Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

DRC 2026 World Cup Continental playoffs opponents confirmed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

DR Congo’s 2026 World Cup Continental playoffs opponents confirmed

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) has automatically qualified for one of the two finals in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament, according their FIFA rankings.

DR Congo has been placed in the final of the first bracket and New Caledonia will face Jamaica in the Pathway 1 semi-final. The Pathway 2 semi-final features Bolivia against Suriname. The winners will compete against the Congo DR and Iraq, respectively.

During the recent international break, DR Congo achieved two victories that secured its spot in this inter-confederation tournament. The nation finished second in Group B of the African qualifying round, behind Senegal.

As one of the top four second-placed teams in the group stage, the Leopards entered the continental play-off alongside Nigeria, Gabon, and Cameroon.

In the semi-final of this play-off, held in Morocco on Thursday, the Leopards faced Cameroon and won 1-0 with a last-minute goal from Chancel Mbemba, who scored in stoppage time.

DR Congo is now set to compete against Nigeria in the play-off final, with a chance to enter the FIFA Play-Off Tournament and potentially the World Cup at stake.

After a tense match that ended in a 1-1 draw following extra time, the winner was determined by penalties. DR Congo emerged victorious, allowing their qualification journey to continue.

The FIFA Play-Off Tournament is scheduled for March 2026 in Mexico, which is co-hosting the World Cup along with Canada and the USA. The tournament will allocate two spots for CONCACAF teams, one for a CONMEBOL team, one for an OFC team, one for a CAF team, and one for an AFC team.

This tournament will feature two brackets, with one seeded team in each bracket based on the FIFA Men’s Rankings.

These seeded teams will automatically advance to the finals, while the remaining four teams will compete in one semi-final per bracket, with the winners moving on to the finals. Ultimately, two teams will qualify for the World Cup from this tournament.

Yassine Bounou named Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Yassine Bounou named Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year

Morocco's Yassine Bounou has been awarded the title of Goalkeeper of the Year in Africa for 2025, marking the second time in his career he has earned this esteemed recognition.

The award was presented during the CAF Awards ceremony held on Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco. Legendary former Egypt national team goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary had the honour of presenting the award to Bounou on stage.

The Al Hilal keepr outshone two other contenders for the accolade: Munir Mohamedi (RS Berkane – Morocco) and Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns – South Africa).

Previously, secured the Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2023 and successfully reclaimed it this year from Williams, who had taken home the title last year.

This latest achievement solidifies Bounou’s place among the continent’s top goalkeepers over the past decade.

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi wins CAF Men's Player of the Year Award
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi wins CAF Men’s Player of the Year Award

Morocco’s captain Achraf Hakimi has been named the African Men's Player of the Year on Wednesday, concluding a season in which he secured the UEFA Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain.

The 27-year-old also achieved his fourth Ligue 1 title last season, along with winning the French Cup and UEFA Super Cup; however, PSG finished as runners-up in the Club World Cup, resulting in Hakimi receiving a silver medal in New York.  

The right-back triumphed over two previous award winners, Liverpool’s Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah and Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, to earn this accolade for the first time in his career.  

Hakimi expressed his pride in receiving the trophy, thanking his family, teammates, and Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui. Currently recovering from an ankle sprain, he aims to captain Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations starting December 21, as they seek their first title since 1976.

Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak won the best women’s player award, topping Sanaa Mssoudy and Rasheedat Ajibade, despite her team’s loss to Nigeria in the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations final.

It was a successful day for Morocco, with Yassine Bounou named best men’s goalkeeper and the under-20 World Cup-winning team recognised as the best men’s national team. Othmane Maamma was honoured as the best young men’s player, and Doha El Madani defended her title as best young women’s player.

Cape Verde’s Bubista won the men’s coach of the year award for leading the country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, while Nigerian Chiamaka Nnadozie claimed her third consecutive title as women’s goalkeeper of the year.

