Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Colo-Colo unveil keeper Vozinha
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Colo-Colo unveil Cape Verde keeper Vozinha

Chilean club Colo Colo announced the signing of Cabo Verde goalkeeper Vozinha on Tuesday. He helped his country reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was voted the tournament’s best goalkeeper by fans.

The 40-year-old, whose full name is Josimar Jose Evora Dias, spoke at a news conference at Monumental David Arellano Stadium in Santiago.

“I expected something big because we are talking about Colo Colo, but I did not expect so many people,” Vozinha said. “I am happy to be received by so many people. I have to thank everyone.”

He last played for Portuguese team G.D. Chaves and said he feels fulfilled after the World Cup.

“I started playing professionally at 25. I come from a small country with few opportunities. I represent the Cape Verdean people, who work hard and never give up.”

Colo Colo is Chile’s most successful club and won the Copa Libertadores in 1991. They currently lead the Chilean Primera Division with 42 points from 17 matches, 12 points ahead of Universidad de Chile.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bubista resigns as Cape Verde coach to join RS Berkane

Pedro Leitão Brito, better known as Bubista, has stepped down as head coach of Cape Verde to take on a new challenge with Moroccan club RS Berkane. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast has brought back Herve Renard as their head coach.

Bubista led Cape Verde to the last 32 of the World Cup, where they lost 3-2 to Argentina after extra time. He also took the team to the quarter-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. At RS Berkane, he signed a two-year contract, replacing Moin Chaabani, now coach of Tunisia.

Renard has won the Africa Cup of Nations twice, including with Ivory Coast in 2015. Ivory Coast decided not to renew Emerse Fae’s contract after their World Cup exit. Fae took over during the Africa Cup of Nations, where the team won the tournament.

Renard has coached Morocco and Saudi Arabia after leaving Ivory Coast in 2015. The length of his new contract is not disclosed, but he will arrive in Abidjan soon.

Bubista’s success with Cape Verde raised his profile to join RS Berkane, who, despite not being one of Morocco’s biggest clubs, has won a domestic league title and three Caf Confederation Cups.

Cape Verde qualified for the World Cup for the first time and was seen as an underdog story. The football federation thanked Bubista for his contributions and wished him well.

Bubista is one of several African coaches to leave post-World Cup. Vladimir Petkovic left Algeria after they lost to Switzerland, and Hugo Broos resigned as South Africa’s coach.

Senegal fired Pape Thiaw after losing to Belgium, considering Patrick Vieira as a replacement. The Ghana Football Association is discussing the future of Carlos Queiroz after his team’s World Cup exit.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco and Algeria Reach WAFCON Quarter-Finals

North African teams Morocco and Algeria have successfully advanced to the quarterfinals of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations from Group A.

Morocco secured the top spot in Group A after a goalless draw with Senegal in Rabat on Monday night. Meanwhile, Algeria clinched their place in the quarterfinals with a solid 2-0 victory over Kenya on Tuesday evening, finishing second in the group behind the hosts, Morocco.

Although Morocco aimed for a third consecutive win, Senegal’s goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye thwarted their efforts by saving two penalties in the second half. Yasmin Mrabet was denied first in the 69th minute and then again when the penalty was retaken.

On the other hand, Algeria delivered a confident performance in the first half, finding the back of the net twice within the opening 30 minutes. They managed to control the game after the break to secure a result that confirmed their progression to the knockout stage.

Morocco and Algeria Reach WAFCON Quarter-Finals
Morocco and Algeria Reach WAFCON Quarter-Finals
Sierra Leone Interclub Representatives to Know Their Opponents Today
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Star Sport Academy to learn Interclub opponent on Thursday

Star Sport Academy has started its pre-season camp in Kenema, Sierra Leone, as it prepares for the Interclub continental competition. On Thursday, they will learn about their first opponent.

The journey to win the continental club football title starts on Thursday, August 6, 2026, when the draws for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will take place at CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

Making their debut, Star Sport Academy will represent Sierra Leone after Bo Rangers withdrew from the competition. The draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League will happen at 15:00 Cairo time (12:00 GMT) on Thursday.

The winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League will receive a $6 million prize. The champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will earn $4 million.

Clubs that do not advance from the preliminary rounds will each get $100,000. This payment is part of CAF’s effort to support teams involved in its interclub competitions. Recent preliminary rounds have featured exciting matches, showing both well-known teams and ambitious new clubs eager to succeed in African football.

Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa are the defending champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, while USM Alger from Algeria won the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup last season.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League preliminary rounds
Date: Thursday, August 6, 2026
Time: 15:00 Cairo time (12:00 GMT)
Venue: CAF headquarters, Cairo, Egypt

Mali boost WAFCON qualification chances with win over Cape Verde
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali boost WAFCON qualification chances with win over Cape Verde

Mali improved their TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 3-2 win over Cape Verde at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Sunday night.

Oumou Kone scored first for Mali, but Eve Pereira equalised for Cape Verde. Fatoumata Niakate restored Mali’s lead early in the second half, and Fatoumata Diarra scored again in the 79th minute. Cape Verde fought back with a goal from Alivia Kelly in the 88th minute, but Mali held on for the win.

With this result, Mali is now level with Ghana on three points, while Cameroon leads Group D with six points. Cape Verde remains at the bottom without any points, but their effort showed determination.

Both teams faced pressure after losing their opening matches. Mali lost to Cameroon, while Cape Verde fell to Ghana. This match was crucial, especially since Cape Verde had beaten Mali in the qualifiers.

In the 29th minute, Aissata Traore set up Kone for Mali’s first goal. Pereira’s equaliser for Cape Verde was significant as it marked their first-ever goal at the TotalEnergies WAFCON finals.

Mali took the lead again in the 50th minute with Niakate’s goal, thanks to another assist from Traore. Diarra’s third goal in the 79th minute seemed to seal the win, but Cape Verde’s late goal kept the match tense.

The victory keeps Mali in contention for the quarter-finals, while Cape Verde showed promise despite the loss.

Sunday's TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations results
Sunday's TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations results