Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Orlando Pirates ease past to progress in CAF Champions League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Orlando Pirates ease past Lioli to progress in CAF Champions League

Orlando Pirates have successfully advanced to the second preliminary round of the CAF Champions League following a convincing 4-0 victory over Lioli FC at Orlando Stadium on Saturday.

This commanding performance over two legs sends the Buccaneers straight to the next round.

Next up, the Pirates will face the winner of the match between DR Congo’s Saint-Eloi Lupopo and the Sudanese powerhouses, Al-Merreikh, for a coveted spot in the group stages.

The Soweto giants struck first with an impressive goal from in-form winger Tshepang Moremi, who found the net just before halftime.

Moremi quickly added another four minutes after the break, giving Pirates a solid two-goal advantage early in the second half.

Yanela Mbuthuma, who came on as a substitute, made an immediate impact by scoring in the 79th minute, and just two minutes later, he completed his brace.

This performance led Abdeslam Ouaddou’s squad to a resounding 7-0 aggregate win over the Lesotho champions, having triumphed in the first leg with a 3-0 scoreline.

 

Friday, 26 September

  • Zilimadjou (Comoros) 0-1 Remo Stars (Nigeria) – Remo Stars progress 5-0 on aggregate

Saturday, 27 September

  • ASAS (Djibouti) 1-1 Aigle Noir (Burundi) – 1-1 on aggregate, Aigle Nior advance on away goals rule
  • Black Bulls (Mozambique) 1-0 Leopard (Congo) – Black Bulls progress 1-0 on aggregate
  • Orlando Pirates (South Africa) 4-0 Lioli (Lesotho) Orlando Pirates progress 7-0 on aggregate
  • Silver Strikers (Malawi) 0-0 Elgeco Plus (Madagascar) 1-1 on aggregate, Silver Strikers advance on away goals rule
  • St Eloi Lupopo (DR Congo) v Al-Merreikh (Sudan)
  • Mlandege (Zanzibar) 3-2 Ethiopian Insurance (Ethiopia) – Ethiopian Insurance progress 4-3 on aggregate
  • Young Africans (Tanzania) 2-0 Wiliete (Angola) – Young Africans progress 5-0 on aggregate
  • Horoya (Guinea) 2-0 Al Hilal Benghazi (Libya) – Horoya progress 2-1 on aggregate
  • Petro Atlético (Angola) 3-0 Cercle de Joachim (Mauritius) – Petro Atletico progress 6-0 on aggregate
  • Vipers (Uganda) 1-0 African Stars (Namibia) – Vipers progress 2-0 on aggregate
  • Stade Malien (Mali) 2-0 Tempête MOCAF (Central African Republic) – Stade Malien progress 7-0 on aggregate
  • Espérance Tunis (Tunisia) 4-1 AS FAN (Niger) – Esperance progress 7-1 on aggregate
  • FAR Rabat (Morocco) 2-1 Real Banjul (Gambia) – FAR Rabat progress 4-1 on aggregate
  • MC Alger (Algeria) 3-0 Fassell (Liberia)  – MC Alger progress 3-0 on aggregate
  • Berkane (Morocco) 3-1 ASC Kara (Togo) – Berkane progress 4-2 on aggregate

Sunday, 28 September

  • Nsingizini Hotspurs (Eswatini) v Simba Bhora (Zimbabwe)
  • Simba (Tanzania) v Gaborone United (Botswana)
  • Mangasport (Gabon) v Rahimo (Burkina Faso)
  • Police FC (Kenya) v Mogadishu City (Somalia)
  • Rivers United (Nigeria) v Aigles du Congo (DR Congo)
  • Al-Hilal Omdurman (Sudan) v Jamus (South Sudan)
  • ASEC Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire) v Power Dynamos (Zambia)
  • Monastir (Tunisia) v East End Lions (Sierra Leone)
  • Jaraaf (Senegal) v Colombe (Cameroon)
  • Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya) v Dadjè (Benin)
  • Kabylie (Algeria) v Bibiani Gold Stars (Ghana)
  • Nouadhibou (Mauritania) v Fundación Bata (Equatorial Guinea)

Wednesday, 1 October

  • APR (Rwanda) v Pyramids (Egypt)

Saturday, 4 October

  • Al-Merreikh (Sudan) v St Eloi Lupopo (DR Congo)

Sunday, 5 October

  • Pyramids (Egypt) v APR (Rwanda)
Egypt’s U-20s take on Japan in FIFA U-20 World Cup opener in Chile
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt take on Japan in FIFA U-20 World Cup opener in Chile

The opening matches of the 24th U-20 World Cup will feature Japan against Egypt, the Republic against Ukraine, Chile against New Zealand, and Paraguay against Panama.

