Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Dr. Patrice Motsepe re-elected as Confederation of African football president
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Dr. Patrice Motsepe re-elected as Confederation of African football president

Dr. Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected as President of the Confédération African Football (CAF) for another four years. His re-election was confirmed at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo on Wednesday, extending his term until 2029.

Motsepe’s first term improved CAF’s finances and raised its global reputation. Under his leadership, the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) held in Côte d’Ivoire in 2023 attracted a record 1.4 billion viewers worldwide.

Prizes for major tournaments, including the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, have increased. There is also more financial support for Member Associations.

Motsepe, who is 63 years old, ran unopposed after the nomination deadline in November 2024. He decided to run again based on requests from Member Association Presidents and key stakeholders.

His goals remain to make African football competitive worldwide, stabilize finances, and invest in infrastructure. Dr. Motsepe’s unopposed re-election shows confidence in his leadership and a desire to raise the standards of African football.

Fecafoot President Samuel Eto'o joins CAF Executive Committee
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fecafoot President Samuel Eto’o joins CAF Executive Committee

Fecafoot President Samuel Eto’o has joined the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after a tumultuous journey that initially saw him barred from running for a seat. However, he successfully overturned that decision.

The former Barcelona striker was the only individual nominated from the Central African Football Federations’ Union (UNIFFAC) and was chosen unanimously. Eto’o will now begin a four-year tenure within CAF’s leadership, further reinforcing his increasing influence in the governance of African football.

Currently serving as the President of the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Eto’o faced a surprising ban from campaigning for the UNIFFAC seat, representing the Central African region. This ban was imposed by CAF due to alleged governance issues within FECAFOOT, leading to a contentious legal battle that reached the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Eto’o was determined to contest what he viewed as an unjust ruling and promptly appealed to CAS. In a favorable outcome for him, CAS overturned CAF’s decision and declared him eligible to run for election.

This ruling allowed the four-time African Player of the Year to be reinstated on the ballot, much to the relief of his supporters. With his reinstatement, Eto’o faced no challengers for the UNIFFAC position, ensuring his automatic election to the CAF Executive Committee, which was confirmed at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly held in Cairo.

Eto’o’s victory further solidifies his influence in African football administration and enhances his growing leadership role in the sport. His involvement comes at a crucial time as CAF moves forward with reforms, financial reorganization, and preparations for major competitions such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Eto’o’s extensive experience in football, both as a player and an administrator, is likely to be invaluable as CAF seeks to implement greater standardization across the continent’s game.

Sebastien Haller is back in Côte d'Ivoire national team for World Cup qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sebastien Haller is back in Côte d’Ivoire national team for World Cup qualifiers

Sebastien Haller is back in the Côte d’Ivoire national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Gambia after missing three international windows due to injuries.

Playing for Borussia Dortmund on loan at FC Utrecht, Haller will strengthen the team’s attack, as they aim to keep their lead in the qualifying group.

Midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin returns after last playing in March 2023, filling in for the injured Jean Michaël Seri. Ibrahim Sangaré also returns after missing the Africa Cup of Nations and replaces Seko Fofana, who is out due to fitness issues.

Clément Akpa, a left-back from AJ Auxerre, earns his first call-up. Amad Diallo from Manchester United and Wilfried Zaha from Galatasaray are absent; Diallo is injured, and Zaha has not played under coach Emerse Faé.

Maxwel Cornet from Genoa did not get called up, but Oumar Diakité from Reims stays in the squad despite poor club form.

Familiar players like Franck Kessié and Evan Ndicka remain, as the Elephants lead their World Cup qualifying group by one point over Gabon.

Côte d’Ivoire Squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

  • Goalkeepers: Yahia Fofana, Mohamed Koné, Ali Badra
  • Defenders: Emmanuel Agbadou, Clément Akpa, Willy Boly, Ousmane Diomandé, Guéla Doué, Evan Ndicka , Hassane Kamara, Wilfried Singo
  • Midfielders: Jean Aholou, Jean-Philippe Gbamin, Ibrahim Sangaré, Franck Kessié, Hamed Traoré
  • Forwards: Simon Adingra, Vakoun Bayo, Oumar Diakité, Evann Guessand, Jean Krasso, Nicolas Pépé, Benié Traoré, Sébastien Halle

 

  • Upcoming Fixtures:

Burundi vs Côte d’Ivoire – March 22, 19:00 GMT, Stade de Meknès, Morocco

Côte d’Ivoire vs Gambia – March 26, 19:00 GMT, Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan

Dortmund's Serhou Guirassy and Bangoura named in Guinea 23-man squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy and Bangoura named in Guinea 23-man squad

Serhou Guirassy of Borussia Dortmund and young talent Ibrahima Sory Bangoura have been selected for Guinea’s squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Somalia and Uganda. Notably absent are Mohamed Bayo, Ilaix Moriba, and Saidou Sow.

