Category: Sport News

Morocco set for Tunisia and Benin International friendlies
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco set for Tunisia and Benin International friendlies

Morocco will play two friendly matches in June. They will face their rivals Tunisia and Benin, the team that knocked them out of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Atlas Lions will face Tunisia on June 7, 2025, followed by a match against Benin just three days later, on June 10. Both games will be held at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

The match between Morocco and Tunisia is a classic African rivalry. These two football powerhouses have competed against each other 50 times since 1960, with Morocco having the edge in their head-to-head record, boasting 14 victories compared to Tunisia’s 8. Notably, 24 matches have ended in a draw, highlighting the competitiveness of this rivalry.

The last encounter between Morocco and Benin ended in heartbreak for the Atlas Lions. During the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations held in Egypt, Morocco appeared poised for victory on paper but suffered a dramatic defeat.

The Atlas Lions of Morocco named squad for friendlies against Tunisia and Benin
The Atlas Lions of Morocco named squad for friendlies against Tunisia and Benin
Sierra Leone's Sierra Queens book Women's Cup semis spot in Mauritania
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Sierra Queens book Women’s Cup semis spot in Mauritania

The Sierra Queens of Sierra Leone have advanced to the semi-finals of the ongoing WAFU A Women’s tournament in Mauritania, after securing a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Senegal on Monday evening at the Cheikha Boidiya Stadium.

Having previously defeated Guinea 3-1, they revitalized their chances of qualifying for the next round. The crucial point earned on Monday was significant, especially as Guinea defeated The Gambia 4-3.

Sierra Leone goalkeeper Hannah Juana was once again awarded Woman of the Match for her outstanding performance.

After suffering a 3-0 defeat to Gambia in their opening match, Sierra Leone turned their fortunes around with this impressive victory at the Cheikha Ould Boïdiya Stadium in Nouakchott, Mauritania.

Coach Malik Hassan Mansaray praised his team for their resilient and composure against a dominate Senegal side.

In Group A, Mauritania defeated Guinea-Bissau 2-0 as Liberia drew 1-1 against Mali and as a result, Liberia progressed to the semi-finals alongside Mali, who topped Group A on seven points, Liberia 5 and Mauritania four points in third.

In Group B, Senegal won the group with seven points, Sierra Leone on four, Guinea and the Gambia on three each.

In Group B, Senegal won the group with seven pooints, Sierra Leone on four, Guinea and the Gambia on three each.
In Group B, Senegal won the group with seven points, Sierra Leone on four, Guinea and the Gambia on three each.
The Sierra Queens of Sierra Leone reached the semi-finals of the WAFU A Women’s tournament in Mauritania after a tough 1-1 draw with Senegal.
The Sierra Queens of Sierra Leone reached the semi-finals of the WAFU A Women’s tournament in Mauritania after a tough 1-1 draw with Senegal.
Ghana face-off Super Eagles of Nigeria in London Unity Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana face-off Super Eagles of Nigeria in London Unity Cup

The Ghana Black Stars will face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a match on Wednesday, May 28, at Brentford’s GTech Community Stadium. This game is for a spot in the London Unity Cup final on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

The first semi-final kicks off on Tuesday 27 May, with Trinidad and Tobago taking on Jamaica. The Unity Cup is an Afro-Caribbean international football tournament that was last held in 2004.

This competition, featuring the national teams of Ghana, Jamaica, Nigeria, and Trinidad and Tobago, will make its comeback after a 21-year hiatus. It will include two semi-finals and a final, all to be played at the Bees’ home ground.

Players from the Nigeria Premier Football League and their coaching staff are already in London. They will be joined later today by their teammates from overseas.

Grant unveils Zambia 25-man provisional squad June friendlies
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Grant unveils Zambia 25-man provisional squad for June friendlies

Avram Grant, Zambia’s national football coach, has named a preliminary roster of 25 players. The squad will run two friendly games over the FIFA international window. On June 6, they will confront Sudan; four days later, in Morocco, Tunisia.

These friendly games will help Zambia prepare for their World Cup Qualifier matches in Group E. In September, Zambia will host Morocco and then play against Tanzania and Niger in October.

Zambia is also keeping the team engaged before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will take place in Morocco in December. The team qualified for AFCON by finishing first in Group G with 13 points, ahead of Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Chad. Zambia achieved this through four wins, one draw, and one loss.

The squad will be reduced before the trip to Morocco, but the coaches are open to adding more players before the September qualifiers. Players will undergo fitness tests as part of their preparation for the matches in Morocco.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS)

Toaster Nsabata (Zesco), Francis Mwansa (Green Buffaloes), Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos)

(DEFENDERS)

Gift Mphande (Rishon LeZion-Israel), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Kabaso Chongo, Killian Kanguluma (both Kabwe Warriors), Obino Chisala (Al Merreikh-Sudan), David Hamansenya (Leganes-Spain), Benedict Chepeshi (Zesco United),

(MIDFIELDERS)

Benson Sakala (Boleslav Mlada-Czech Republic), Miguel Chaiwa (BSC Young Boys-Switzerland), Kings Kangwa (Hapoel Beer’Sheva-Israel), Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov-Czech Republic), Emmanuel Banda (Al Tai-Saudi Arabia), Joshua Mutale (Simba Sc-Tanzania), Kelvin Kapumbu (Zanaco), Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos)

(FORWARDS)

Patson Daka (Leicester City-England), Edward Chilufya (Midtjylland-Denmark), Clatous Chama , Kennedy Musonda (both Young Africans-Tanzania), Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg-Germany), Kelvin Kampamba (Al Medina-Libya), Joseph Sabobo Banda (FC Zurich-Switzerland).

RS Berkane lift third TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

RS Berkane lift third TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title

RS Berkane has been crowned the champions of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup 2024/25, securing the title with a 1-1 draw in Zanzibar and winning on aggregate in a tense and emotional final match.

The Moroccan team, which had an advantage from the first leg, displayed determination and composure under significant pressure in Dar es Salaam to capture their third Confederation Cup title, adding to their victories in 2020 and 2022.

The packed stadium erupted as Simba SC took an early lead, fueling hopes of a comeback. Joshua Mutale scored in the 17th minute with a composed finish following a clever assist from Elie Mpanzu, giving Simba a 1-0 lead.

The hosts continued to apply pressure, with Steven Mukwala and Shomari Kapombe threatening RS Berkane’s goal. However, the Moroccan defence, led by goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi, remained steadfast and resisted the attacks.

Despite Simba’s initial advantage, VAR drama unfolded in the 73rd minute when a goal from Steven Mukwala was disallowed for offside. This pivotal moment allowed RS Berkane to maintain its aggregate lead.

Tensions soared throughout the match, especially after Simba’s Yusuph Kagoma received a second yellow card and was sent off in the 50th minute, shifting the balance in favour of RS Berkane.

As Simba desperately sought a second goal, Soumaila Sidibe emerged as the hero for RS Berkane. He scored a crucial equaliser with a well-placed right-footed shot from a tight angle, beating goalkeeper Moussa Camara and silencing the home crowd.

This goal sealed the draw and effectively dashed Simba’s hopes, as RS Berkane’s aggregate lead became insurmountable.

This victory marks RS Berkane’s third TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title, further solidifying their status as a continental powerhouse, having previously lifted the trophy in 2020, 2022, and now in 2025.

This victory marks RS Berkane’s third TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title, further solidifying their status as a continental powerhouse, having previously lifted the trophy in 2020, 2022, and now in 2025.
This victory marks RS Berkane’s third TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title, further solidifying their status as a continental powerhouse, having previously lifted the trophy in 2020, 2022, and now in 2025.