Author: Football Sierra Leone

Pyramids set to face Esperance de Tunis in CAF Champions League
by Football Sierra Leone

Pyramids set for Esperance de Tunis Group D CAF Champions League battle

Pyramids FC from Egypt will play Esperance de Tunis on Saturday at the Hamadi Agrebi Olympic Stadium in Rades. This is their third match in Group D of the CAF Champions League. A win would help Pyramids FC take control of the group.

Pyramids FC is currently in first place with four points. They achieved this after a strong 5-1 win over Mali’s Djoliba AC and a goalless draw against Angola’s Sagrada Esperança.

The team has a powerful attack led by star players Ibrahim Adel and Ramadan Sobhi. Adel scored two goals in the first match, so he will be important for breaking through Esperance’s defence.

The home side will not have midfielders Mohamed Reda “Bobo” and Blati Touré because they are injured.

Esperance wants to win after a 0-0 draw with Sagrada Esperança. The Tunisian team has won the Champions League four times and has the same points as Pyramids FC, but they are behind on goal difference.

Even without key players like Yassine Meriah and Brazilian forward Yan Sasse, Esperance remains strong. Algerian winger Youcef Belaïli and young player Koussay Maacha will likely lead their attack. They will depend on their experience and the support of their fans to help them succeed.

Zamalek and Nigeria's Enyimba share Group D spoils
by Football Sierra Leone

Zamalek and Nigeria’s Enyimba share Group D spoils

In a Group D match in Uyo, defending champions Zamalek faced former champions Enyimba, resulting in a 2-2 draw.

Zamalek will be disappointed after letting go of a two-goal lead, with goals from Seifeddine Jaziri and Omar Faraj equalized by Ufere Chukwu and Ifeanyi Ihemekwele.

As a result, Zamalek remains at the top of the group with four points, while Enyimba moves to third place with their first point.

In Group A, Bravos do Maquis narrowly defeated Sfaxien FC 3-2 at Estadio 11 Novembro in Luanda. Keoikantse Mosiatlhaga opened the scoring for Bravos, but Mohamed Dhuaoui quickly equalized.

Bravos regained the lead through Joaquim Paciencia and Francisco Matonco before Hazem Hassen narrowed the deficit in the second half.

Despite opportunities for both teams, the match concluded 3-2 in favor of Bravos, placing them second in the group behind SC Constantine, who also secured a win against Simba SC. Sfaxien FC remains at the bottom of the standings.

Raja, FAR and Sundowns in CAF Champions League action this weekend
by Football Sierra Leone

Raja, FAR and Sundowns in CAF Champions League action this weekend

This weekend, the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Group B matches will take place, featuring two crucial games. Maniema Union will face Raja Casablanca at the Stade des Martyrs de la Pentecôte, while FAR Rabat will engage with Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa at the Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi.

In Group B, Maniema Union and Raja Casablanca are both looking to secure their first wins in this year’s group stage. In their opening match, Maniema Union played to a 0-0 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns, which extended their unbeaten streak to five games across all competitions.

Raja Casablanca lost 2-0 to FAR Rabat at home, putting them at the bottom of the group. However, they are unbeaten in their last three away games and hope to use that to turn their season around.

Both teams have had a hard time scoring, with most of their recent goals coming in the second half. This match will test their determination and finishing skills as they try to rise in the standings.

**FAR Rabat vs. Mamelodi Sundowns: The Leaders Face a Tough Match**  

FAR Rabat, currently leading the group, aims to keep its perfect record against a strong Mamelodi Sundowns team.

Rabat scored two goals in their opener, thanks to Ahmed Hammoudan and Khalid Aït Ouarkhane. They are unbeaten in their last 21 home matches across all competitions.

Mamelodi Sundowns were held to a goalless draw against Maniema Union in their first match but have scored 12 goals in their last six games. They are ready to challenge Rabat’s strong defence.

With so much at stake, this weekend promises excitement as all four teams compete for crucial points.

**Group B Fixtures:**  

– Saturday, 07/12/2024: Maniema Union vs. Raja Casablanca (13:00 GMT)  

– Saturday, 07/12/2024: FAR Rabat vs. Mamelodi Sundowns (19:00 GMT)  

FIFA imposed a fine on Fecafoot due to unpaid salaries
by Football Sierra Leone

FIFA imposed a fine on Fecafoot due to unpaid salaries

FIFA’s Disciplinary Chamber has fined Cameroon’s Football Federation, FECAFOOT 1,000 CHF (about 700,000 CFA francs) for failing to implement a ruling in favour of player Meuvungeu Alexy against Djiko FC.

This ruling is linked to Fecafoot’s failure to enforce a prior decision requiring Djiko FC to compensate Meuvungou Alexy, who was unjustly dismissed over a year ago.

The dispute began on June 2, 2023, when FIFA’s National Dispute Resolution Chamber (CNRL) ordered Djiko FC to pay Alexy 3.62 million FCFA (€5,546) for his wrongful termination. Despite this, the club, competing in Cameroon’s second division, has not fulfilled this obligation.

Fecafoot, responsible for ensuring compliance with FIFA’s directives, has faced criticism for similar failures. Earlier this year, it was reprimanded for not enforcing a payment order involving players Junior Godstine Folhe, Boris Oum Mananga, and Pierre Varèze Zang Ngayene, which resulted in further penalties.

The National Union of Cameroonian Footballers (Synafoc), led by former Indomitable Lions full-back Geremi Njitap, has been actively campaigning for players’ rights and fair pay. Njitap’s “Salary Barometer” initiative has highlighted the ongoing issue of unpaid wages for local players, garnering support from the International Federation of Professional Footballers’ Associations (FIFPro).

The recent sanction against Fecafoot underscores the persistent challenges in Cameroonian football, particularly the need for timely payments to players. FIFA’s decision serves as a crucial reminder to both Fecafoot and the clubs under its jurisdiction about the importance of upholding players’ rights and adhering to international rulings.

Vital opening win for Simba in group stage start campaign
by Football Sierra Leone

Simba begins CAF Confederation group campaign with a vital win

Tanzanian team Simba SC began their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage with a 1-0 win against Angola’s Bravos do Maquis at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

Jean Ahoua scored the only goal with a penalty in the first half, putting Simba at the top of Group A. The penalty occurred in the 27th minute after Edmilson from Bravos handled the ball.

Ahoua struck the penalty into the top left corner, out of the goalkeeper’s reach.

The match was intense, with both teams creating chances. Despite pressure from Simba and several close attempts by Steven Mukwala, they could not score again.

In the second half, Bravos sought to equalize, but Emmanuel Edmond had a penalty saved by Simba’s goalkeeper. Bravos missed other chances, and Simba’s Joshua Mutale hit the post in the 66th minute.

Both teams made substitutions, but neither could find the net in the final minutes. Simba’s solid defense held strong, securing an important win.

This victory positions Simba SC at the top of Group A, ahead of the later match between Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien and Algeria’s Constantine. Simba’s win could be crucial for their chances of reaching the knockout stages.