CAF AWARDS 2025 WINNERS

CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)

 CAF PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco / Al Hilal) 

CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Al Hilal)

 CAF GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria / Brighton & Hove Albion)

CAF INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Fiston Mayele (DR Congo / Pyramids)

CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Othmane Maamma (Morocco / Watford)

CAF YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Doha El Madani (Morocco / AS FAR)

CAF COACH OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Bubista (Cape Verde) 

CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Morocco Under-20 

CAF NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (WOMEN) 

Nigeria

CAF CLUB OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Pyramids (Egypt)

REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Omar Abdulkadir (Somalia)

ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Liban Abdoulrazack (Djibouti)

REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Shamirah Nabadda (Uganda)

ASSISTANT REFEREE OF THE YEAR (WOMEN)

Tabara Mbodji (Senegal)

Morocco to face Brazil in U17 World Cup Quarter-finals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco to face Brazil in U17 World Cup Quarter-finals

Morocco has advanced to the quarter-finals of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Mali in an exciting all-African clash on Tuesday.

The Atlas Cubs showcased their skill and determination in a match full of action. On the other African side, the young Stallions of Burkina Faso also advanced after eliminating newcomers Uganda 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 tie.

Burkina Faso will face Italy in the quarter-finals, while Morocco will take on Brazil.

Morocco scored twice from set pieces delivered by Moncef Zekri and managed to withstand a late attack from Mali to secure their place in the quarter-finals.

Ziyad Baha’s clever glance from Zekri’s free-kick put the North African team ahead in the 29th minute.

Raymond Bomba equalised from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time. Still, Ismail El Aoud quickly restored Morocco’s advantage with a powerful header from another Zekri corner just five minutes later.

Mali, who had reached the semi-finals in their last three tournaments, pushed hard after halftime but were struck by a setback when El Aoud scored his second goal with a powerful shot from outside the box midway through the half.

Captain Seydou Dembélé narrowed the gap with a spectacular late goal, but Morocco managed to hold on for a 3-2 win, earning them a prestigious quarter-final clash against Brazil.

CAF Interclub group stage draw the date and venue confirmed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Interclub group stage matches gets underway this weekend

Africa's largest club competitions are set to kick off this weekend, with the Group Stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup taking center stage across the continent.

This year features an impressive lineup in the CAF competitions, including reigning champions Pyramids FC, record-holders Al Ahly with 12 titles, four-time champions Espérance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, RS Berkane, and AS FAR. Notable contenders from across Africa will also compete.

In the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, former champions Zamalek and USM Alger lead a strong group with Wydad, CR Belouizdad, Kaizer Chiefs, and newcomers Nairobi United.

Exciting matchups kick off with Pyramids FC hosting Rivers United and RS Berkane facing Power Dynamos. Al Ahly aims for a 13th title against JS Kabylie, while Zamalek takes on ZESCO United in an Egyptian derby.

New narratives emerge as debutants Nairobi United, OC Safi, and Maniema Union make their mark. Two matchdays are before the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2025, with the group phase resuming in January 2026.

MATCHDAY 1 FIXTURES (All times GMT) –TotalEnergies CAF Champions League

Friday, 21 November
13:00 — Al-Hilal Omdurman (SUD) vs MC Alger (ALG)

Saturday, 22 November
13:00 — Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) vs St Éloi Lupopo (DRC)
13:00 — Young Africans (TAN) vs AS FAR Rabat (MAR)
16:00 — Al Ahly (EGY) vs JS Kabylie (ALG)
16:00 — Espérance Tunis (TUN) vs Stade Malien (MLI)
19:00 — RS Berkane (MAR) vs Power Dynamos (ZAM)
19:00 — Pyramids (EGY) vs Rivers United (NGA)

Sunday, 23 November
13:00 — Simba (TAN) vs Petro Atlético (ANG)

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TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup

Saturday, 22 November
19:00 — CR Belouizdad (ALG) vs Singida Black Stars (TAN)

Sunday, 23 November
13:00 — Maniema (DRC) vs Azam (TAN)
13:00 — Stellenbosch (RSA) vs AS Otoho (CON)
16:00 — Al Masry (EGY) vs Kaizer Chiefs (RSA)
16:00 — Djoliba (MLI) vs OC Safi (MAR)
19:00 — USM Alger (ALG) vs San Pedro (CIV)
19:00 — Wydad (MAR) vs Nairobi United (KEN)
19:00 — Zamalek (EGY) vs ZESCO United (ZAM)