Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana's head coach Otto Addo confirms squad for Chad and Madagascar
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana’s head coach Otto Addo confirms squad for Chad and Madagascar

Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, has announced a 23-man roster for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against Chad and Madagascar.

The squad, captained by Jordan Ayew, features three players from local clubs: Benjamin Asare from Accra Hearts of Oak, Kamaradini Mamudu from Medeama SC, and Razak Simpson from Nations FC.

Thomas Partey, the Arsenal midfielder, makes a return to the squad after being absent for six months, during which Ghana participated in four Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Kamal Deen Sulemana from Southampton F.C. is also back in the lineup, while C.D. Lugo’s Jerry Afriyie keeps his spot in the team following an impressive performance against Niger last November.

Christopher Bonsu Baah, who plays for Genk in Belgium, has received his first call-up. Bonsu is a left-footed right winger who is also capable of playing in an attacking midfield role.

Ghana will start their training camp on Monday, March 17, 2025, and will practice for four days before facing Chad in the first of the two matches at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, 2025.

Afterwards, the team will fly to Morocco for their next match against Madagascar, scheduled for Monday, March 24, 2025.

Currently, Ghana sits in second place in Group I with nine points from three wins and one loss.

Jonathan Moses Sesay receives England U18 call-up
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Jonathan Moses Sesay receives England U18 call-up

Head coach Liam Bramley has chosen Jonathan Moses Sesay, who plays for Southampton, for the England men’s under-18 team. This squad has 23 players and is preparing for the international matches in March.

Sesay recently signed his first professional contract with Southampton. He will travel with the Young Lions to compete against Czechia, France, and Portugal. These games mark the start of the under-18 team’s calendar year.

The first match will be against Czechia at Estadio de Sao Miguel on Friday, March 21, at 5 PM GMT. The team will then play France on Sunday, March 23, at 3 PM GMT at Sport Clube Freamunde.

Finally, England will face Portugal on Tuesday, March 25, at 11 AM GMT at the Municipal Stadium Futbol.

Defender Abdul Jarju Kabia to miss Sierra Leone qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defender Abdul Jarju Kabia to miss Sierra Leone qualifiers

Sierra Leone defender Abdul Jarjue Kabia is set to miss upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Guinea Bissau and Egypt this month due to a groin injury.

The injury, which is expected to keep him sidelined for three to four weeks, occurred during a goalless draw against Torpedo Zhodino in the Belarus Cup quarter-final on March 2nd.

Since making his debut for the Sierra Leone national team in late 2023, Kabia has participated in eight official matches, showcasing his skills in games against Ethiopia, Egypt, and Burkina Faso as part of the African qualification process for the World Cup.

Sierra Leone faces a tricky match against Guinea-Bissua in the Liberia capital on March 20 before travelling to face a difficult task against Group A leaders Egypt.

Libya new head coach Aliou Cissé rallies squad for Angola and Cameroon
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Libya new head coach Aliou Cissé rallies squad for Angola and Cameroon

Aliou Cissé has swiftly picked his first Libya’s national team sqaud 24 hours after his appointment. The Senegalese coach, who led Senegal to victory in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, has chosen a team mainly composed of locally based players as Libya gears up for crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Angola and Cameroon.

Libya currently occupies second place in Group D with four points from two matches, trailing Cameroon by just one point. They have a home match against Angola on March 20 and an away game in Yaoundé against Cameroon on March 25—both crucial for their World Cup aspirations.

Notably absent from the squad is Moatasem Al-Musrati, the AS Monaco midfielder, who has declined the call-up, and defender Daniel Elfadli. Despite these omissions, Cissé has put together a strong squad featuring key players from the domestic league, blending experience with emerging talent.

Cissé is known for his tactical discipline and will work on solidifying the defence while enhancing the team’s attacking efficiency. The midfield is led by experienced players Faisal Al-Badri, Badr Hassan, and Abdullah Daqo, while the strike force includes Moayad Al-Lafi and Mohamed Soula. The defense features Majdi Artiba, Sobhi Al-Mabrouk, and Al-Bahlol Abu Sahmain.

Cissé’s ability to quickly adapt and implement his strategies will be vital as the Knights of the Mediterranean strive for success in these qualifiers.

  • Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Murad Al-Wahishi (Al-Ahly Benghazi), Mohamed Ayad (Abu Salim), and Ahmed Ayad (Al-Tahadi).

Defenders Majdi Artiba (Al-Akhdar), Sobhi Al-Mabrouk (Al-Ittihad), Al-Mahdi Al-Kout (Al-Suwaihli), Mohamed Al-Shtiwi (Al-Hilal), Sand Bin Ali (Al-Ittihad), Al-Bahlol Abu Sahmain (Al-Ahly Benghazi), Taher Bin Amer (Al-Ittihad), and Mutassim Sabbou (Olympic Azzawiya SC).

Midfielders: Faisal Al-Badri (Al-Hilal), Badr Hassan (Al-Nasr), Hamza Al-Maqsi (Olympic Azzawiya SC), Abdullah Daqo (Al-Ahly Benghazi), Muhannad Eto’o (Al-Madina), Osama Al-Sharimi (Al-Suwaihli), Omar Al-Khoja (Al-Suwaihli), Ahmed Saad (Al-Hilal), Al-Abbasi (Al-Suwaihli), Fadel Salama (Al-Ahly Benghazi), and Taha Al-Shalawi (Al-Hilal).

Attackers: Moayad Al-Lafi (Al-Ahly Tripoli), Mohamed Soula (Al-Qadisiyah, Kuwait), Fahad Al-Masmari (Club Africain, Tunisia), Azou Al-Mariami (Al-Hilal), Ahmed Karwa (Al-Ahly Tripoli), and Anas Al-Masrati (Al-Taawoun).

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has revealed the players selected to compete against Lesotho and Benin in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled for March 21 and March 25, 2025, respectively.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Hugo Broos names South Africa’s final squad for World Cup qualifiers

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has revealed the players selected to compete against Lesotho and Benin in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled for March 21 and March 25, 2025, respectively.

South Africa is set to face their neighbours Lesotho at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, March 21, 2025. Following that match, the Bafana Bafana team, led by coach Hugo Broos, will take a charter flight to Benin to compete against the West African nation on Monday, March 24, 2025.

A week ago, Broos announced a 37-member preliminary squad, which included some new players such as Samukelo Kabini and Khulumani Ndamane from TS Galaxy and Siphesihle Mkhize from Sekhukhune United.

On Thursday, March 13, at the SABC television studios in Auckland Park, the preliminary squad was reduced to a final squad of 23 players.

Bafana Bafana is in Group C of the World Cup qualifiers alongside Rwanda, Benin, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho. To date, the Broos-coached team has played four matches, achieving two wins, one draw, and one loss.