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.

Defender Leon Balogun pens Rangers contract extension
by FSL News

Nigeria’s Leon Balogun pens Rangers contract extension

Nigerian defender Leon Balogun has committed to another year with Rangers, extending his contract until the 2024/25 season ahead of his second stint with the Scottish club.

Balogun first joined Rangers in 2020 and played a pivotal role in their title-winning season in 2020/21 and their Scottish Cup triumph in 2021/22.

After leaving for English club Queen’s Park Rangers in 2022, he returned to Rangers last summer.

He expressed his happiness and privilege to extend his contract with Rangers, stating his desire to win more trophies and titles with the club.

“In my time here so far, I have witnessed first-hand the impact he has not only on the pitch but off the pitch as well, with his valuable experience. He is a talented defender who brings a lot of qualities to the group, and I look forward to continuing to work with him next season.”

The Director of Football Recruitment, Nils Koppen, commented, “Leon has been an important player for this club and knows what it is like to represent Rangers. At a time of change within the squad, a player with Leon’s experience is vital, and it is fantastic we have been able to secure him.” him for another season.”

With 46 caps for Nigeria, Balogun scored his only goal for the national team against Central African Republic in October 2021.

Zimbabwe's Warriors Rally Troops for South Africa & Lesotho
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zimbabwe’s listed Troops for South Africa & Lesotho

The Warriors of Zimbabwe are gearing up for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, with the 2026 African qualifiers set to resume next week.

Looking ahead to the upcoming fixtures, Head Coach Jairos Tapera has named a strong squad of 23 players, including several European-based players such as Marshal Munetsi, Tawanda Chiwera, Marvelous Nakamba, Brendan Galloway, and 20-year-old left-back Shane Maroodza.

The Warriors will first face Lesotho in Johannesburg on Friday, 07 June, followed by a match against South Africa on Tuesday, 11 June – in Bloemfontein.

Drawn in Group C alongside Nigeria, Rwanda, and Benin, the Zimbabwean team has made a decent start to their campaign, securing a goalless draw against Rwanda and holding Nigeria to a 1-1 draw.

The team has a strong history in the CAF AFCON with five appearances but is yet to make it to the FIFA World Cup. The tournament has now been expanded to 48 nations, with nine places guaranteed for Africa and a play-off position.

The Warriors Squad for Matches against Lesotho and South Africa

Goalkeepers: Godfrey Chitsumba (Manica Diamonds), Bernard Donovan (Chicken Inn), Martin Mapisa (Dynamos)

Defenders: Andrew Mbeba (Highlanders), Brendan Galloway (Plymouth Argyle, England), Munashe Garananga (KV Mechelen, Belgium), Teenage Hadebe (Konyaspor, Turkey), Devine Lunga (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Shane Maroodza (Huddersfield Town, England), Godknows Murwira (CAPS United), Gerald Takwara (Ohod, Saudi Arabia)

Midfielders: Tawanda Maswanhise (Leicester City, England), Daniel Msendami (Jwaneng Galaxy, Botswana), Marshall Munetsi (Stade Reims, France), Joey Phuthi (Sheffield Wednesday, England), Andy Rinomhota (Rotherham United, England), Tivonge Rushesha (Reading, England), Jordan Zemura (Udinese, Italy)

Strikers: Tawanda Chirewa (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Tinotenda Kadewere (Nantes, France), Tymon Machope (Simba Bhora), Douglas Mapfumo (Polokwane City, South Africa), Walter Musona (Simba Bhora).

Gambian players must be active to be eligible - Mckinstry
by FSL News

Gambian players must be active to be eligible – Mckinstry

The newly appointed head coach of The Gambia senior national team, Johnathan McKinstry, has outlined the criteria for player selection, emphasizing the importance of players being actively involved with their clubs before naming his squad.

The Northern Irishman has announced his squad for important games against Seychelles and Gabon this month. The Scorpions are fifth in Group F after defeats to Burundi and the Ivory Coast in their first two matches.

He underlined the significance of fitness and regular game time for the players as the Scorpions are getting ready for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier matches against Seychelles and Gabon on the horizon.

He expressed his vision of progressing the team and enhancing their performance in upcoming matches, highlighting his willingness to integrate young players and expecting them to deliver their best on the field.

He arrived in Gambia on May 25, just one week after securing Gor Mahia the Kenyan Premier League title with three league games remaining. In his two years in charge of Gor Mahia, he won both KPL League titles and the 2023-24 FKF Charity Shield.

The Scorpions are fifth in Group F after defeats to Burundi and the Ivory Coast in their first two matches.
The Scorpions are fifth in Group F after defeats to Burundi and the Ivory Coast in their first two matches.
Moroccan forward Ayoub El Kaabi shines in Europa Conference final
by FSL News

Morocco’s Ayoub El Kaabi shines in Europa Conference final

El Kaabi scored eleven goals in the Europa Conference League, setting a new record in the UEFA knockout stage and helping the Greek club side win a European trophy.

The Olympiacos striker scored the winning goal against Fiorentina, securing a 1-0 victory at the AEK Arena with just four minutes remaining in extra time.

El Kaabi’s achievement surpasses the records of Falcao, Ronaldo, and Benzema, who have each scored 10 goals in a single UEFA campaign.

He is the first non-European player to score 14 goals in a major European competition in a single season since Lionel Messi in 2011-12.

Olympiakos is the first Greek side to win a major European competition, with El Kaabi playing a crucial role in their success. Fiorentina’s loss adds to their history of failures in this tournament, losing five of their last six European finals.

