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.

CAF Interclub group stage draw the date and venue confirmed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Interclub group stage matches gets underway this weekend

Africa's largest club competitions are set to kick off this weekend, with the Group Stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup taking center stage across the continent.

This year features an impressive lineup in the CAF competitions, including reigning champions Pyramids FC, record-holders Al Ahly with 12 titles, four-time champions Espérance de Tunis, Mamelodi Sundowns, RS Berkane, and AS FAR. Notable contenders from across Africa will also compete.

In the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, former champions Zamalek and USM Alger lead a strong group with Wydad, CR Belouizdad, Kaizer Chiefs, and newcomers Nairobi United.

Exciting matchups kick off with Pyramids FC hosting Rivers United and RS Berkane facing Power Dynamos. Al Ahly aims for a 13th title against JS Kabylie, while Zamalek takes on ZESCO United in an Egyptian derby.

New narratives emerge as debutants Nairobi United, OC Safi, and Maniema Union make their mark. Two matchdays are before the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2025, with the group phase resuming in January 2026.

MATCHDAY 1 FIXTURES (All times GMT) –TotalEnergies CAF Champions League

Friday, 21 November
13:00 — Al-Hilal Omdurman (SUD) vs MC Alger (ALG)

Saturday, 22 November
13:00 — Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) vs St Éloi Lupopo (DRC)
13:00 — Young Africans (TAN) vs AS FAR Rabat (MAR)
16:00 — Al Ahly (EGY) vs JS Kabylie (ALG)
16:00 — Espérance Tunis (TUN) vs Stade Malien (MLI)
19:00 — RS Berkane (MAR) vs Power Dynamos (ZAM)
19:00 — Pyramids (EGY) vs Rivers United (NGA)

Sunday, 23 November
13:00 — Simba (TAN) vs Petro Atlético (ANG)

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TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup

Saturday, 22 November
19:00 — CR Belouizdad (ALG) vs Singida Black Stars (TAN)

Sunday, 23 November
13:00 — Maniema (DRC) vs Azam (TAN)
13:00 — Stellenbosch (RSA) vs AS Otoho (CON)
16:00 — Al Masry (EGY) vs Kaizer Chiefs (RSA)
16:00 — Djoliba (MLI) vs OC Safi (MAR)
19:00 — USM Alger (ALG) vs San Pedro (CIV)
19:00 — Wydad (MAR) vs Nairobi United (KEN)
19:00 — Zamalek (EGY) vs ZESCO United (ZAM)

DR Congo edge Nigeria to reach inter-confederation play-off
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

DR Congo edge Nigeria to reach inter-confederation play-off

The DR Congo maintained their quest for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by defeating Nigeria 4-3 in a penalty shootout in Rabat on Sunday evening, after a 1-1 draw that extended into extra time during the African play-off final.

Frank Onyeka put the Super Eagles ahead in the third minute, but Meschack Elia equalised the score in the 32nd minute, and after 120 intense minutes, captain Chancel Mbemba scored the winning penalty to propel the Leopards into the inter-confederation play-off scheduled for March in Mexico.

Nigeria’s aspirations come to an end at this point. – Held at the Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium, the match had a crucial prize: a spot in the six-team play-off tournament in Guadalajara and Monterrey, where two World Cup spots are up for grabs.

Nigeria, fresh off a 4-1 victory over Gabon, started strong, with Onyeka scoring after a deflection from Tuanzebe. DR Congo equalised when Elia capitalised on a mistake by Ndidi, levelling the score.

The match settled into a pattern, with Nigeria pushing forward through Iwobi and the wings, while DR Congo remained disciplined and dangerous on counterattacks, led by Mbemba.

After halftime, Osimhen came close to scoring twice, but both teams struggled to break through as fatigue set in. In the penalty shootout, Nigeria faltered after an initial equal exchange, while Mbemba scored the winning penalty for DR Congo.

This victory marks DR Congo’s first step towards the inter-confederation play-off from March 23-31, 2026. Nigeria will reflect on missed opportunities and a strong start that did not lead to victory.

Mali beat Zambia to set date with Morocco in U17 World Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali beat Zambia to set date with Morocco in U17 World Cup

Raymond Bomba and Seydou Dembele formed a formidable partnership as Mali outshone Zambia, setting themselves up for a Round of 16 showdown against Morocco, who knocked out the USA.

