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.

Guinea-Bissau's top striker Mama Baldé back in the squad for Sierra Leone and Djibouti
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea-Bissau’s Mama Baldé back in the squad for Sierra Leone and Djibouti

Guinea-Bissau’s head coach, Emiliano Té, has officially announced his 26-man squad to compete in the crucial 7th and 8th fixtures of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Top notable players named are strikers Mama Baldé and Everton’s Portuguese-born Guinea-Bissau Norberto Gomes Betuncal, commonly known as Beto.

Guinea-Bissau is set to clash with Sierra Leone on September 4th at the iconic National Stadium, located in the heart of Bissau. Shortly thereafter, they will take on Djibouti on September 8th, also at the same revered venue.

Fans are excitedly looking forward to these decisive matches that could shape the team’s journey towards the World Cup.

The first contest against Sierra Leone will be officiated by a team of referees from the Ivory Coast at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau.

The Djurtus are looking to avenge the 3-1 defeat suffered at Sierra Leone back in March in the Liberian Capital at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.

Current Standings: Guinea-Bissau is two points adrift of Sierra Leone, currently in third place in their group with 8 points. 

Sierra Leone’s hopes for the USA, Canada, and Mexico 2026 World Cup are still alive, with just 15 days to go in the hunt to increase their point on the table.

Guinea-Bissau's Beto nets in Everton's Carabao Cup win
by FSL News

Guinea-Bissau’s Beto nets in Everton’s Carabao Cup win

To send Everton into the third round of the Carabao Cup, Guinea-Bissau forward Beto scored in Round 2 of the English competition.(Photo Everton)

Everton defeated Mansfield Town 2-0 with Portuguese-born Guinea-Bissau striker Norberto Gomes Betuncal, commonly known as Beto, adding on the scoresheet.

Asserting their supremacy over the English third-tier team, the Toffees had Argentina midfielder Carlos Alcaraz putting Mansfield goalie Liam Roberts under examination, who made an amazing diving save.

Roberts was once again called to action when he tipped Dwight McNeil’s free kick over to maintain Mansfield in contention at Goodison Park.
Although Everton was in control of the game, they failed to score and Mansfield was searching ghosts by halftime.

Everton’s breakthrough came in the 51st minute when Carlos Alcaraz assisted Harrison Armstrong just outside the penalty box.

They almost extended their lead when Beto shot straight at Mansfield’s goalie, Liam Roberts. 

However, the Guinea-Bissau forward ultimately scored from a low cross by Armstrong, securing a League One triumph and a spot in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Ghana pick squad for Chad and Mali World Cup qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana picks 24-man squad for Chad and Mali World Cup qualifiers

With games against Chad and Mali scheduled in early September, Ghana head coach Otto Addo has released his squad list for the forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

In Addo’s selection of 24 players, only one home-based player made the cut, that is Accra Hearts of Oak goalie Benjamin Asare.

Thursday, September 4, the Black Stars will first go to N’Djamena to face Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno.

They will return home four days later to face Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8, in front of what is predicted to be a big crowd.

Among the well-known players listed are Tottenham Hotspur’s Mohammed Kudus, Athletic Bilbao’s Iñaki Williams, Leicester City’s Jordan Ayew, and Villarreal midfielder Thomas Partey.

Defensive stalwarts like Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, and Gideon Mensah have also been remembered, while Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo and Atalanta forward Kamaldeen Sulemana enhance the attack.

Reflecting Otto Addo’s strategy of combining knowledge with youth as Ghana pushes, youngsters like Ibrahim Sulemana and Christopher Bonsu Baah also made the team. For a great presentation to the candidates.

With two important games ahead, the Black Stars will be aiming for maximum points to boost their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

In Addo's selection of 24 players, only one homebased player to make the cut that is Accra Hearts of Oak goalie Benjamin Asare.
In Addo's selection of 24 players, only one homebased player to make the cut that is Accra Hearts of Oak goalie Benjamin Asare.
Morocco edge Senegal to set CHAN final date with Madagascar
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco edge Senegal to set CHAN final date with Madagascar

Morocco has reached the final of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) after a thrilling penalty shootout against Senegal at Mandela National Stadium on Tuesday. The semifinal ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time, and Morocco won the shootout 5-3.

As a result, they’ll face Madagascar, who reached this stage of the competition for the first time in their history after thumping Sudan 1-0 on Tuesday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

Senegal scored first in the 16th minute with a goal from Joseph Layousse after a corner kick from Libasse Gueye. Morocco quickly equalised in the 22nd minute with a right-footed shot by Sabir Bougrine that went past Senegal’s goalkeeper, Marc Diouf.

The first half had some drama, including a yellow card for Senegal’s Moussa Cisse in the 7th minute for a rough tackle on Youssef Mehri.

Both teams created chances, with Morocco’s Annas Bach forcing a good save from Diouf just before halftime.

In the second half, Senegal substituted Christian Gomis for Velho Cisse. Tension rose when Morocco’s Marouane Louadni initially received a red card in the 53rd minute, but it was later changed to a yellow after a VAR review.

Senegal almost scored again in the 59th minute with Layousse’s long-range shot, but it was saved by Moroccan goalkeeper Al Harrar. Morocco responded, with Youssef Mehri’s header saved by Diouf in the 66th minute.

The match ended 1-1 after regular time, leading to extra time where both teams made substitutions but failed to score. The game went to penalties, and Morocco triumphed 5-3.

They will face Madagascar in the final next Saturday. This victory highlights Morocco’s strong tournament performance under coach Tarik Sektioui, who previously led the team to wins against Tanzania (1-0), the Democratic Republic of Congo (3-1), and Zambia (3-1). The upcoming final presents Morocco with an opportunity to secure the CHAN title.

Senegal ready for heavyweight battle against Morocco in the CHAN semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal ready for heavyweight battle against Morocco in CHAN semis

Coach Souleymane Diallo of Senegal has supported his youthful team to create their own legacy when they battle Morocco in the African Nations Championship semifinals at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.

The fixture pits reigning champions Senegal against the winners of the previous three years: Morocco, 2018 and 2020 champions.

“This is a young generation prepared to compose their own history. Though we cannot discount the work being done in Senegal, we will confront a Moroccan team with really strong performance statistics.

Today, we present the youngest team in this competition,” Diallo said as quoted by CAFOnline.com.  “I would like to send all Senegalese people a message: follow us, back our team, and inspire us to succeed. The greatest outcome in this event is possible.

Oumar Ba, the Lions of Teranga striker, who scored the decisive winner against Uganda, promised fight as well as unity.

“We know it won’t be Easy, but we will try our best out there. We are joined, and that is rather crucial. I guarantee we will battle to make it to the finish.

Morocco coach Tarik Sektioui summarised the feeling: Against Senegal, we playing a really crucial match against a team that qualified honourably. It will be simple; it will be a very, very difficult game. Even with Senegal in the semifinals, our objective is always to win this trophy in 2024.

For only the third time in CHAN history, Senegal will confront North African opposition.

Before winning Algeria on penalties in the 2022 final after a 0-0 tie, they lost 20 to Tunisia in 2011. In open play, they still have yet to score against a North African opponent.