Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Champions League Group Stage Draw confirmed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Champions League Group Stage Draw confirmed

Reigning champions Pyramids FC of Egypt will take on Moroccan giants RS Berkane in a thrilling rematch, following the draw for the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stage on Monday at SuperSport’s studios in Johannesburg.

Lupopo advanced by defeating Orlando Pirates in a penalty shootout, marking their first group stage appearance. Al Hilal has relocated to Rwanda for their matches due to the Sudan conflict and will compete alongside Sundowns for the fourth time in six tournaments.

Defending champions Pyramids are in Group A with Renaissance Berkane, while record winners Al Ahly will face JS Kabylie, Royal Armed Forces, and Young Africans in their group. Simba, which includes former Sundowns players, is in Group D with Esperance.

The top two teams from each group will move on to the quarterfinals in March, with the group stage starting on November 21-22 and running until mid-February.

The draw:

Group A: Power Dynamos (Zambia), Pyramids (Egypt), Renaissance Berkane (Morocco), Rivers United (Nigeria)

Group B: Al Ahly (Egypt), JS Kabylie (Algeria), Royal Armed Forces (Morocco), Young Africans (Tanzania)

Group C: Al Hilal (Sudan), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Mouloudia Alger (Algeria), St Eloi Lupopo (DR Congo)

Group D: Esperance (Tunisia), Petro Atletico (Angola), Simba (Tanzania), Stade Malien (Mali)

Striker Daniel Kanu nets in Walsall win over Eastleigh
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Daniel Kanu nets in Walsall’s win over Eastleigh

Walsall, the leaders of League Two, beat Eastleigh 3-0 in the First Round of the FA Cup, earning a spot in the second round.

Walsall secured a victory at Silverlake Stadium with a 3-0 win. Evan Weir opened the scoring in the sixth minute, followed by Daniel Kanu after halftime. Jamille Matt added a third goal late in the match.

Walsall will be ball number 40 in the FA Cup draw on Monday at 18:45 on TNT Sports. Head Coach Mat Sadler made three changes from the last league match, with Jid Okeke and Jamie Jellis on the bench and Lewis Warrington sidelined due to injury.

Eastleigh had several chances to equalise. Aden Flint’s clearance allowed Harvey Saunders to take a shot, which Myles Roberts saved. The following corner had another shot that hit the crossbar.

In the 20th minute, Saunders missed a chance to score by shooting wide. The Saddlers stayed strong, but Kieron Evans also failed to convert a curling shot.

After the 30-minute mark, Walsall gained control. Kanu shot wide after stealing the ball, and in the 38th minute, Eastleigh’s goalkeeper dropped a free kick from Weir, but no one reacted in time.

Just before halftime, Weir’s free kick from 25 yards went past the post.

Walsall scored in the 50th minute when Weir passed to Kanu, who finished with a powerful shot. Kanu almost scored again soon after with another shot that missed the post.

With 20 minutes left, Sadler made a double substitution, bringing on Jellis for Clarke and Matt for Aaron Pressley. Matt scored his first goal in over seven months, securing Walsall’s win.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka named in DRC squad for World Cup 2026 playoffs
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Aaron Wan-Bissaka named in DRC squad for World Cup 2026 playoffs

West Ham United's defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been included in the Democratic Republic of Congo's squad for their FIFA World Cup qualifying play-off in Morocco this month, as coach Sébastien Desabre aims to explore a broader range of talent.

The squad consists of 25 players, including three Belgian under-21 internationals, as they prepare to face Cameroon on November 13 at the El Barid Stadium in Rabat during the semi-finals of the four-team playoff, with the victor set to play either Gabon or Nigeria in the final in the Moroccan capital four days later.

The Belgian contingent features attacking midfielder Mario Stroeykens, who, at 21, has already taken on the captaincy of Brussels giants Anderlecht; winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who plays for Celtic in Scotland; and goalkeeper Matthieu Epolo from Standard Liège, who just last month was on the bench for Belgium’s under-21 squad.

Brian Cipenga from the Spanish club Castellón retains his position after being called up to the Leopards squad last month as a late replacement due to an injury. He earned his first cap as a substitute during the 1-0 victory over Sudan in Kinshasa on October 14.

All players who participated in the victories over Togo (1-0 away on October 10) and Sudan are back for the playoffs, but the Congolese squad is still missing Yoane Wissa, who sustained a Posterior Cruciate Ligament injury during their significant match against Senegal in September.

Dropping from the squad selected for the last two Group B encounters in October are goalkeeper Dimitri Bertaud, defender Dylan Batubinsika, midfielder Grady Diangana, and strikers Jackson Muleka and Afimico Pululu.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege, Belgium), Timothy Fayulu (Noah, Armenia), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre, France)

Defenders: Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland), Gédéon Kalulu (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw, Poland), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk, Belgium), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland, England), Chancel Mbemba (Olympique de Marseille, France), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley, England), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United, England)

 

Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Glasgow Celtic, Scotland), Edo Kayembe (Watford, England), Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier, France), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos, Greece), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille, France), Charles Pickel (Espanyol, Spain), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, England), Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht, Belgium)

Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis, Spain), Samuel Essende (Augsburg, Germany), Brian Cipenga (Castellón, Spain), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt).

Kallum Cesay start for Salford against Lincoln City in Emirates Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kallum Cesay starts for Salford against Lincoln City in Emirates Cup

Sierra Leonean international Kallum Cesay start for Salford City in the Emirates FA Cup first round, where they will face Lincoln City at the Peninsula Stadium this Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for 3 PM GMT.

Salford City, enjoying a strong performance in Sky Bet League Two, currently holds third place in the league standings after securing back-to-back victories that have boosted their momentum.

Meanwhile, Lincoln City, competing in League One, is also enjoying a solid run of form and arrives at this pivotal match positioned among the top six teams in their league.

This encounter marks the first competitive meeting between Salford City and Lincoln City, heightening the anticipation for fans and players alike as both teams aim to advance in the prestigious cup tournament.

Tyrese Fornah's Northampton to kick start Emirates FA Cup first round proper against Lincoln
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tyrese Fornah’s Northampton to kick start The Emirates FA Cup first round proper against Oldham Athletic

Sierra Leone International Tyrese Fornah and his Northampton Town team will kick off their Emirates FA Cup journey on Saturday with a match against Oldham Athletic in the first round. The match is set to start at 3pm.

Sierra Leone international Tyrese Fornah and his Northampton Town team will kick off their Emirates FA Cup journey on Saturday with a match against Oldham Athletic in the first round. The match is set to start at 3 pm.

Oldham is currently competing in Sky Bet League Two, positioned 18th with a record of three wins, seven draws, and four losses from 14 league matches this season.

Their most recent game saw Joe Garner score in the dying moments of stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw against Shrewsbury Town at home.

Manager Micky Mellon has been in charge for just over two years. He took the helm in October 2023 and led Oldham to promotion back to the EFL last season, achieving a 3-2 victory over Southend United in the National League play-off final. In his playing career, the 53-year-old represented clubs such as Blackpool, Burnley, and Tranmere Rovers as a midfielder.

Battles Between Teams

The two teams have faced each other 41 times, with their first encounter occurring in 1959, resulting in a 2-1 victory for the Cobblers in Division Four.

The Cobblers have triumphed over their opponents 15 times, while there have been 10 draws and 16 wins for the Latics.

In their last match in April 2022, Jon Guthrie and Louis Appere found the net, leading the Cobblers to a 2-0 away victory in League Two.