Category: African News

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Finidi George names Nigeria squad with attacking intent
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Finidi George names Nigeria squad with attacking intent

Nigeria’s new head coach, Finidi George, has chosen an attacking group as the Super Eagles seek to dominate Group C, departing from the defensive tactics used at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The former International has named a strong 25-man squad for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin. 

Key attackers are Europa League winner Ademola Lookman and CAF African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy) and Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany) all included for the doubleheader.

“We cannot play defensive football with the caliber of players that we have,” said George. “We have to find the right balance between attack and defense.”

Lookman and Osimhen will lead the offensive threat, supported by midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, and Raphael Onyedika.

George has selected Remo Stars wing-back Sadiq Ismail for the first time, acknowledging his impressive performance in the Nigerian league. 

In goal, Maduka Okoye returns, while Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali is expected to keep his place as Nigeria’s number-one goalkeeper. 

Currently third in their qualifying group, Nigeria aims to secure maximum points from the upcoming double-header to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)

Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)

Bertrand Traore out of Burkina Faso squad for Egypt & S/Leone 
by FSL News

Bertrand Traore left out of Burkina Faso squad for Egypt & Sierra Leone 

Burkina Faso’s head coach, Brama Traore, has announced the squad for the upcoming 2026 Africa World Cup qualifying matches. Skipper Bertrand Traore, who scored in the draw 1-1 against Guinea-Bissau and their 3-0 win over Ethiopia, is not included.

The absence of team’s star, Bertrand Traore, who plays for La Liga side Villarreal, is a notable absentee as they prepared to face Egypt at Cairo Stadium on Thursday, June 6th, and host Sierra Leone at the Mar du 26 stadium in Bamako, Mali, on June 10th.

Traore scored in the draw against Guinea-Bissau and their 3-0 win over Ethiopia. Group A’s second-placed team, Les Étalons, secured their first win in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers by defeating Ethiopia’s Walias on November 21, 2023, in Morocco after their opening draw with Guinea-Bissau.

In the current standings, Egypt leads Group A with six points, followed by Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau with four points each. Sierra Leone and Ethiopia are tied on one point each, while Djibouti has no points after losing their first two games.

The winners of the nine qualifying groups will secure automatic qualification for the World Cup, while the best four runners-up will participate in the FIFA playoff tournament.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Hervé Koffi (R Charleroi SC), Farid Ouedraogo(AS Vita Club Kinshasa), Kilian Nikiema (ADO Den Haag)

Defenders: Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Nasser Djiga (Red Star Belgrade), Adama Nagalo (FC Nordsjaelland), Mohamed Ouedraogo (SCR Altach), Steeve Yago (Aris Limassol), Saidou Simporé (NBE Club), Valentin Nouma (FC Saint Eloi Lupopo)

Midfielders: Sacha Bancé (Valenciennes FC), Blati Toure (Pyramids FC), Gustavo Sangari (Quevilly – Rouen Métropole), Cedric Badolo (FC Sheriff Tiraspol), Stephane Aziz Ki (Young Africans FC), Ismahila Ouedraogo (Panserraikos), Regis N’Do (CF Estrela)

Forwards: Hassim Traore (Joué-lès-Tours), Lassina Traore (Shakhtar Donetsk), Mohamed Konate (Akhmat Grozny), Ousseni Bouda (San Jose Earthquakes), Dango Ouattara (AFC Bournemouth), Hassane Bande (HJK Helsinki)

Neighbours Guinea knock Sierra Leone out of WAFU U20 in Senegal
by FSL News

Guinea knock Sierra Leone out of WAFU U20 in Senegal

Sierra Leone has been eliminated from the 2024 WAFU U20 Tournament after losing to Guinea at the Stade Maniang Soumare on Saturday. They conceded nine goals in total after three Group B games.

They started strong with a 2-0 win against Mauritania at the Stade Lat Dior. However, their subsequent 7-0 loss to Liberia and 2-0 defeat to Guinea led to their exit from the tournament. 

