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.

Ghana's Baba Rahman nets first Europa League goal in PAOK’s heavy win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana’s Baba Rahman nets first Europa League goal in PAOK’s heavy win

The Ghanaian defender Baba Rahman continues to make a strong case for selection by the senior men’s national team coach, Otto Addo, with his outstanding performances for PAOK FC in both domestic and European matches.

The tall former Chelsea left-back was in fine form, scoring his inaugural Europa League goal for the Greek club during their 4-0 thrashing of the ten-man Young Boys at home on Thursday.  

Young Boys faced a major setback early in the match when Armin Gigovic received a straight red card just five minutes in, providing PAOK with a crucial advantage.  

Rahman, aged 31, assisted Alessandro Bianco for PAOK’s first goal in the 54th minute after a scoreless first half at Toumba Stadium.  

Greek forward Giorgos Giakoumakis netted his second Europa League goal, doubling PAOK’s lead eight minutes later, while compatriot Giannis Konstantelias further increased the advantage to 3-0 in the 72nd minute.

This win elevates the Greek team to 10th place in the UEFA Europa League table, with 7 points after 4 matches this season.  

Rahman, who has previously played for Schalke and Reims, has scored once in four appearances in the UEFA Europa League.  

Following a remarkable run this season, Baba Rahman could potentially return to the senior national team in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Victor Osimhen became the first Galatasaray player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League since Burak Yilmaz in 2012.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Victor Osimhen becomes first Galatassay player to hit Champions League hat-trick since 2012

Victor Osimhen became the first Galatasaray player to score a hat-trick in the Champions League since Burak Yilmaz in 2012.

Also, Victor Osimhen made history on Wednesday evening by becoming the second Nigerian to net a hat-trick in the UEFA Champions League.

His three goals propelled Galatasaray to a convincing 3–0 victory over Ajax at the Johan Cruijff Arena in Amsterdam, as reported by PUNCH Online.

The Super Eagles forward demonstrated his abilities as a striker by scoring two penalties and one goal from open play, helping the Turkish champions maintain their impressive form in Europe.

After a goalless first half, he opened the scoring in the 59th minute with a header. He then converted a penalty in the 66th minute following a VAR-reviewed handball, and completed his hat-trick with another penalty in the 78th minute after another handball.

With this achievement, Osimhen joins Yakubu Ayegbeni as the only Nigerian to score a Champions League hat-trick. His remarkable performance continues a stellar run, bringing his total to 12 goals in his last eight matches for Galatasaray.

This includes braces against Tottenham and Bodø/Glimt, as well as goals against AZ Alkmaar, Dynamo Kyiv, and Liverpool. Osimhen also extended his record as the highest-scoring Nigerian in Champions League history, with 15 goals, surpassing Obafemi Martins’ 10.

Egypt and Zambia register wins as Cote d’Ivoire suffer defeat in U17 Opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt and Zambia register wins as Cote d’Ivoire suffer defeat in U17 WC Opener

Egypt and Zambia secured impressive victories at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar on Tuesday, while Cote d’Ivoire must work hard to improve their chances of reaching the knockout rounds.

Egypt comfortably defeated Haiti 4-1 in Group E, placing them at the top of the standings ahead of Venezuela, which convincingly overcame England 3-0 in the other match of the group.

The Egyptians had four different players score, as Belal Attia, Abdelaziz El Zoghby, Hamza Abdelkarim, and Omar Kamal all contributed to a strong performance for the North African team.

Egypt’s next match is against Venezuela on Friday, which could be crucial for both teams in the group. In Group H, Zambia emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Indonesia after coming back from a deficit to secure the three points.

They struck three goals within a span of six minutes in the first half, with tall forward Abel Nyirongo scoring twice and Lukonde Mwale adding another.

Zambia will play again on Friday against Honduras, who suffered a heavy 7-0 defeat at the hands of Brazil in their first game. Côtee d’Ivoire faced difficulties against a solid Swiss team, which won 4-1 in Group F. The Ivorians found themselves trailing 4-0 before Hubert Yao managed to score a late consolation.

Their next match is against Mexico on Friday, who also lost their opening game 2-1 to South Korea.

The top two teams from each group will automatically progress to the Round of 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams, providing ample opportunities for teams to advance.

Cameroon, Egypt, Mali and the Ivory Coast join Women’s AFCON participants
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cameroon, Egypt, Mali and Ivory Coast join 2026 Women’s AFCON participants

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the final four teams that will make the 16 teams in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Egypt secured their spots based on their FIFA rankings. This announcement came after a CAF statement on 3 November 2025, following the completion of the qualifiers held under the previous 12-team format. Since the competition will expand to 16 teams starting in 2026, CAF decided to bring back the highest-ranked teams that were eliminated in the final qualifying round to ensure fairness.

All four teams return to the tournament after close losses in the qualifying matches. Cameroon lost to Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire was beaten by Burkina Faso, Mali lost to Equatorial Guinea, and Egypt fell to Senegal, but their FIFA rankings now allow them to compete in the finals.

The 2026 tournament will take place in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April. It will also serve as Africa’s qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the top four teams earning a place in Brazil.

The 16 teams for the 2026 WAFCON include Morocco (the host), Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria (the defending champions), Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia, along with Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Egypt. With the teams confirmed, everyone is now looking forward to a historic 16-team WAFCON in Morocco.

South Africa Stun Bolivia as Japan defeat Morocco in U17 World Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

South Africa Stun Bolivia as Japan defeat Morocco in U17 World Cup

In Group A, South Africa delivered a remarkable performance against Bolivia, winning 3-1 despite being down to ten men in their opening match of the FIFA U17 World Cup at the Aspire Zone Complex in Doha, Qatar, on Monday.

Coach Vela Khumalo’s team made history by becoming the first South African national team to win their opening match in a FIFA World Cup  This was also the U17S’s first victory in their second World Cup appearance, following a winless debut in 2015.

The team’s momentum took a hit when Sive Pama was shown a red card midway through the first half. However, Emile Witbooi quickly put them ahead, followed by a close-range goal from Neo Bohloko.

Bolivia fought back with a Panenka-style penalty converted by Jesus Maraude, but Shaun Els sealed the victory for South Africa with a breakaway goal in the final moments.

Final Score: South Africa 3-1 Bolivia  

South Africa Goals: Witbooi (38), Bohloko (50), Els (90+5)  

Bolivia Goal: Maraude (penalty, 72)  

Player of the Match: Kamohelo Mareletse (South Africa)

In Group B, Japan continued their impressive streak at the U-17 World Cup with a solid 2-0 victory over Morocco. The AFC giants nearly opened the scoring in the first half when Anthony Motosuna’s header was disallowed due to a foul on goalkeeper Chouaib Bellaarouch.

Undeterred, Japan eventually broke the deadlock as Hiroto Asada sliced through the Moroccan defence and set up Taiga Seguchi, who finished with a stunning first-time strike into the corner of the net.

Minato Yoshida thought he had added a second shortly after, but his effort was ruled out for handball. Japan finally secured the win in stoppage time, with Daigo Hirashima striking a powerful shot from just inside the box.

Final Score: Japan 2-0 Morocco  

Japan Goals: Seguchi (57), Hirashima (90+8)  

Player of the Match: Daigo Hirashima