Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

FAR Rabat secures semi-final advantage in first leg against Berkane
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

FAR Rabat secures semi-final advantage in first leg against Berkane

FAR Rabat moved closer to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final by defeating RS Berkane 2-0 in the first leg of their semi-final in Rabat on Saturday night.

In the second half, Ahmed Hammoudan and Khalid Ait Ourkhan scored the goals that gave the Royal Army an important advantage for next weekend’s return leg in Berkane.

This win puts FAR Rabat in control of the tie, while RS Berkane now faces a tough challenge to turn things around at home.

The match started cautiously, with both teams defending strongly and no goals scored in the first half. After halftime, FAR Rabat gained control, and Hammoudan opened the scoring in the 58th minute, reacting quickly to a loose ball.

This led to increased pressure from FAR Rabat, resulting in a second goal from substitute Ait Ourkhan in the 79th minute after a defensive error by RS Berkane.

The final score was 2-0 in favour of FAR Rabat, giving them a significant advantage going into the second leg. Berkane struggled to respond despite late efforts, and they now face a tough challenge at home on April 18 to overcome the deficit.

The winner will advance to the CAF Champions League final, facing either Espérance Sportive de Tunis or Mamelodi Sundowns.

Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala will not officiate at FIFA World Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala will not officiate at FIFA World Cup

Just two months before the competition, FIFA has dismissed Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala from officiating responsibilities at the forthcoming 2026 World Cup.

According to the latest list of World Cup 2026, Ndala, who presided over the Morocco and Senegal match in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), will not be on FIFA’s ultimate list of match officials.

His departure follows the AFCON final, among the most contentious contests in recent African football history. There were several questionable officiating decisions in the game, and Senegal players even left the field for a brief period. The outcome was reversed in the weeks after the match, therefore drawing more attention to Ndala’s performance.

Other accounts indicate Ndala may have adhered to institutional guidelines during the game, including advice against handing red cards to Senegal players following the interruption. These statements have not been formally verified.

Despite the debate, CAF absolved Ndala of any professional misconduct in January and kept assisting him in match assignments.

Senegal's Aliou Cisse named new Angola national head coach
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s Aliou Cisse named new Angola national head coach

The Angolan Football Federation (FAF) formally declared the appointment of Aliou Cisse as the new coach of the Angola national football team on April 9, 2026.

This news came just 24 hours after Cisse left his post with the Libyan national team, a position he had held for a short period since March 2025.

Fifty-year-old Aliou Cisse is well known for his incredible accomplishments, especially his triumphant stint with the Senegal national team, which he famously led to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) triumph in 2022. His leadership abilities and coaching background have helped him become a sought-after person in African soccer.

Welcoming Aliou Cisse, head coach of the Angola national team, the FAF welcomed him via a post on their official Facebook page.

Cisse will have the difficulty of reenergizing the Angola side, which has battled in recent tournaments and missed qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

With the campaign scheduled to start in September, Angola is getting ready to begin its qualifying path for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations as it takes control. For Cisse to use his knowledge to steer Angola toward a prosperous future on the continental stage, expectations are great.

Historic East Africa 2027 AFCON dates for tournament confirmed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Historic East Africa 2027 AFCON dates for the tournament confirmed

CAF has announced that the tournament will take place from June 19 to July 18 in East Africa, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

This will be the first time three East African nations host AFCON together, and the first in the region since 1976, when it last occurred in Ethiopia.

This edition marks the 70th anniversary of AFCON and will be the last held in an odd-numbered year, with the tournament switching to every four years starting in 2028.

The Local Organising Committee of Uganda confirmed the tournament dates. Uganda will use two main stadiums: Mandela National Stadium and Hoima City Stadium. Host cities in Kenya include Nairobi, Eldoret, and Kakamega, while Tanzania will see matches in Dar es Salaam, Arusha, Dodoma, and Zanzibar.

Kenya recently met a key CAF deadline by paying a Ksh3.9 billion ($30 million) hosting fee, showing its commitment to the tournament. Uganda announced it will waive visa fees for visitors for three months around the event.

Qualifying matches took place during the March FIFA international break, with teams from Burundi, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Eritrea advancing. AFCON follows the 2024 African Nations Championship, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, where Morocco defeated Madagascar.

Sullay Kaikai takes tally to twelve of the season nets in draw with Cheltenham
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sullay Kaikai takes tally to twelve of the season nets in draw with Cheltenham

Sierra Leone International Sullay Kaikai was on target as Cambridge United faced more late drama on Easter Monday as Cheltenham Town secured a 1-1 draw at the EV Charger Points Stadium.

Sullay Kaikai scored a powerful half-volley just before halftime to make his twelfth of the season, giving the U’s a 1-0 lead. However, an own goal in the final moments resulted in their drop to 4th place in Sky Bet League Two with five matches remaining.

Manager Neil Harris made one change to his starting team, bringing in Kaikai for James Brophy. United entered the match in 3rd place, aiming to end a three-match winless streak away from home against Cheltenham.

In the early stages, chances were limited. The first attempt came from Liam Bennett, whose long shot went over the bar. Cheltenham’s attackers struggled against United’s solid defence, and a good chance from Josh Davison went high.

As the half progressed, United showed strength in set-pieces. Kaikai’s corner led to a save by Cheltenham’s Day, but then Cambridge opened the scoring when Mamadou Jobe set up Kaikai, who fired into the net.

After halftime, Cheltenham came out stronger but failed to capitalise on their chances. United missed a good opportunity when Appere headed wide from close range.

With time running out, United needed to stay strong. A near miss from Watts kept their hopes alive, but they were ultimately caught out in added time when Cheltenham equalised after a deep cross from Young.

Cheltenham Town: Day, Jude-Boyd (Miller, 83’), Cundy, Wilson, Tomkinson, Stevenson (Young, 60’), Ashfield (Deeming, 83’), Hutchinson, Thomas, Davison (Faal, 67’), Bickerstaff (Broom, 68’)