Category: Sport News

Ivory Coast set friendly date with Scotland at Everton's stadium
by FSL News

Ivory Coast set friendly date with Scotland at Everton’s stadium

Scotland's national football team, led by Steve Clarke, will play against the Ivory Coast for the first time on 31 March.

The match will take place at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium as part of their preparations for the World Cup. It will start at 19:30 BST, just three days after Scotland hosts Japan at Hampden.

Côte d’Ivoire, three-time Africa Cup of Nations winners, return to the World Cup for the first time in 12 years after an impressive unbeaten qualifying campaign. Scotland dramatically secured their place, ending a 28-year wait for a World Cup finals appearance with a decisive victory over Denmark.

Scotland earned their spot at the World Cup this summer by topping their qualifying group. They will also face Curacao in Glasgow on 30 May.

Scotland’s first World Cup match is against Haiti in Boston on 14 June, followed by games against Morocco and Brazil.

The Ivory Coast, which reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, is also competing in this year’s World Cup. They will play against Ecuador, Germany, and Curacao.

Clarke said, “We wanted to face African opposition before we play Morocco in the summer, and I’m sure Cote d’Ivoire will give us a real stern test. It will also be good to play at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool. The supporters will enjoy visiting the new stadium.”

Kaizer Chiefs narrowly beat Zesco United in Zambia
by FSL News

Kaizer Chiefs narrowly beat Zesco United in Zambia

Thanks to an early goal from Pule Mmodi that turned out to be critical, Kaizer Chiefs claimed a slim but important 1–0 triumph over Zesco United at the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola.

Chiefs got a dream beginning when Pule Mmodi reacted fastest within the box to score from close range after a corner, therefore giving them a strike in only the second minute. Moments before, Flávio Silva’s hit post from another corner signalled the Chiefs’ early control.

United reacted by driving forward and setting up several opportunities—especially through Amine Hiver, Leonard Mulenga, and Emmanuel Manda—but tough defending and a remarkable performance by goalie Brandon Petersen repeatedly denied their efforts.

As they sought an equaliser, ZESCO heightened the pressure in the second half, earning several free kicks and corners.

Chiefs stayed tough and earned a hard-fought shutout despite several injuries that caused delays.

Result: Zesco United 0 – 1 Kaizer Chiefs
Tanzania's side Azam edge Nairobi United in CAF Confederation Cup
by FSL News

Tanzanian outfit Azam edge Nairobi United in CAF Confederation Cup

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup action continued on Sunday, with Azam FC keeping their quarter-final hopes alive by defeating Nairobi United 2-1.

Nairobi took an early lead in the 13th minute through Dancan Omala, but Azam quickly equalised with a goal from Jephté Kitambala in the 17th minute.

The match remained intense, with both teams creating chances. The decisive moment came in the 78th minute when an own goal by Nairobi’s Ernest Mohammed gave Azam a 2-1 lead.

Despite Nairobi’s efforts to equalise in the final minutes, Azam’s defence held strong, securing their victory amid pressure and six minutes of added time.

"St Éloi Lupopo overcomes MC Alger with a stoppage-time penalty
by FSL News

St Éloi Lupopo overcomes MC Alger with a stoppage-time penalty

St Éloi Lupopo rejuvenated their TotalEnergies CAF Champions League campaign with a thrilling 1–0 victory over MC Alger on Sunday, netting the decisive goal deep into stoppage time in Lubumbashi.

The match’s turning point came in the fifth minute of added time when substitute Enock Molia was fouled in the box by defender Ghezala. Michael Kimputu converted the penalty, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way and igniting celebrations among the home fans.

Both teams struggled to create clear chances throughout the match. While Lupopo had a slight edge in possession, MC Alger maintained a solid defensive setup, appearing set to earn a draw.

With this win, Lupopo moves to four points from three matches, sitting third in Group C, while MC Alger remains at the bottom with one point, complicating their path to qualification.

Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Hilal Omdurman lead the group with five points each, indicating a competitive race for the quarter-finals.

Stade Malien beat Petro de Luanda in Bamako to go top of Group D
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Stade Malien beat Petro de Luanda in Bamako to go top of Group D

Stade Malien climbed to the top of Group D in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a solid 2–0 win over Petro de Luanda in Bamako on Sunday.

This victory allowed them to take the lead at the halfway point of the tournament.

In the second half, Taddeus Nkeng and captain Mamadou Traoré scored to settle the match, bringing Stade Malien to seven points from three games and creating a two-point lead over the second-place team.

In the first half, both teams played cautiously. Stade Malien was more aggressive, trying to create chances while Petro de Luanda defended deep.

Daouda Coulibaly had the best chance halfway through the first half, but Petro’s goalkeeper, Nuno Marques, quickly blocked the shot to keep the game scoreless.

The match shifted five minutes into the second half when Marques poorly kicked the ball, allowing Traoré to pass to Nkeng, who scored from distance, putting Stade Malien ahead.

Things worsened for Petro as left-back Eddie Afonso slipped while passing from the back, enabling Ousmane “Kalaba” Coulibaly to create an opportunity. Traoré scored again off his cross, making it 2–0.

Petro’s substitute Jó Paciência later missed a big chance in the 75th minute, but Stade Malien maintained their lead to secure the win. This win puts Stade Malien in a strong position in Group D, while Petro de Luanda falls to third place with four points.

In another match in the group, Espérance de Tunis narrowly beat Simba SC 1–0, keeping the qualification race tight before the next games.