Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tough Fifa Club World Cup 2025 draw for African teams
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tough Fifa Club World Cup 2025 draw for African teams

Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca (WAC), Al Ahly of Egypt, Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa, and ES Tunis of Tunisia have all been drawn into challenging groups ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

Group G features a competitive grouping that includes European champions Manchester City, Italian powerhouse Juventus, and UAE’s Al Ain, promising high-stakes matches and intense competition.

The tournament kicks off on Sunday, 15 June 2025, with all roads leading to the MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on Sunday, 13 July 2025 where the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ final will be played.

The expanded 32-team format of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has generated excitement across the football world, offering clubs like Wydad Casablanca a global stage to prove their capabilities.

Representing Morocco and African football, Wydad will strive to deliver top performances to navigate through the group stage and secure a place in the knockout rounds.

Group G is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling groups in the tournament, featuring a mix of established football giants and regional champions.

Manchester City brings formidable strength, while Juventus boasts a rich legacy in European football. Al Ain, representing the UAE, rounds out the group with its regional dominance.

The groups for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 reflect diverse global representation in the expanded format:

– **Group A:** Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami  

– **Group B:** Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders  

– **Group C:** Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica  

– **Group D:** Flamengo, Esperance de Tunis, Chelsea, Club Leon  

– **Group E:** River Plate, Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, Inter  

– **Group F:** Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan Hyundai, Mamelodi Sundowns  

– **Group G:** Manchester City, Wydad Casablanca, Al Ain, Juventus  

– **Group H:** Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, RB Salzburg  

Mohamed Salah nets to go top of Premier League Golden Boot race
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah nets to go top in Golden Boot race

Egyptian International Mohamed Salah scored two goals in Liverpool’s 3-3 draw with Newcastle. This match helped him move to the top of the Premier League goalscoring chart with 13 goals ahead of Erling Haaland.

Although Liverpool did not win and missed a chance for its fifth straight victory, Salah will look to continue his fine form in the Golden Boot race.

Since Matchweek 2, Salah had been behind Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. His goals against Newcastle allowed him to pass Haaland.

This season, Salah has played very well for Liverpool, with 15 goals and 12 assists in 21 matches across all competitions. Now, he has scored 13 goals in the Premier League, one more than Haaland, who has 12.

Deadly stampede in Guinea resulted in the deaths of at least 56 people
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Deadly stampede in Guinea resulted in deaths of at least 56 people

A controversial refereeing decision led to violence and a stampede at a soccer match in Guinea, resulting in at least 56 deaths and many injuries.

The incident occurred on Sunday December 1st 2024 during the final match in N’Zerekore. Chaos erupted after a player was sent off, causing fans to rush onto the field and attack the officials’ stand. Security forces intervened.

“Frustration with referee calls led to stone-throwing by fans, causing the deadly stampede,” a government statement said.

The government confirmed 56 deaths and many injuries, calling it a “tragic event,” and promised an investigation.

Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah condemned the violence and urged calm to help hospital services assist the injured. Videos on social media showed chaos outside the stadium, with many bodies on the ground. Hospitals were overwhelmed with casualties.

These events have become common in Guinea, often seen as supporting junta leader Mamady Doumbouya’s future presidential campaign. The junta took power in September 2021 by removing President Alpha Conde.

The National Front for the Defence of the Constitution (FNDC), a leading opposition group, condemned the tragedy, blaming the junta for the loss of innocent lives. They called for peaceful action against the regime by December 31, 2024.

Al Ahly set for Orlando Pirates' CAF Champions League cracker
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly set for Orlando Pirates’ CAF Champions League cracker

Egyptian side Al Ahly set for their trip to South Africa this weekend for the African Champions League, where they will face Orlando Pirates in an important group C match in Soweto’s Orlando stadium on Saturday.

The last time Al Ahly came to South Africa was last year, when Mamelodi Sundowns defeated them twice: 5-2 in the Champions League group stage and again in the African Football League.

South African clubs have a good record against Al Ahly. The Pirates have beaten them thrice, including notable victories in Egypt in 2013 and 2015. However, in crucial matches, South African teams have often lost.

In 2001, Sundowns played Al Ahly in the Champions League final but lost 3-0 despite a strong performance. The Pirates also faced Al Ahly in the 2013 final, where a defensive mistake allowed Al Ahly to score, and the Pirates could not recover.

Al Ahly beat Kaizer Chiefs in the 2021 final, winning 3-0 after the Chiefs had a player sent off just before halftime. Known for their resilience, Al Ahly often overcomes challenges and qualifies for the quarterfinals. They are difficult to beat when they aim for the title, winning four titles in the last five Champions League campaigns.

Sierra Leone's Juma Bah on Manchester City's Radar
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Juma Bah on Manchester City’s Radar

Manchester City and other English clubs want to sign Sierra Leone-born defender Juma Bah, a rising star, as Pep Guardiola works to improve his defence.

The 18-year-old defender has impressed while on loan at Real Valladolid after moving from AIK Freetong, a team in Sierra Leone.

He started with the Juvenil División de Honor and quickly moved up to the Promesas team, where he made a successful debut in September.

However, the 6’5” player earned a spot on the first team, playing 855 minutes in eleven appearances.

Among centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues, Bah ranks in the 95th percentile for clearances, averaging 5.63 per game, and in the 98th percentile for aerial duels won, averaging 3.81 per game.

Read related News New Real Valladolid defender back Bah headline Spanish News.