Category: Sport News

Guinea's Naby Keita joins Hungarian outfit Ferencvárosi
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea’s Naby Keita joins Hungarian outfit Ferencvárosi

Former Liverpool midfielder Naby Keita has joined the Hungarian club Ferencvárosi on loan from Werder Bremen for one year.

He moved to Werder Bremen just 18 months ago but was left out of the first team last season after he chose not to travel for an away game.

The club announced, “Fantastic signing! Naby Keita is a valuable player with 58 caps for the Guinean national team. He is a former champion with Liverpool and a Champions League winner. He will play for our team, which has won the Hungarian championship 35 times and the Hungarian Cup 24 times. He arrives on loan to Üllői út for one year, with an option to buy.”

The midfielder joined Bremen on a free transfer from Liverpool in the summer of 2023.

Keita started playing for the Guinean national team in 2012 and, by 2024, had made 58 appearances. He was named Footballer of the Year in Guinea twice, in 2015 and 2021.

Zamalek and Nigeria's Enyimba share Group D spoils
by Football Sierra Leone

Zamalek and Nigeria’s Enyimba share Group D spoils

In a Group D match in Uyo, defending champions Zamalek faced former champions Enyimba, resulting in a 2-2 draw.

Zamalek will be disappointed after letting go of a two-goal lead, with goals from Seifeddine Jaziri and Omar Faraj equalized by Ufere Chukwu and Ifeanyi Ihemekwele.

As a result, Zamalek remains at the top of the group with four points, while Enyimba moves to third place with their first point.

In Group A, Bravos do Maquis narrowly defeated Sfaxien FC 3-2 at Estadio 11 Novembro in Luanda. Keoikantse Mosiatlhaga opened the scoring for Bravos, but Mohamed Dhuaoui quickly equalized.

Bravos regained the lead through Joaquim Paciencia and Francisco Matonco before Hazem Hassen narrowed the deficit in the second half.

Despite opportunities for both teams, the match concluded 3-2 in favor of Bravos, placing them second in the group behind SC Constantine, who also secured a win against Simba SC. Sfaxien FC remains at the bottom of the standings.

Al Hilal Omdurman beat TP Mazembe in Group A Champions League tie
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Hilal Omdurman beat TP Mazembe in Group A Champions League tie

Al Hilal Omdurman achieved a significant 2-1 victory over TP Mazembe during their second Group A match in the CAF Champions League, held on Sunday night. (Photo TP Mazembe)

The match took place at the Stade Cheikha Ould Boïdiya in Mauritania, where Al Hilal showcase resilient and a commendable performance to preserve their perfect record in the group stage.

Al Hilal commenced the match with a strong offensive, earning a penalty in the 22nd minute after Alioune Faty committed a foul in the box.

Mohamed Abdelrahman expertly converted the penalty, giving Al Hilal an early advantage.

In response, TP Mazembe showcased their attacking capabilities, although they struggled with accuracy in the final third.

In the 64th minute, Oscar Tshikomb found the equalizer for Mazembe with an impressive long-range effort, rekindling hopes for the visiting team.

However, Al Hilal’s Jean Girumugisha made a decisive impact in the closing moments of the match. He delivered a remarkable strike from outside the box, successfully placing the ball in the bottom left corner and igniting celebrations among Al Hilal supporters.

Despite their commendable efforts, TP Mazembe experienced their first defeat of the group stage following a previous draw in their opening match.

With this win, Al Hilal leads Group A with six points from two matches, followed by MC Alger, who beat Young Africans 2-0 on Saturday. Mazembe has one point and Young Africans sit at the bottom after two losses.

Al Hilal will aim to maintain their momentum against MC Alger on Saturday, while Mazembe needs a strong performance against Young Africans to revive their campaign.

Josh Koroma scores Huddersfield Town winner to strengthen promotion chances
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Josh Koroma scores Huddersfield’s winner to strengthen promotion chances

Sierra Leone international Josh Koroma contributed significantly to Huddersfield’s victory over Mansfield Town, as the latter faced their fifth consecutive defeat in League One.

In his sixteenth appearance of the season, Koroma scored his sixth goal, helping Huddersfield ascend to fourth place in the league standings and secure a playoff spot.

The match began with Huddersfield taking an early lead in the eighth minute. Ben Wiles scored, finding the net off the inside of the near post after an impressive run and low cross from the left delivered by Josh Koroma.

Mansfield equalized in the 31st minute when Jacob Chapman parried a header from Aden Flint, stemming from an Aaron Lewis corner, which allowed Will Evans to strike the rebound into the goal.

However, the visitors quickly regained the lead within two minutes. Jose Koroma could chase down a long ball and skillfully directed his shot across Christy Pym, placing it into the far corner of the net.

In the last of four added minutes at the end of the first half, Mansfield nearly equalized again when George Maris struck the post with a low shot from 20 yards.

Mansfield experienced a moment of fortune when Tom Lees directed a close-range free header directly at Pym in the 51st minute, following a free-kick taken by Ben Wiles. Shortly thereafter, Mansfield came close to scoring again as Chapman made two swift saves from attempts by Keanu Baccus and Aaron Lewis.

In the 62nd minute, Flint prevented a goal by clearing a shot from Michal Helik off the line during a corner kick. As the match approached its conclusion, Lees inadvertently headed the ball against his own crossbar during the last of five added minutes. Despite mounting pressure from Mansfield, Huddersfield managed to secure their fourth consecutive victory.

Mimosas, Stellenbosch, Zamalek & Enyimba in CAF Confed ties this weekend
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mimosas, Stellenbosch, Zamalek & Enyimba in CAF Confed action this weekend

On Sunday, Stellenbosch will look to regain their winning form in the CAF Confederations Cup, while ASEC Mimosas aims for consecutive victories over Orapa United.

In Group D, the reigning CAF Confederations Cup champions, Zamalek, will face the Nigerian side Enyimba at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Zamalek commenced their CAF Confederations Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Black Bulls at the Cairo International Stadium on November 27.

Currently, they hold 2nd place in Group D, with Al Masry leading the group after the first matchday. Al Masry is set to compete against Black Bulls at Estadio do Zimpeto.

Additionally, Stellenbosch FC will strive to bounce back when they compete against the Moroccan team RSB Berkane at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Stellenbosch experienced a 2-0 defeat to Stade Malien in their previous match, while RSB Berkane opened their CAF Confederations Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Lunda Sul two weeks ago.

Furthermore, ASEC Mimosas has the opportunity to secure a second consecutive victory as they take on Orapa United at the Francistown Stadium on Sunday.

ASEC Mimosas currently occupies 2nd position in Group C following their 2-0 win against Jaraaf on November 27, while USM Alger, in 1st place, is scheduled to face Jaraaf at Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade on Sunday evening.

Fixtures Sunday, 8 December

Group A

CS Constantine vs Simba
Bravos do Maquis vs CS Sfaxien

Group B

Stellenbosch vs RSB Berkane
Lunda Sul vs Stade Malien

Group C

Orapa United vs ASEC
Jaraaf vs USM Alger

Group D

Black Bulls vs Al Masry
Enyimba vs Zamalek