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.

El Jadida Stadium to host Sierra Leone v Djibouti WC qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

El Jadida Stadium to host Sierra Leone v Djibouti WC qualifier

Sierra Leone national football team will play their next World Cup Group A match against Djibouti at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco, football Sierra Leone understands. 

The match is scheduled for next month as Sierra Leone will be looking to secure their first win in the race to the 2026 World Cup in the USA after earning a point from their previous matches against Ethiopia and Egypt.

Sierra Leone is ranked 126th, which is 66 places ahead of Djibouti. This puts the West African team in a favourable position to win. 

Djibouti previously suffered a 2-0 aggregate defeat to Liberia in the CAF qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. However, it was a positive goalless draw for Djibouti in Liberia during the second leg of the qualifier. 

The Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium is a 15,000-seater multi-use stadium in El Jadida, Morocco. 

It is mainly used for football matches and is home to Difaa El Jadida. Central and East African teams will face a tough contest against Sierra Leone at this stadium.

Egypt topped 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 opening two games.

Djibouti previously suffered a 2-0 aggregate defeat to Liberia in the CAF qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
SDjibouti previously suffered a 2-0 aggregate defeat to Liberia in the CAF qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
RS Berkane face-off Zamalek in CAF Confederation Cup final
by FSL News

RS Berkane face-off Zamalek in CAF Confederation Cup final first-leg

On Sunday, Moroccos’s Berkane will entertain Egypt’s Zamalek in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final. Kick-off at the Berkane Municipal Stadium at 19h00 GMT.

Both African giant clubs met in the 2019 final, which Zamalek won 5-3. The winner of this match will be the new champion.

RS Berkane will play the first leg at home and hopes to win their third title. However, Zamalek is in good form, having lost just one of their last 21 games in the competition. 

Both teams have high turnovers and are successful in duels. During the semi-final against Dreams, Samson Akinyoola and Mostafa Shalaby became 9th and 10th different scorers for Zamalek. 

Only two players have created 20+ chances in the competition – Mohamed El Morabito and Zizo.

Senegalese striker Paul Bassène is the joint top scorer of this season’s tournament with four goals and he will be carrying Berkane’s hopes of defeating Zamalek.

After Sunday’s first leg, the return fixture is scheduled for May 19 at the Cairo International Stadium.

Ademola Lookman nets as Atalanta reach the Europa League final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ademola Lookman nets as Atalanta reach Europa League final

Ademola Lookman was on target as Atalanta secured their spot in the Europa League final with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Marseille at the Gewiss Stadium.

Atalanta, managed by Gian Piero Gasperini, is set to face Bayer Leverkusen, led by Xabi Alonso, in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 22nd.

This will be Atalanta’s first final in European competition.

Nigeria International Ademola Lookman scored the first goal for Atalanta in the 30th minute with a deflected strike that went past Marseille’s goalkeeper Pau Lopez and landed in the bottom corner.

Matteo Ruggeri extended Atalanta’s lead at the start of the second half with a right-footed drive into the top corner. El Bilal Toure scored the final goal of the match in injury time with the last kick of the game.

Atalanta had several missed chances to score in the first half, even though they eliminated Liverpool in the previous round.

Ilaix Moriba scored the winning goal from a penalty in the first half. 
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea beat Indonesia to seal Paris 2024 Olympics spot

On Thursday, Guinea secured their place in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament with a 1-0 win against Indonesia in a play-off match. 

Sixteen teams will compete in the men’s tournament from July 24 to 9 August 2024.

Moriba Kourouma scored the winning goal from a penalty in the first half.

Although Indonesia fought back, Guinea’s defence held firm, and they secured their historic place in the Olympic Age.

During the game, Algassime Bah was fouled by Indonesia’s Witan Sulaeman, leading to a penalty. 

The African team will be making their second appearance in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, having previously competed in 1968.

Guinea is in Group A of the 16-team summer event, along with hosts France, USA, and New Zealand. 

Reaction

“We’re qualified, so we’re rewriting history with these young ones. They’ve earned it. This will be the second time that Guinea has taken part in the Olympic Games. We’re going there to try and go as far as possible.” Kaba Diawara, Guinea coach.

Brighton's Carlos Baleba set to boost Cameroon squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brighton’s Carlos Baleba set to boost Cameroon squad

Cameroon’s national football team, the “Indomitable Lions,” is set to add Carlos Baleba to its squad after his recent agreement to represent the team.

Football Sierra Leone understands that the announcement of the squad will provide insight into Brys’s vision for Cameroon’s footballing future.

Baleba is one of Africa’s most promising talents and has emerged as an exceptional midfielder since his transfer to Brighton from Lille last summer.

Baleba, 20, joined Albion in August 2023 from Lille, signing a five-year contract.

Baleba’s absence from Cameroon’s squad during the last Africa Cup of Nations caused controversy, but he has now agreed to play for the team.

Head coach Marc Brys is expected to be named Brighton’s player for the World Cup 2026 upcoming matches against Cape Verde and Angola.Africa’s