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.

Women's Olympic - Nigeria to open against Brazil as Zambia meet USA
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Women’s Olympic: Nigeria face Brazil as Zambia meet USA

Africa’s representatives, Nigeria and Zambia, will kick off their campaigns on the opening day of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 on Thursday, alongside ten other teams.

Nigeria vs. Brazil Venue: Stade de Bordeaux, Kick-off: 19:00

Nigeria will participate in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008.

Nigeria is the most experienced African nation at the Games, having competed three times in the past. Brazil has won both previous meetings against Nigeria.

They won 4-3 after extra time in the 1999 Women’s World Cup quarter-final and 3-1 in the group stage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

USA vs. Zambia Venue: Stade de Nice, Kick-off: 21:00

The U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team starts their 2024 Summer Olympics journey on July 25 against Zambia at Stade de Nice in Nice, France. The game will be at 9 p.m. local time / 3 p.m. ET.

The USA’s only previous Olympic match against an African team was a 3-1 victory against Nigeria at Sydney 2000.

During Tokyo 2020, Zambia’s captain Barbra Banda made history by becoming the first player to score hat-tricks in back-to-back Olympic matches.

She scored three goals in each of the group-stage matches against the Netherlands and China PR.

Zambia secured its place in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by defeating Morocco 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Meanwhile, host nation France will play against Colombia, while World champions Spain will face Japan in a rematch of their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 group-stage meeting, which Japan won 4-0.

Germany will compete against Australia from Group B as Canada takes on New Zealand.

See the link for full Women’s Olympic matches.

Nigeria will participate in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008.
Nigeria will participate in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008.
Zambia secured its place in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by defeating Morocco 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Zambia secured its place in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by defeating Morocco 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Senegal's defender Mamadou Fall joins Barcelona
by FSL News

Senegal’s defender Mamadou Fall joins Barcelona

Senegal’s defender Mamadou Fall has officially joined Barcelona, as confirmed by Major League Soccer side Los Angeles.

Fall, 21, spent last season on loan at Barça and featured in 22 matches for their reserves. Previously, LAFC loaned the Senegalese centre back to Villarreal CF.

LAFC initially signed Fall in June 2021. His profile quickly grew, and now he has 11 goals and two assists in 101 professional appearances, including five goals and one assist in 36 regular-season games with the Black & Gold.

“Fall is a player with incredible potential and exceptional talent,” said LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington.

“He began his professional journey at LAFC, and we are excited to see him join not only one of the top clubs in the world but also a great environment for his continued development. We wish him nothing but the best in his career at Barcelona.”

Ivorian striker Bénie Traoré pens FC Basel deal from Sheffield United
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivorian Bénie Traoré pens Basel deal from Sheffield United

Sheffield United has officially announced the departure of Ivorian International striker Bénie Traoré from the club to join Swiss side FC Basel for an undisclosed fee.

The Ivorian striker has signed a four-year contract until the summer of 2028 and will strengthen the Red and Blue squad with immediate effect.

Traoré, 21, who was signed by the previous manager, Paul Heckingbottom, from BK Häcken last summer, had limited playing time during his tenure at the Blades, with only nine competitive appearances.

Following his official debut on 12 August 2023 in a 1–0 loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League, he spent the latter half of the previous season on loan in France with Nantes.

Expressing his satisfaction upon signing for the Swiss Super League club, Traoré stated, “I am delighted to have finalized my move to FC Basel. I have received encouraging feedback about the club, further affirming my positive impressions.

I am adept in various offensive positions on the field and can contribute in versatile roles. Having completed my pre-season training with Sheffield over the past few weeks, I am eagerly anticipating representing my new team on the pitch.”

Guinea beat Argentina in preparation for the Olympic opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea defeat Argentina in pre-Olympic football match

Guinea’s Syli national U23 team impressively defeated Argentina 1-0 in their final match before the Olympics in Vitré, France.

Thanks to a goal by Mohamed Soumah in the 72nd minute, they wrapped up their preparations ahead of their Paris Olympics opener on Wednesday.

Argentina’s Olympic coach, Javier Mascherano, has welcomed all of his players, including Copa America champions Nicolás Otamendi, Julián Álvarez, and Gerónimo Rulli, who joined the team earlier in the week.

Guinea’s manager, Kaba Diawara, was pleased to watch his team beat one of the tournament favourites.

The West Africans will start their Olympic campaign against New Zealand on July 24 at Stade de Nice, followed by a match against the home team, France, three days later.

They will finish the group stage with a challenging game against the USA on July 30.

Argentina, on the other hand, has been drawn into Group B with Morocco, Iraq, and Ukraine. They will play their first match on July 24th against Morocco, their second on July 27th against Iraq, and their third on July 30th against Ukraine.

Guinea’s Group A fixtures –All kick-offs in local time

Wednesday, 24 July Guinea v New Zealand | 17:00 | Stade de Nice

Saturday, 27 July France v Guinea | 21:00 | Stade de Nice

Tuesday, 30 July USA v Guinea | 19:00 | Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint Etienne

Egypt's U23 national team won their final friendly match against Iraq 2-1 before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will begin on July 24th.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt gear up for Olympics opener with a win over Iraq

Egypt’s U23 national team won their final friendly match against Iraq 2-1 before the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will begin on July 24th.

The Pharaohs drew 1-1 with Ukraine earlier this week and then secured a 2-1 victory over Iraq to complete their preparation.

Ibrahim Adel from Pyramids FC scored both goals for Egypt. Adel’s performance is crucial for Egypt in the upcoming Olympics, where he will have support from Ahmed Sayed Zizo and Mohamed Elneny, a former Arsenal midfielder.

Despite the win, the team still struggles to keep a clean sheet. Coach Roger Micale hopes the players will gain experience from these matches before the Olympic games.

The win over Iraq has boosted confidence within the team ahead of the Olympics.

Egypt will start their Olympic campaign against the Dominican Republic on July 24, followed by a match against Uzbekistan three days later.

They will finish the group stages with a challenging game against Spain on July 30.

The Egypt XI lineup for the match against Iraq was: Hamzaa Alaa, Omar Fayed, Hossam Abdelmeguid, Ahmed Eid, Kareem El-Debes; Mohamed Elneny, Mohamed Sheata, Ahmed Atef; Ibrahim Adel, Ahmed Sayed Zizo, Osama Faisal.

The selected 22 players are ready for 2024 Paris Olympics
The selected 22 players are ready for 2024 Paris Olympics