Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kei Kamara breaks new Major League Soccer ground

On Saturday, Kei Kamara secured his place in MLS history by scoring his 146th goal, surpassing Landon Donovan to become the league’s second-highest goalscorer after tying the record just days earlier.

Kamara’s momentous goal in the 33rd minute propelled LAFC to a 3-0 lead against the San Jose Earthquakes, echoing the style of his record-tying goal with another powerful header at the back post.

This remarkable achievement means that only one player in MLS history has scored as many goals as Kamara.

“I hope it makes a lot of people happy. I know it makes my friends and family happy because they’re the ones that have been counting the goals all these years and they get to text me. I see their texts, how happy they are,” Kamara said of his historic goal.

“But Landon is the greatest American soccer player to ever live, so for my name to be called next to his for this long, it was an honour. It’s still always going to be next to Landon – I mean the [MLS MVP] trophy is named after him. So when I get to be mentioned next to a great soccer player like that, it’s kind of cool and I’m a fan.”

While Kamara currently trails Chris Wondolowski by 25 goals, his resurgence with his 11th MLS team in Los Angeles has ignited hope for the 39-year-old veteran to potentially challenge the record.

Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv counts on new acquisition Anthony Ujah
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bulgaria’s Plovdiv counts on new acquisition Anthony Ujah

Bulgarian club Botev Plovdiv believes their new signing, Anthony Ujah, will bring experience and goals for the 2024 First League season.

The team’s sporting director, Arthur Platek, is confident that Ujah will perform at a high level and provide valuable experience for the team.

Botev (Plovdiv) is excited to welcome Anthony Ujah, a Nigerian striker with experience in the Bundesliga and Second Bundesliga. The team’s sporting director, Artur Platek, is confident that Ujah’s goal-scoring ability and experience will help the team improve. Ujah chose to join Botev Plovdiv instead of renewing his contract with German Bundesliga II team Eintracht Braunschweig.

Platek stated that Ujah, along with Ivelin Popov, will help guide the younger players and share their knowledge of what is needed to succeed in top European championships.

The Nigerian striker is the fourth new addition to the team after Alexa Marash, Alain Koroshets and Hans Christian Bernat .

 

Women's Africa Cup of Nations dates set for July next year
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Women’s Africa Cup of Nations dates set for July next year

The Confederation of African Football has announced that the next Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will occur in July 2025.

The 21-day event will start on July 5 and end on July 26, 2025. This decision comes after a period of uncertainty following the completion of the qualifiers.

The tournament, originally planned for this year in Morocco, has been postponed to the following year. The decision was made at a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee on June 21, 2024.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe expressed his excitement for the growth of women’s football in Africa and hopes for the success of the WAFCON Morocco 2024. He also promised to continue developing African football to become competitive on a global level.

Additionally, CAF expressed gratitude to King Mohamed VI of Morocco and the Moroccan Football Federation for hosting both the AFCON 2025 and WAFCON 2024.

Ghana’s Black Queens, who missed out in 2018, have secured their spot in the upcoming competition.

Banyana Banyana won the last edition in Morocco with a 2-1 victory over the host country at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat in July 2022. Hildah Magaia was the game’s star, scoring two goals to secure South Africa’s win in the final.

The dates of the CAF TotalEnergies WAFCON Morocco 2024 are:

  • Opening Match: Saturday 5 July 2025
  • Final Match: Saturday 26 July 2025
Banyana Banyana won the last edition in Morocco with a 2-1 victory over the host country. Hildah Magaia was the star of the game, scoring two goals to secure South Africa’s win in the final.
Banyana Banyana won the last edition in Morocco with a 2-1 victory over the host country. Hildah Magaia was the star of the game, scoring two goals to secure South Africa’s win in the final.
CAF confirm dates for next AFCON in Morocco 2025
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF confirm dates for next AFCON in Morocco 2025

The CAF Executive Committee has announced dates for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Morocco.

The Morocco 2025 tournament will start on Sunday, December 21, 2025, and end with the final match on Sunday, January 18, 2026. This event will bring together the best African football talent and will surely excite fans across the continent and beyond.

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe expressed confidence that the AFCON Morocco 2025 will be a great success and the best in the history of the competition.

The announcement followed discussions with various parties, taking into account international and domestic match schedules.

The CAF boss also noted the significant growth of Women’s football in Africa and the expected success of WAFCON Morocco 2024.

CAF is committed to protecting and advancing the interests of African players and developing African football to be globally competitive.

Motsepe expressed gratitude to King Mohamed VI of Morocco, the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF), its President Fouzi Lekjaa, the Government, and the people of Morocco for hosting the AFCON Morocco 2025.

Striker Kei Kamara heads 145 Major League career goals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Kei Kamara heads 145 Major League career goals

In a 1-1 tie against Austin FC, Los Angeles extended its undefeated streak to nine games in all competitions.

Kei Kamara scored a late header, securing a crucial point for the team. As a result, he equals Landon Donovan’s mark of 145 career MLS goals for second place on the league’s all-time list.

Jáder Obrian from Austin’s team scored first in the game, but Kamara tied the score in the 90th minute with his first MLS goal.

LAFC’s current season record is 10-4-4 with 34 points. This goal was Kamara’s 145th regular-season goal, putting him in second place in league history, tied with Landon Donovan.

It’s worth mentioning that Kamara has scored for 11 different MLS clubs since he joined the league in 2006.

Austin took the lead in the 19th minute when Obrian’s deflected shot beat Hugo Lloris, marking the first time LAFC had conceded a first-half goal since May 4 and only the second goal allowed in MLS play since then.

Throughout the second half, LAFC maintained pressure on Austin, finishing with a 17-3 advantage in shots.

The equalizer finally came in the 90th minute when Kamara headed in Mateusz Bogusz’s cross from the back post, tying the score 1-1.

Kei Kamara equals Landon Donovan's mark of 145 career MLS goals for second place on the league's all-time list.
Kei Kamara equals Landon Donovan's mark of 145 career MLS goals for second place on the league's all-time list.