Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zambia coach Avram Grant hopeful ahead of Morocco tie
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zambia coach Avram Grant hopeful ahead of Morocco tie

Zambia head coach Avram Grant has expressed optimism following his side’s draw against Tanzania on Sunday in the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023. 

Tanzania were searching for their first Africa Cup of Nations win in 44 years but was dashed when Zambia snatched a late 1-1 Group F draw in San-Pedro.

Grant’s men scored late through Patson Daka’s header to rescue a draw against the Taifa Stars. 

“It’s a disappointing result. We knew it wouldn’t be an easy match after watching Tanzania’s match against Morocco. It’s true that we started well too but we conceded a goal quickly and that changed our tactics especially after the red card,” Grant told journalists in a post-match Interview.

“It’s difficult to play with ten players. But I’m happy with the boys’ reaction. They gave everything to come back.”

Zambia’s final group outing is against the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finalist and favourites Morocco on Wednesday. 

Grant believes his team will show up and deliver against the Atlas Lions. 

“We already know that Morocco is a big team but we are not afraid of them. We will play them and I hope we will put up a good performance. We will have to show character,”

“That’s what we try to do every day, get better. And on all levels. Since I have been coaching this team, we have progressed in several areas but we must continue. Even when you become champion, you have to continue to improve the team.”

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 African News.

Morocco held by DR Congo in Cup of Nations encounter
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco held by DR Congo in Cup of Nations encounter 

On Sunday, Les Léopards of DR Congo halted Atlas Lion’s perfect start following their 1-1 draw at the Stade Laurent Pokou in their Matchday two Africa Cup of Nations.

PSG’s defender Achraf Hakimi had given the Atlas Lions an early lead, but DR Congo rallied their equaliser through Silas Katompa Mvumpa.

Morocco came into the tie searching for their second win and took the lead just six minutes when Hakimi rifled home after being found up by Hakim Ziyech.

DR Congo was handed a lifeline when VAR awarded a penalty after a Moroccan handball in the box on 42 minutes. However, Cedric Bakambu squandered the golden opportunity to equalise.

The Leopards finally drew parity in the 76th-minutes when Silas Katompa Mvumpa converted Elia Meschack’s assist.

Despite the draw, Morocco remains top on four points, DR Congo second on two, and all still to play for in Group F.

Morocco faces Zambia next, while DR Congo tackles Tanzania in their final pool matches on Wednesday.

DR Congo striker Silas Katompa Mvumpa, who came to the Leopard’s rescue, expressed frustration in his post-match interview.

“There was room at the end for us to get all three points. We saw the Moroccans were tired and had opportunities,” Mvumpa, who was Man of the Match, told reporters.

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Guinea's win over Gambia delights Coach Kaba Diawara
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea’s win over Gambia delights Coach Kaba Diawara

Guinea coach Kaba Diawara was delighted after his side came out with a 1-0 victory over the Gambia on Friday’s match day two Group C encounter.

The Syli national took a pivotal step towards reaching the Cup of Nations 2023 last sixteen through Mohamed Bayo’s only goal.

“This victory is payback for that previous loss, which was so hard to take,” Diawara told reporters. Winning is more important because it shows we’ve improved over two years and worked hard to get better.”

The former Guinea international felt the performance highlighted their progress despite first-half struggles.

“What didn’t go well early on was our lack of efficiency, but after changes, things improved,” analysed Diawara.

“Creating chances is the hard part, now we just need to finish them off, and that will come in time.”

Gambia head coach Tom Saintfiet, on the other hand, remains optimistic. “In the first half Guinea were stronger but in the second period we raised our level more,” the Belgian stated.

“We can still qualify with three points in our next game,” Saintfiet noted of the Scorpions boss.

Guinea still has an uphill task against already-qualified Senegal in Tuesday’s West African derby. The Gambia must defeat Cameroon and see if they will be one of the best losers to make the last 16.

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Striker Abu Kamara helps Portsmouth win over Fleetwood
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Abu Kamara helps Portsmouth win over Fleetwood

Abu Kamara’s goal proved enough for Portsmouth as they see off struggling Sky Bet League One side 1-0 thanks to Kamara’s 25th-minute strike.

Sierra Leone native Abu Kamara scored midway through the first half after beating two men before firing the ball home as Pompey bounced back to winning ways.

The hard-fought 1-0 win on the Fylde coast ensured Pompey kept their position at the summit.

The forward, on loan from Norwich, turned Josh Earl and ran unchallenged at the heart of the defence before curling a fine finish beyond Jay Lynch.

Kamara, 20. Since his loan move has scored seven goals in twenty-nine appearances.

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Baghdad Bounedjah rescues Algeria against Burkina Faso
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Baghdad Bounedjah rescues Algeria against Burkina Faso

Al Sadd striker Baghdad Bounedjah scored a brace as Algeria and Burkina-Faso played to a 2-2 all draw at the Stade de Bouake in their Cup of Nations match day two on Saturday.

As a result, the Stallions remain on top of Group D on four points, followed by Algeria on two points as Angola and Mauritania face off later in the day.

Baghdad Bounedjah bundles in Algeria’s leveller in the 51st minute from close range to cancel out Mohamed Konaté’s powerful header that was allowed to stand after a VAR check.

Bertrand Isidore Traoré’s 71st-minute spot-kick looked like they were on the verge of booking their Cup of Nations’ last sixteen spot – but another goal from Baghdad Bounedjah saw both teams share the spoils.

Bounedjah’s brace keeps his side’s chances of reaching the knockout phase of the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 alive.

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