Category: Sport News

Broos names prelim Bafana squad for AFCON qualifiers
by FSL News

Broos names prelim Bafana squad for AFCON qualifiers

Bafana Bafana’s head coach, Hugo Broos, has recently unveiled a preliminary squad comprising 38 members for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Uganda and South Sudan.

The team to commence their AFCON journey by facing Uganda at the Orlando Stadium on Friday, September 6, 2024, at 6 pm. Subsequently, they will proceed to play their second match in the group against South Sudan on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.

Following the preliminary squad announcement, the final 23-member squad will be unveiled in the coming days. Broos’ Bafana squad includes 11 Mamelodi Sundowns players, with Sipho Chaine and Van Duivenbooden being the only uncapped players.

Nicholas Opoku makes Kasimpasa's debut in draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nicholas Opoku makes Kasimpasa’s debut against Hatayspor

Ghanaian defender Nicholas Opoku, 27, made his debut for his new club in the Turkish Super Lig, Kasimpasa SK, as they drew 1-1 against Hatayspor on Monday.

Opoku, who joined the club on a free transfer after leaving French club Amiens SC, played for 82 minutes in his first game.

During his time at Amiens, he appeared in 102 matches across all competitions, demonstrating strong defensive skills in 23 games in Ligue 2 last season.

Opoku’s football journey began in Ghana with Berekum Chelsea. After impressing at Tunisian side Club Africain, he signed with them in 2017. Opoku then moved to Udinese in Italy in July 2018.

On the international stage, Opoku has represented Ghana 18 times since his debut in 2017. He brings solid tackling, aerial ability, and a composed presence on the field to the Black Stars’ setup.

Striker Patson Daka to miss Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Patson Daka to miss Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone qualifiers

Zambia will have to do without Patson Daka in next month African Cup of Nations qualifiers after Leicester City’s injury update on Patson Daka, the 2017 African Youth Player of the Year.

Daka, the Zambia international, was forced off the field during a recent friendly against RC Lens due to an injury, which will sideline him for an extended period, as confirmed on the club’s website.

The 25-year-old will be absent from the upcoming English Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur, and there are concerns about his availability for Zambia’s 2025 AFCON qualifiers next month.

Manager Steve Cooper expressed his disappointment, stating, “Patson [Daka] is not great news. He sustained a serious ankle injury in the game against Lens last week and will be out of action for several months.

The striker underwent an operation on Friday. It’s a setback for both club and country as he was showing promise during pre-season.

Daka, known as Zambia’s key player with 21 goals in 48 matches for Chipolopolo, faces a challenging recovery period, with important matches against Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone on the horizon next month.

Antoine Semenyo's late equaliser helps Bournemouth draw at Forest
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Antoine Semenyo’s equaliser helps Bournemouth draw at Forest

Ghanaian International Antoine Semenyo scored a late goal to help AFC Bournemouth secure a 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest on the opening day of the season.

Chris Wood put Nottingham Forest ahead with a close-range goal in the first half. Dango Ouattara had a goal disallowed.

Semenyo’s goal earned the Cherries their first point of the new season.

Dean Huijsen made his Premier League debut, and Julián Araujo was named on the bench for the first time.

Evanilson’s registration came too late for inclusion. Semenyo led the line for the Cherries, alternating with Luis Sinisterra.

The match started positively for the Cherries, with Ouattara heading just over from a corner. However, the game was paused for ten minutes when Danilo was injured following a challenge with Semenyo.

Wood opened the scoring for Nottingham Forest, tapping in a rebound after Neto parried Ryan Yates’s shot. The Cherries then had a goal disallowed, as Lewis Cook was ruled offside in the build-up to Ouattara’s goal.

First-leg Confederation Cup defeat for hosts East End Lions
by FSL News

East End Lions suffer first-leg Confederation Cup defeat

On Sunday, ASC Jaraaf from Senegal secured a 1-0 victory over East End Lions in the first preliminary round of the CAF Confederation Cup at the Southern Arena. (Photo Credit EE Lions)

After an intriguing first hour of the contest – substitute Papa Souleymane Dione accounted for Jaraaf’s goal in the 77th minute. But, before their goal, they missed a penalty in the first half and hit the woodwork.

Head coach Malick Daf mentioned that despite the missed penalty and hitting the woodwork. “The team showcased a strong effort against the home side, who had the advantage of local support.”

Daf and his side have immediately turned their attention to the return fixtures next weekend in Senegal. “We’ll return home to prepare for the next match, knowing we will be facing a strong opponent.”

Coach Daf also commented on the missed penalty, saying that even the best players can miss a penalty and emphasized that what matters is the overall result.

East End Lions’ head coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara described the result as ‘disappointing’ while expressing hope to overturn the result in Senegal in the upcoming game.

The second leg is scheduled for Sunday, August 25, 2024, at Stade Lat Dior in Senegal.

CAF Confederation Cup first leg preliminary results
CAF Confederation Cup first leg preliminary results