Category: Sport News

Representatives from Star Sport arrived in Turkey to finalize a Beşiktaş agreement
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Representatives from Star Sport arrived in Turkey to finalise Beşiktaş agreement

The delegation from Star Sport Academy, led by Chairman and Founder Ing. Yankuba Jusu Tarawally, along with CEO Mohamed Jusu Tarawally, has successfully arrived in Istanbul.

Their visit aims to finalise a significant agreement with Beşiktaş, one of Turkey’s premier football clubs. This trip follows extensive discussions that our Chairman initiated in February with Beşiktaş officials.

During his earlier visit, he had fruitful meetings with key club members, including Serdar Topaktepe, the Director of the Academy, and Yagiz Berke, the Director of External Relations.

The team comprises manager Musa Pokawa, head of scouting and recruitment Alimamy Conteh, and Victor Lewis, who chairs the Youth Division One team.

These ongoing talks have paved the way for a promising partnership between Star Sport Academy and Beşiktaş.

Carlos Queiroz appointed as Ghana head coach ahead of World Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Carlos Queiroz appointed as Ghana head coach ahead of World Cup

Former Manchester United assistant coach Carlos Queiroz is now the head coach of Ghana’s national football team for the upcoming World Cup.

The 73-year-old Portuguese coach takes over from Otto Addo, who was fired on March 31 after the team lost friendly matches to Germany and Austria.

Ghana, known as the Black Stars, is in the same World Cup group as England. The team also did not qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations under Addo’s leadership. Queiroz worked as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant at Manchester United twice, first from 2002 to 2003 and again from 2004 to 2008. He also had a stint as the head coach of Real Madrid.

Most recently, Queiroz managed Oman but left the role last month after they did not qualify for the World Cup. He said, “I accept this mission with the same passion and commitment that have guided me throughout my career. Ghana is a nation of talent, pride, and footballing soul. I arrive with respect for its history and belief in its future.”

Queiroz led Portugal to the last 16 at the 2010 World Cup and coached Iran in the last three tournaments. He has also worked with teams in Egypt, Japan, Colombia, and South Africa, and previously managed Portugal in the early 1990s.

Ghana will play their first World Cup match in Group L against Panama on June 17, followed by games against England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27. This World Cup will take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Zamalek edge Belouizdad in first leg CAF Confederation Cup clash
by Football Sierra Leone

Zamalek edge Belouizdad in first leg CAF Confederation Cup clash

Zamalek is close to reaching the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup final after winning 1-0 against Algeria’s CR Belouizdad in the first leg of their semi-final on Friday night.

Juan Bezerra scored the only goal in the first half, giving Zamalek an important away victory. Belouizdad controlled much of the game but missed key chances. They hit the post early on and had a goal disallowed after a VAR review.

Zamalek’s defence remained strong, and goalkeeper Mahdi Suleiman made crucial saves to keep the score intact.

This is Zamalek’s first win over Belouizdad and only their second win in Algeria in continental matches. The tie remains close heading into the return leg in Cairo.

Zamalek will look to use their home advantage, while Belouizdad must improve to stay in contention. The second leg is scheduled for Friday, 17 April.

Leon solo nets winner as Sundowns edge ES Tunis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brayan León nets winner as Sundowns edge ES Tunis

Mamelodi Sundowns took a significant step towards the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Espérance Sportive de Tunis in a tense semi-final first leg in Tunis on Sunday evening.

The only goal came in the second half when striker Brayan León scored with a powerful header, demonstrating Sundowns’ resilience, especially after they went down to ten men late in the match.

Espérance started strong, creating good chances early on. Mohamed Tougaï forced a save from goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, while Florian Danho hit the post in the 32nd minute. Despite their pressure and multiple set-pieces, they couldn’t break through Sundowns’ solid defence.

Sundowns emerged with renewed determination after halftime and struck just five minutes in. A precise cross from Thapelo Morena found León, who headed it into the top corner for a vital away goal.

Espérance seemed to have equalised in the 65th minute through Aboubacar Diakité, but a VAR review disallowed the goal due to a foul on the keeper. The hosts continued to press, with Ogbelu and Danho attempting shots, but Williams remained composed.

The match shifted in the 84th minute when Sundowns’ Grant Kekana received a red card, leaving them to defend their lead with ten players.

Espérance ramped up the pressure, creating late chances, but Sundowns held on for the 1-0 win, giving them a crucial advantage going into the return leg.

FAR Rabat secures semi-final advantage in first leg against Berkane
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

FAR Rabat secures semi-final advantage in first leg against Berkane

FAR Rabat moved closer to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final by defeating RS Berkane 2-0 in the first leg of their semi-final in Rabat on Saturday night.

In the second half, Ahmed Hammoudan and Khalid Ait Ourkhan scored the goals that gave the Royal Army an important advantage for next weekend’s return leg in Berkane.

This win puts FAR Rabat in control of the tie, while RS Berkane now faces a tough challenge to turn things around at home.

The match started cautiously, with both teams defending strongly and no goals scored in the first half. After halftime, FAR Rabat gained control, and Hammoudan opened the scoring in the 58th minute, reacting quickly to a loose ball.

This led to increased pressure from FAR Rabat, resulting in a second goal from substitute Ait Ourkhan in the 79th minute after a defensive error by RS Berkane.

The final score was 2-0 in favour of FAR Rabat, giving them a significant advantage going into the second leg. Berkane struggled to respond despite late efforts, and they now face a tough challenge at home on April 18 to overcome the deficit.

The winner will advance to the CAF Champions League final, facing either Espérance Sportive de Tunis or Mamelodi Sundowns.