Category: Sport News

MC Alger advance after goalless draw with Colombe Sportive

MC Alger advance after goalless draw with Colombe Sportive

MC Alger advanced to the group stage of the CAF Champions League after securing a goalless draw against Colombe of Cameroon in Algiers on Sunday night.

Mouloudia progressed on aggregate after last week’s 1-1 draw. The Algerian giants return to Africa’s top club competition with renewed confidence.

At the Ali Amar Stadium, MC Alger started strong, dominating possession but struggling with precision in their final passes. Colombe’s solid defense and alert goalkeeper thwarted many threats, forcing Mouloudia to keep recycling possession.

As the match continued, Colombe found their rhythm, aiming to control the game and counterattack, but they also struggled to create clear opportunities.

The second half of the match was marked by fouls and cautions, but neither team could find a decisive moment. MC Alger, despite not being at their best, achieved their goal of progressing to the next stage and joining the continent’s elite.

Now, they focus on the upcoming draw and aim for a deep run in the competition, 49 years after winning their first African title in 1976.

Colombe exits the tournament after a commendable two-leg effort, showing strong organization at home and resilience in Algiers. MC Alger will represent Algeria in the group stage alongside JS Kabylie, as both clubs seek success.

Augustus Kargbo return with injury worse than expected - Blackburn Rovers

Augustus Kargbo returns with injury worse than expected – Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn head coach Valerien Ismael has announced that Sierra Leone international Augustus Kargbo will be out for 12 weeks due to a more serious injury than initially thought, following his return from international duty.

The Blackburn Rovers striker sustained an injury while with Sierra Leone during the October break. However, he made substitute appearances in matches against Coventry and Sheffield United.

Kargbo reported ongoing pain, and a scan following the midweek match showed a tear that will keep him out for approximately three months. “Sadly, he is injured,” Ismael told BBC Radio Lancashire.

“He is another one. He came back from the national team with a dead leg. He played at Coventry with this discomfort and against Sheffield United.

“He was complaining, and so we did a scan on Wednesday. He had an injury, and that will rule him out for at least 12 weeks. It was very tough for us to deal with that situation again.

“It’s a tear when he got kicked, which caused the dead leg. In an area where you can’t run or sprint. It was very bad news for him and for us.”

As a result, he missed Blackburn Rovers’ first home win on Saturday and his first of more matches on the sideline.

CR Belouizdad sink Guinea's Hafia to reach CAF Confed group stage

CR Belouizdad sink Guinea’s Hafia to reach CAF Confed group stage

CR Belouizdad advanced to the CAF Confederation Cup group stage with a 2–0 home victory over Guinea’s Hafia, finishing the aggregate score at 3–1.

After a scoreless first half, the Algerian champions increased the intensity and found the net twice in a span of 14 minutes through Amir Meziane and Lamine Boussouar, effectively ending Hafia’s pursuit.

This outcome follows a 1–1 draw from the previous week away, where Belouizdad established the necessary foundation to complete the task in front of their fans.

Belouizdad initially demonstrated patience, moving the ball around and probing down both wings without overextending themselves.

Hafia, remaining compact and disciplined, attempted to counterattack and restrict the space in between the lines, a strategy that proved effective during a tight first 45 minutes that yielded few clear opportunities.

The hosts emerged from halftime with increased determination, pushed higher up the pitch, and circulated the ball more swiftly through the midfield, immediately putting pressure on the Guinean team.

The first goal came in the 54th minute when Abderrahmane Meziane finished off a right-side play with a composed shot, putting Belouizdad ahead 1–0 and increasing their aggregate lead.

The goal prompted Hafia to push for an equaliser, which Belouizdad exploited. In the 68th minute, Lotfi Boussouar extended the lead with a precise shot from the edge of the penalty area, finding the corner of the net.

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi in race for CAF Men’s Award

Egypt’s Mohamed Salah and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi in race for CAF Men’s Award

Mohamed Salah is among 10 footballers nominated at the CAF Awards 2025 for the men’s Player of the Year award.
Salah, who captains Egypt’s national team, is in the running for the top honour at the African football awards, set for later this year. Last season, he played a key role in Liverpool’s 20th Premier League win and became their third-highest scorer ever.
Between January 6 and October 15, 2025, Salah scored 16 goals and made nine assists for Liverpool, and added four goals and one assist for Egypt.
Achraf Hakimi is also nominated for Africa’s top men’s player award. He helped Morocco win a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics and had a standout season with Paris Saint-Germain, winning the Champions League and all three major French trophies in the 2024-25 season.
At 26, Hakimi is the only defender on the shortlist. Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen is also nominated after an impressive first season with Galatasaray in Türkiye, where he won the league title.
Players from eight African countries are up for the men’s award. Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy is among them, as well as Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye and Pape Matar Sarr, who both play in the Premier League.
The 2025 CAF Awards will also crown a Goalkeeper of the Year, Coach of the Year, Interclub Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Club of the Year, and National Team of the Year.

CAF Awards 2025 – Men’s Player of the Year nominees

  • André-Frank Zambo-Anguissa (Cameroon/Napoli)
  • Fiston Mayele (DR Congo/Pyramids)
  • Mohamed Salah (Egypt/Liverpool)
  • Denis Bouanga (Gabon/Los Angeles FC)
  • Serhou Guirassy (Guinea/Borussia Dortmund)
  • Achraf Hakimi (Morocco/Paris Saint-Germain)
  • Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco/RS Berkane)
  • Victor Osimhen (Nigeria/Galatasaray)
  • Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal/Everton)
  • Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal/Tottenham Hotspur)
Striker Amadou Bakayoko eyes playoff spot with Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo

Striker Amadou Bakayoko eyes playoff spot with Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo

Sierra Leone International Amadou Bakayoko, who has scored seven goals for Japanese second-tier side Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo, is hoping to help the team earn a playoff spot.

On Saturday, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo will take on Mito Hollyhock in round 34, aiming to maintain their winning mindset following their recent 2-0 win against Kataller Toyama.

“This season has been challenging, but we secured a victory in our last match and hopefully, we can keep that momentum going on Saturday. The goal is to secure a spot in the promotion playoffs,” the striker remarked.

Currently, they are 10 points behind the top six teams with five matches remaining before the season concludes.

On 28 July 2024, J1 League club Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo announced they had signed Bakayoko. He made his debut on 16 August as a substitute, and scored his first goal from the penalty spot in a 5–3 win over Sagan Tosu.