Raymond Bomba and Seydou Dembele formed a formidable partnership as Mali outshone Zambia, setting themselves up for a Round of 16 showdown against Morocco, who knocked out the USA.

Mali showcased their attacking prowess early on and thought they had taken the lead when Seydou Dembele fired in a powerful shot from the edge of the box.

However, the goal was disallowed due to a foul by Bomba in the buildup. Undeterred, the big striker celebrated his earlier shot by somersaulting in excitement early in the second half.

This time, Dembele turned provider, sending in a brilliant free-kick that allowed Bomba to rise and nod it in at the near post.

Zambia fought back, levelling the score when Kelvin Chipelu delivered a perfect right-foot cross that Mapalo Simute expertly finished off. But Mali regained their advantage with a well-crafted effort from Dembele, followed by a late goal from Lamine Keita to secure a 3-1 victory.

Final Score: Zambia 1-3 Mali  – Zambia’s goal: Simute (63)  –  Mali goals: Bomba (51), Dembele (85), Keita (90+2)  

Player of the Match: Seydou Dembele (Mali)

In the other match, the USA faced Morocco, which ended in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw.

Jude Terry opened the scoring for the States with a well-placed shot from a Cavan Sullivan cut-back, but they missed a golden opportunity to double their lead when Mathis Albert misfired from the penalty spot just after halftime.

Morocco capitalised on that missed chance after having one goal ruled out for offside. They equalised stunningly with a solo effort from Abdellah Ouazane.

With the score tied, the match went to penalties, where Morocco’s Chouaib Bellaarouch shone brightly, saving attempts from Cooper Sanchez and Maxi Carrizo, ultimately guiding Morocco to victory.

Final Score: USA 1-1 Morocco (Morocco wins 4-3 on penalties)  

USA goal: Terry (21) – Morocco goal: Ouazane (90)  

Player of the Match: Chouaib Bellaarouch (Morocco)

Nigeria thrash Gabon to reach CAF's 2026 World Cup playoffs final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria thrash Gabon to reach Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualifying play-offs final

Nigeria reached the final of the African play-offs for the 2026 World Cup after a thrilling 4-1 victory over Gabon, which included extra time.

Chidera Ejuke and Victor Osimhen scored in the first half of extra time after the match ended 1-1 in regular time.

Osimhen celebrated his goal by removing his protective face mask and shirt, likely feeling relieved after missing a great chance to win the game in stoppage time. Osimhen added another goal five minutes into the second half of extra time to secure the win.

Nigeria played better throughout the semi-final match and seemed likely to finish the game in regulation time after Akor Adams scored in the 78th minute from a poor back-pass.

However, Gabon equalised in the 89th minute with Mario Lemina’s deflected shot, forcing extra time. Ultimately, Nigeria’s ability to finish clinically led to their victory.

Nigeria will face either Cameroon or DR Congo in the final on Sunday (19:00 GMT).

The winner of that match will move on to a six-team intercontinental qualifier in March, which will decide the final two qualifiers for the World Cup.

World Cup playoffs - Nigeria face Gabon as Cameroon take on DR Congo
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon and DRC vie for World Cup Play-offs final spot

Four teams are competing for a spot in the FIFA World Cup finals, with a total of 15 past appearances. By the end of this week's African Play-Offs, only one will advance.

Cameroon has participated in the World Cup eight times, which is a record for Africa. They last played in Qatar in 2022 and reached the quarter-finals in 1990.

Nigeria has played in six finals, most recently in Russia in 2018. The Democratic Republic of Congo was a finalist in 1974, when it was still called Zaire, while Gabon has never qualified before.

This week, all four teams have a fair chance in a knockout tournament where losing means elimination. Nigeria will face Gabon in Rabat on Thursday, and later that evening, Cameroon will play DR Congo.

The winners of the upcoming matches in Rabat on Sunday will advance to the World Cup 2026 Play-Off Tournament, where they will compete against seeded teams for two spots in the FIFA World Cup.

The African Play-Off winners will join Bolivia and New Caledonia, along with teams from Asia and Concacaf, in this tournament set for March 23 to 31, 2026.

Nigeria, the highest-ranked team in Morocco, secured their place after a recent 4-0 win against Benin, having struggled earlier in the qualifiers.

Gabon finished their group with 25 points, just behind Côte d’Ivoire, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang key to their attack. DR Congo and Cameroon, who last met in a 1-1 friendly in 2015, are also competing, with DR Congo two points behind Senegal in their group.