Author: Football Sierra Leone

Raja Casablanca suffer defeat to FAR Rabat as Pirates edge Belouizdad
by Football Sierra Leone

Raja Casablanca suffer defeat to FAR Rabat as Pirates edge Belouizdad

FAR Rabat shocked Raja Casablanca with a 2-0 win in a heated Moroccan derby at the Stade Larbi Zaouli during the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Tuesday.

Ahmed Hammoudan scored the first goal in the 41st minute after a defensive mistake. Raja missed a chance to equalize when Sabir Bougrine’s penalty shot was saved. Khalid Aït Ouarkhane secured the win in stoppage time after a counterattack.

This victory marked FAR Rabat’s first win over Raja since 2020 and puts them at the top of Group B, while Raja needs to regroup after a tough start.

  • **Orlando Pirates Beat Belouizdad in Algiers**

Orlando Pirates returned to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a 2-1 victory over CR Belouizdad at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962.

Mohau Nkota shone with two first-half goals, scoring in the fifth and 27th minutes. Belouizdad pulled one back with a header from Khanyisa Mayo, but the Pirates’ defense held strong for the win.

This result places Orlando Pirates tied with Al Ahly at the top of Group C, with Al Ahly leading on goal difference.

  • **Esperance Tunis Defeats Djoliba in Tunis**

Esperance Tunis won convincingly, defeating Djoliba 4-0 at the Stade Hammadi Agrebi.

Raed Bouchniba opened the scoring in the fourth minute, followed by a goal from Elias Mokwana. Oussama Bouguerra added a header for a third while Koussay Maacha scored in stoppage time.

Djoliba struggled to keep up with Esperance, who now shares the top spot in Group D with Pyramids FC after strong opening matches.

Defending champions Al Ahly wallop Stade d'Abidjan in Cairo
by Football Sierra Leone

Defending champions Al Ahly wallop Stade d’Abidjan in Cairo

Group C, Defending champions Al Ahly began their pursuit of a third consecutive TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title with a decisive 4-2 victory over Côte d’Ivoire’s Stade d’Abidjan in Cairo on Tuesday.

Al Ahly took control in the first half with a 3-1 lead, featuring two goals from Kahraba and one from Mohamed Magdi Kafsha.

Stade d’Abidjan responded with a goal from Kassoum Koné, but Kahraba sealed the win in the second half, despite a late goal from Roger Assalé.

In Group B, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa were held to a 0-0 draw by DR Congo debutants Maniema Union.

Despite dominating possession and creating multiple chances, including a shot that hit the crossbar, the Sundowns could not find the net.

Looking ahead, the tournament will feature the anticipated Moroccan derby between Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat, as well as a match between CR Belouizdad and Orlando Pirates in

In Group D, Pyramids FC delivered an impressive 5-1 triumph over Angola’s Sagrada Esperança at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium.

Ibrahim Adel starred with two goals, including a stunning opener. Fiston Mayele, Mohamed Hamdy, and Ahmed Atef also contributed, while Sagrada managed a late consolation from Cachí.

Esperance will also face Djoliba in the final Group D fixture later this evening.

Algeria thrash Liberia to end AFCON qualifying campaign unbeaten
by Football Sierra Leone

Algeria thrash Liberia to end AFCON qualifying campaign unbeaten

Algeria thrashed Liberia 5-1 and finished their Group E CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers unbeaten as Togo won 3-0 against Equatorial Guinea in Lomé on Sunday.

Algeria had already secured first place in Group E and continued to play strongly at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium. They have not lost in their last 19 AFCON qualifiers.

Liberia surprised the home crowd with a goal from Sampson Dweh in the sixth minute. Algeria quickly equalized with a goal from Aïssa Mandi in the 20th minute. Riyad Mahrez then put Algeria ahead with a header in the 29th minute.

The second half was all Algeria, with goals from Baghdad Bounedjah, Amine Gouiri, and Mohammed Amoura. Gouiri’s goal was particularly impressive, a perfect shot into the bottom left corner.

Algeria finished the group with 16 points, scoring 16 goals and allowing just two. Their unbeaten record and solid defence make them one of the favourites for Morocco 2025.

Meanwhile, In Lomé, Togo ended their qualifiers with a strong 3-0 win over Equatorial Guinea. They had already been eliminated from the tournament, but the Sparrowhawks played well, breaking a three-game losing streak.

Yaw Annor scored the first goal in the 14th minute. Kevin Denkey scored a long-range shot early in the second half. Annor scored again in the 87th minute.

Equatorial Guinea did not need to worry about the loss, as they had already qualified for AFCON 2025. Still, the defeat ended their 10-game unbeaten streak in qualifiers, showing some areas that need improvement before the tournament.

Lesotho beat CAR as Gabon qualify for Morocco 2025 AFCON
by Football Sierra Leone

Lesotho beat CAR as Gabon qualify for Morocco 2025 AFCON

Lesotho secured a 1-0 victory over the Central African Republic (CAR) in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Thursday, aiding Gabon’s qualification for next year’s tournament in Morocco.

The tie played at the Free State Toyota Stadium, was decided by a goal from Neo Mokhachane in the 51st minute. Morocco leads Group B with a perfect record, followed by Gabon with seven points.

Lesotho’s win positions them third, while CAR remains at the bottom with three points. Gabon is guaranteed a top-two finish, as Lesotho cannot surpass them, even with one match remaining.

Although Lesotho could finish level on points with Gabon, they would lose out on the head-to-head rule. Both teams faced challenges in creating clear scoring opportunities, with Lesotho’s defence successfully neutralizing CAR’s attacks. Louis Mafouta nearly equalized for CAR, hitting the post in the 73rd minute.

Overall, Lesotho’s victory elevates them to third in the group, but their chances of qualification have ended, leaving CAR at the bottom.

Mo Sangare's late penalty helps Liberia beat Togo
by Football Sierra Leone

Mo Sangare’s late penalty helps Liberia beat Togo

On Wednesday, Liberia defeated Togo 1-0 to move to third, three points behind second-place Equatorial Guinea in Group E in the race to Morocco at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.

The Lone Star’s first victory at home since 2019 after a late penalty from Mo Sangare secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory for Liberia.

The home side achieved their first win of the campaign, much to the delight of home fans. This victory brought Liberia to third in the group with four points, while Togo fell to the bottom with two points.

Both teams struggled to create clear chances, with Togo applying early pressure but unable to penetrate Liberia’s resilient defence. Liberian goalkeeper consistently thwarted Togo’s Kodjo Laba and Kévin Denkey.

The turning point came in the 83rd minute when Togo’s captain, Djené Dakonam, handled the ball in the penalty area. Sangare confidently converted the penalty, giving Liberia the lead.

In the closing minutes, Togo searched for an equalizer, but Denkey’s shot was saved, and Laba missed another chance high and wide. With this win, Liberia boosted their morale under interim coach Thomas Kojo, while Togo’s hopes of qualification ended as they sit five points behind second-placed Equatorial Guinea.