Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Hilal Pick Up Crucial Away Victory Over Sidama Bunna

Al Hilal Omdurman of Sudan boosted their chances of advancing to the group stage of the CAF Champions League with a solid 2-0 away victory over Ethiopia’s Sidama Bunna in the first leg of their Second Preliminary Round match on Sunday.

The visitors got off to a great start thanks to an early own goal by Sidama Bunna in the 11th minute, putting Al Hilal ahead right from the outset. The Ethiopian team struggled to find an equalizer before the break, which allowed Al Hilal to maintain control of the game.

Throughout the second half, the Sudanese club held onto their slim lead as Sidama Bunna pressed for a way back into the match. Just as the game was nearing its end, Mohamed Abdelrahman found the net in the 90th minute, doubling Al Hilal’s advantage and sealing the victory.

As a result, Sidama Bunna now faces the daunting task of overcoming a two-goal deficit in the return leg if they hope to stay in the competition. On the other hand, Al Hilal will enter the next match feeling confident about securing their spot in the group stage as they chase their continental ambitions.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

TP Mazembe and Club Africain share spoils in Lubumbashi

DR Congo powerhouse TP Mazembe were held to a 1-1 draw against Tunisia’s Club Africain in the first leg of their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2026/27 Second Preliminary Round clash on Saturday.

Kazema Baso put the five-time African champions ahead at the Kamalondo Stadium in Lubumbashi. However, just a minute later, Alain Kante equalised, bringing the score level for the visitors from Tunisia.

Mazembe controlled much of the second half, creating numerous scoring chances, yet they struggled to penetrate Club Africain’s resolute defense. The result leaves the tie finely balanced, with the Congolese side unable to secure a home advantage despite their relentless attacking efforts.

Both teams will now focus on the critical return leg at the Stade Olympique Hammadi Agrebi in Radès on Sunday, 25 October, where a spot in the group stage is on the line.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tshepang Moremi nets as Orlando Pirates claim crucial away win

Orlando Pirates from South Africa won 1-0 against Namibia’s African Stars in the first leg of the second-round preliminary of the CAF Champions League on Saturday.

Tshepang Moremi scored the only goal in the 78th minute, giving Pirates an important advantage. This late goal was key as they took the win on African soil.

African Stars could not score an equaliser, leaving Pirates with a narrow lead in the two-legged match. This result boosts Pirates’ chances of moving on to the group stage of Africa’s top club tournament.

Now, African Stars need to come back in the second leg in South Africa to keep their hopes alive in the tournament.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cape Verde’s World Cup pedigree faces Sierra Leone scrutiny

When Star Sport Academy of Sierra Leone takes on RS Berkane this Saturday in the first leg of the African Champions League second round in Monrovia, it will be a matchup filled with familiar faces, yet one side has a lot on the line.

Amidu Karim, the head coach of Star Academy, is set to go head-to-head with a friend, Pedro Leitão Brito—widely known as Bubista—who recently took the reins at Berkane after leading Cape Verde to an impressive World Cup run in the United States earlier this year.

Their paths crossed back in 2024 in Abidjan during a Confederation of African Football (CAF) coaching seminar, where they exchanged insights about coaching national teams in Africa, often discussing the challenges and sacrifices that come with it.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve faced their head coach. We met before at a CAF symposium, and we shared our thoughts on the intricacies of coaching national teams,” Karim reminisces.

Karim, a former striker for Sierra Leone and the ex-head coach of the Sierra Leone national team, who managed the opening matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, looks forward to squaring off with a friend in the opposing dugout.

“He’s a very experienced coach; we all admire what he accomplished with the Cape Verde national team. However, Saturday will be a different game, as we are fully prepared to take them on.”

During his playing career, Karim was a key part of the Sierra Leone squad in the 1994 and 1996 African Cup of Nations.

Now, at 56, Bubista has embraced the role of head coach at RS Berkane. He made headlines for leading Cabo Verde to their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2026, guiding the newcomers into the knockout stage without dropping a single group match.

The Moroccans have arrived safely and have already wrapped up their first training session at the SKD as they prepare for Saturday’s match.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bitter-Sweet Moment for Assane Diao in Defeat to Feyenoord

Senegalese attacker Assane Diao had a night of highs and lows in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League 3-2 defeat to Feyenoord.

The Como striker got things rolling by scoring in the 18th minute, marking his first goal in the Champions League with a tidy finish set up by Jacobo Ramón.

However, his celebration was cut short when he was forced to leave the pitch in the 23rd minute due to a left thigh injury, leading to Jesús Rodríguez stepping in as his replacement.

Despite Diao’s early impact, Como ultimately fell short, losing the match 3-2 in the Netherlands.

It was a frustrating evening for the Senegalese international. Still, he can take pride in scoring his first goal in Europe’s elite tournament while waiting to learn more about the seriousness of his injury.

Feyenoord-Como 1907 3-2 | UEFA Champions League | Matchday 2 | 14/10/2026 | De Kuip Stadium