The match against Guinea was crucial for Sierra Leone’s hopes of advancing. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to secure the needed victory.

The team demonstrated skill and determination throughout the tournament but ultimately failed to advance to the next stage.

Meanwhile, After an exciting first round, the tournament is ready for the semi-final match-up as Senegal will face Guinea, while Liberia will take on Guinea Bissau.

Senegal’s team, the Lioncelles, finished at the top of Group A with 9 points. They are eager to win in the semi-finals and defend their title, which they won in 2023 in Sierra Leone.

The Group B standings after Saturday's final round of matches
After an exciting first round, the tournament is ready for the semi-final match-up as Senegal will face Guinea, while Liberia will take on Guinea Bissau.
After an exciting first round, the tournament is ready for the semi-final match-up as Senegal will face Guinea, while Liberia will take on Guinea Bissau.
Esperance's head coach Miguel Cardoso on defeat to Al Ahly
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Esperance’s head coach Miguel Cardoso on defeat to Al Ahly 

Esperance’s head coach, Miguel Cardoso, expressed pride in his players despite their 1-0 defeat to Al Ahly in the second leg of Saturday’s CAF Champions League final. He insisted that they gave their all in a losing cause.

An early own goal by Roger Aholo at the Cairo International Stadium was enough to hand the Egyptian giants a record-extending 12th CAF Champions League crown after the first leg in Tunisia had finished 0-0.

 For Cardoso and his Esperance side, it marked the end of their bid to be crowned African club champions for the first time since 2019.

However, the Portuguese coach was defiant when reflecting on their narrow aggregate loss to the continent’s most decorated side.

“I am certainly not happy about losing the title, but I am proud of what my team presented and of reaching the final,” Cardoso told reporters.

“We fought until the end and showed great character, even though conceding an early goal against a big team like Al Ahly is not easy.”

The Blood and Gold had given themselves a mountain to climb when going behind with just four minutes on the clock, as Aholo inadvertently turned the ball into his net under pressure.

But Cardoso felt there was no shame in coming up short against the competition’s most successful-ever club, particularly given Esperance’s exploits in reaching successive TotalEnergies CAF Champions League finals.

“We have a young team, and we succeeded in qualifying for the Club World Cup, and we must support this team during the coming period,” the 47-year-old added.

“I have only been with Esperance for four months, and we managed to build many things that were missing. During the last period, we gave our all, but luck was not on our side.”

Cardoso mentioned finding comfort in the progress made under his guidance as he aims to develop a team capable of achieving better results next season. 

In front of over 70,000 passionate home supporters on Saturday, the Tunisian team displayed resilience and organization that got them to the final, despite ultimately being defeated.

Al Ahly win a record 12th African Champions League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly win a record 12th African Champions League 

Egyptian team Al Ahly won their 12th African Champions League title by defeating Esperance 1-0 in the second leg of the final in Cairo. 

The first leg ended in a goalless draw in Tunisia. Al Ahly took the lead early in the second leg when Rami Rabia’s header from Hussein El Shahat’s corner deflected off Esperance midfielder Roger Aholou and into the bottom right-hand corner.

Al Ahly had several chances to extend their lead before halftime, with Wessam Abou Ali striking the side-netting and Percy Tau firing narrowly wide. However, Esperance’s goalkeeper Amanallah Memmiche denied El Shahat. Esperance struggled to create chances against Al Ahly’s solid defence, with Yan Sasse curling off target just after the hour mark.

In the final moments, substitute Afsha nearly doubled Al Ahly’s lead with a free-kick that hit the crossbar. Al Ahly won 1-0 overall, securing their fourth Champions League title in five years. Al Ahly’s unbeaten streak in continental competition now stands at 22 games. 

They have also secured qualification for FIFA’s Club World Cup, alongside Esperance, Wydad Casablanca, and Mamelodi Sundowns, which will take place in the United States next year.