Category: Sport News

DRC Congo beat Angola in hunt to reach CHAN quarter-final
by Football Sierra Leone

Congo DR beat Angola in hunt for CHAN quarter-finals spot

DR Congo defeated Angola 2-0 at Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi, securing a crucial match against Morocco for a spot in the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024.

Goals from Jephté Kitambala and substitute Jonathan Mokonzi in the second half provided the victory.

In an earlier match, Morocco triumphed 3-1 over Zambia, setting up a decisive showdown with DR Congo on Sunday. Angola ended their tournament without scoring.

The first half was uneventful, with both teams having chances but failing to score. The second half saw DR Congo take control, with Kitambala scoring in the 58th minute from a free-kick by Âgée Basiala. Mokonzi added a second goal from a corner in the 70th minute.

Despite Angola’s efforts to respond, including near misses and solid saves from their goalkeeper Neblú, they couldn’t find the net. DR Congo’s strong defense, led by Osée Ndombele and Lolendo Mansanga, held firm.

With the upcoming match against Morocco, the stakes are high as both teams vie for a semi-final spot, while Kenya’s match against Zambia will determine the other quarter-finalist.

Nothing gets past him! Efonge earns the TotalEnergies Man of the Match after keeping a clean sheet
Nothing gets past him! Efonge earns the TotalEnergies Man of the Match after keeping a clean sheet
Morocco wallop resilient Zambia in CHAN Group A duel
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco wallop resilient Zambia in CHAN Group A duel

On Thursday, Morocco’s home-based national team won 3-1 against Zambia in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) taking place in Nairobi as they had to battle against a stiff Zambian defensive wall.

Rabie Hrimat opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time as they Morocco battled to win convincingly. Ossama Lamlioui increased the lead in the 67th minute, but Zambia answered just three minutes thereafter to reduce the gap.

Any comeback ambitions for Zambia were short lived as Sabir Bougrine brought Morocco’s two goal lead back, therefore sealing the victory.

Morocco’s dominated possession and developed several chances. From the touchline, head coach Tarik Sektioui could be heard encouraging his team to press higher and contain the opponent.

Morocco has raised their point count to six, putting them second in Group A, behind Kenya, with this win. Zambia meanwhile ends the competition without a point at the bottom of the group exiting the competition. 

Sunday at 1:00 PM the North Africans next plays DR Congo as they look to wrap up their quarter-final spot.

YYoussef Mehri pulled the strings with two assists, earning him the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award for his commanding performance!
Youssef Mehri pulled the strings with two assists, earning him the TotalEnergies Man of the Match award for his commanding performance!
Mauritania and Madagascar record CAF Nations Championship wins
by Football Sierra Leone

Mauritania and Madagascar record CAF Nations Championship wins

At the CAF African Nations Championship at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Wednesday, Madagascar and Mauritania defeated Central African Republic and Burkina Faso, respectively.

Breaking the stalemate in the 84th minute, Madagascar scored late in their meeting with the Central African Republic. The Les Fauves failed to clear a Madagascan corner, with the ball falling to Mamisoa Alexandre Rakotoson at the edge of the area.His attempt diverted on its way to land at the feet of fellow substitute Toky Niaina Rakotondraibe, who made no error from close range.

Nomena Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa completed the last hit in stoppage time to ensure the triumph for his team; the Barea put the outcome beyond doubt.

Elsewhere, Mauritania defeated ten-man Burkina Faso in the second match of the day to get their second victory of the competition.

After a VAR check, Abdoulaye Touré was shown a straight red card for his tackle on Moulaye Ahmed Cheikh Al Khalil, bringing the Stallions down to 10 men in the 41st minute.

Thanks once more to a VAR check, Les Mourabitounes dominated first-half stoppage time as El Mami Tetah was dropped in the box.From the penalty spot, Alassane Diop committed no mistake, moving his team ahead and eventually leading to their victory.

