone-born Trevoh Chalobah gets first England national call up
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone-born Trevoh Chalobah gets first England national call up

England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced his squad for the upcoming matches against Andorra and Senegal, featuring Trevoh Chalobah, who earns his first senior call-up.

Notable inclusions are Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney, recently moved from Brentford, and returning forward Ollie Watkins. Tottenham’s Dominic Solanke was omitted.

Chelsea defender Chalobah joins teammates Reece James and Levi Colwill in the squad, along with Noni Madueke and Cole Palmer.

Chalobah has captained various England youth teams and notably led the under-17 side in 2016 before an ankle injury cut short his under-19 European Championship campaign. He made his U21 debut in 2019.

England will play a World Cup qualifier against Andorra on June 7, followed by a friendly against Senegal at Wembley on June 10.

Here is the squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford, James Trafford.

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dan Burn, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Kyle Walker.

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze, Conor Gallagher, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones, Cole Palmer, Declan Rice, Morgan Rogers.

Forwards: Anthony Gordon, Harry Kane, Noni Madueke, Bukayo Saka, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins.

Malian midfielder Yves Bissouma hails boss Postecoglou after Europa League success
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Malian midfielder Yves Bissouma hails boss Postecoglou after Europa League success

Malian midfielder Yves Bissouma thanked Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou for his support during a tough season. Bissouma described Postecoglou as “a dad or uncle” to the players.

Tottenham is currently in 17th place in the Premier League, with one game left to play. They have lost 25 matches this season, which is the highest number they’ve had since the 1991-92 season.

However, they have a chance to turn things around in the Europa League final against Manchester United on Wednesday. Bissouma said the relationship between the players and Postecoglou has stayed strong, even in hard times.

“It’s never changed. We have a good relationship,” Bissouma, 28, said about Postecoglou. “He’s like a dad or uncle to us. He’s always trying to help us understand what he wants. For us, he’s just Ange. He has his ideas and always protects us.”

Bissouma received a rating of 7 for his solid performance. He won the second-most duels of any Tottenham player in the match, just behind Cristian Romero, and had the second-most tackles, after Destiny Udogie. He is expected to be one of the more underrated players in the team’s success.

Senegal's Pape Matar Sarr fit to face Manchester United in Europa final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s Pape Matar Sarr fit to face Manchester United in Europa final

Tottenham Hotspur coach Ange Postecoglou has confirmed that Senegalese midfielder Pape Matar Sarr is fit to play against Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final on Wednesday.

Sarr was unsure for the match after getting injured during Spurs’ 2-0 loss to Aston Villa last Friday. Postecoglou explained that Sarr left the game as a precaution because he “felt something in his back.”

According to the London Evening Standard, Sarr is likely to start in midfield against United in Bilbao. Even though Postecoglou used a 4-4-2 formation against Villa Park, he may change his strategy for the final.

Sarr will face fellow Africans Andre Onana, Noussair Mazraoui, and Amad Diallo, who are in Manchester United’s squad for the match. Both teams are looking to improve after disappointing Premier League seasons, with United in 16th place and Spurs just one point behind in 17th.

Semi Ajayi and Grady Diangana released by West Bromwich Albion
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Semi Ajayi and Grady Diangana released by West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion has announced the release of Nigeria player Semi Ajayi and DR Congo midfielder Grady Diangana after the 2024/25 season.

Ajayi and Diangana joined West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2019 and were instrumental in the team’s promotion to the Premier League in their first season.

A club statement confirmed that defender Semi Ajayi and midfielders Grady Diangana and John Swift will leave the club at the end of June.

Ajayi, who joined from Rotherham United, made 177 appearances and scored 13 goals, including key strikes against Wolverhampton Wanderers, Liverpool, and a last-minute winner against Peterborough United in August 2021.

Diangana initially joined on a season-long loan from West Ham United before making the move permanent in summer 2020.

He scored on his league debut for the Baggies and went on to make 202 appearances, netting 26 goals. His final goals for the club came in a 5-1 victory over Portsmouth in January 2025, where he scored twice.