Category: Sport News

Tanzania stun Guinea to reach AFCON 2025 in Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tanzania stun Guinea to reach AFCON 2025 in Morocco

Simon Msuva scored a key header in the second half, giving Tanzania a 1-0 victory over Guinea at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium on Tuesday. This win qualified the Taifa Stars for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

Tanzania finished second in Group H with 10 points, making it impossible for Guinea and Ethiopia to catch up.

Msuva’s goal in the 61st minute came from a cross by Mudathir Yahya, exciting the home fans and bringing Tanzania closer to their fourth AFCON appearance. This was Msuva’s third goal of the qualifying campaign.

Although Guinea pressed for an equalizer, they could not break through Tanzania’s strong defence. Their best chance came when Mady Camara hit the crossbar, but they failed to score.

With this loss, Guinea ended their hopes of qualifying with nine points in third place. Tanzania’s victory secured their spot in their second consecutive AFCON and their fourth overall.

Group H Standings (Finalized for Tanzania):

  1. DR Congo – 12 points (5 matches played)
  2. Tanzania – 10 points (6 matches played, qualified)
  3. Guinea – 9 points (6 matches played)
  4. Ethiopia – 1 point (5 matches played)
Ghana’s head coach Otto Addo's response to critics
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana’s head coach Otto Addo’s response to critics

Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, has addressed the recent criticism following the Black Stars’ elimination from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification race. He emphasized the importance of shifting focus toward the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Black Stars’ aspirations to participate in the AFCON tournament in Morocco next year were hindered by a 1-1 draw against Angola last Friday.

The team has experienced a challenging qualification process, failing to secure a victory in their five matches, which has placed them in fourth position in Group F with three points, comprising three draws and two losses.

This marks the first time Ghana will miss the AFCON since 2004, leading to considerable scrutiny of Coach Addo’s performance and calls for his dismissal.

In response to the feedback, Addo remarked, “I have trained under esteemed coaches such as Sammer and Klopp, and served as an assistant to Edin Terzic at Dortmund. Their insights are valuable, and I recognize that I will be evaluated based on my results, which have not met expectations.”

Coach Addo acknowledged the disappointment felt by fans and stakeholders but stressed the need to move forward and prepare for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Coach Karim urges players to record positive results against Copper Bullets of Zambia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Karim urges players to end AFCON campaign on high against Zambia

Despite the disappointment of not qualifying for the upcoming African Cup of Nations in Morocco, Sierra Leone coach Amidu Karim has urged his team to finish their AFCON qualifying campaign on a positive note as they face Zambia in their final Group G match on Tuesday.

Sierra Leone and Zambia will play their final match in the Liberian capital. This match will not affect their standings because Avram Grants side along with Ivory Coast, have already secured their advancement.

Karim’s team could not secure qualification after the Leone Stars’ 1-1 draw against Chad and Zambia’s victory over Ivory Coast. Their hopes of reaching Morocco in 2025 were dashed.

However, the coach is determined to achieve a positive ending, stating, “We are disappointed as technical staff and as a head coach for not making it to Morocco this time. Nonetheless, we want to assure our people and fans that we will fight and give our best against a difficult Zambia side.

“Just because we have been eliminated does not mean we cannot give our all for the people of Sierra Leone. We need to finish the group strongly, which means securing a positive result against Zambia.”

Sierra Leone will be without skipper Steven Caulker, and Kei Kamara and a couple of injured players might force the coach to make a few changes to his starting eleven.

Read related News – Zambia edges Sierra Leone in Group G AFCON qualifier.

Meanwhile, with only a few matches remain in the qualifiers for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025. So far, 21 teams have secured their spots for the tournament, which will take place in Morocco.

Malawi thrash Burkina Faso as they finish bottom of Group L
by FSL News

Malawi thrash Burkina Faso as they finish bottom of Group L

Malawi won their final Group L match of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers, beating Burkina Faso 3-0 at the Bingu National Stadium on Monday.

Despite this victory, Senegal and Burkina Faso still advance to Morocco. Before this match, Malawi had not won any of their last 10 qualifiers. Gabadinho Mhango opened the scoring in the 28th minute with a long-range shot, leading 1-0 at halftime.

In the second half, Richard Mbulu scored with a header in the 57th minute, and Lloyd Aaron sealed the win in the 62nd minute with a close-range goal.

Although this win was uplifting, Malawi finished last in the group due to a lower goal difference compared to Burundi. Burkina Faso, already qualified, struggled in the match and ended the group stage with 10 points, finishing second behind Senegal.

Senegal remains unbeaten and aims to keep that record in their final match against Burundi on Tuesday. They have 13 points, with eight goals scored and only one conceded.

Final Group L Standings:

  1. Senegal – 13 points (4 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses)
  2. Burkina Faso – 10 points (3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses)
  3. Burundi – 4 points (1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses)
  4. Malawi – 4 points (1 win, 1 draw, 4 losses)
Salt to injury as Kei Kamara departed Sierra Leone camp
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Salt to injury as Kei Kamara departs Sierra Leone camp

Striker Kei Kamara, who told the BBC that he was inspired by Roger Milla for his return to international football at age 40, has left the Sierra Leone national team camp in Liberia. As a result, he will not be available for Tuesday’s game against Zambia.

Sierra Leone and Major League Soccer (MLS) Kei Kamara re-joined Leone Stars two years and seven months after he announced his retirement.

Kamara’s decision to return to international football at the age of 40 was inspired by Cameroon legend Roger Milla in a bid to help Sierra Leone reach their fourth AFCON.

He was aiming to help Sierra Leone qualify for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), and he started but was substituted in the 76th minutes in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Chad.

“There’s only one person I think about when I decided to come do this thing all over again, being part of the national team at this age, and that’s Roger Milla,” Kamara told the BBC World Service.

“Roger Milla was doing it, came back out, played at the World Cup at 42. The World Cup is only two years ago away, so why not?”

His MLS club, Los Angeles, will play Seattle Sounders on November 24th in the MLS Conference semifinals, and his services have been requested as Sierra Leone lost all hopes of reaching Morocco 2025.

On Saturday, the SLFA announced that captain Steven Caulker departed the team’s camp in Monrovia, Liberia, to return home due to urgent personal matters requiring immediate attention.

However, Sierra Leone and Zambia’s final match on Tuesday holds no impact on their standings, as they have already secured their place in Morocco 2025 AFCON.