Category: Sport News

Defending champions Al Ahly wallop Stade d'Abidjan in Cairo
by Football Sierra Leone

Defending champions Al Ahly wallop Stade d’Abidjan in Cairo

Group C, Defending champions Al Ahly began their pursuit of a third consecutive TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title with a decisive 4-2 victory over Côte d’Ivoire’s Stade d’Abidjan in Cairo on Tuesday.

Al Ahly took control in the first half with a 3-1 lead, featuring two goals from Kahraba and one from Mohamed Magdi Kafsha.

Stade d’Abidjan responded with a goal from Kassoum Koné, but Kahraba sealed the win in the second half, despite a late goal from Roger Assalé.

In Group B, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa were held to a 0-0 draw by DR Congo debutants Maniema Union.

Despite dominating possession and creating multiple chances, including a shot that hit the crossbar, the Sundowns could not find the net.

Looking ahead, the tournament will feature the anticipated Moroccan derby between Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat, as well as a match between CR Belouizdad and Orlando Pirates in

In Group D, Pyramids FC delivered an impressive 5-1 triumph over Angola’s Sagrada Esperança at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium.

Ibrahim Adel starred with two goals, including a stunning opener. Fiston Mayele, Mohamed Hamdy, and Ahmed Atef also contributed, while Sagrada managed a late consolation from Cachí.

Esperance will also face Djoliba in the final Group D fixture later this evening.

Young Africans suffer opening Champions League Group Stage defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Young Africans suffer opening Champions League Group Stage defeat

The CAF Champions League group stages started with a surprise as Young Africans SC lost 2-0 to Al Hilal on Tuesday, November 26, at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

Al Hilal scored two goals in the second half. Adama Coulibaly scored first, followed by Yasser Muzammil, leaving the Tanzanian champions struggling in their first match of the tournament. Al Hilal now leads Group A.

The crowd at the stadium supported the Young Africans SC as they pressured Al Hilal early on. Aziz Ki played a key role in their attack.

Young Africans SC dominated possession but couldn’t break through Al Hilal’s defense. After halftime, despite their continued attacks, they left defensive gaps. A long goal kick from Al Hilal’s goalkeeper reached Adama Coulibaly, who skillfully bypassed his defender and scored by sliding the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs.

Young Africans SC couldn’t break Al Hilal’s solid defence. Yasser Muzammil sealed the victory with a similar goal. He connected with a long pass, ran toward the goalkeeper, and finished at the near post.

In another Group A match, TP Mazembe’s hopes for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League took a hit when they drew 0-0 with Algeria’s MC Alger.

Egypt's Al Ahly eye another CAF Champions League title
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s Al Ahly eye another CAF Champions League title

Al Ahly coach Marcel Koller they are always aiming for the title as his team prepares to start the defence of their CAF Champions League title against Stade d’Abidjan on Tuesday.

The 2023/24 tournament group stage begins today, with top African clubs competing for the championship. Al Ahly will host Stade d’Abidjan at the Cairo International Stadium, seeking their third consecutive title.

The Red Eagles are unbeaten in their last 15 home matches in the tournament, with 13 wins. Koller emphasized their ambition, stating, “This edition will be difficult because all teams want to win, but our fans’ support drives us.”

Captain Mohamed El Shenawy shared a similar goal: “We want to win this title for the third time. We are used to handling pressure and will take it step by step.”

Stade d’Abidjan coach Alexandre Lafitte acknowledged the challenge: “We are in a tough group with experienced teams, but we’ve prepared well.”

In Group A, Al Hilal travels to Tanzania to face Young Africans, while Algeria’s MC Alger returns to the Champions League against DR Congo’s TP Mazembe.

Group B features a derby match between Moroccan teams Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat. Raja aims to regain its form, while FAR looks to leverage its league positioning. South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns will meet the Manema Union of DR Congo.

In Group D, last year’s runners-up Esperance face Djoliba of Mali, and Pyramids FC takes on Angola’s Sagrada at the Air Defense Stadium in Cairo.

Group C includes an important match between Algeria’s Chabab Belouizdad and South Africa’s Orlando Pirates, both eager to secure early points.

Barbra Banda is the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year
by FSL News

Zambia’s Barbra Banda wins BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year

Zambia and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda has been named the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year, emerging as the top vote-getter from BBC Sport readers following a five-player shortlist.

The shortlist was selected by a panel of global football experts based on performances from September 2023 to August 2024. Banda expressed her surprise and gratitude, saying, “I would like to thank everyone who voted and those who have supported me—my family, my national team, and the Pride team.”

At the Paris Olympics, Banda scored four goals for Zambia, including a hat-trick against Australia, making her the leading African goalscorer in Olympic history with 10. She also netted 13 goals for the Pride in the 2024 NWSL season, despite joining in March.

Aitana Bonmati from Spain and Barcelona came second in the voting, while Sophia Smith of the USA and Portland Thorns finished third. Banda became the second-most expensive women’s football signing in history when she transferred to the Pride for $740,000 (£581,000).

Banda, who ranked 12th in the 2024 Women’s Ballon d’Or, is a former professional boxer. She highlighted the challenges young girls face in pursuing sports in Zambia but noted that her mother eventually supported her passion for football.

Pride head coach Seb Hines praised Banda’s contributions to the team and African football, emphasizing her humility and team-first mentality.

Sierra Leone's Steven Caulker retires from international football
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Steven Caulker retires from international football

Sierra Leone defender Steven Caulker has announced his retirement from international football at the age of 32, after earning 20 caps for his country.

The announcement came a day after he stepped down as skipper of the Leone Stars amid his claim of the broken system following Sierra Leone’s failed attempt to reach Morocco in 2025.

The former Liverpool and Tottenham player joined Turkish club Keçiörengücü in July 2024 on a one-year deal, with an option for another year. He debuted on August 9 in the league opener against Sakaryaspor.

Caulker played an important role in Sierra Leone’s 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign. He helped the Leone Stars achieve a goalless draw against Algeria and a 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast.

“I have made the difficult decision to retire from international football. I have played in 20 matches and participated in 1 AFCON tournament,” he wrote on his LinkedIn page.

Caulker started his professional career with Tottenham Hotspur in 2009. He spent three seasons on loan at Yeovil Town, Bristol City, and Swansea City.

While at Swansea, he made his first appearances in the Premier League. At the end of that season, he represented Britain at the 2012 Olympics. In November 2012, he scored in his first game for England in a friendly match against Sweden.

In October 2021, Caulker said he was waiting for FIFA to approve his switch from England to Sierra Leone. He played his first match for Sierra Leone in a friendly against Morocco, where the team lost 2-1.

On December 17, FIFA allowed him to play in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. He was part of Sierra Leone’s squad and played in all three group matches. The team drew with Algeria and Ivory Coast but lost to Equatorial Guinea, finishing third in their group with two points.

Caulker made one appearance for England, his birth country, in a 4-2 loss to Sweden in November 2012 before switching his allegiance to Sierra Leone last year.