Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 Set to Kick Off on July 26

CAF and LOC have revealed the Match Schedule with kick-off times for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 as Africa’s flagship women’s competition gets set to kick off on 26 July 2026 in Rabat, with the Final to be played on 16 August 2026, also in Rabat.

Stakes at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 will be high, with not only a place in the Finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 up for grabs but also USD 1 Million Prize money awaiting the winning nation.

Two cities will stage matches for the tournament: Rabat and Casablanca. The expanded format of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 will be the largest edition of the competition to date, with sixteen (16) nations participating for the very first time.

The teams have been divided into four groups of four. See below for the breakdown of the groups as well as the detailed schedule of how each team will fare on their road to the Final.

Road to the Final:

Matches will get underway on Sunday, 26 July 2026 at 18: 00 local time (17:00 GMT) with host nation Morocco’s opening clash against Algeria at the Rabat Olympic Stadium.

Senegal will play their opening match against Kenya later that day.

Morocco will begin their hunt for their maiden title on Sunday evening against Kenya at home. The match will start at 21: 00 (20:00 GMT) at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.

Pool matches include Nigeria vs Zambia on 1 August and Ghana vs Cameroon on 2 August. Quarter-final matches will take place on 8 and 9 August, with winners progressing into the semi-finals, where defeated teams can still qualify for FIFA Women’ s World Cup Brazil 20 27 via continental play-offs.

Semi-finals will take place on 12 August at the Neutral Stadium (Rabat). The third-place match will be played on 15 August at the Rabat Olympic Stadium. The Final will take place on Sunday, 16 August 20 26 at 20:00 at the Neutral Stadium.

Groups

Group A – Rabat: Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya

Group B – Casablanca: South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Tanzania

Group C – Rabat: Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Malawi

Group D – Casablanca: Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde

Senegal parts ways with manager Pape Thiaw after World Cup exit
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal parts ways with manager Pape Thiaw after World Cup exit

Senegal has dismissed manager Pape Thiaw following their elimination from the World Cup at the last-32 stage. Senegal started poorly, losing to France and Norway in their opening two games.

They defeated Iraq 5-0 to finish third in Group B, as the best-placed third-placed team advanced to the knockout stages. Senegal went ahead against Belgium in their Round of 16 clash but conceded twice late on, including a penalty in extra time, as they lost 3-2.

Midfielder Pape Gueye subsequently announced that he was taking a break from international duty while Senegal was under its current management.

“After a thorough evaluation of the sporting results and prospects of the national team,” the Senegal Football Federation (FSF) said in a statement, “the Executive Committee decided to relieve him of his duties in the best interests of Senegalese football.”

Senegal arrived in Qatar this month after appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against having their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations win deducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

Thiaw played a key role in the controversy as he led his players down the tunnel when Morocco was awarded a stoppage-time penalty in the final.

The players returned around 17 minutes later and Senegal went on to win after Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved and Gueye scored in extra-time.

Morocco was awarded the trophy in March after CAF overturned the final result due to Senegal’s walk-off. Senegal has since appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

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)