Category: African News

Our African football page passionately on all continental topics of all National and International football news, Identifying football heroes on our continent.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brahim Hemdani unveils Algeria squad for Zambia and Burundi fixtures

New Algeria coach Brahim Hemdani has announced his first squad, leaving out Houssem Aouar and Hicham Boudaoui as he prepares for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers.

Hemdani’s team will kick off their campaign against Zambia on September 25th before travelling to take on Burundi on the 29th. Following that, they will face Niger in an international friendly match on October 6th.

He selected 26 players for the September international window, keeping veterans like Ramy Bensebaini, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Nabil Bentaleb, Mohamed Amoura, and Amine Gouiri.

His decision to omit Aouar and Boudaoui is significant as it marks Hemdani’s first lineup since taking over from Vladimir Petkovic.

Luca Zidane and Rafik Belghali are unavailable due to suspension, and Yacine Titraoui is out with an injury. Hemdani aims to implement his ideas while maintaining a strong squad foundation.

In goal, chosen players include Melvin Mastil, Abdelatif Ramdane, and Kilian Belazzoug. Bensebaini leads the defence alongside Aït-Nouri, Zineddine Belaïd, Jaouen Hadjam, and Ahmed Touba, totalling nine defenders.

This international window allows Hemdani to shape the team, focusing on the upcoming 2027 finals while balancing experience with new talent.

Algeria squad

Goalkeepers: Melvin Mastil, Abdelatif Ramdane, Kilian Belazzoug.

Defenders: Achref Abada, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Zineddine Belaïd, Ramy Bensebaini, Samir Chergui, Jaouen Hadjam, Sohaib Naïr, Saâdi Radouani, Ahmed Touba.

Midfielders: Himad Abdelli, Adil Aouchiche, Nabil Bentaleb, Farès Chaïbi, Ibrahim Maza, Adem Zagence.

Forwards: Mohamed Amoura, Monsef Bakrar, Bachir Belloumi, Adil Boulbina, Amin Chiakha, Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa, Ilan Kebbal.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mohamed Ouahbi Selects Morocco Squad for AFCON Qualifiers

Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi has named three uncapped players in his first senior squad as the Atlas Lions prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 qualifiers against Gabon and Lesotho. The newcomers are Abdellah Ouazane, Soufian El Faouzi, and Yassir Zabiri.

Morocco will host Gabon in Rabat on September 25 and then travel to Bloemfontein, South Africa, to face Lesotho. They will also play a friendly against Ghana in Tangier.

Seventeen-year-old Ouazane stands out among the newcomers. Zabiri impressed at Racing Santander, while El Faouzi has played well for Schalke 04. The squad features a mix of experienced players and young talents, including forwards like Brahim Diaz and Soufiane Rahimi.

Ouahbi has recalled players like defender Nayef Aguerd, who recently joined Olympique de Marseille, and goalkeeper Alaa Bellarouch from Dinamo Bucharest. Established international players, including captain Achraf Hakimi and Noussair Mazraoui, remain in the team.

Ouahbi’s selections include 10 defenders and eight midfielders, enhancing competition. One notable absence is Younès Ebnoutalib, who was called up by Germany. Morocco will now prepare for its first competitive match under Ouahbi against Gabon, followed by the match against Lesotho and the friendly with Ghana.

Morocco squad

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou, Munir El Kajoui, Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti, Alaa Bellarouch.

Defenders: Noussair Mazraoui, Anass Salah-Eddine, Marwane Saadane, Nayef Aguerd, Redouane Halhal, Issa Diop, Abdelhamid Aït Boudlal, Achraf Hakimi, Zakaria El Ouahdi, Ali Maamar.

Midfielders: Samir El Mourabet, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Neil El Aynaoui, Oussama Targalline, Bilal El Khannouss, Soufian El Faouzi, Azzedine Ounahi, Ismaël Saibari.

Forwards: Brahim Diaz, Yassine Gessime, Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, Abdellah Ouazane, Soufiane Rahimi, Tawfik Bentayeb, Yassir Zabiri.

by Football Sierra Leone

Black Stars: Carlos Queiroz Unveils Squad for Upcoming Matches

Carlos Queiroz has picked his Ghana squad to take on Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia in the 2027 AFCON Qualifiers. Kudus and Djiku are both available once again for the Black Stars.

Jordan Ayew will also feature as captain. One player not featured was Thomas Partey, as he was left out due to injury.

Mohammed Kudus is back for Ghana after being ruled out of the 2026 World cup due to injury. He was injured for around 7 months but is fit again for the black stars.

Alexander Djiku is also back after being left out of the World Cup due to injury. He has been fit again and played all of Spartak Moscow’s last 3 games that went the full 90 mins before international duty.

Queiroz has called up Jordan Ayew after he made the switch to Sheffield United. Although he hasn’t had many appearances since his transfer, he is still wanted by the black stars for their AFCON qualifying matches.

Thomas Partey will be absent from this squad due to injury.

Benjamin Asare from Hearts of Oak will keep his spot along with Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Joseph Anang. Nathaniel Adjei will make his return to the black stars after almost a year. After impressing at Lorient in Ligue 1.

Jan Gyamerah from SV Elversberg and Ronald Donkor from New York Red Bulls have both made their return as well.

Along with others such as Ibrahim Osman and Ibrahim Sulemana from Sassuolo.

– Match vs Côte d’Ivoire: 24 September in Bouaké
– Match vs The Gambia: 29 September in Accra
– Match vs Morocco: 4 October in Tangier
Head Coach Carlos Queiroz has announced the team for our upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
Head Coach Carlos Queiroz has announced the team for our upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

New Senegal Coach Patrick Vieira Selects 29 Players for AFCON Qualifiers

Here are the 29 players selected by the newly appointed head coach of Senegal, Patrick Vieira, for the upcoming fixtures.

One player missing from this initial call-up was Sadio Mané. The Al-Nassr striker has not confirmed whether he will retire from international duty.

Speaking at a press conference after the squad was revealed Vieira stated that the best player at the last AFCON is experiencing some knocks.

Senegal will take on Mozambique on the 25th of September, Ethiopia on the 29th of September and close out the games against Comoros on the 4th of October in a friendly in Marseille.

Below are the players who have made the cut for these games.

New Senegal head coach Patrick Vieira line-up 29 for AFCON qualifiers
New Senegal head coach Patrick Vieira line-up 29 for AFCON qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Pitso Mosimane names South Africa squad to start 2027 qualifiers

South Africa’s coach, Pitso Mosimane, has named a 30-player squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea, along with a friendly match against Egypt.

Key players include Ronwen Williams, Teboho Mokoena, Lyle Foster, and Shandre Campbell.

Bafana Bafana will play their AFCON qualifier against Guinea at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on 26 September 2026, marking Mosimane’s first match as head coach.

They will then face Eritrea in Cairo on 30 September and end with a friendly against Egypt on 4 October.

SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan encourages families and fans to support the team during this new era. More squad updates will come as the match approaches.

Pitso Mosimane names South Africa squad to start 2027 qualifiers
Pitso Mosimane names South Africa squad to start 2027 qualifiers