Category: Football Africa

Banda scores four times as Zambia Thrash Egypt, Malawi stun Nigeria
by Football Sierra Leone

Banda scores four times as Zambia Thrash Egypt, Malawi stun Nigeria

Zambia’s women’s soccer team began their 2026 Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a strong 6-0 win over Egypt in Rabat. Barbra Banda starred in the match, scoring four goals, including two in just three minutes after half-time.

Rachel Nachula put Zambia ahead with a penalty in the 25th minute. Banda scored her first penalty in the 60th minute, then added another goal shortly after to make it 3-0.

She completed her hat-trick with a goal in the 87th minute. Substitute Eneless Phiri contributed Zambia’s fifth goal in stoppage time, and Banda finished the scoring in the 96th minute.

This result is a great start for Zambia as they aim for their first Women’s AFCON title.

Elsewhere, Malawi defeated Nigeria 3-2 as they produced one of the biggest shocks in TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations history by beating record champions in their Group C opener on Tuesday night.

The Scorchers, playing their first match at the continental finals, stunned the 10-time champions with three second-half goals at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.

Côte d’Ivoire brush aside Burkina Faso in Group opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Côte d’Ivoire brush aside Burkina Faso in Group opener

Côte d’Ivoire came back strong in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, beating Burkina Faso 4-1 in their opening Group B game on Monday night.

This is the Lady Elephants’ first time in the tournament in 12 years. They were clearly the better team in the first half and managed the game well overall.

Rebecca Elloh scored first with a penalty. Ines Konan got two goals, with assists from Rosemonde Kouassi and Nsira Ouedraogo.

Burkina Faso managed to pull one back through Adama Congo early in the second half, but Côte d’Ivoire quickly regained their lead when Ouedraogo scored again.

It was a great start for coach Reynald Pedros, who had asked the team to play their hearts out in Morocco. The players showed they were well-prepared and confident, blending experienced players with younger talent.

Captain Bernadette Amani Kakounan was happy to be back at WAFCON, and the Lady Elephants proved it with a determined performance.

This win is a good start for Côte d’Ivoire, especially following Tanzania’s surprise win against South Africa. They’ve put themselves in a good position to reach the quarter-finals, as the top two teams from each group move on.

News WAFCON Match Day Two Results
News WAFCON Match Day Two Results
Resilient Tanzania edge South Africa in tight Group B opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tanzania edge South Africa in tight Group B WAFCON opener

Tanzania kicked off their TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 qualifying matches with a 2-1 win against South Africa in Casablanca.

This was the second match in Group B and the third overall at the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON finals. South Africa had won the first game, and the second ended in a draw, so Tanzania was really looking for a win here.

Tanzania had some good chances early on. Opa Tukumbuke nearly scored in the 13th minute, but the South African goalkeeper, Andile Dlamini, saved her shot.

Two minutes later, Lebohang Ramalepe had another great chance for Tanzania with a header that almost went in as an own goal, but Dlamini managed to get a hand to it. For South Africa, Hildah Magaia missed a good opportunity to score, shooting high over the crossbar.

The first goal came in the 37th minute from Tanzania’s Diana Msewa, named Woman of the Match. Kgatlana almost equalised just before halftime, but her shot was saved. Then, Bambanani Mbane pulled South Africa level right before the halftime whistle.

South Africa had a chance to take the lead at the start of the second half. However, Tanzania secured the win in the 86th minute when substitute Hasnath Ubamba fired home. 

This result gives Tanzania three important points in Group B ahead of their next match against Burkina Faso, while South Africa will regroup before facing Cote d’Ivoire.

Morocco hammer Kenya 4-0 in WAFCON opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco hammer Kenya 4-0 in WAFCON opener

There was a real sense of purpose about Morocco from the very first whistle at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium – and by full-time, they’d sent out a clear message to everyone in Group A: they mean business at this year’s TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Hosts Morocco ran out comfortable 4–0 winners over Kenya, taking charge of the game early and never letting go. Sakina Ouzraoui set the ball rolling just past the 20-minute mark, firing home to get the crowd on their feet.

Before half-time, the lead had grown to three – Meriem Atiq powered a header in from a well-worked corner, then Ibtissam Jraidi nodded home right on the stroke of the break to leave Kenya with a mountain to climb.

Any hopes of a comeback were extinguished almost immediately after the restart: barely two minutes into the second half, Jraidi struck again, grabbing her second of the afternoon and putting the result well beyond doubt.

