Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Stade de Rennais sign Senegalese defender Mikayil Faye
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Stade de Rennais sign Senegalese defender Mikayil Faye

Senegal international Mikayil Faye, an up-and-coming 20-year-old defender, has completed an exciting transfer from Spanish giants FC Barcelona to French club Stade de Rennais.

This transfer marks a significant step in his promising career. Faye, who previously impressed while playing for Barca’s reserve team in the Primera Federación, has now joined Rennes on a permanent deal.

Reportedly, Stade Rennais F.C. will pay an initial fee of €10.3 million for Faye, and the deal includes a €25 million buy-back clause for Barcelona. Additionally, a 30% sell-on clause has also been included in the agreement, emphasizing the high potential seen in Faye by both clubs.

In an official statement, Rennes expressed their enthusiasm about the transfer, highlighting Faye as “the great Senegalese hope of the 2004 generation.” The central defender has agreed to a contract of four seasons with the French club, signifying a long-term commitment to his new team.

Faye’s football journey began at the Diambars academy, and his talent was further showcased when he reached the round of 16 of the 2019 FIFA Under-17 World Cup with Senegal U17.

His remarkable progress led to an impactful senior debut for Senegal, where he scored in a friendly match against Gabon on 22 March 2024. This transfer to Stade Rennais F.C. marks an exciting new chapter in Faye’s promising career.

AS FAR Rabat and Algeria's CR Bélouizdad progress in CAF Champions League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

AS FAR & CR Bélouizdad progress in CAF Champions League

Morocco’s AS FAR Rabat turned around a 2-1 deficit from the first leg against Nigeria’s Remo Stars, winning 2-0 in the second leg in Rabat.

Goals from Joël Beya and Zouhzouh secured their spot in the second preliminary round.

Algeria’s CR Bélouizdad continued their good form with a 1-0 win over AC Léopards of Congo. They will now face Burkina Faso’s AS Douanes in the next round.

Ghana’s Samartex won 1-0 at home, completing a 2-0 aggregate victory over Cameroon’s Victoria United. Isaac Afful’s early goal set up a second-round clash with Raja Casablanca.

In other results, Cote d’Ivoire champions San Pedro won 1-0 against Sierra Leone’s BO Rangers, and Congo’s AS Maniema Union defeated Zimbabwe’s Ngezi Platinum on penalties.

Togo’s ASKO Kara progressed with a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea’s Deportivo Mongomo. FC Nouadhibou of Mauritania, participants in last season’s group stage, were eliminated on away goals by Guinea’s Milo FC.

The second preliminary round matches are scheduled from September 13 to 15 for the first legs and September 23 to 25 for the return fixtures.

Senegal's Jaraaf ease past Lions in CAF Confed preliminary
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s Jaraaf ease past Lions in CAF Confed preliminary

On Sunday, Senegal’s Jaraaf Dakar secured their spot in the second preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup with a 3-0 victory over Sierra Leone’s East End Lions.

The “Green and Whites” delivered a strong performance, with Souleymane Cissé netting a hat-trick, including a goal just 46 seconds into the match at the Stade Lat-Dior in Thies, Senegal.

A dominant 4-0 aggregate victory earned them a match against Cote d’Ivoire’s Racing Club d’Abidjan in the next round in September.

In another match, Togo’s ASCK managed to win 2-0 against Niger’s AS FAN after a challenging first-leg draw.

This victory set up an exciting matchup with Ivorians ASEC Mimosas for the “Kozah Drivers.”

Sunday's CAF Confederation Cup results
Sunday's CAF Confederation Cup results
Young Africans thrash Burundi's Vital in CAF Champions League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Young Africans thrash Burundi’s Vital’O in CAF Champions League

Tanzania’s Young Africans put on a stellar performance in continental football on Saturday, beating Burundi’s Vital’O 6-0 in the second leg of their CAF Champions League first-round qualifier in Dar es Salaam.

This victory completed a 10-0 aggregate win, making it the largest margin of victory in the 14 completed ties so far.

Zambian midfielder Clatous Chama played a pivotal role in Vital’O’s defeat, scoring once and providing four assists.

The game started with a 14th-minute penalty converted by Ivorian Pacome Zouzoua after Vital’O was reduced to 10 men. Goals from Clement Mzize, Chama, and Zimbabwean Prince Dube followed before Vital’O lost another player to a red card.

With their opponents down to nine men, Young Africans scored two more goals through Burkina Faso’s Stephane Aziz Ki and Yahya Mudathir.

This resounding victory sets up an exciting East African clash in the final qualifying round, as Young Africans will face Commercial Bank of Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, Raja Casablanca of Morocco demonstrated their strength with a 5-0 win over AS Garde Nationale from Niger, adding to their first-leg lead and securing their spot in the next round.

Debutants Stellenbosch and Nsoatreman Impress in CAF Confed Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Debutants Stellenbosch & Nsoatreman Impress in CAF Confed Cup

Debutants Stellenbosch and Nsoatreman were the stand-out teams of the day in Saturday’s first preliminary round and second-leg matches of the CAF Confederation Cup.

South African team Stellenbosch made a strong impression by defeating Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs FC with an aggregate score 8-0.

After winning 3-0 in the first leg, they secured a 5-0 victory at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, with goals from Lehlogonolo Mojela, Langelihle Phili, Andre de Jong, Omega Mdaka, and substitute Mervin Boji. This win sets up an exciting second-round clash with DR Congo’s AS Vita Club.

Ghana’s Nsoatreman FC also made a mark with a 5-0 aggregate victory over Elect Sport, winning 3-0 in the first leg and 2-0 in the return leg. Walid Fuseini and Stephan Diyou were the goal scorers for Nsoatreman.

Racing Club d’Abidjan of Cote d’Ivoire secured their qualification against Morocco’s Union de Touarga after a tense penalty shootout, with Ivorian goalkeeper Ousmane Zombra saving three Moroccan penalties to clinch a 2-1 victory.

Stade Tunisien from Tunisia secured a comfortable 4-0 win over South Sudan’s Jamus, while Benin’s Dadjè also qualified for the next round by defeating Nigeria’s El Kameni Warriors.

The second round is scheduled to begin on September 15, 2024 – and promises to be an exciting phase of the competition, with anticipated clashes including Stellenbosch FC versus AS Vita Club and Nsoatreman potentially facing either Rwanda’s Police FC or Algeria’s CS Constantine.