Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe and others mourn Jayden Adams

Jayden Adams, a South African midfielder who played at this year’s World Cup, has died at age 25. South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, confirmed his death on Saturday in a statement.

“My heart goes out to the family of Jayden Adams, whom I spoke to this morning,” McKenzie said.

Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) President, Dr Patrice Motsepe, has sent his heartfelt condolences following the passing of South Africa international and Mamelodi Sundowns star, Jayden Adams.

“At just 25 years of age, Jayden Adams represented his country for Bafana Bafana during FIFA World Cup 2026 and was also part of the Mamelodi Sundowns squad that won the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026 in Rabat,” said Dr Motsepe.

Dr Motsepe on behalf of CAF and its 54 Member Associations would like to send his sincere condolences to the South African Football Association (“SAFA”), and its President, Dr Danny Jordaan, Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club and most importantly, to the Family of Jayden Adams.

Jayden Adams previously played his football for Stellenbosch FC and has recently cemented his place in the Bafana Bafana side. He died earlier this week after appearing for his country during their run in the World Cup round of 32.

”We at the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) are devastated by the untimely passing of Mamelodi Sundowns and Bafana Bafana midfielder Jayden Adams,” SAFPU said in a statement. Jayden had recently proudly represented his country at the FIFA World Cup, to the collective hopes of a nation he carried with immense pride, courage, and distinction.

He started the team’s 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic despite his grandmother Marianna passing away the day before the match. He also started in South Africa’s subsequent 2-0 loss to Mexico. Adams entered as a substitute in South Africa’s 1-0 victory over South Korea.

Gayton McKenzie, South Africa’s minister of sports, arts and culture, reached out to Adams following the passing of his grandmother.

”I shall carry forever the humble, appreciative response he gave me,” McKenzie said. That he chose to wear the national jersey and give his all for his country in that moment speaks to a depth of character and professionalism well beyond his years, and it reflects the calibre of young man South Africa has lost,” he added.

FIFPRO on Twitter: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Jayden Adams at the age of 25. Jayden had recently represented his country at the FIFA World Cup, marking a proud moment in a life and career cut tragically short. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, teammates, and all those who knew him. May he rest in peace.”

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kamil Conteh joins Newly-promoted League One side Bromley 

League One new boys Bromley have completed the signing of midfielder Kamil Conteh from Bristol Rovers but details of the deal haven’t been revealed.

Conteh, 23, joined Rovers from Grimsby Town in January last year and went on to make 73 appearances for the Pirates in all competitions, scoring two goals last season.

The Sierra Leone international had been sent out on loan by Rovers to League One champions Lincoln City last season but made just one appearance out on loan on the final day of the season due to injuries.

Conteh is the first player to sign for Bromley this summer as they gear up for their first-ever League One campaign next season.

On 17 March 20/22 Conteh was named in Sierra Leone’s squad for their International friendly matches against Togo, Liberia and Congo.

He went on to make his International debut a week later during their 3–0 loss against Togo, where he started and played the full match.

Since then, Conteh has made 12 appearances for Sierra Leone. Kamil will wear the number 22 shirt at the CopperJax Community Stadium.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kylian Mbappé inspires France to defeat Morocco in Boston

Attacker Kylian Mbappé scored the opening goal to help lead France past Morocco at the Boston Stadium and earn his eighth goal of the tournament. France has now reached the semi-finals of the World Cup for the third consecutive tournament, even though Mbappé missed a penalty during the first half.

He recovered from a saved penalty to score a glorious goal and assist Ousmane Dembele as France booked their place in the World Cup semi-finals by beating Morocco 2-0 at Boston Stadium.

France were bright from the onset as Dayot Upamecano headed a corner kick in the fifth minute five, but it landed right into the arms of Moroccan goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou.

France seemed destined to take the lead when Noussair Mazraoui brought down Mbappé inside the box. Mbappe stepped up to take the penalty, but keeper Bounou denied him, sending the ball into the side netting to send the game into halftime tied at 0-0.

France finally broke the deadlock in the 60th minute when Mbappé whipped a shot into the top corner of the net from just outside the box. Seven minutes later, Mbappé found Dembélé, who rolled the ball into the back of the net.

