Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

ES Zarzis make a strong CAF Confederation start with a win over Diambars

ES Zarzis made a strong return to continental competition after 20 years. They came back from behind to beat Senegal’s Diambars 3-1 in the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round on Friday. This was their first appearance in the competition since 2006.

Diambars surprised the home team by scoring first in the 13th minute. However, Zarzis equalised just before halftime, with Khalil Al-Qassab scoring in the 35th minute.

Al-Qassab then scored again 11 minutes into the second half, giving Zarzis the lead. Samba added a third goal in the 70th minute, securing a two-goal advantage for Zarzis before the return leg.

This win gives Zarzis a good start as they aim to make a mark in African club football after a long absence. In other matches, several games ended with close scores. Chad’s AS PSI and Côte d’Ivoire’s CO Korhogo played to a 2-2 draw, keeping their matchup open.

Cameroon’s Panthère drew 1-1 with Rwanda’s Rayon Sport, while Mauritius’s Port Louis also ended 1-1 against Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy.

Sudan’s Hilal Alsahil won one of the day’s matches, defeating Ethiopian debutants Welwalo Adigrat 2-1.

The preliminary round runs from September 4 to 6, with return legs scheduled for the following week as teams aim to move towards the group stage. The 2026/27 competition includes 17 debutants alongside established clubs, and the opening round has already shown many closely contested games.

Friday’s results

  • AS PSI (Chad) 2-2 CO Korhogo (Côte d’Ivoire)
  • ES Zarzis (Tunisia) 3-1 Diambars (Senegal)
  • Panthère (Cameroon) 1-1 Rayon Sport (Rwanda)
  • Port Louis (Mauritius) 1-1 Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana)
  • Hilal Alsahil (Sudan) 2-1 Welwalo Adigrat (Ethiopia)
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zamalek, JS Saoura Start CAF Champions League Campaigns with Wins

Egyptian side Zamalek defeated Djibouti’s AS Port 2-1 in Cairo in the first leg of the first qualifying round of the CAF Champions League, beginning its bid for a sixth title.

Mohamed Shehata opened the scoring in the fifth minute before Angolan forward Chico Banza doubled Zamalek’s lead with a header in the 37th minute.

AS Port, making its debut in the competition, pulled one back through Mahdi Hussein Mahbi in the 82nd minute but could not find an equaliser.

Both legs will be played in Cairo because Djibouti lacks a stadium that meets international standards. The return match is scheduled for September 12.

Zamalek last won the Champions League in 2002. It has since reached two finals, losing to Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016 and Al Ahly in 2020.

Elsewhere, Algeria’s JS Saoura beat Guinea’s Horia 1-0, while Libya’s Asswehly defeated Zanzibar’s KVZ by the same score.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Carlos Queiroz reappointed as Black Stars head coach

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has reappointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the Black Stars. On Wednesday, September 2, the GFA announced it had reached an agreement with the experienced Portuguese coach.

Queiroz signed a four-month contract in April, which ended a few weeks ago. The GFA needed to decide on his future before the 2027 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Queiroz also coached Ghana during the recent FIFA World Cup, where the team lost 1-0 to Colombia in the round of 32.

The GFA stated that, after discussions with the GFA and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, it was agreed that Queiroz would start a new coaching role during the upcoming international break.

The GFA believes Queiroz’s experience and knowledge of the Black Stars will help lead the team forward.

More details about his new role and the Black Stars’ schedule will be shared soon, as the GFA and Queiroz focus on building a stronger team for international competitions.

Queiroz will coach the Black Stars in the 2027 AFCON, where they are in Group C with three-time African champions Côte D’Ivoire, The Gambia, and Somalia.

The qualification matches start this month, and the top two teams will advance to the main tournament, hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Ghana hopes to improve after missing the last tournament held in Morocco.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Jaze Kabia nets brace as Leyton Orient thrash Bromley

Jaze Kabia and Yusuf Akhamrich both scored two goals as Leyton Orient won 5-0 against Bromley in Sky Bet League One on Tuesday.

Kabia’s header in the 38th minute capped off a strong first half. After the break, Leyton Orient stayed dominant.

Akhamrich scored two quick goals in the first six minutes of the second half, and Kabia netted his second by redirecting a Will Forrester header.

Substitute Armando Dobra completed the scoring in stoppage time, finding the net with his first touch after being assisted by Tony Springett.

Leyton Orient celebrated a big victory under manager Richie Wellens, boosting confidence before their match against Luton Town. Changes to the lineup saw Forrester, Charlie Wellens, and Demetri Mitchell start.

The team started strong, with Akhamrich testing the Bromley goalkeeper, while captain Isaac Hayden missed a shot over the bar. Kabia opened the scoring with a header.

In the second half, Akhamrich scored twice more, and Kabia added another goal before Dobra capped the win. This marked Bromley’s first home league defeat in 17 months. Up The O’s!

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Sullay Kaikai helps Cambridge United to victory

Cambridge United secured their first away win in Sky Bet League One with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Bradford City at Mbanq Valley Parade.

The Sierra Leone International Sullay Kaikai scored the opener in the 60th minute, but Bobby Pointon equalised for Bradford. Ben Knight, coming off the bench, sealed the win with a late goal.

Manager Neil Harris made four changes to the starting lineup after a loss to Huddersfield Town. Owen Moxon and Ra’ees Bangura-Williams made their first starts, while Kaikai and Gassan Ahadme also joined the lineup.

Cambridge started strong, creating an early chance that Liam Bennett couldn’t convert due to a blocked shot. Supported by their away fans, the U’s played well defensively.

Bradford nearly scored in the 22nd minute, but Cambridge goalkeeper Jake Eastwood made an excellent save. As the game progressed, Cambridge managed to defend against Bradford’s attacks.

The U’s took the lead in the 57th minute after a defensive mistake allowed Kaikai to score. Bradford equalised soon after, but Cambridge responded by bringing on Shayne Lavery to boost their attack.

Just before the end, Knight received a pass from Appere, skillfully moved into the centre, and scored the winning goal for Cambridge.