For Kenya, this was their first appearance at the tournament in a decade – a moment to savour in itself, even if the day didn’t go to plan. They came up against a side with plenty of pedigree, two-time runners-up who looked sharp, organised and hungry from start to finish.

Elsewhere in the group, Algeria also got off to a winning start, beating Senegal 2–0 – meaning Morocco sit top of the pile on goal difference, with Algeria close behind, and Kenya and Senegal still searching for their first points.

Speaking after the match, Kenya boss Beldine Odemba was honest but upbeat: “We know we have areas to improve, and we will get to work on them straight away. There is still everything to play for.”

Morocco’s Jorge Vilda was full of praise for his team’s focus: “We controlled the game well, took our chances and stayed disciplined. It’s a very satisfying start, but we know the hardest tests are still to come.”

Next up for Morocco is a mouth-watering clash with North African rivals Algeria, while Kenya will dust themselves down and prepare to take on Senegal – two games that will shape how this group unfolds.

Star Sport Academy Thanks SLFA for CAF Champions League Confirmation
by Ibrahim Sesay

Star Sport Academy Thanks SLFA after CAF Champions League Confirmation

Star Sport Academy has expressed its heartfelt appreciation to the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) following the official confirmation of their participation in the 2026/2027 CAF Champions League.

After the conclusion of the 2025/2026 Sierra Leone Premier League season, Star Sport Academy received communication from the SLFA indicating that the League Champions, Bo Rangers FC, had opted out of the competition.

As the next eligible club, Star Sport Academy has graciously accepted the responsibility to represent the nation on the continental stage. The club’s management intentionally took a few days before announcing this decision to allow for essential internal consultations and preparations, believing it was crucial to share this news in a thoughtful and organised manner.

They extend their congratulations to Bo Rangers FC for their successful season and offer sincere gratitude to the President of SLFA, along with the Executive Committee and the Secretariat, for placing their trust in the club. Star Sport Academy embraces this responsibility with humility and is fully committed to representing Sierra Leone with professionalism, discipline, and pride.

The club also wishes to thank their sponsors, partners, fans, players, and technical staff for their steadfast support and commitment. Your ongoing encouragement has been vital to their journey.

Moreover, preparations for the CAF Champions League campaign are already in full swing, and Star Sport Academy remains focused on ensuring that both the club and Sierra Leone are represented with honour and distinction.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Court of Arbitration for Sport sets date for Senegal AFCON hearing

Lausanne, 24 July 2026 – The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirms a hearing has been scheduled for the procedure between the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF, in French) against the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF, in French) (“The Parties”) concerning the final of the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 (AFCON 2025).

The hearing will take place on 8 October 2026, at CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. Registered by CAS on 25 March 2026, the FSF appeal seeks to set aside a CAF decision declaring that the Senegal national team forfeited the AFCON 2025 final and recording the Moroccan national team as the winners of the match by 3-0. The appeal requests that CAS declare the FSF winners of AFCON 2025.

The Parties did not agree to expedite this procedure, which is therefore following a standard timeline according to CAS procedural rules.

The hearing date was decided after consultation with the Parties, who also did not request that it be made public. This means it will take place behind closed doors. After the hearing, the Panel will start its deliberations. At this stage, CAS cannot state when a final decision will be rendered but it will not be on the day of the hearing.

CAS is aware of incorrect information circulating online about this procedure and subsequently being reported. Only information provided through CAS channels is considered official. Any announcements concerning this case will be published on the CAS website. Questions from accredited journalists can be directed to the CAS media office.

CAS Communication!

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Hamburger SV bolster squad with Zambia striker Patson Daka

To boost their offence, Hamburger SV (HSV) has signed centre forward Patson Daka. Once with Leicester City, the 27-year-old striker passed his medical exam on July 21 and signed his contract in Austria. Daka will don the number 27 uniform.

With his team dedication and worldwide exposure, Daka fits their requirements precisely, HSV Sporting Director Kathleen Krüger said. Another HSV director, Claus Costa, praised Daka’s energy, speed, and pressing skills—all consistent with their playing style.

Daka, who was born on October 9, 1998 in Kafue, Zambia, started his career with Nchanga Rangers and swiftly ascended through Zambia’s national teams to debut at 16. In 2017, he joined FC Liefering in Austria and eventually rose to prominence as a Red Bull Salzburg player, scoring 68 goals in 125 games and winning many titles.

