Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kei Kamara to join Sierra Leone squad for CHAD and Zambia qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kei Kamara to join Sierra Leone squad for CHAD and Zambia

Sierra Leone and Major League Soccer (MLS), Kei Kamara, is expected to join Leone Stars two years and seven months after he announced his retirement.

Kamara scored the only goal in a qualifying victory against Benin, which secured Sierra Leone’s place in the 2021 African Cup of Nations for the first time since 1996.

The experienced striker has earned 36 caps for Sierra Leone, scoring seven goals and also served as team captain.

Coach Amidu Karim’s side gearing up for a crucial double header this month in the final hurdle to reach Morocco 2025. Sierra Leone, third in Group G, must win both matches against CHAD and Zambia to boost its hopes of qualifying for the continent’s biggest football event next year.

The full team list will be announced soon after confirmation of the listed players. On October 15, 2024, Sierra Leone secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against the African Champions Ivory Coast in their match day four qualifiers at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium as they bid to reach Morocco next year.

Amadou Bakayoko, a striker based in Japan, scored a last-minute header to secure the win for the West African team, marking their first victory in the qualifiers and against Ivory Coast.

Meanwhile, Zambia, who also claimed a 1-0 victory in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, will battle Ivory Coast at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium before facing Sierra Leone.

Their win over CHAD placed them just two points behind Group G leaders Ivory Coast, who have a game in hand. Zambia initially struggled in the match, with Chad having more shots on goal in the first 20 minutes. However, Zambia found their rhythm by the half-hour mark and began to dominate possession.

Kennedy Musonda scored the only goal in the 70th minute, and despite a late scare with a penalty awarded to Chad, Zambia held on to secure all three points in Cameroon.

Hugo Broos's side ready for Uganda and South Sudan qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Hugo Broos’s side ready for Uganda and South Sudan qualifiers

Bafana Bafana head coach Hugo Broos has officially announced his final squad for the crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers against Uganda on November 15 and South Sudan on November 19.

Broos is under considerable pressure to secure maximum points in the upcoming matches against Uganda and South Sudan to qualify for the 2025 AFCON. Currently, they are in second place in Group K with eight points from four matches.

The 23-man roster includes a notable selection of Sage Stephens from Stellenbosch FC, who will join fellow goalkeeper Sipho Chaine and the national team’s primary goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams.

Mamelodi Sundowns striker Themba Zwane is unavailable due to suspension resulting from an injury sustained in domestic competition and has been replaced by Mihlali Mayambela of Aris Limassol FC.

Mayambela will be joined by Orlando Pirates’ emerging talent Relebohile Mofokeng and Thapelo Morena of Mamelodi Sundowns among the eight forwards selected.

Bafana Bafana’s previous matches occurred in October when they faced Congo in two Group Stage encounters. They achieved a decisive 5-0 victory at home and a 1-1 draw in Brazzaville.

South Africa squad for squad for the crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers against Uganda on November 15 and South Sudan on November 19.
South Africa squad for squad for the crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers against Uganda on November 15 and South Sudan on November 19.
Victor Osimhen named to Nigeria's squad for Benin and Rwanda
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Victor Osimhen named in Nigeria’s squad for Benin and Rwanda

Galatasaray’s striker Victor Osimhen has been named to the Nigeria national team after missing last month’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Libya.

The striker, who is on loan from Napoli is fully healed from the injury that kept him out and is part of the 23-man squad to play against Benin and Rwanda.

The Super Eagles will face the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Stade Felix-Houphouet-Boigny on November 14. They will then return home to Uyo for the final qualifying match against Rwanda’s Amavubi at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on November 18.

Having awarded three points and three goals against Libya, a win or draw against the Benin Republic in Abidjan on November 14 will secure Nigeria a spot in the finals, set for December 2025 to January 2026 in Morocco.

Ademola Lookman, who was nominated for the Ballon d’Or, is also on the squad. He is a strong contender to follow Osimhen in winning the CAF Men’s African Player of the Year award.

While Osimhen’s return is good news, defender Semi Ajayi will not play because he is out for four months with a serious muscle injury that requires surgery. West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan confirmed this. Gabriel Osho, a defender from Auxerre, will take his place.

Osho, who was first called up in March but missed the squad due to injury, was born in Reading.

Real Sociedad’s Sadiq Umar is also returning to the national team. He improved his form this season after recovering from an ACL injury.

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Patson Daka left out of Grant's Zambia side for Ivory Coast
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Patson Daka left out of Grant’s Zambia side for Ivory Coast & Sierra Leone

Zambia’s head coach, Avram Grant, has announced a list of 24 players for the AFCON qualifier against Ivory Coast on November 15 and Sierra Leone. However, key striker Leicester City’s Patson Daka is absent once again.

Leicester City forward Patson Daka is not available even though he has returned to training with his team. He injured himself during Leicester’s final preseason match and has been out since.

Lameck Banda, a winger from Serie A, returns to the squad after missing the last two qualifiers against Chad. He will lead the attack at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, along with Kennedy Musonda and Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba.

Midfielder Miguel Chaiwa is also unavailable. He is expected to be out for several months after injuring his ankle in a recent match against Chad.

Three other players—Edward Chilufya, Lubambo Musonda, and Fashion Sakala—are also injured and will miss the match. Young player Kingston Mutandwa is out due to injury and is not in the squad.

The team will start training on Monday in Ndola. They will play Ivory Coast on November 15 at Levy Mwanawasa Stadium, starting at 18:00. Four days later, they will finish their qualification campaign against Sierra Leone.

Zambia is currently in second place in the group with seven points, two points behind Ivory Coast, who leads with nine points. Sierra Leone is third with four points, and Chad is last with two points.

Zambia's head coach, Avram Grant, has announced a list of 24 players for the AFCON qualifier against Ivory Coast on November 15 and Sierra Leone.
Zambia's head coach, Avram Grant, has announced a list of 24 players for the AFCON qualifier against Ivory Coast on November 15 and Sierra Leone.
Trevoh Chalobah scores first Crystal Palace goal against Wolves
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Trevoh Chalobah scores first Crystal Palace goal against Wolves

Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers played a 2-2 draw at Molineux. Trevoh Chalobah, on loan from Chelsea, scored his first goal for Crystal Palace in the 60th minute.

After a dull first half with few chances, the game picked up when Trevoh Chalobah scored in the 60th minute. He took advantage of a mistake by the Wolves’ defence with a low strike.

Jorgen Strand Larsen equalized by pushing the ball through Dean Henderson’s legs. Joao Gomes then scored again for Wolves, finishing well from a low cross by Goncalo Gomes.

Marc Guéhi tied the game for Palace when he tapped in a corner kick from the back post.

In the 96th minute, Jean-Philippe Mateta thought he had scored the winning goal with a loose ball. However, the referee disallowed it because of a foul on Wolves goalkeeper Jose Sa during the play.