Author: Football Sierra Leone

by Football Sierra Leone

Exciting CAF Confederation Cup Groups Revealed as Clubs Prepare for Battle

The CAF Confederation Cup is set for an exciting start in November, with the group-stage draw setting the scene for thrilling encounters across the continent.

Clubs from different African nations will battle for continental glory, with every group promising fierce competition, intense rivalries and memorable football moments.

Teams will be eager to make strong starts as they pursue qualification for the knockout stages and ultimately the prestigious trophy.

In Group A, Al Ahly FC, Raja CA, ASKO De Kara and CD I Agosto are set for a tough competition. The group stage is scheduled to begin between 27 and 29 November 2026, with the Airmen now awaiting confirmation of their remaining opponents as preparations gather pace for their continental challenge.

Matchday three will comes around between 18 and 20 December. The competition will then resume in January, with fixtures scheduled for 8–10 January, 15–17 January and 22–24 January 2027.

This year’s edition features a few strong favourites for the title. They are Egyptian giants Al Ahly, and the Moroccan duo Raja Casablanca and AS FAR.

FULL LIST OF CAF CONFEDERATION CUP GROUPS

  • Group A: Al Ahly FC (Egypt), Raja CA (Morocco), ASKO de Kara (Togo), CD 1º de Agosto (Angola).
  • Group B: AS FAR (Morocco), Azam FC (Tanzania), Al Ahly Tripoli (Libya), Durban City FC (South Africa).
  • Group C: CR Belouizdad/AS Douanes/MN/HFC (as displayed in the draw), AS Maniema Union (DR Congo), Singida Black Stars (Tanzania), Red Arrows FC (Zambia).
  • Group D: USM Alger (Algeria), CS Sfaxien (Tunisia), Black Bulls (Mozambique), AS Real de Bamako (Mali).
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone U20 set for WAFU opener against Mauritania in Bamako

Sierra Leone set to open their U20 WAFU Zone A U-20 male tournament against Mauritania today in Bamako. This match is their first game in the tournament and is a qualifier for the next CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 in Ghana.

A win for Shooting Stars means they will secure a spot in the quarter-finals, even without playing their final group game against defending champions Senegal.

This is because Mauritania, who are finishing their group matches, lost their first game 2-1 to Senegal. The group only has three teams because Guinea-Bissau withdrew on the tournament’s start day.

Shooting Stars were runners-up last time in Monrovia and qualified for their first-ever U-20 AFCON, but they exited in the quarter-finals.

by Football Sierra Leone

Billiat, Musona Fire Scottland to 2-0 Win Over Petro Atlético

Zimbabwe’s Scottland FC edged closer to the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Angola’s Petro Atlético in the first leg of the Second Preliminary Round on Sunday.

Second-half goals from former Zimbabwe internationals Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona secured the win. Billiat opened the scoring in the 67th minute, followed by Musona ten minutes later, giving Scottland a solid advantage for the return leg.

Petro Atlético struggled after losing a player just two minutes into the match, forcing them to play with ten men. Despite their numerical superiority, Scottland couldn’t score in the first half, but Billiat eventually broke the deadlock, and Musona sealed the win.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Rangers International also triumphed, defeating Algeria’s MC Alger 2-0, even after a red card in the 13th minute. James Emo starred for Rangers, scoring both goals in the final minutes—including a penalty in the 83rd minute.

Despite being down a player, Rangers adapted quickly and held off MC Alger, who also faced a red card in the 52nd minute. Emo’s goals give Rangers a two-goal lead heading into the second leg in Algeria as they aim for the group stage.

by Football Sierra Leone

Nigeria’s Rangers Beat MC Alger in Dramatic Match

Nigeria’s Rangers International played strongly to beat Algeria’s MC Alger 2-0 in the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Second Preliminary Round on Sunday, even after losing a player to a red card in the 13th minute.

James Emo scored both late goals for Rangers, including a penalty in the 83rd minute and another goal in the 87th minute, giving the Nigerian team an important lead before the second leg on 23 October in Algeria.

After losing a player early on, Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu had to quickly change his strategy. Despite having one less player, Rangers held off MC Alger’s efforts to score, and the first half ended without any goals.

In the 52nd minute, MC Alger also lost a player to a red card, which interrupted the game briefly. Tensions rose further when an official from MC Alger was sent off in the 70th minute.

Rangers finally scored their first goal from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute, and Emo increased their lead just four minutes later. The win means Rangers now need to defend their two-goal lead in the return match in Algeria to move on to the group stage.

by Football Sierra Leone

Pyramids Defeat El Merriekh in Juba in First-Leg Clash

Pyramids FC achieved a crucial away win against El Merriekh Bentiu from South Sudan, with Mahmoud Saber scoring in the 30th minute.

The victory, however, came with challenges as key defenders Mahmoud Marei and Iyad Al-Asqalani will miss the return leg due to suspensions.

Marei received a second yellow card, while Al-Asqalani was cautioned for the third time this season.

Despite these setbacks, Pyramids hold a one-goal advantage heading back to Cairo after eliminating Gor Mahia with a 7-1 aggregate score in the previous round. El Merriekh Bentiu also performed well, defeating Somalia’s Heegan FC 4-0 on aggregate.

The return fixture will take place at the Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on October 24. The winners will progress to the group stage of Africa’s top club competition, starting at the end of November.