Egypt’s Young Pharaohs kick off their campaign at Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos this evening as they build from their impressive top-four finish at the U-20 AFCON held in Cairo last May.

This marks their first appearance at the World Cup since 2013 and their ninth outing overall, with a notable highlight being their bronze medal finish in 2001.

In Group A, Egypt faces tough competition from hosts Chile, Japan, and New Zealand. They will open their campaign against Japan, followed by a match with New Zealand, and a crucial showdown against Chile in Santiago.

Egypt qualified for the tournament with a strong performance in the TotalEnergies U20 AFCON, where coach Osama Nabih’s side reached the semi-finals, describing it as a “North African derby” and an “early continental final.”

Fixtures – Saturday 27 September

Japan v Egypt

Korea Republic v Ukraine
Chile v New Zealand
Paraguay v Panama
Sierra Leone-born Jocelyn Janneh named in Guinea's World Cup qualifers squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone-born Jocelyn Janneh receives first call-up from Guinea

Jocelyn Janneh from Sporting Club di Bastia and two new names expected to make the International debut for Guinea October 9, followed by Botswana in Casablanca on October 14.

Jocelyn Janneh from SC Bastia and two new names are expected to make their International debut for Guinea on October 9, followed by Botswana in Casablanca on October 14.

Head coach Paulo Duarte has called up 25 players to face Mozambique in Maputo on October 9, followed by Botswana in Casablanca on October 14.

The two matches are the final rounds of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as he retained a strong core with familiar faces such as Serhou Guirassy, Mouctar Diakhaby, Morlaye Sylla, and Issiaga Sylla.

The Guineans are fourth in Group G on 11 points and are hoping to win these last two matches in the hope of finishing among the four best second-placed teams in the different groups to play in the play-offs.

Head coach Paulo Duarte has called up 25 players to face Mozambique in Maputo on October 9, followed by Botswana in Casablanca on October 14.
Head coach Paulo Duarte has called up 25 players to face Mozambique in Maputo on October 9, followed by Botswana in Casablanca on October 14.
Algerian star trains after joining Brazilian outfit Santos FC
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Algerian star Billal Brahimi trains after joining Brazilian outfit Santos

Algerian international Billal Brahimi has completed his first training session with Santos FC, one of Brazil's most renowned football clubs.

The talented winger has made the move to Santos after inking a contract that will run until the end of 2026, marking his first venture outside of Europe.

This transfer comes on the heels of Brahimi mutually terminating his contract with French Ligue 1 club OGC Nice on September 1, which allowed him to become a free agent.

Having previously played for clubs such as Middlesbrough, Brest, Sint-Truiden, Le Mans, and Angers, Brahimi has now found a new chapter in Brazil, where he will team up with Santos superstar Neymar.

“The addition of Brahimi brings international experience to Santos for the 2025 season,” read a club statement.

At the age of 25, the French-born, naturalised Algerian joins Peixão after his tenure with Nice, in France.

While born in France, Brahimi holds both French and Algerian nationalities and represented the French under-19 national team in 2018.

In May 2022, he received a call-up to the Algeria national team for two qualifying matches for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations against Uganda and Tanzania.

Alpha Turay's El Gouna FC held league leaders Zamalek SC
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alpha Turay’s El Gouna held league leaders Zamalek to a draw

Sierra Leone defender Alpha Turay played the full throttle of the contest as El Gouna played to a 1-1 draw against Zamalek at the Cairo International Stadium on Tuesday.

Despite ending in a draw, Zamalek still holds the top spot in the table with 17 points after eight matches, leading by two points over second-placed Masry. Gouna has risen to 14th place with a total of eight points.

Mohamed Emad equalised Oday Dabbagh’s opening goal scored in the 27th minute in the 84th minute, helping Gouna ascend to 14th.

The Whites struggled offensively without key winger Juan Alvina, who was suspended, and missed a chance to extend their lead.

Zamalek took the lead with a goal from Dabbagh after controlling possession in the first half. Abdalla El Saied nearly increased the lead, but Gouna’s goalkeeper made a crucial save.

Zamalek’s coach made several substitutions in the second half. Late in the game, Gouna equalised when Emad scored from inside the penalty area, securing a vital point for the visitors.

Turay, 20, side will face Ceramica Cleopatra next in the Egyptian top-tier league. while Zamalek will face next arch-rivals Ahly in the Cairo derby on Monday.