Category: Sport News

Jaze Kabia nets a brace as Play-off contenders Grimsby thrash Barrow
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Jaze Kabia nets a brace as Play-off contenders Grimsby thrash Barrow

Sierra Leone-native Jaze Jabia recorded his twelfth goal of the season as Grimsby eased past Barrow in their pursuit of promotion at Blundell Park, marking his twelfth goal of the season.

With a commanding 5–0 win at Blundell Park, play-off hopeful Grimsby inflicted more suffering on bottom-side Barrow. After Andy Cook’s opening, Kieran Green and Jaze Kabia each bagged a brace as the Mariners stayed in seventh place on goal difference.

Darragh Burns opened space on the right in the 17th minute to lash in an in-swinging cross onto Cook’s head, who nodded home off the foundation of the post.

Before the break, Grimsby doubled their advantage with a swift counter-attack as Kabia found Green in the middle of the box with a low cross, which the latter first-time finished in the 41st minute.

With Grimsby’s leading scorer Kabia joining in the action, the hosts made it three in the 61st minute by firing in under Wyll Stanway on the left side of the penalty box.

With Reece Staunton’s in-swinging corner in the 87th minute, Green scored his second and his team’s fourth with a fierce header. Still, Kabia had time to get a brace; in the 10th minute of extra time, she tapped Justin Amaluzor’s cross.

Sierra Leone's Daniel Kanu takes tally to 14 goals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Daniel Kanu takes his tally to 14 goals

Sierra Leone Daniel Kanu recorded his fourteenth of the season as Walsall fought back to beat League Two relegation battlers Newport County 2-1 and deepen the fears of the team from south Wales.

Midfielder Harrison Biggins put the Exiles ahead in the opening period, hammering in from close range as Newport took the game to the Saddlers.

Daniel Kanu replied midway through the second half, and Alex Pattison fired home from outside the box in added time to send Newport home with nothing to show for their efforts.

Walsall are 10th in the table, two points off the play-offs, while Newport are a point and one place above the relegation zone.

CR Belouizdad reach CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals
by Football Sierra Leone

CR Belouizdad reach CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals

CR Belouizdad has reached the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup for the first time in 30 years.

They secured their spot after a tense goalless draw against Al-Masry from Egypt in Algiers. The Algerian team advanced with an aggregate score, having drawn 1-1 in the first leg in Egypt.

The match at the Nelson Mandela Stadium marked a historic moment for the club, which last reached this stage in 1996.

Belouizdad started the match strongly, pressing high and quickly creating chances. In the first seven minutes, Mohamed Ali Ben Hammouda’s shot lacked power, allowing Al-Masry’s goalkeeper, Essam Tharwat, to make an easy save.

Midway through the first half, defender Hussein Ben Ayada forced Tharwat into a strong save, and Ben Hammouda’s header skimmed just over the crossbar.

As the first half progressed, Al-Masry began creating opportunities, with a long-range shot testing Belouizdad’s goalkeeper Farid Chaal just before half-time. Despite the pressure, both teams went into the break level.

In the second half, both sides struggled to score, with Belouizdad focusing on defence. Al-Masry pushed hard for a goal, especially with forward Daghmoum becoming a threat late in the game. However, Chaal and the defence held firm.

The match ended in a goalless draw, sending Belouizdad to the semi-finals to face the winner between Zamalek and Otoho. For Al-Masry, this result marked the end of their campaign. Belouizdad celebrates a return to the last four of a continental competition after 30 years.

Defending champions Pyramids eliminated
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defending champions Pyramids eliminated by FAR Rabat

Defending champions Pyramids were knocked out of the CAF Champions League quarter-finals on Saturday, suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Morocco’s FAR Rabat, who advanced with a 3-2 aggregate score.

This loss marks the end of Pyramids’ title reign, despite managing a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Rabat. The Egyptians had clinched their first African Champions League title last June by overcoming South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.

Rida Slim gave the visitors an early lead in the ninth minute at Cairo’s 30 June Stadium, and Mohamed Rabie Hrimat extended that advantage with a header in the 54th minute.

Although Fiston Mayele pulled one back in the 62nd minute, the Egyptians couldn’t find the equaliser they desperately needed to push the match into penalties, as FAR Rabat held their ground.

“This is a historic win and an important qualification for the club,” stated forward Youssef El Fahli in an interview with beIN Sports. “We are determined to compete for the title this season and, with God’s help, we’ll claim the club’s second continental crown.”

FAR Rabat will go up against fellow Moroccans RS Berkane or Sudan’s Al Hilal in the semi-finals, as they aim to get closer to securing a second continental title, having previously won the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1985 against AS Bilima (now AS Dragons) from what was then Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Esperance knocked out Al Ahly in Cairo after a thriller to reach semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Esperance knock out Al Ahly in Cairo after a thriller to reach semis

Esperance Sportive de Tunis delivered a stunning performance in Cairo, defeating Al Ahly 3-2 on the night and securing a 4-2 aggregate win to advance to the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

After narrowly winning the first leg 1-0 in Rades, the Tunisian giants rallied from an early setback to clinch a late winner, silencing the Cairo International Stadium and dashing the hopes of Africa’s most decorated club.

Backed by a passionate crowd, Al Ahly opened the match with intensity. Their early efforts paid off in the 10th minute when Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” capitalised on defensive confusion to score, levelling the aggregate tie.

Although Al Ahly continued to create chances and control much of the first half, Esperance goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said made crucial saves, leaving the score at 1-0 at halftime.

The second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum as Esperance returned with renewed energy. Theyequalisedd in the 68th minute with a powerful shot from Florian Danho, regaining the aggregate lead. Soon after, a defensive error led to a penalty converted by Mohamed Amine Tougai, putting Esperance ahead 2-1.

Al Ahly fought back with urgency, and an own goal in the 84th minute levelled the match at 2-2, reigniting hope among home fans. As pressure mounted, it was Esperance who struck the final blow. In stoppage time, Hamza Jelassi headed the winning goal in the 94th minute, completing a remarkable turnaround despite his earlier own goal.

The final whistle confirmed Esperance’s semi-final spot, where they will face the winner of Mamelodi Sundowns and Stade Malien. For Al Ahly, this loss brought a disappointing end to their campaign, having dominated portions of both legs.

Meanwhile, Esperance’s determined display underscores their status as serious title contenders and adds another memorable chapter to African club football history.