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.

International friendlies: Morocco, Cameroon and the Gambia all register wins
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

International friendlies: Morocco, Cameroon and the Gambia register wins

On Friday, African national teams were busy testing their prowess during the June FIFA window. While some top teams played in Europe, several matches between African teams took place in Morocco.

In Morocco, Cameroon, Niger, Burundi, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic all won their matches. In Marrakech, Cameroon beat Uganda 3-0.

Cameroon scored through set pieces. Flavien Boyomo and Jean Batoum scored their first goals for the team with headers from corner kicks. Patrick Soko also scored his first goal for the national team, assisted by captain Vincent Aboubakar.

Earlier, Gambia beat Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in Marrakech, with both goals from Adama Sidibeh. Gambia will face Uganda next, while Equatorial Guinea will play Cameroon on Monday in Morocco.

In Casablanca, Niger faced Gabon in an exciting match that ended 4-3 in favor of Niger. Youssouf Oumarou and Oumar Sako each scored, and Daniel Sosah added two goals. Jim Allevinah, Andre Biyogho Poko, and Guelor Kanga scored for Gabon.

In Mohammedia, Burkina Faso bounced back from a recent loss to defeat Zimbabwe 2-0. New signing Stephane Aziz Ki scored first in the 22nd minute, followed by Cyriaque Irie, who scored just before halftime.

Burundi achieved a 1-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau in Casablanca, with Bienvenue Kanakimana scoring the only goal from a cross.

In another match, the Central African Republic came from behind to defeat Mauritania. Hemeya Tanjy scored a penalty for Mauritania, but Gabriel Oualengbe equalized, and Paul Guinari scored the winner in stoppage time.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1931246271198548171

Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu pens new Espérance deal
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu pens new Espérance deal

Tunisian club Espérance Sportive de Tunis has extended Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu’s contract.

The 22-year-old’s old contract was set to end in 2026, but now he will stay with the club until June 2028. This extension shows the club’s strong belief in him as a promising young player for the upcoming season.

Ogbelu is a key player in Espérance’s midfield. Since joining from Nigeria’s Fosla Academy in September 2023, he has made 53 appearances. He has also helped the team win two Tunisian Ligue 1 titles, one Tunisian Cup, and one Tunisian Super Cup.

His most memorable moment came when he scored the winning goal with a powerful shot from outside the box in the Tunisian Cup final against Club Sportif de la Médina de Tunis. This performance established him as a big-game player.

Espérance acted quickly to secure his future due to growing interest from other clubs in Africa and Europe.

Gambia at work for Equatorial Guinea and Uganda friendlies
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Gambia at work for Equatorial Guinea and Uganda friendlies

Ex-Sierra Leone coach, Johnathan McKinstry‘s Gambia completed their first session ahead of two highly anticipated international friendly matches this month that aim to sharpen his team.

Both matches are set to unfold in the vibrant city of Marrakesh, Morocco, known for its rich culture and warm hospitality.

The Gambia team, known as The Scorpions, will start their test match on June 6, 2025, against Equatorial Guinea, following a challenging match with Uganda on May 9, 2025.

These friendly games are important for the Scorpions. They are preparing for their World Cup qualifier match against Seychelles in September 2025.

The coaching staff aims to improve the team’s fitness, tactics, and teamwork during these matches.

Currently, The Gambia is struggling in the World Cup qualifiers. They are second from the bottom in Group F, with only 5 points from six matches.

The upcoming friendlies will help the team regain confidence and improve their chances in the qualifiers.

Tunisia overcomes Burkina Faso in friendly test
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tunisia overcomes Burkina Faso in friendly test

Tunisia defeated Burkina Faso 2-0 in an international friendly match on Monday at Hammadi Agrebi Olympic Stadium, scoring both goals in the final moments.

Edmond Tapsoba’s own goal and Hazem Mastouri’s (Tunisia) right-footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal were enough for the Eagles of Carthage of Tunisia.

Tapsoba’s own goal came in the 60th minute and Mastouri scored the second in the 91st minute as Tunisia emerged victorious.

This friendly match is the first of three practice games for Tunisia in eight days, with upcoming matches against Morocco and Zambia. These games will help the team prepare for key qualifying matches.

In September, the Carthage Eagles will play Liberia again and then face Equatorial Guinea. In October, they will compete against Sao Tome and Principe and have a final match against Namibia.

Tunisia’s recent wins have helped them move up three spots in the FIFA rankings, now sitting at 49th place. These friendly matches will be important in shaping their ranking for the next update in July.

Pyramids beat Sundowns to win maiden CAF Champions League title
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Pyramids beat Sundowns to win maiden CAF Champions League title

On Sunday, Pyramids FC won their first TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title with a 2-1 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns from South Africa at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo.

After the first leg ended in a 1-1 draw in Pretoria, Pyramids secured a 3-2 win on aggregate. They became the fourth Egyptian club to win Africa’s top club competition, joining Al Ahly, Zamalek, and Ismaily.

Pyramids started strong in front of their enthusiastic home fans. In the 23rd minute, striker Fiston Mayele scored the first goal with a low shot into the corner, marking his ninth goal in the tournament.

The team doubled their lead shortly after halftime. In the 56th minute, defender Ahmed Samy scored with a header from a cross by Mohamed Chibi. This goal sent the Cairo crowd into a frenzy.

In the 75th minute, Iqraam Rayners scored for Sundowns, making the score 2-1 and setting up a tense finish. Sundowns pressed for another goal, with key shots from Peter Shalulile and Lebo Mothiba blocked during 10 minutes of added time.

Pyramids defended well, thanks to goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy’s key saves, securing their first continental title 10 years after the club’s founding. Egypt continues to dominate African football, winning the title for three consecutive years after Al Ahly’s successes in 2023 and 2024.

Sundowns aimed for their second CAF title but instead lost their second Champions League final, 24 years after their defeat to Al Ahly in 2001.