With zero points from their three CHAN games thus far, the Central African Republic have no chance of reaching the quarterfinals.

Three points behind second-place Mauritania, Madagascar are now third in the group; nevertheless, Mauritania have played one more game.

With three points from three games, Burkina Faso is second from bottom. If they want to have any opportunity of moving forward, they must win their next two matches and hope for the other teams in their group to lose.

Results:

Madagascar 2-0 Central African Republic

Mauritania 1-0 Burkina Faso

CHAN: Zambia face must win against Morocco in survival race
by Football Sierra Leone

Zambia face a must-win against Morocco in CHAN survival race

As they try to defeat two-time champions Morocco to increase their chances of qualifying into the knockout stages of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), Zambia national team captain Kelvin Kampamba is optimistic.

The Chipolopolo will need to win their last Group A games against the Atlas Lions later this afternoon and against Kenya in order to have any shot of making the knockout rounds following back-to-back losses to DR Congo and Angola.

Kampamba said during a pre-game press conference at the Moi International Sports Centre that the Chipolopolo would give Morocco a decent run. “Though Zambia has always made the quarterfinals, it’s not over yet. We foresee a difficult game. They shouldn’t underestimate us because we will make their money’s run worthwhile,” he added.

“We must trust ourselves as players.”We are here to show our character and abilities every time we step onto the field. We do not choose to be defeated readily, but its events beyond our control sometimes. We shall go there and fight for maximum points.”

With four points, Angola is second; DR Congo and Morocco have three points with Zambia lying at the bottom with zeros points; Kenya leads Group A on seven points.

Knowing only a victory would keep their quarterfinals aspirations alive, Morocco enters today’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 group match against Zambia.

At 3:00 PM Moroccan time (GMT+1), Senegalese referee Adalbert Diouf will blow the kickoff whistle. On beIN Sports France, beIN Sports MENA 6 HD, and SuperSport, fans can see the event live.

Midfielder Ibrahim Turay pens deal with Iceland top-tier side Stjarnan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Midfielder Ibrahim Turay pens deal with Iceland top-tier side Stjarnan

Sierra Leone duo Bo Rangers midfielder Ibrahim Turay and Alpha Conteh have joined Iceland’s top-tier side Stjarnan on a two-year deals. 

Rangers have expressed gratitude for Turay’s dedication and professionalism, stating he was a key figure in their success. They wish him success in his new chapter.

Ibrahim is 24 years old and joins us from Bo Rangers FC, one of the leading teams in Sierra Leone. He is a powerful midfielder who has played for the Sierra Leone national team and scored a goal in the World Cup qualifiers.

With a fighting spirit, power and good technique, Ibrahim is a player who will strengthen our midfield and give the team increased width and stability,” the club noted on Facebook.

Another Sierra Leone International, Alpha Conteh, has also penned a deal with the Garðabær-based outfit on similar terms of a two-half-year contract.

The club wrote, “Alpha is a 24-year-old winger who comes to us from Neftçi PFK in Azerbaijan, where he played in the Premier League. He has also played in Bulgaria with Lokomotiv Plovdiv and in Israel, as well as having games for the Sierra Leone national team.
 
Alpha is fast, powerful and not afraid to attack defenders – qualities that will undoubtedly strengthen the Star’s offensive game!” 

After making several appearances on various national teams, Turay scored his first goal for Leone Stars against Guinea-Bissau in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers when Sierra Leone defeated their visitors 3-1 in the Liberian capital, March 2025.

Both will join former skipper Steven Caulker at the club – Caulker took on a dual role as player-assistant coach for the men’s first team in June.

Alpha Conteh has also penned a deal with the Garðabær-based outfit on a similar terms of two-half year contract.
Alpha Conteh has also penned a deal with the Garðabær-based outfit on a similar terms of two-half year contract.
Midfielder Ibrahim Turay pens deal with Iceland top-tier side Stjarnan
Midfielder Ibrahim Turay pens deal with Iceland top-tier side Stjarnan