Category: Sport News

Exciting matches lineup in CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage draw
by Football Sierra Leone

Exciting matches lineup in CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage

The draw for the 2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage took place in Cairo on Monday, adding to the excitement surrounding the competition.

Defending champions Zamalek SC are in Group D with Al Masry, Enyimba, and Black Bulls. In Group C, USM Alger will compete against ASEC Mimosas, ASC Jaraaf, and Orapa United.

Group B features RS Berkane, Stade Malien, Stellenbosch FC, and CD Lunda Sul. Group A, known as the “Group of Death,” includes Simba SC, CS Sfaxien, CS Constantine, and Bravos do Maquis.

The group stage begins in November, with prestigious clubs from across Africa competing for the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup trophy.

The group stages will be played between November 2024 and January 2025. 

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage Fixtures Dates:

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 1: November 26-27, 2024  – ⁠Match Day 2: December 6-8, 2024 – ⁠Match Day 3: December 13-15, 2024 – ⁠Match Day 4: January 3-5, 2025 – ⁠Match Day 5: January 10-12, 2025 – ⁠Match Day 6: January 17-19, 2025

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Group Stage Draw Results:

Group A: Simba SC (Tanzania), CS Sfaxien (Tunisia), CS Constantine (Algeria), Bravos do Maquis (Angola)

Group B: RS Berkane (Morocco), Stade Malien (Mali), Stellenbosch (South Africa), CD Lunda Sul (Angola),

Group C: USM Alger (Algeria), ASEC Mimosas (Côte d’Ivoire), ASC Jaraaf (Senegal), Orapa United (Botswana)

Group D: Zamalek SC (Egypt), Al Masry (Egypt), Enyimba FC (Nigeria), Black Bulls (Mozambique),

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 1: November 26-27, 2024  

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 2: December 6-8, 2024 

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 3: December 13-15, 2024 

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 4: January 3-5, 2025 

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 5: January 10-12, 2025 

•⁠  ⁠Match Day 6: January 17-19, 2025

Click HERE for list of fixtures.

Sierra Leone's Augustine Williams nets brace in Indy's draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Augustine Williams nets brace in Indy’s draw

Sierra Leone International Augustine Williams extended his impressive scoring form with two goals, leading the host Boys in Blue to a 2-2 draw against Louisville City FC on Saturday night at Carroll Stadium.

Augi made history as the first Indy Eleven player to score five goals in consecutive matches, following his hat trick against Miami FC on September 28.

He currently leads the Eleven with 10 goals this season, marking his third consecutive campaign with double-digit goals. The 27-year-old Williams surpassed teammate Sebastian Guenzatti to claim fifth place on the USL Championship all-time list with 76 career goals in league history.

The Boys in Blue took a 2-1 lead in the 68th minute with Augi’s second goal of the night. Captain Aodhan Quinn initiated the scoring sequence with a long ball up the left side to Douglas Martinez, who promptly headed it to Jack Blake.

Blake then delivered a left-footed cross that Williams converted with a sliding touch. Blake now has four assists this season. Louisville levelled the score in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time when substitute Jake Morris scored.

Goalkeeper Hunter Sulte made five crucial saves, bringing his season total to 62. The Boys in Blue currently hold a 12-10-8 record with 44 points, placing them sixth in the Eastern Conference with four regular-season games remaining.

Namibia set for crucial AFCON Group J qualifiers against Zimbabwe
by Football Sierra Leone

Namibia set for crucial AFCON Group J qualifiers against Zimbabwe

Namibia set for crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group J qualifying matches against Zimbabwe. The team will play two important games against Zimbabwe on October 10 and October 14, 2024, in South Africa.

Bottom of the group having lost their opening two matches against Cameroon and Kenya in the race to Morocco, Namibia looks to review their chances against Zimbabwe.

The squad announcement comes at a critical point in their AFCON campaign, and the technical team will be relying on key players to perform well during the two matches. Both matches against Zimbabwe will take place in South Africa on neutral ground and are expected to be closely contested due to the rivalry between the two nations.

Namibia’s squad and tactics are crucial as they aim to qualify for AFCON 2025. The team will train in South Africa to refine their strategy and prepare for the challenges ahead. Their campaign now depends on their performance against Zimbabwe. Victory could propel them into a strong position, while defeat would jeopardize their chances.

Namibia must win at least of this month’s ties to revive their qualification hopes.

Richard Mbulu out of Malawi's AFCON qualifiers against Senegal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Richard Mbulu out of Malawi’s AFCON qualifiers against Senegal

Malawi is gearing up for an important 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Senegal, but striker Richard Mbulu’s injury is a major setback for the team.

Coach Patrick Mabedi has called up Isaac Kaliati from Mighty Mukuru Wanderers to replace Mbulu for the matches against Senegal.

The squad includes local and international players, with notable additions being Kaliati and Timothy Silwamba from Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, and the return of goalkeeper Brighton Munthali from Blue Eagles. Not having Mbulu will be a big challenge when facing Senegal in Dakar.

Despite the obstacles, Coach Mabedi’s team has shown resilience before, and they will try to contain Senegal’s strong attack while taking advantage of any chances to counter.

The team will travel to Senegal via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Foreign-based players will join the team directly from their clubs in Europe and Africa. This adds complexity to Malawi’s preparations, as there will be limited time for the full squad to train together before the matches.

After playing in Dakar, Malawi will return home to play the second leg at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on October 15. Squad depth and fitness will be crucial for the team’s success with two matches in a short time.

Despite Mbulu’s absence, the inclusion of Kaliati offers the team a chance to try something different up front. Coach Patrick Mabedi will be hoping his side can rise to the challenge against the formidable Senegalese team and keep their AFCON 2025 qualification hopes alive.

Otto Addo picks Ghana Black Stars squad for Sudan qualifying ties
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Otto Addo picks Ghana squad for Sudan qualifying ties

Ghana’s coach, Otto Addo, has named a 25-man squad for the upcoming matches against Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The Black Stars are set to commence training on Monday.

Defenders Alexander Djiku and Gideon Mensah are back in the squad after missing the last qualifiers against Angola and Niger.

Isaac Afful, a left-back from FC Samartex, has been chosen for his debut after performing well in the CAF Champions League preliminary round and the ongoing Premier League.

Olympique Lyon forward Ernest Nuamah and Ibrahim Sulemana of Atalanta have also returned to the squad after recovering from injuries that kept them out of the last qualifiers.

Ghana will play Sudan at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday, October 10, before travelling to Libya for the reverse fixture at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, Libya, on Monday, October 14, 2024.

The Black Stars aim to win against the Falcons after a tough start to the qualifiers against Angola and Niger, with a 1-0 loss to Angola and a 1-1 draw against Niger.