Genk’s Ibrahima Sory Bangoura, a young player from Belgium is expected to make his first appearance for the senior national team in these important matches.

The Syli National team currently ranks third in their qualifying group. They will play Somalia in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on March 21, and then travel to Kampala to face Uganda on March 25.

Guinea needs to win both matches to stay in the race for a World Cup spot, as only the group winners qualify.

Meanwhile, Nantes defender Saidou Sow chose to stay with his pregnant wife, which is why he is not on the team.

Another notable absence is Naby Keita, who has played for Liverpool and Werder Bremen. The team captain is working on getting back to full fitness at Ferencvaros and expects to return in June.

Despite these changes, key players like François Kamano, Abdoulaye Touré, and Serhou Guirassy will play in the important double-header.

The squad also includes experienced defenders Mohamed Ali Camara and Mouctar Diakhaby, who have recovered from injuries.

The midfield features Mady Camara from PAOK Salonique and Morlaye Sylla from FC Arouca, while Serhou Guirassy, who has just moved to Borussia Dortmund, will lead the attack.

A new player in the squad is 21-year-old Bangoura, who has impressed at KRC Genk in Belgium and is now receiving his first senior call-up.

Guinea Squad

Goalkeepers: Moussa Camara (Simba SC, Tanzania), Mory Keita (Hafia FC, Guinea), Soumaïla Sylla (Stade de Reims, France)

Defenders: Mohamed Ali Camara (Young Boys, Switzerland), Antoine Conte (Igdir FK, Turkey), Ibrahima Sory Conté (UTA Arad, Romania), Ibrahim Diakité (Cercle de Bruges, Belgium), Mouctar Diakhaby (Valencia CF, Spain), Dembo Sylla (FC Dender, Belgium), Isiaga Sylla (Montpellier HSC, France), Sekou Oumar Sylla (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands)

Midfielders: Ibrahima Sory Bangoura (KRC Genk, Belgium), Aguibou Camara (PFK Ludogorets, Bulgaria), Mady Camara (PAOK Salonique, Greece), Seydouba Cissé (CD Leganés, Spain), Morlaye Sylla (FC Arouca, Portugal), Abdoulaye Touré (Le Havre AC, France)

Forwards: Aliou Badara Baldé (FC Lausanne-Sport, Switzerland), Algassime Bah (APOEL FC, Cyprus), Yadaly Diaby (Grenoble Foot 38, France), Kandet Diawara (FC Pau, France), François Kamano (Damac FC, Saudi Arabia), Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund, Germany)

Head Coach: Michel Dussuyer

Upcoming Fixtures:

Guinea vs Somalia – March 21, 21:00 GMT, Abidjan

Uganda vs Guinea – March 25, 16:00 GMT, Kampala

Defender Osman Kakay makes Boavista debut in defeat to Vitória Guimarães
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defender Osman Kakay makes Boavista debut in defeat to Vitória Guimarães

Sierra Leone defender Osman Kakay made his Boavista debut in a 2-1 defeat to Vitória Guimarães on Saturday at the Estádio do Bessa.

The former QPR right-back was substituted on in the 57th minute to replace Ilija Vukotic during a thrilling second half, as Vitória SC secured a 2-1 victory against Boavista FC at Estádio do Bessa Sec. XXI in Round 25 of Liga Portugal Betclic.

Van Ginkel converted a penalty just before half-time, giving the black-and-whites the lead. However, an own goal by Vukotic in the 50th minute equalized the score.

Later in the match, another penalty was awarded, this time in favor of the Guimarães team. Tiago Silva successfully converted it in the 76th minute, sealing the victory for Luís Freire’s men.

With this win, Vitória SC now has 38 points and occupies sixth place in the standings, while Boavista FC remains at the bottom with just 15 points.