The defeat also ended Fiorentina’s longest unbeaten run in Europe, abruptly halting a 13-match undefeated streak.

Africa World Cup 2026 Qualifying Dates confirmed
by FSL News

Africa World Cup 2026 Qualifying Dates & Venues Confirmed

The African nations will continue their journey to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 next week. Match Day Three and Match Day four of the qualifiers will take place between June 5th and June 11th, 2024.

Nine African teams are guaranteed a spot in the World Cup, while another team will participate in the Play-off Tournament, as the tournament will now feature 48 teams for the first time.

The winners of each group will automatically qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The top four runners-up from the groups will compete in a CAF Play-Off tournament.

The winner of the CAF Play-Off Tournament will then advance to the FIFA Play-off Tournament. Here are the fixtures for the matches to be played over the next seven days (all kick-off times are in GMT):

List of fixtures

Match Day 3

Wednesday – 05 June, 2024

  • Sierra Leone v Djibouti (Group A) | 1600 | El Jadida, Morocco
  • Togo v South Sudan (Group B) | 1600 | Lome, Togo
  • Central African Republic v Chad (Group I) | 1600 | Oujda, Morocco
  • Namibia v Liberia (Group H) | 1600 | Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Tunisia v Equatorial Guinea (Group H) | 1900 | Rades, Tunisia

 

Thursday – 06 June, 2024

  • Malawi v  Sao Tome e Principe  (Group H) | 1300 | Lilongwe, Malawi
  • Guinea Bissau v Ethiopia (Group A) | 1600 | Bissau, Guinea Bissau
  • Mauritania v Sudan (Group B) | 1600 | Nouakchott, Mauritania
  • Libya v Mauritius (Group D) | 1600 | Tripoli, Libya
  • Congo v Niger (Group E) | 1600 | Kinshasa, DR Congo
  • Egypt v Burkina Faso (Group A) | 1900 | Cairo, Egypt
  • Senegal v DR Congo (Group B) | 1900 | Diamniadio, Senegal
  • Benin v Rwanda (Group C) | 1900 | Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
  • Algeria v Guinea (Group G) | 1900 | Algiers, Algeria
  • Mali v Ghana (Group I) | 1900 | Bamako, Mali

 

Friday – 07 June, 2024

  • Zimbabwe v Lesotho (Group C) | 1300 | Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Mozambique v Somalia (Group G) | 1300 | Maputo, Mozambique
  • Kenya  v Burundi (Group F) | 1300 | Lilongwe, Malawi
  • Uganda v Botswana (Group G) | 1600 | Namboole, Uganda
  • Madagascar v Comoros (Group I) | 1600 | Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Angola v Eswatini (Group D) | 1600 | Luanda, Angola
  • Nigeria v South Africa (Group C) | 1900 | Uyo, Nigeria
  • Morocco v Zambia (Group E) | 1900 | Agadir, Morocco
  • Cote d’Ivoire v Gabon  (Group F) | 1900 | Korhogo, Cote d’Ivoire

 

Saturday – 08 June, 2024

  • Cameroon v Cape Verde (Group D) | 1300 | Douala, Cameroon
  • Gambia v Seychelles (Group F) | 1600 | Berkane, Morocco

 

Match Day 4

Sunday – 09 June, 2024

  • Sao Tome e Principe  v Liberia  (Group H) | 1300 | Oudja, Morocco
  • Djibouti v Ethiopia (Group A) | 1600 | El Jadida, Morocco
  • Congo DR v Togo (Group B) | 1600 | Kinshasa, DR Congo
  • Mauritania v Senegal (Group B) | 1600 | Nouachott, Mauritania
  • Namibia  v Tunisia  (Group H) | 1600 | Johannesburg, South Africa

 

Monday – 10 June, 2024

  • Somalia v Botswana (Group G) | 1300 | Maputo, Mozambique
  • Equatorial Guinea  v Malawi  (Group H) | 1300 | Malabo, Equatorial Guinea 
  • Madagascar v Mali (Group I) | 1300 | Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Guinea Bissau v Egypt (Group A) | 1600 | Bissau, Guinea Bissau
  • Benin v Nigeria (Group C) | 1600 | Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire
  • Uganda v Algeria  (Group G) | 1600 | Namboole, Uganda
  • Guinea  v Mozambique (Group G) | 1900 | El Jadida, Morocco
  • Ghana  v Central African Republic  (Group I) | 1900 | Kumasi, Ghana
  • Burkina Faso v Sierra Leone (Group A) | 1900 | Bamako, Mali

 

Tuesday – 11 June, 2024

  • South Sudan v Sudan (Group B) | 1300 | Juba, South Sudan
  • Mauritius v Eswatini (Group G) | 1300 | St. Pierre, Mauritius
  • Zambia v  Tanzania (Group E) | 1300 | Ndola, Zambia
  • Kenya v Cote d’Ivoire (Group F) | 1300 | Lilongwe, Malawi
  • Lesotho v Rwanda (Group C) | 1600 | Durban, South Africa
  • Cape Verde  v Libya (Group D) | 1600 | Praia, Cape Verde
  • South Africa v Zimbabwe (Group C) | 1600 | Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Congo v Morocco (Group E) | 1600 | Kinshasa, DR Congo
  • Chad v Comoros (Group I) | 1600 | Oujda, Morocco
  • Angola v Cameroon (Group D) | 1900 | Luanda, Angola
  • Gabon v Gambia (Group F) | 1900 | Franceville, Gabon
  • Seychelles v Burundi (Group F) | 1900 | Berkane, Morocco