Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF greenlights Ethiopia to host International football after five years
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF green lights Ethiopia to host International football after five years

Ethiopia will host international football matches at home for the first time in five years, following approval from the Confederation of African Football for the use of its Dire Dawa stadium.

Ethiopia, an Eastern African nation with a population of 130 million, has been compelled to play its home matches abroad since 2021 after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) ruled that all three of its primary stadiums – in Addis Ababa, Bahir Dar, and Dire Dawa – did not meet international standards.

However, following recent upgrades that received the green light from CAF inspectors, the second-largest stadium in Dire Dawa is set to host Ethiopia’s preliminary round second leg qualifier against São Tomé and Príncipe on March 31, according to the Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF).

“Great news! The Dire Dawa International Stadium can now host national team matches,” announced the EFF. Built in partnership with the Dire Dawa city administration, the modern stadium is ready for national and international competitions.”

The EFF has reappointed former international player Yohannes Sahle to prepare the national team for the qualifiers, with the first leg kicking off in São Tomé on March 25.

The team that triumphs after both legs will move on to the group stage of the tournament, with the finals scheduled to take place next year in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Ethiopia, which previously hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1976, recently finished fifth in Group A of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, earning only nine points from ten matches.

Source AFP

CAF Inter-club winners' money increases by $2m
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Inter-club winners’ money increases by $2m

CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has raised the prize money for winners of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

The Champions League winner will receive USD 6 million, a 50% increase, while the Confederation Cup winner will get USD 4 million, a 100% increase.

During Dr Motsepe’s five years in office, the Champions League prize increased from USD 2.5 million to USD 6 million, a 140% rise, and the Confederation Cup prize rose from USD 1.25 million to USD 4 million, a 220% increase.

Total prize money and support for African clubs now exceed USD 42 million per season, a 123.4% increase since the President took office.

In August 2024, Dr Motsepe announced that teams eliminated in the early rounds of both tournaments would receive USD 50,000 each, increasing to USD 100,000 in 2025. This led to a record 130 clubs participating in the 2025/26 season.

Striker Augustine Williams opens Hartford Athletic USL account
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Augustine Williams opens Hartford Athletic USL account

Sporting Club Jacksonville lost their home opener to Hartford Athletic, 3-0, in the USL Championship on Saturday in front of 10,357 fans at Hodges Stadium.

Augustine William, making his Hartford league debut, scored just before halftime to put Hartford ahead 1-0. Sporting JAX had an early corner kick, but they couldn’t capitalise. Despite creating chances, they struggled against Hartford’s strong defence.

In the second half, JAX pushed for an equaliser, with Emil Jaaskelainen forcing a great save from Hartford’s keeper, Siaha Ngnepi. JAX faced a setback when a penalty kick awarded to Hartford was saved by goalkeeper Christian Olivares, boosting the team’s spirit.

However, Hartford’s Samuel Careaga scored shortly after entering the match, making it 2-0. JAX continued to fight but conceded a final goal from Hartford’s Adewale Obalola in the 90th minute, ending the match 3-0. It was an exciting night for soccer in Jacksonville.

CAF announces new dates for Women’s AFCON
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF announces new dates for Women’s AFCON

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the delay of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) to July-August, putting an end to weeks of uncertainty regarding whether the event would proceed as planned this month.

This tournament serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, where four teams from Africa will secure automatic entry, while an additional two will enter the inter-continental qualifiers.

In October 2024, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) awarded the hosting rights for the prestigious TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 to Morocco.

Initially, the tournament was set to take place from March 17 to April 3, 2026. However, after thorough discussions that involved CAF, its key partners, including FIFA, and various other stakeholders, it became evident that adjustments were necessary to facilitate the success of this significant women’s football event.

Consequently, CAFdecidedn to reschedule the WAFCON 2026 to a new timeframe, now planned for July 25 to August 16, 2026.

This change aims to accommodate various unforeseen circumstances that could impact the tournament’s execution, thereby ensuring a smooth and successful competition that showcases the talents of women footballers across Africa.

Preparations for the CAF WAFCON 2026 are underway, and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful.

Mohamed Ouahbi Assumes Role as the New Coach for Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mohamed Ouahbi Assumes Role as the New Coach for Morocco

It’s official: Walid Regragui has stepped down as head coach of the Atlas Lions, ending weeks of speculation about his future. Mohamed Ouahbi has been appointed as Morocco’s new national team coach.

The Morocco Football Federation (FRMF) announced Morocco’s disappointing exit from the AFCON, highlighted by a chaotic final against Senegal on January 18, during which the match was interrupted by fans storming the field.

Regragui had previously stated he would resign if he failed to win AFCON, fueling rumours about his departure. In addition to his resignation, reports were linking him to a possible move to Marseille.

Regragui took charge of the Moroccan national team on August 31, 2022, just before the World Cup in Qatar. He had previously enjoyed success, leading Wydad Casablanca to a CAF Champions League title and making history with FUS Rabat by winning their first league title in 70 years. Under his leadership, Morocco reached the World Cup semi-finals, marking a historic achievement for African and Arab teams.

Despite a solid record of 35 wins, 9 draws, and 5 losses, Morocco’s AFCON campaign revealed challenges, particularly regarding squad management. Key decisions, such as fielding injured players like Romain Saiss, drew criticism.

Ouahbi, who has been influential in Morocco’s youth setup since March 2022, replaces Regragui. He led the U‑20 team to a World Cup victory in 2025 and has a strong coaching background, including 17 years at Anderlecht’s academy. His emphasis on youth development and long-term planning aligns with the FRMF’s vision.

As Morocco faces the next World Cup cycle, Ouahbi’s experience and success at the junior level position him well to manage the team under pressure. He will immediately step into his role, tasked with leading the national team in their upcoming challenges.