Category: African News

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CAF Inter-club Champions League knockout phase draw revealed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Champions League knockout phase draw revealed

The knockout phase of this year’s CAF Champions League has been confirmed as the quarter-final and semi-final draws were conducted by the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) on 20 February.

The draw, held live from the beIN SPORTS studios in Doha, Qatar, created four exciting quarter-final matches. Eight of Africa’s top clubs will compete over two legs for a spot in the semi-finals.

Defending champions Al Ahly SC from Egypt will face Sudan’s Al Hilal SC. Al Ahly, with 12 titles, finished as runners-up in their group. They aim to win the title for a third consecutive year. Al Hilal, coached by Florent Ibengé, topped their group while playing in Mauritania due to conflict in Sudan.

Pyramids FC from Egypt will take on Moroccan club AS FAR. Pyramids, led by coach Krunoslav Jurčić, scored 14 goals in the group stage, while AS FAR went unbeaten with coach Alexandre Santos.

Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa will play Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis. Sundowns, champions in 2016, are eager to break their semi-final curse. Esperance, a four-time champion, topped their group and recently won the Tunisian Super Cup.

Finally, Algeria’s MC Alger, who conceded only two goals, will meet South Africa’s Orlando Pirates. The Pirates, who won in 1995 and finished first in their group, want to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 2013.

The semi-final matchups are also set. The winner of Sundowns versus Esperance will face either Al Ahly or Al Hilal, while the winner of MC Alger versus Pirates will meet the Pyramids versus AS FAR winner.

Quarter-final games will be played over two legs, with the first on 1 April and the return leg on 8 April. The semi-finals will follow the same format, leading to the final in June.

2024/25 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals:

  • QF 1: Al Ahly SC (EGY) vs Al Hilal SC (SDN)
  • QF 2: Pyramids FC (EGY) vs AS FAR (MAR)
  • QF 3: Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) vs Esperance Sportive de Tunis (TUN)
  • QF 4: MC Alger (ALG) vs Orlando Pirates (RSA)

Semi-Final Draw Outcome:

  • SF 1: Mamelodi Sundowns/Esperance Sportive de Tunis vs Al Ahly SC/Al Hilal SC
  • SF 2: MC Alger/Orlando Pirates vs Pyramids FC/AS FAR
CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-final matches confirmed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-final matches confirmed

The knockout stages of the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup are ready to begin after the quarter-final draw held by CAF on February 20.

The quarter-finals kick off with a North versus South match as two-time champions Zamalek SC of Egypt defend their title against tournament debutants Stellenbosch FC from South Africa.

Ivorian powerhouse Asec Mimosas, eager to reclaim continental glory, will face two-time champions RS Berkane of Morocco. Berkane has excelled in the group stages, finishing with the best record by collecting 16 points without a loss.

A thrilling Algerian derby is also on the cards, featuring CS Constantine, who are making their first appearance in the knockout stages, taking on a determined USM Alger side that aims to reclaim the title they won in the 2022/23 season.

The final quarter-final will see Egyptian team Al Masry face an in-form Simba SC from Tanzania, who are looking to advance past the last eight for the first time since the 2021/22 season.

The quarter-finals will showcase:

  • QF 1: Stellenbosch FC (RSA) vs Zamalek SC (EGY)  
  • QF 2: Asec Mimosas (CIV) vs RS Berkane (MAR)  
  • QF 3: CS Constantine (ALG) vs USM Alger (ALG)  
  • QF 4: Al Masry (EGY) vs Simba SC (TAN)  

The semi-finals will match the winners of RS Berkane/Asec Mimosas against USM Alger/CS Constantine and Simba SC/Al Masry against Zamalek SC/Stellenbosch FC.

For further details and statistics on the eight remaining clubs, click **HERE**.

Victor Osimhen nets as Galatasaray bow out of Euroepa League
by FSL News

Victor Osimhen nets as Galatasaray bow out of Europa League

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen found the back of the net for Galatasaray in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League matchup against AZ Alkmaar.

However, his effort was not enough to secure advancement, as the match concluded in a 2-2 draw, resulting in a 6-3 aggregate defeat that eliminated Galatasaray from the tournament.

The match, held at the vibrant RAMS Park on Thursday evening, showcased a gripping contest. AZ Alkmaar, guided by coach Maarten Martens, sealed their place in the Round of 16 after their earlier 4-1 victory in the first leg in Alkmaar.

In the second leg, Seiya Maikuma opened the scoring for AZ, followed by Denso Kasius, who extended their lead. Galatasaray fought back with goals from Victor Osimhen and Roland Sallai, but despite their resilience, they couldn’t overturn the deficit.

The draw meant that AZ Alkmaar advanced to the next stage of the competition, much to the disappointment of the home crowd.

Guinea's Guirassy misses penalty in Champions League Sporting stalemate
by Football Sierra Leone

Guinea’s Guirassy Misses Penalty in Champions League Sporting Stalemate | African Football News

Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy, who is the top scorer in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League with ten goals, missed a penalty as they shared spoils with Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday evening.

Borussia Dortmund advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League after a 0-0 draw with Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, winning 3-0 on aggregate.

Serhou Guirassy missed a second-half penalty, but it did not affect the outcome, as Dortmund faced little challenge from Sporting.

Dortmund will face either Aston Villa or Lille next. Coach Niko Kovac said, “It was a controlled performance,” noting the missed penalty and a shot that hit the post from Giovanni Reyna.

Sporting struggled to recover from their loss in the first leg, where Guirassy, Pascal Gross, and Karim Adeyemi scored.

Dortmund dominated much of the match in cold weather. Sabitzer nearly opened the scoring with a long-range shot, but Sporting goalkeeper Rui Silva made a great save.

In the second half, a penalty was awarded to Dortmund after Adeyemi was fouled, but Guirassy’s shot was saved again by Silva.

Reyna hit the post shortly after coming on, but Dortmund created few chances, and Sporting had no shots on target. Ultimately, Sporting lacked the drive to turn the tie around, allowing Dortmund to progress easily.

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini blasts Africa's best player Lookman
by FSL News

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini unhappy with Africa’s best player Lookman

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini commented on striker Ademola Lookman’s performance following the team’s 3-1 defeat to Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League, resulting in a 5-2 aggregate loss.

Lookman scored early in the second half, but he was unable to convert his second chance after a penalty attempt was saved by Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.

Gasperini expressed concerns about Lookman’s ability as a penalty taker, stating he is “one of the least effective” he has seen. He suggested that offensive midfielder Charles De Ketelaere or striker Mateo Retegui should have taken the penalty instead.

“Lookman was not intended to take that penalty; he has a notably poor record in both games and training. He seized the opportunity after scoring, but I did not find that decision appropriate,” Gasperini noted.

He also addressed the conduct of Atalanta captain Rafael Tolói, who received a red card for an incident with Maxim De Cuyper. “This was an unfortunate occurrence, and we must maintain composure at all times,” he emphasized.

Atalanta, currently third in Serie A, became the second Italian team to exit the Champions League, following AC Milan, who lost 2-1 on aggregate to Feyenoord.