Category: African News

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Ethiopia and Sierra Leone Group A 2026 World Cup opening qualifier ended in goalless (0-0) after a less productive display from both teams.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ethiopia, Sierra Leone Share Points After Barren Draw under Fog

Ethiopia and Sierra Leone Group A 2026 World Cup opening qualifier ended in goalless (0-0) after a less productive display from both teams.

Sierra Leone head coach Amidu Karim handed International debut to Derby County midfielder Tyrese Fornah and Abdulai Jarju Kabia Hapoel Kfar Saba defender at the Stade El Abdi (15.11.2023).

There was no urgency – both teams played pragmatic football with no clear-cut chances, no clear dominator, and the game became deadlocked at the break.

After a goalless first half, players returned to the Stade El Abdi to commence the second, but the mist prevented the match from continuing.

As a result, the contest was delayed due to bad weather conditions. The match was stopped due to a foggy stadium, which prevented the visibility of the players.

Mozambican Alvasio Celso officiates, assisted by Angola’s referees Jerson Emiliano, Ivanildo O Sancho and Mozambican fourth referee Guambe Bernardo, were all in discussion amid the poor weather conditions.

Eventually, the match was allowed to continue despite the misty conditions – the second 45 minutes was even worse as the contest became scrappy.

Both sides could not break the deadlock under such intimidating weather conditions.

Leone Stars were ranked 122nd in the latest FIFA rankings and now sit 21 places above their midweek opponents, who are still unbeaten after three meetings.

Sierra Leone will face the Pharaohs of Egypt on Sunday in the Liberian Capital as Burkina Faso visits Ethiopia on Tuesday in Morocco.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.com, African News, World Cup Qualifying News.

The Match officials halted the contest due to the misty foggy weather condition
The Match officials halted the contest due to the misty foggy weather condition
Preview: Ethiopia, Sierra Leone 2026 World Cup qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Preview: Ethiopia, Sierra Leone 2026 World Cup qualifier

Ethiopia set to battle Sierra Leone at the Stade El Abdi on Wednesday in the opener of the CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. 

Without a doubt, both sides will aim to kick off their qualification campaign with maximum points.

As the host team, the Walia Ibex will seek a bright start en route to make their FIFA World Cup debut in 2026 despite suffering a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign, finishing first from bottom in Group D.

However, the newly appointed Ethiopia coach, Gebremedhin Haile, will be looking for a better performance in the World Cup qualifiers. 

Last week Thursday, Ethiopia Walias defeated Sudanese club side Al Hilal 2-0 in a test friendly ahead of facing Sierra Leone. Goals from Alelegn Azene and Bereket Desta. 

Sierra Leone, on the other hand, also struggled to impress in the AFCON qualifiers. They only managed a win from their Group A six matches, losing the last two to Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau.

But Sierra Leone had a good start under new coach Amidu Karim in Morocco in October’s training camp, where they shared the spoils 1-1 with Benin and defeated Somalia 2-0.

Ethiopia vs Sierra Leone Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

  • Wednesday’s game will mark the third meeting between the two nations. Ethiopia are undefeated in their previous two games in this fixture, picking up a win and a draw.
  • The two sides last faced off in a friendly clash in August 2021, which ended goalless.
  • Sierra Leone is without a clean sheet in their last two games in CAF AFCON qualifiers.
  • Ethiopia are without a win in their last three CAF Afcon qualifiers in Group D 
  • Leone Stars were ranked 122nd in the latest FIFA rankings and now sit 21 places above their midweek opponents.

 

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Mamelodi Sundowns crowned AFL champions as they see off Wydad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mamelodi Sundowns crowned AFL champions as they see off Wydad

South African side Mamelodi Sundowns proved too strong for visitors Wydad Casablanca as they defeated the Moroccans 2-0 to win their first-ever African Football League (AFL) champions.

Wydad won the first let 2-1, but after a 2-0 second leg victory, Sundowns sealed a 3-2 aggregate triumph to earn themselves $4,000,000.

Goals from Peter Shalulile and Aubrey Modiba at a raucous Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria were enough to claim victory.

The first 30 minutes of the game saw both sides keep each other at bay, but while the first half was about to end, a defensive lapse from Wydad was punished by Sundowns after goalkeeper Youssef Motie parried Khuliso Mudua’s shot against the leg of Peter Shalulile, who then fired home.

Aubrey Maphosa Modiba completed the win in the 53rd minute after intercepting a wayward pass before racing through to double Sundowns’ advantage.

Wydad’s Ayoub El Amloud missed a late chance with a header, and Sundowns held firm to secure the historic AFL title. 

Coach Rulani Mokwena’s tactical prowess overcame early pressure, marking Sundowns as the inaugural champions of the new AFL competition.

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Mamelodi Sundowns crowned AFL champions as they see off Wydad
Mamelodi Sundowns crowned AFL champions as they see off Wydad
Ghana striker Raphael Dwamena dies after collapsing on the pitch
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana striker Raphael Dwamena dies after collapsing on pitch

Former Ghana striker Raphael Dwamena collapsed and died aged 28 while playing for Egnatia against Partizani on Saturday. However, the game was halted at 1-1 with no further play.

The Football Federation further confirmed all football championships in Albania have been postponed to a later date.

“Despite the immediate intervention of specialist doctors he unfortunately passed away,” said the Albanian Football Federation (AFL).

“AFL expressed its deep shock for the tragedy that happened today during the match of the 13th week of “Abissnet Superiore”, Egnatia-Partizani.”

“Footballer Raphael Dwamena lost consciousness during the match, and after the first intervention of doctors on the field of play, he was transported by ambulance to the hospital.”

Dwamena has scored nine goals in the Albanian league this campaign as the leading scorer. He had won nine caps and scored two goals for Ghana.

“The Ghana Football Association is sad to hear of the death of our former player Raphael Dwamena and wish to express our deepest condolences to his family at this difficult moment,” GFA said in their statement.

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Ethiopia beat Al Hilal to prepare for Sierra Leone qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ethiopia beat Al Hilal to prepare for Sierra Leone qualifier

Ethiopia Walias defeated Sudanese club side Al Hilal 2-0 on Thursday in a test friendly ahead of facing Sierra Leone as they continue preparation for the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Goals from Bahir Dar Kenema defensive midfielder Alelegn Azene and Defence Force left wing back Bereket Desta were enough as the new head coach tested his side.  

Newly appointed head coach Gebremedhin Haile and his side will depart for Morocco on Friday for their World Cup qualifying doubleheader after meeting the media. 

Ethiopia host Sierra Leone on Wednesday, November 15, at the El Abdi Stadium in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifier before taking on Burkina Faso six days later at the same venue.

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