Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Emmanuel Latte Lath nets brace on his MLS debut for Atlanta

Ivorian Emmanuel Lath nets brace on his MLS debut for Atlanta

Emmanuel Latte Lath had an impressive debut for Atlanta United, scoring two goals in one game. Broadcaster Mike Conti celebrated with, “It’s a double latte!” after his second goal. (Photo Atlanta United)

Latte Lath made history by being the first player to score two goals in a debut for the club on February 22. His goals came in the 41st and 63rd minutes.

Coach Ronny Deila praised his speed and skill, noting, “He’s quick, has great direction, and can finish with both feet.”

Before the match, there were questions about whether he would play the whole game, having just joined the team from Middlesbrough FC.

Latte Lath was substituted in the 90th minute, fulfilling his goal to score in his first match. “I’m really, really happy,” he said.

His first goal came from a corner by Saba Lobjanidze, which he headed in. He described it simply: “I jump.”

His second goal came in the second half when he scored in a scramble after a deflection from Montreal’s goalkeeper. Deila remarked, “When he’s focused, he can threaten any defense.”

Latte Lath signed on February 4 and made his debut just over two weeks later, rounding out a busy offseason for the team.

Starting the season at home with new players was a great way to begin 2025, drawing a large crowd. All three designated players, including Latte Lath, contributed significantly in Deila’s first match. “Their hard work and teamwork helped us immensely,” he said.

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi Scores Twice to Help PSG Beat Lyon

Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi Scores Twice to Help PSG Beat Lyon

Achraf Hakimi scored two goals on Sunday night, leading Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to a 3-2 win against Olympique Lyon in Ligue 1.

The Moroccan International now has four goals and five assists in 18 appearances for Ligue 1. Hakimi, named Man of the Match, played very well in this important game. After a scoreless first half, PSG took the lead in the 53rd minute.

Bradley Barcola set up Hakimi, who shot into the bottom left corner of the goal, past Lyon’s keeper Lucas Perri. Seven minutes later, Ousmane Dembélé increased the lead with a great solo goal, weaving past defenders and striking the ball into the left side of the net.

Lyon fought back in the 83rd minute when Rayan Cherki scored after getting a pass from Georges Mikautadze. However, Hakimi scored again just two minutes later, thanks to a well-placed assist from Kang-In Lee.

Lyon continued to push for more goals. In stoppage time, Corentin Tolisso scored with a powerful header from an Ainsley Maitland-Niles cross. Despite this, PSG held on to win the match.

Congolese's Edo Kayembe nets for Watford in win over Luton

Congolese Edo Kayembe nets for Watford in win over Luton

Tom Dele-Bashiru and Congolese player Edo Kayembe scored to help Watford win the derby against their local rivals at Vicarage Road.

Both goals came in the first half, with Dele-Bashiru scoring a penalty and Kayembe finishing after a great play from Giorgi Chakvetadze. Watford controlled the game well, especially in the first half, and secured a valuable win.

Watford is now just three points away from the Sky Bet Championship play-offs, bringing excitement after a strong performance against the Hatters.

Cleverley made two changes: Jeremy Ngakia played right-back instead of Ryan Andrews, and Tom Ince took Moussa Sissoko’s place in midfield due to injury.

James Abankwah and Kévin Keben remained as central defenders, with Mattie Pollock on the bench again. Vakoun Bayo returned from suspension as a substitute, while Mamadou Doumbia started in attack.

Imrân Louza captained the team after his impressive performances in midfield. The win elevated the London club to ninth in the English Championship standings.

CAF Inter-club Champions League knockout phase draw revealed

CAF Champions League knockout phase draw revealed

The knockout phase of this year’s CAF Champions League has been confirmed as the quarter-final and semi-final draws were conducted by the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) on 20 February.

The draw, held live from the beIN SPORTS studios in Doha, Qatar, created four exciting quarter-final matches. Eight of Africa’s top clubs will compete over two legs for a spot in the semi-finals.

Defending champions Al Ahly SC from Egypt will face Sudan’s Al Hilal SC. Al Ahly, with 12 titles, finished as runners-up in their group. They aim to win the title for a third consecutive year. Al Hilal, coached by Florent Ibengé, topped their group while playing in Mauritania due to conflict in Sudan.

Pyramids FC from Egypt will take on Moroccan club AS FAR. Pyramids, led by coach Krunoslav Jurčić, scored 14 goals in the group stage, while AS FAR went unbeaten with coach Alexandre Santos.

Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa will play Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis. Sundowns, champions in 2016, are eager to break their semi-final curse. Esperance, a four-time champion, topped their group and recently won the Tunisian Super Cup.

Finally, Algeria’s MC Alger, who conceded only two goals, will meet South Africa’s Orlando Pirates. The Pirates, who won in 1995 and finished first in their group, want to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2013.

The semi-final matchups are also set. The winner of Sundowns versus Esperance will face either Al Ahly or Al Hilal, while the winner of MC Alger versus Pirates will meet the Pyramids versus AS FAR winner.

Quarter-final games will be played over two legs, with the first on 1 April and the return leg on 8 April. The semi-finals will follow the same format, leading to the final in June.

2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals:

  • QF 1: Al Ahly SC (EGY) vs Al Hilal SC (SDN)
  • QF 2: Pyramids FC (EGY) vs AS FAR (MAR)
  • QF 3: Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) vs Esperance Sportive de Tunis (TUN)
  • QF 4: MC Alger (ALG) vs Orlando Pirates (RSA)

Semi-Final Draw Outcome:

  • SF 1: Mamelodi Sundowns/Esperance Sportive de Tunis vs Al Ahly SC/Al Hilal SC
  • SF 2: MC Alger/Orlando Pirates vs Pyramids FC/AS FAR
CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-final matches confirmed

CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-final matches confirmed

The knockout stages of the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup are ready to begin after the quarter-final draw held by CAF on February 20.

The quarter-finals kick off with a North versus South match as two-time champions Zamalek SC of Egypt defend their title against tournament debutants Stellenbosch FC from South Africa.

Ivorian powerhouse Asec Mimosas, eager to reclaim continental glory, will face two-time champions RS Berkane of Morocco. Berkane has excelled in the group stages, finishing with the best record by collecting 16 points without a loss.

A thrilling Algerian derby is also on the cards, featuring CS Constantine, who are making their first appearance in the knockout stages, taking on a determined USM Alger side that aims to reclaim the title they won in the 2022/23 season.

The final quarter-final will see Egyptian team Al Masry face an in-form Simba SC from Tanzania, who are looking to advance past the last eight for the first time since the 2021/22 season.

The quarter-finals will showcase:

  • QF 1: Stellenbosch FC (RSA) vs Zamalek SC (EGY)  
  • QF 2: Asec Mimosas (CIV) vs RS Berkane (MAR)  
  • QF 3: CS Constantine (ALG) vs USM Alger (ALG)  
  • QF 4: Al Masry (EGY) vs Simba SC (TAN)  

The semi-finals will match the winners of RS Berkane/Asec Mimosas against USM Alger/CS Constantine and Simba SC/Al Masry against Zamalek SC/Stellenbosch FC.

For further details and statistics on the eight remaining clubs, click **HERE**.