Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cyriel Dessers nets Rangers UEFA Champions League triumph
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cyriel Dessers nets in Rangers UEFA Champions League triumph

In the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, Scottish powerhouse Rangers quickly dispatched Viktoria Plzen and Nigerian forward Cyriel Dessers was on the score sheet at Ibrox Stadium.

With a great finish in only 15 minutes at the Ibrox Stadium on Tuesday, France Youth international Djeidi Hamara Gassama fired Rangers ahead.

Dessers placed Gassama in Viktoria’s penalty area, and the 21-year-old winger curled in exquisitely to defeat Florian Wiegele, the visiting goalie.

In the 42nd minute, after Lukáš Hejda of Rangers was knocked down in the box, Cyriel Dessers doubled the advantage from the penalty spot without hesitation.

Viktoria had difficulty saying the Teddy Bears in the second part of the game, which brought pain in her side.

In the 51st minute, Rangers finished the game when Oliver Antman swept in a lovely cross for the unmarked Djeidi Gassama to head in from close range.

With the return leg in the Czech Republic on Tuesday, August 12, Rangers’ 30 triumph over Viktoria Plzen pulls them closer to the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

Defending Champions Senegal beat Nigeria in Group D Opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defending Champions Senegal beat Nigeria in Group D Opener

Beginning their title defence in the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024, defending champions Senegal narrowly defeated Nigeria 1-0 at Amaan Stadium on Tuesday.

After a fast counterattack in the 75th minute, Christian Gomis scored the winning goal and delighted the Senegalese supporters.

Though Nigeria pushed hard, with Nduka Junior and Raymond Tochukwu getting early yellow cards, the game showed a tense first half with few chances.

Marc Diouf, the goalie for Senegal, made critical saves while both sides battled to capitalise on chances.

Nigeria pressed for an equaliser in the second half, but Senegal’s defence, spearheaded by Seyni Ndiaye and Joseph Layousse, held firm despite Nigeria’s late attacks, including a near miss from Vincent Temitope.

Coach Souleymane Diallo of Senegal claimed his players felt no pressure in defending their title, a sentiment reflected in their excellent showing.

Senegal leads Group D with this victory; Nigeria hopes to rebound in their next games.

Juma Bah set for UEFA Champions League debut with OGC Nice
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Juma Bah set for UEFA Champions League debut with OGC Nice

On loan from Manchester City, Sierra Leone defender Juma Bah is expected to play in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League third qualifying first leg round as Nice plays Benfica at the Allianz Riviera.

Bah, 19, who joined on a season-long loan, has been handed an opportunity to continue his progression with the French side. Nice, this will be their first competitive outing of the season, with the Ligue 1 campaign not getting underway for another two weeks.

A few days after they visit Lisbon for the second leg, where they hope they will be leaving having caused a mini-upset, Franck Haise’s men will welcome Toulouse here on August 16.

Although finishing fourth in Ligue 1 last season, Nice has two rounds of qualifying to establish their UEFA tournament participation for this season, and they have been given the most difficult tasks in Benfica first up.

Nice is considered the underdog in this match, especially after a difficult European season last year, where they only earned three points from eight league phase games, finishing second-bottom in the Europa League.

This continues a trend of underwhelming European performances, with the club securing only one knockout victory against Sheriff Tiraspol over the past decade. The minimum Nice will achieve is a spot in the Conference League, but they are aiming for a remote push for the Champions League.

The winner will face the victor of the Fenerbahce vs. Feyenoord match, making it a tough challenge for all teams aiming for the league phase.

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo speaks ahead of new campaign
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo speaks ahead of new campaign

Following an injury-free preseason and two goals in Rovers’ five games thus far this summer, Augustus Kargbo told the club’s website that he enters the new season with a good outlook.

Blackburn Rovers will start their new campaign against West Bromwich Albion at the difficult Hawthorns Stadium on the 9th of August, something Kargbo is looking forward to.

With a curling effort beyond Gonzalo Crettaz in the home side’s goal early in the second half, the Sierra Leone international scored Rovers’ goal in the 3-1 defeat at Eredivisie club NEC Nijmegen at the weekend.

Although the attacker’s second shot in preseason was insufficient for Rovers to finish their summer program with a fifth straight triumph, Kargbo claims his morale is good going into this weekend’s opening day match against West Bromwich Albion.

Kargbo, 25, noted he is feeling good and looking forward to the start of the new English Championship season.

“I am feeling great right now, both physically and intellectually. Though it’s just preseason, I’m already looking forward to the league season kickoff.”

My first preseason with the Head Coach and the team has been difficult, although I have accomplished it. Having come through it injury-free following last season’s hamstring problem, I am now ready and hopeful.

Both on and off the pitch, preseason is crucial since it helps us to know one another better. Preseason is finished; preparation for the next season starts today.”

Algeria ease past co-hosts Uganda in Group C opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Algeria ease past co-hosts Uganda in Group C opener

Beginning their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 with a resounding 3-0 triumph over co-hosts Uganda at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.

Algeria, who showed their great tournament pedigree, won thanks to goals from Ayoub Ghezala, Abderrahmane Meziane, and Soufiane Bayazid.

This triumph extended Algeria’s unbeaten run in the group stage to seven games and marked their third consecutive victory against Uganda.

Although Uganda tried to create an offence—including Karim Watambala’s shots and a header from Gavin Kizito—they struggled to capitalise on chances. Under Adem Alilet and Ilyés Chétti’s strong defence, Algeria stood strong all through the game.

The results emphasised Algeria’s outstanding performance in the tournament, now with ten clean sheets in thirteen games.

Uganda has issues with matches against Niger and South Africa ahead as the tournament goes on; meanwhile, Algeria hopes to keep up their success against Niger.