Didier Deschamps’ side kept Morocco at bay for the remainder of the game and booked their spot in the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, following their victories in 2018 and runner-up finish in Qatar 2022.

France 2-0 Morocco – France goals: Mbappé (60), Dembélé (66)

Morocco aims to get the better of France in the first World Cup quarterfinal in Boston
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco v France: An exciting quarterfinal clash awaits in Boston

France and Morocco have set their sight on the FIFA World Cup semi-final stage as they square off at the Boston Stadium on Thursday afternoon, with kick-off at 16:00 local time.

Without a doubt, Morocco is fast becoming one of Africa’s toughest sides in recent years and will be hoping to deliver yet another memorable performance on the world stage come Thursday night.

The French booked their place in the tournament’s last eight following a 1-0 victory over Paraguay during the Round of 16 stage at the Philadelphia Stadium on Monday, 4 July.

Kylian Mbappé sealed the victory for Les Blues

What was a tense affair between the South American side and the French saw loads of running and physicality, with both teams having a real go at one another. However, it was Kylian Mbappé who separated the sides through a 70th-minute penalty.

Morocco eased past hosts Canada

On the other hand, Morocco easily defeated hosts Canada 3-0 at the Houston Stadium to book their place in the quarter-finals. Goals from Azzedine Ounahi (2) and Soufiane Rahimi sealed the victory in stoppage time as Canada struggled to find a way past Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

France assistant coach heaps praise on Morocco

Speaking ahead of the clash against Morocco, France assistant coach Guy Stephan had special words of encouragement reserved for Les Lions de l’Atlas, whom he feels will be one of the teams to beat at this year’s FIFA World Cup.

“Their team organisation makes them dangerous,” Stephan told FIFA.com. “They are well-structured as a group and very solid; they are also good on the counter-attack and have scored plenty of goals in this tournament.”

Stephan continued to heap praise on the Moroccan Federation for investing huge sums into the local league structure, which he believes will only improve Morocco as time goes on.

“They (Morocco) have drawn against Brazil and beaten the Netherlands. They can mix it with the best teams from Europe and South America.”

France vs Morocco head-to-head record

France has faced Morocco on two previous occasions, with one win each and a draw.

Les Bleus emerged victorious when the two nations met in Qatar 2022 semi-finals, with the Atlas Lions out for revenge as they target a second straight appearance in the World Cup last four.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Argentina Stages Comeback to End Egypt’s World Cup Run

Egypt’s remarkable World Cup journey came to a heartbreaking end in the round of 16, where they suffered a 3-2 defeat against defending champions Argentina, despite holding a two-goal advantage.

Hossam Hassan’s team initially took control of the match, going ahead 2-0 with goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico. However, Argentina rallied in the closing minutes to secure their spot in the quarter-finals.

Ibrahim kicked things off in the 15th minute, scoring with a header from a corner delivered by Marwan Attia. Just before halftime, Egypt’s goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saved a penalty from Lionel Messi, keeping Argentina at bay as they sought to level the score.

In the second half, Zico had a goal disallowed by VAR, but he found the back of the net in the 67th minute after a swift counterattack involving both Mohamed Salah and Haissem Hassan. Argentina struck back in the 79th minute with Cristian Romero heading in from a Messi cross. Just four minutes later, Messi equalized, and Enzo Fernández clinched the win with a goal in stoppage time.

This defeat marked the end of Egypt’s deepest World Cup run to date. They managed to draw with Belgium and Iran, celebrated their first-ever World Cup victory against New Zealand, and triumphed over Australia in a penalty shootout to reach the knockout stage.

With this loss, Egypt’s unbeaten streak at the tournament came to a close, as they exited following their historic performance. Argentina will now face either Switzerland or Colombia in the quarter-finals.

Stats

  • Mostafa Shoubeir, who repelled a spot-kick from IR Iran’s Mehdi Taremi in the group stage, became only the fourth goalkeeper to save two penalties in games in one World Cup. The 26-year-old emulated Pole Jan Tomaszewski, American Brad Friedel and another Pole in Wojciech Szczesny.

  • Enzo Fernández scored the 3,000th goal in World Cup history.