Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal's Aigles de la Médina crowned Champions of WAFU A
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s Aigles de la Médina crowned Champions of WAFU A

The Aigles De La Medina from Senegal emerged as the champions of the WAFU A CAF Women’s Champions League, earning the opportunity to represent their region in the forthcoming CAF Women’s Champions League.

The tournament, which took place in a vibrant and diverse setting, showcased the participation of five clubs representing different countries. Aigles De La Medina, displaying remarkable skill and determination, clinched the top title, thereby earning the right to compete in the renowned continental contest.

The qualifiers saw the impressive performances of the Determined Girls from Liberia and the Mogbwemo Queens from Sierra Leone, who both put up a valiant fight. Their tenacity and talent made the final matches intensely competitive and thrilling for all involved.

In a pivotal match, Aigles De La Medina achieved a 2-1 victory against Determine Girls, who required a win to secure the title. This outcome provided Mogbwemo Queens with a chance to claim the championship, but they failed to win against the Red Scorpion from Gambia.

As the matches unfolded, Aigles De La Medina anxiously awaited the result between Mogbwemo Queens and Red Scorpions. In the end, it was a goalless draw.

The draw confirmed Aigles De La Medina as champions of the WAFU A Qualifiers with 7 points, followed by Determine Girls and Mogbwemo Queens with 6 points each.

Defending champions AS Mandé settled for fourth place with 4 points, as did Red Scorpion.

The CAF Women’s Champions League 2024 Finals is scheduled for November 2024, aiming to showcase the growth and competitiveness of women’s football on the continent, gaining momentum since its inception in Egypt three years ago.

Individual Trophies and Awards

  • Best Player: Jessica Quachie (Liberia – Determine Girls)
  • Best Scorer: Bountou Sylla, 4 goals (Guinea – Determine Girls)
  • Best Goalkeeper: Djaka Chérif Haidara (Mali – AS Mandé)
  • Fair Play: Mogbewmo Queens

 

Six more places to be confirmed for the following zones:

  • Hosts: To be announced
  • Title Holders: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
  • WAFU A: Aigles de la Medina (Senegal)
  • WAFU B: To be confirmed 
  • UNIFFAC: To be confirmed
  • COSAFA: To be confirmed
  • CECAFA: To be confirmed
Senegal's Aigles De La Medina won the WAFU A CAF Women's Champions League Qualifiers and will represent their zone in the upcoming CAF Women's Champions League in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Senegal's Aigles De La Medina won the WAFU A CAF Women's Champions League Qualifiers and will represent their zone in the upcoming CAF Women's Champions League in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Sheffield Wednesday thrash Mustapha Bundu's Plymouth Argyle in opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sheffield Wednesday thrash Mustapha Bundu’s Argyle in opener

Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu started under new head coach Wayne Rooney in the English Championship. However, Plymouth Argyle, led by Wayne Rooney, had a tough start, losing 4-0 to Sheffield Wednesday in his first game in charge at Hillsborough.

Last season, it took Sheffield Wednesday 14 games to win, but they managed to do it in their first game of the 2024/25 season, largely thanks to Jamal Lowe. Bundu, who played as a second striker, was substituted in the 57th minute and replaced by Bali Mumba.

Lowe scored in the first half and was also involved in forcing an own goal from Brendan Galloway in the second half at Hillsborough. Josh Windass and Michael Smith added a late third and fourth goal to seal a great day for Sheffield Wednesday. Rooney’s Argyle team struggled, especially in the first half.

Sheffield Wednesday’s two best players played a significant role in the move that led to the opening goal in the 35th minute.

Barry Bannan’s pass and Svante Ingelsson’s excellent cross found Lowe in the middle, who made no mistake with the finish. In the 52nd minute, Sheffield Wednesday extended their lead to 2-0 thanks to a calamitous own goal from Galloway.

Lowe’s header struck Galloway in the face and flew into the net, an unfortunate own goal.

In the 83rd minute, a third goal was scored by Windass after a pass from Anthony Musaba, who set him up for a decisive strike. Finally, with the last kick of the game, substitute Smith scored the fourth goal, firing in from close range at the second attempt.

Police FC beat APR to claim Rwanda Super Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Police FC beat APR to claim Rwanda Super Cup

Police FC emerged as the champions of the 2024 FERWAFA Super Cup, which marked the beginning of the season.

Coach Vincent Mashami’s team secured victory by defeating the reigning champions of the Rwanda Premier League, APR FC, in a penalty shoot-out with a score of 6-5. The final match took place at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday and concluded with a draw of 0-0.

Both teams had opportunities to score but were unable to capitalize on them. Yunusu Nshimiyimana had the best chance for APR FC, while Elijah Ani and Richard Kilongozi also came close for Police FC.

Mashami, whose team had undergone pre-season training in Uganda and played several warm-up matches, expressed that winning the Super Cup provided strong motivation for the upcoming season. He added, “We need to continue working hard because there are many matches ahead, including the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.”

Following their Super Cup victory, Police FC will now focus on preparing for their upcoming match against CS Constantine in the 1st preliminary round of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, which will take place in Algeria.

On the other hand, APR FC, who secured the second position in the CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania last month, will shift their focus to their upcoming away match against Tanzania’s Azam FC in the 1st preliminary round of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, which will take place next weekend.

Police FC emerged as the champions of the 2024 FERWAFA Super Cup, which marked the beginning of the season.
Police FC emerged as the champions of the 2024 FERWAFA Super Cup, which marked the beginning of the season.
Augustus Kargbo nets to help Cesena advance to Coppa Italia round of 16
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo nets to help Cesena advance in Coppa Italia

Cesena advanced to the 16th round of the Coppa Italia after winning against a Serie A team away from home. They will now face Pisa or Frosinone.

Sierra Leone International scored for Cesena again, helping them progress in the Italian Serie B Coppa Italia. Hellas Verona’s first official match of the season ended in a defeat against Cesena in the round of 32 of the Italian Cup.

In the first half, Romagnoli took the lead with a goal in the 44th minute by Kargbo, who converted a right-footed shot from Bastoni’s assist.

At the start of the second half, the Bianconeri scored again through Shpendi, assisted by Kargbo. In the 75th minute, Tengstedt scored for Hellas Verona, making the final score 1-2.

In the next round, Cesena will play against the winner of the Frosinone-Pisa match, scheduled for Monday at 18:00.

Turkish side Ankara Keciorengucu unveil Steven Caulker
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Steven Caulker makes debut in Keçiörengücü’s opening draw

Sierra Leone captain Steven Caulker played his first game for his Turkish team Keçiörengücü on Friday in the season’s opener, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Keçiörengücü, who played away against Sakaryaspor in the first week of the Trendyol 1st League 2024-2025 season, left the field with a 1-1 draw.

New acquisition Caulker played the full throttle of the game – his first 90-minute of action since February.

Striker Aliou Traore scored the visitor’s opener, but his goal was cancelled in the 56th minute through Emre Demir’s leveller.

In July 2024, Caulker returned to Turkey after signing a one-year deal with TFF First League club Keçiörengücü, with the option of a further one-year extension.

Keciorengucu’s next league action is against Bandirmaspor on Saturday, August 17, in front of the home fans.