Summer 2021 saw Daka sign with Leicester City and become the first Zambian to score a goal in the Premier League. In a single UEFA match versus Spartak Moscow, he also netted four goals. Prior to Leicester’s demotion this summer, he played 76 Premier League games.

Daka is eager to start his next chapter at HSV. I am eager to start. I’m here to score goals and support the team, he continued. From the beginning, I was welcome and it was simple decision to join.

by Football Sierra Leone

Ghana’s Abdul Fatawu delighted after Ipswich Town move

Ghanaian winger Abdul Fatawu has expressed delight after he signed for Ipswich Town from Leicester City ahead of the new season. Fatawu, 22, joined Town for an undisclosed fee and signed a five-year contract running until 2031.

Abdul made an impression at the FIFA World Cup this summer, participating in all four of Ghana’s matches, including one against England, and has a total of 32 caps with three goals for his country.

His career includes Champions League experience with Sporting in Portugal and a successful spell at Leicester, where he netted nine goals in 44 appearances last season. Abdul will join his new teammates at a training camp in La Manga, Spain, this week.

“I’m proud to be with Ipswich Town,” Abdul said. “The club’s ambition is exciting, and I’m eager to contribute to our Premier League preparations. After speaking with the manager, Gary O’Neil, I understand the expectations and can’t wait to meet my teammates and start working. The supporters are incredibly passionate, and I’m excited to play for them.”

Manager Gary O’Neil expressed enthusiasm about the signing, noting, “Abdul is a young player with good experience. He has strong physical and technical qualities, is comfortable on the ball, and can excel in one-on-one situations.”

Born in Tamale, Ghana, Abdul began with Steadfast before moving to Dreams FC in the Ghanaian Premier Division in 2021. His performances earned him a transfer to Sporting, followed by a loan to Leicester, where he contributed to their Championship victory and promotion to the Premier League, winning the club’s Young Player of the Year award.

In international play, he was named Player of the Tournament during the U20 Africa Cup of Nations in March 2021 and made his senior debut later that year. He represented Ghana at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and recently played in all four matches in North America.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco’s Atlas Lions Hit New FIFA Ranking High

The latest FIFA rankings showcase Africa’s rising impact on the global football scene, with Morocco standing out as the continent’s highest-ranked team at an impressive 6th overall.

The Atlas Lions have maintained their strong position since their historic World Cup performance, emphasizing a new era of competitiveness for African teams on the world stage. Following closely, Senegal continues to be a reliable force, holding the 18th spot globally.

The Teranga Lions combine experience with tactical discipline, making them a tough challenger in both regional and international tournaments. North African teams are well represented as Egypt climbs to 24th place, while Algeria follows at 29th, reflecting the region’s rich football history.

West African powerhouse Nigeria sits just above Algeria in 26th place, demonstrating a steady path of rebuilding and showcasing their depth of talent. The reigning African champions, Côte d’Ivoire, are currently ranked 31st, a position that indicates their squad has room for growth as it matures.

Lower down the list, DR Congo (41st) and Cameroon (43rd) remain competitive, while Mali (53rd) and South Africa (54th) round out the continent’s top ten.

Top 10 African Teams – FIFA World Rankings

1. Morocco — 6th
2. Senegal — 18th
3. Egypt — 24th
4. Nigeria — 26th
5. Algeria — 29th
6. Côte d’Ivoire — 31st
7. DR Congo — 41st
8. Cameroon — 43rd
9. Mali — 53rd
10. South Africa — 54th

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Star Sport Academy set for maiden West Africa Champions Cup competition

Sierra Leone’s top-tier side, Star Sport Academy, has confirmed its debutant participation in this year’s West Africa Champions Cup (WACC), which will take place in Kankan, Guinea between August 14 and 21, 2026.

“After two seasons in Sierra Leone’s top flight, we’ll for the first time face West African peers hoping to make history at the tournament of champions,” Coach Amidu Karim side noted.

They went on, “Our club will face off against tough sides from the African continent, including Al Hilal Omdurman of Sudan, Guinean sides Horoya & Hafia, as well as Djoliba AC, Stade Malien de Bamako, FC Diarra & AS Real Bamako from Mali.”

The tournament is part of our club’s plans ahead of the 2026/27 season, with the Blue Wave already preparing for the new campaign.

The 5th edition of the West Africa Champions Cup features big clubs from West Africa, which creates a unique passion and excitement around it. We are pleased to participate in this event.

Host City Kankan is the largest city in Guinea by area and the second largest in population. Inhabitants: 410,542 (1 July 2025 Census).