Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco ease past Tanzania, DRC & Zambia draw in opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco ease past Tanzania, DRC & Zambia draw in opener

Tournament favourite Morocco, in the hunt for their first AFCON title in almost 50 years, thrashed Tanzania in the Group F opener.

On Wednesday, the Atlas Lions of Morocco proved too strong as they brushed aside Tanzania 3-0 at the Stade Laurent Pokou In their opening game of the Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023.

The North Africans were dominant as they controlled the pace of the showdown against Taifa Stars, ranked 121 in global football.

The 2022 World Cup semifinalist took the lead after Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech’s free-kick was parried out by Salum Manula before it was tapped in by Morocco’s skipper Roman Saiss.

Things got worse for Tanzania when Novatus Miroshi was sent off with 20 minutes left before Azzedine Ounahi scored to double Morocco’s lead.

Youssef En-Nesyri converted Achraf Hakimi’s cross as they crapped up the victory.

In the day’s encounter, DR Congo and Zambia settle for a 1-1 draw in Group F’s second game on Wednesday evening.

DR Congo’s star Yoane Wissa was named Man of the Match by technical observers. All four sides are back in action again on Sunday.

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

Sierra Leone International Alpha Conteh pens Neftchi Baku deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone International Alpha Conteh pens Neftchi Baku deal

 Azerbaijani professional football club Neftchi Baku have confirmed the signing of Sierra Leone International Alpha Bedo Conteh on a two-and-a-half deal with a year additional option.

The 23-year-old left winger will wear jersey number 20 in our team.

Based in Baku, they compete in the Azerbaijan Premier League, the highest tier of Azerbaijan football. 

Last season, Conteh was a pivotal attacking option for Bulgarian top-flight side PFC Lokomotiv Plovdiv, where he made over twenty appearances and scored four goals.

“Before signing the contract, Alfa Conte underwent a general annual examination at Liv Bona Dea Hospital and no health problems were detected,” the club said in their statement.

Mali beat South Africa in the Group E opener to go top
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali beat South Africa in Group E opener to go top

On Wednesday, South Africa suffered an opening African Cup of Nations Group E 2-0 defeat to Mali at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium.

Goals Hamari Traore and Lassine Sinayoko were enough as the Les Aigles Mali topped off the group – Namibia in second after they stunned North African giant Tunisia 1-0 in the early kickoff at the same venue.

South Africa was the better side in the opening 45 minutes but failed to take any of their chances. 

A penalty was awarded to South Africa after an elbow to the face from Mali defender Sikou Niakate on Evidence Makgopa confirmed after VAR review.

The 1996 champions missed a glorious chance to take the lead after Al Ahly striker Percy Tau sent a penalty over the bar for Bafana Bafana.

However, Mali took control after Traore opened the scoring for the Les Aigles from tapped in the rebound after Sekou Koita’s free-kick hit the woodwork.

Mali capitalised to net their second when Sinayoko seized on Kamory Doumbia’s pass to rifle the second from inside the box six minutes to ensure victory for the West Africans.

As a result, Mali has won all three Afcon games they have played against South Africa, having beaten them at the 2002 and 2013 editions.

Mali takes on Tunisia on Saturday as South Africa battle with Namibia on Sunday in their East Africa derby.

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Bertrand Traoré scores last-gasp winner for Burkina Faso
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bertrand Traoré scores last-gasp winner for Burkina Faso

On Tuesday, Burkina Faso defeated Mauritania 1-0 with a last-gasp Bertrand Traore winner in the 96th minute in their opening Cup of Nations Group D tie at the Stade de Bouaké.

Both sides meet for the first time at the stage as Traoré, who participated at the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup and 2011 African U-17 Championship, secured a pivotal three points for Les Étalons.

After a goalless affair in the 90th minute, Burkina Faso got their breakthrough when Nouh Mohamed El Abd fouled Issa Kabore in the penalty area.

Traore misplaced Mauritania keeper Babacar Niasse from the spot. As a result, Burkina Faso go top of Group D ahead of taking on Algeria on Saturday. 

Mauritania’s third appearance started with a narrow defeat, leaving them with an uphill task to qualify from this group as they set to face Angola and Algeria, respectively, in their remaining group two matches.

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

Cristovao Paciencia helps Angola draw with Desert Foxes Algeria
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cristovao Paciencia helps Angola draw with Algeria 

Algeria were held to a 1-1 draw against Angola in their opening Group D game at the Africa Cup of Nations on Monday, with a second-half Cristovao Paciencia Mabululu penalty denying the North Africans a vital first win.

The 2019 champions got off the mark through Baghdad Bounedjah’s opening goal after 18 minutes in Bouake, Ivory Coast’s second city, but they failed to double their lead at the break.

Algeria were pegged back midway through the second half as substitute Mabululu converted from the spot after he was fouled in the box by Nabil Bentaleb.

Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi expressed his disappointment in his post-match interview. “This is not the result we expected. We were expecting to have three points. We tried our best and didn’t want to lose the game, so we did what we could to get a necessary point.”

Algeria’s next outing is against Burkina Faso on Saturday, as Angola faces Mauritania in the evening kickoff (20h00).

In Group C’s second game, Guinea and Cameroon shared opening spoils 1-1 at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023. 

Earlier, holders Senegal thrashed the Gambia 3-0 – they will face Cameroon on Friday, January 19, at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium –Guinea‘s Syli National take on Gambia on the same day in a late kickoff. 

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