Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt's Al Ahly eye another CAF Champions League title
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s Al Ahly eye another CAF Champions League title

Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller they are always aiming for the title as his team prepares to start the defence of their CAF Champions League title against Stade d’Abidjan on Tuesday.

The 2023/24 tournament group stage begins today, with top African clubs competing for the championship. Al Ahly will host Stade d’Abidjan at the Cairo International Stadium, seeking their third consecutive title.

The Red Eagles are unbeaten in their last 15 home matches in the tournament, with 13 wins. Koller emphasized their ambition, stating, “This edition will be difficult because all teams want to win, but our fans’ support drives us.”

Captain Mohamed El Shenawy shared a similar goal: “We want to win this title for the third time. We are used to handling pressure and will take it step by step.”

Stade d’Abidjan coach Alexandre Lafitte acknowledged the challenge: “We are in a tough group with experienced teams, but we’ve prepared well.”

In Group A, Al Hilal travels to Tanzania to face Young Africans, while Algeria’s MC Alger returns to the Champions League against DR Congo’s TP Mazembe.

Group B features a derby match between Moroccan teams Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat. Raja aims to regain its form, while FAR looks to leverage its league positioning. South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will meet the Manema Union of DR Congo.

In Group D, last year’s runners-up Esperance face Djoliba of Mali, and Pyramids FC takes on Angola’s Sagrada at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo.

Group C includes an important match between Algeria’s Chabab Belouizdad and South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, both eager to secure early points.

Sierra Leone's Steven Caulker retires from international football
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Steven Caulker retires from international football

Sierra Leone defender Steven Caulker has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 32, after earning 20 caps for his country.

The announcement came a day after he stepped down as skipper of the Leone Stars amid his claim of the broken system following Sierra Leone’s failed attempt to reach Morocco in 2025.

The former Liverpool and Tottenham player joined Turkish club Keçiörengücü in July 2024 on a one-year deal, with an option for another year. He debuted on August 9 in the league opener against Sakaryaspor.

Caulker played an important role in Sierra Leone’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign. He helped the Leone Stars achieve a goalless draw against Algeria and a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast.

“I have made the difficult decision to retire from international football. I have played in 20 matches and participated in 1 AFCON tournament,” he wrote on his LinkedIn page.

Caulker started his professional career with Tottenham Hotspur in 2009. He spent three seasons on loan at Yeovil Town, Bristol City, and Swansea City.

While at Swansea, he made his first appearances in the Premier League. At the end of that season, he represented Britain at the 2012 Olympics. In November 2012, he scored in his first game for England in a friendly match against Sweden.

In October 2021, Caulker said he was waiting for FIFA to approve his switch from England to Sierra Leone. He played his first match for Sierra Leone in a friendly against Morocco, where the team lost 2-1.

On December 17, FIFA allowed him to play in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. He was part of Sierra Leone’s squad and played in all three group matches. The team drew with Algeria and Ivory Coast but lost to Equatorial Guinea, finishing third in their group with two points.

Caulker made one appearance for England, his birth country, in a 4-2 loss to Sweden in November 2012 before switching his allegiance to Sierra Leone last year.

TP Mazembe crowned Queens of African women’s club football
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

TP Mazembe crowned Queens of African women’s club football

TP Mazembe ladies from the Democratic Republic of Congo have won the CAF Women’s Champions League in Morocco 2024.

In the final match at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi in El Jadida, TP Mazembe defeated the former champions and hosts AS FAR by a score of 1-0.

This victory is Mazembe’s first title in the tournament, erasing the disappointment of their early exit in 2022.

The deciding goal came from Marlene Kasaj, who scored on a penalty kick in the first 10 minutes. Mazembe defended their lead strongly throughout the match.

AS FAR pushed for an equalizer after falling behind, but TP Mazembe’s solid defence kept a clean sheet in the first half.

After halftime, TP Mazembe maintained their lead while AS FAR struggled to score.

Along with the Champions League trophy, TP Mazembe will receive $600,000, while AS FAR, as runners-up, will take home $400,000.

Maharlika FC midfielder John Kamara happy with his form
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Maharlika FC midfielder John Kamara happy with his form

Experience Sierra Leone International John Kamara has been pleased with his form this season since joining the Philippine’s top-tier side Maharlika.

Last season, Kamara was successful with United FC in the Philippines Football League organized by Liga Futbol Inc., where he made over 15 appearances.

Kamara, 35, the former Kaisar and Keşla FK, says he is enjoying his time helping his new club. “Although we suffered a 1-0 defeat to DH Cebu FC on Saturday, I believe it was a commendable effort considering we were away from home. This league is highly competitive, and I’m really enjoying the challenge it presents.

Joining a new club can always be tough, but I have confidence in my abilities. And I’m committed to working hard. I aim to demonstrate my determination and energy on the field.”

Kamara has played in Lebanon and Greece for clubs including Tadamon Sour, Apollon Smyrni, and Lamia. On January 8, 2019, Kamara joined Keşla FK, a club in the Azerbaijan Premier League. On June 25, 2020, he signed a new contract with Keşla for the 2020–21 season.

On December 27, 2021, Kamara left Keşla by mutual consent. In January 2023, he signed with the Greek team Egaleo. In March 2024, Kamara joined United City, a club in the Philippines Football League.

Steven Caulker steps down as Sierra Leone captain
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Steven Caulker steps down as Sierra Leone captain

The former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Caulker, who made his competitive debut for the Leone Stars at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, has stepped down as captain as he thanked fans for their support.

Caulker, 32, who was appointed as skipper in March 2022, departed Sierra Leone ahead of the Zambia Matchday six tie following talks of controversy. However, the Sierra Leone Football Association said he was called home due to urgent personal matters that required his immediate attention.

He missed Sierra Leone’s 2-0 defeat in their final game against the Chipolopolo of Zambia of the 2025 AFCON Qualification campaign.

“The time has come for me to step down as captain of the Leone Stars,” Caulker noted to the medium. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to achieve my goal of qualifying us for AFCON, and it is with great sadness that I must accept this,” He explained. “I have given my all, three hard years battling against a very broken system. At times, we saw progress, but during this last campaign, it became evident that we have, in fact, taken five steps backwards.

I have donated my appearance fees from the 2024 AFCON campaign to ‘The Sick Pikin Baby Project’. I do not want to take money that we don’t deserve.

This is a fantastic charity doing amazing work and I know that several children will benefit from the donation. Sierra Leone has an enormous amount of talent, and it is vitally important that we get the right people in charge, people who know how to bring out the best in the players on the pitch.

Caulker is thankful for the opportunity

I would like to thank Coach John Keister and SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima for giving me the opportunity in 2021. I also want to thank my fellow players and the dedicated staff members who gave their all along the way.

Last but not least, I want to thank the fans. Your support has meant so much to me, and I am incredibly proud to have represented my grandad’s homeland. You welcomed me from day one, and for that, I will be forever grateful. Greater days are coming, keep the faith.”

In October 2021, Caulker announced he was waiting for FIFA’s approval to switch from England to Sierra Leone. He played in a friendly match against a Moroccan team, which Sierra Leone lost 2–1.

On December 17, FIFA cleared him to play in the Africa Cup of Nations. He was in Sierra Leone’s squad and played all three matches, drawing with Algeria and Ivory Coast but losing to Equatorial Guinea, finishing third in their group with two points.

Caulker made one international appearance for England, his birth country, in a 4-2 loss to Sweden in November 2012, but he switched allegiances to Sierra Leone last year.