Category: Sport News

The Fédération Malienne de Football (FEMAFOOT) has immediately terminated senior national team coach Eric Sékou Chelle's contract.

Mali Fédération part ways with coach Eric Sékou Chelle

The Fédération Malienne de Football (FEMAFOOT) has immediately terminated senior national team coach Eric Sékou Chelle’s contract.

In a statement reported on national television, no reason was given for the decision. The sacking occurred days after Mali were held to a goalless draw by 10-man Madagascar in a Group I World Cup qualifier in Johannesburg.

The decision was unanimously made by the Executive Committee in an extraordinary session, with the approval of the relevant authorities on Thursday.

Mali suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Ghana at the Stade du Mars in Bamako last week before drawing with a ten-man Madagascar on Tuesday in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Malian Eagles face a tough challenge in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, as they currently have just five points after four matches.

FEMAFOOT has expressed its gratitude to Sekou Chelle for his leadership of the national team and has also thanked the Department of Sports for their ongoing support.

Malian football is entering a new chapter as the federation seeks a new coach. Mali is among several African nations making changes to their coaching staff ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 qualifiers.

Sierra Leone to know AFCON 2025 qualifying opponents in July

Sierra Leone to know AFCON 2025 qualifying opponents in July

Sierra Leone will find out their group opponents for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 on Thursday, July 4th, 2024. (Photo Credit SLFA)

The draw will take place at SuperSport studios in South Africa at 14:30 local time (15:30 Cairo time, 12:30 GMT).

The Leone Stars did not qualify for the AFCON in Ivory Coast as they finished third in Group A behind Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau.

This time, the Leone Stars are expected to be in Pot Three. A total of 48 nations, including four preliminary round winners, will be drawn into 12 groups, with each group consisting of four teams.

The qualifiers will begin in September 2024 to determine the initial 24 nations competing in Africa’s largest event.

The event will feature CAF legends, team representatives, and members of the Local Organizing Committee.

A Third straight Sierra Leone League Title For Bo Rangers

Third straight Sierra Leone League Title For Bo Rangers

Bo Rangers secured their third consecutive Sierra Leone Premier League title with three games to spare on Wednesday, defeating Wusum Stars 2-1.

This victory gave the Southern Province side an insurmountable fifteen-point lead over their closest rivals, Bhantal FC.

Since 2019, they made history as the first team from outside the capital city of Freetown to achieve a remarkable feat by winning the Sierra Leone Premier League three consecutive times.

Additionally, they have the opportunity to claim a league-and-cup double when they face East End Lions in the FA Cup final, pending a decision on the date by the authorities.

Suffian Kalokoh and Kwame Mketiah each scored a goal, giving Bo Rangers a two-goal lead before Wusum’s Paul Jackson Kama netted one back in the 72nd minute. Despite this, Bo Rangers managed to hold on to their lead and secure maximum points.

Coach John Keister reflected on the success, expressing his pride in being a title-winning coach once again.

He acknowledged the challenges of leading a club that had previously won the title twice, but he emphasized the collective pride in their achievements. Keister also shared his personal satisfaction in accomplishing this for the people of Bo City.

Bo Rangers have now secured their third title since the revamp of the Sierra Leone top tier in 2019, with Keister securing his second title in the same period.

Bo Rangers secured their third consecutive Sierra Leone Premier League title with three games to spare on Wednesday, defeating Wusum Stars 2-1.
Bo Rangers secured their third consecutive Sierra Leone Premier League title with three games to spare on Wednesday, defeating Wusum Stars 2-1.
Gabon come from behind to defeat the Gambia in five-goal thriller

Gabon come from behind to defeat Gambia in five-goal thriller

Gabon completed an impressive comeback, defeating Gambia 3-2 in their World Cup qualifying fixture at Stade de Franceville.

The victory propelled Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s team to second place in Group F, just one point behind leaders Ivory Coast.

Despite falling behind in the first half, Gabon rallied in the second half with goals from Jim Allevinah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Denis Bouanga.

The Gambia fought back with a goal from Ebou Adams, but Gabon held on for the win.

The result puts Gabon in a strong position in the group, while Gambia sits in fourth place.

Meanwhile, Burundi are two points further back after their 3-1 win away against Seychelles in neutral Morocco.

Tuesday’s African World Cup qualifying results

  • South Sudan 0-3 Sudan (Group B)

  • Lesotho 0-1 Rwanda (Group C)

  • South Africa 3-1 Zimbabwe (Group C)

  • Angola 1-1 Cameroon (Group D)

  • Cape Verde 1-0 Libya (Group D)

  • Congo 0-6 Morocco (Group E)

  • Zambia 0-1 Tanzania (Group E)

  • Gabon 3-2 The Gambia (Group F)

  • Kenya 0-0 Ivory Coast (Group F)

  • Seychelles 1-3 Burundi (Group F)

  • Mauritius 2-1 Eswatini (Group G)

  • Chad 0-2 Comoros (Group I)

  • Madagascar 0-0 Mali (Group I)

Six-goal Morocco ease past Congo to maintain Group E lead

Six-goal Morocco ease past Congo to maintain Group E lead

Morocco secured a resounding 6-0 victory over Congo at Stade Adrar during their third match of the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday evening.

The North Africans dominated Congo in their third World Cup qualifier, winning 6-0. Azzedine Ounahi and Chadi Riad scored early goals, while Ayoub El Kaabi completed a hat trick. This victory keeps Morocco at the top of Group E standings with nine points, while Tanzania is in second place with six points.

In Tuesday’s early Kickoff, there were several noteworthy events unfolding – Sudan secured a top position in Group B with a resounding 3-0 victory over South Sudan, with ten points from four games, overtaking Senegal. Meanwhile, South Sudan remains firmly at the bottom with just two points.

In Group F, Kenya and African champions Cote d’Ivoire played to a goalless draw. Cote d’Ivoire maintains their lead with ten points. Kenya moved up to third place with five points.

In the Group G encounter, Mauritius secured a 2-1 victory over Eswatini. This win places Mauritius in fifth place in the group with four points, while Eswatini remains at the bottom, still in search of their first point in the campaign.

The competition for the World Cup berths is intensifying as hopes of historic qualification are ignited among several team.

In Group I, Madagascar and Mali drew 0-0. Madagascar’s Louis Démoléon received a red card early on, leaving his team with ten men for over 70 minutes. Madagascar earned a valuable point, moving them to second place with seven points, while Mali is in fourth place with five points.