Category: Sport News

Mali and Senegal set for West Africa AFCON derby
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali and Senegal set for West Africa AFCON derby

The first quarter-final match of the 2025 AFCON features Senegal, the 2021 champions, against Mali, who finished as the 1972 runners.

Both teams from West Africa are unbeaten in the tournament so far. Senegal has scored 10 goals thus far in Morocco, including a 3-1 win over Sudan in the Last-16.

In contrast, Mali has been grinding out results by drawing all three of their group stage matches before eliminating Tunisia with 10 players in their Last-16 match.

Both teams play a physical game, setting up an intense showdown at the Tangier Stadium in this exciting West African Derby. Mali finished third in 2012 and 2013.

In their history, the teams have played against each other 34 times. Mali has won 8 matches, while Senegal has won 14, and they have drawn 10 times. Mali has scored 32 goals, while Senegal has scored 43.

Their first meeting took place in 1963, which Mali won 3-1 in an international friendly on February 23.

Mali’s coach, Tom Saintfiet, is known for being a great strategist. Eliminating Tunisia with 10 men is a tough task. However, out of the eight Nations, so far, only Mali has yet to claim the tournament title, although they did come close as the runners-up in 1972.

9 January – Tangier – Mali – Senegal 5 PM
Youngster Jalil Conteh signs first professional contract
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Youngster Jalil Conteh signs first professional contract

Youngster Jalil Conteh has signed his first professional contract with AFC Bournemouth. The 17-year-old will stay with the club until at least the summer of 2028.

Conteh joined Bournemouth on a scholarship six months ago after leaving Chelsea. Since then, he has impressed in both the under-18 team and the development squad.

“I’m really happy,” Conteh said about his contract. “I have worked hard for this, and I thank God for the opportunity. This is my dream since childhood. I won’t take it for granted; I will keep going and pushing.”

He added, “I’ve settled here now and I’m really enjoying it. I like the exciting counter-attacking football the club plays. The first team shares a philosophy with the academy, which is important to me. I just want to stay fit, avoid injuries, and put in good performances. If I score goals, everything else will come in time.”

Sam Gisborne, the Head of Academy, said, “Jalil joined us from Chelsea last summer. He had a small injury but has returned and made an impact in the FA Youth Cup. He has also played for our development squad several times.”

Blockbuster AFCON 2025 quarter-finals line up confirmed
by Football Sierra Leone

High-profile Cup of Nations quarter-finals line-up confirmed

The quarterfinal lineup for the Africa Cup of Nations was finalized on Tuesday. Algeria and the defending champion, Ivory Coast, secured the last spots.

Algeria won 1-0 against Congo thanks to a great goal from Adil Boulbina in extra time. Ivory Coast advanced with a 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso, with both Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande scoring and assisting each other. Bazoumana Touré completed the Elephants’ win.

Next, the Ivory Coast will play Egypt in Agadir on Saturday, while Algeria faces Nigeria in Marrakech.

On Friday, Mali will take on Senegal, the 2021 winner, in the first quarterfinal in Tangier. Meanwhile, host nation Morocco will play five-time winner Cameroon at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, which holds nearly 70,000 fans.

The winner here will also compete in the semifinal and final on January 18 if they advance.

The winner of Morocco’s match against Cameroon will meet the winner of Algeria vs. Nigeria on January 14. The other semifinal will feature the winners of Mali vs. Senegal and Egypt vs. Ivory Coast, and it will take place in Tangier earlier that same day.

Amad Diallo on target as Côte d'Ivoire cruise past Burkina Faso
by FSL News

Amad Diallo on target as Côte d’Ivoire cruise past Burkina Faso

In-form Manchester United winger, Amad Diallo scored the Côte d'Ivoire opener as they secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Burkina Faso on Tuesday night in Marrakesh, advancing to the quarter-finals of the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The defending champions continue their quest for back-to-back titles, with Amad Diallo playing a crucial role by scoring the opening goal and assisting the second.

The Ivorians dominated from the start, with Diallo and Yan Diomandé posing constant threats to the Burkinabè defence. Diallo capitalised on a defensive error to chip in the first goal in the 20th minute, followed by Diomandé’s accurate finish from Diallo’s cross twelve minutes later.

Burkina Faso nearly scored before halftime when Dango Ouattara hit the post. The Stallions started the second half strongly but could not break through a disciplined Ivorian defence. Ousmane Diomandé sealed the victory with a goal in the 87th minute.

Amad Diallo was named Man of the Match, praising the team’s chemistry and collective effort. Burkina Faso’s coach Brama Traoré expressed disappointment over missing key players, while Côte d’Ivoire’s Emerse Faé highlighted the team’s quick reactions when losing possession and the strength of the collective performance.

Adil Boulbina's last-gasp striker won it for Algeria
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Adil Boulbina’s last-gasp strike won it for Algeria

Algeria moved on to the Africa Cup of Nations after a late goal from substitute Boulbina. He worked with Zerrouki before cutting inside and scoring a stunning shot into the top corner.

This was the 22-year-old’s first goal for Algeria and a crucial goal that helped his team reach the tournament quarter-finals, where they will face Nigeria on Friday.

In a tense match that ended goalless in regular time, Boulbina scored the winning goal in the 118th minute, just five minutes after he came off the bench. He made a strong run inside from the right and curled a great shot past the goalkeeper, Lionel Mpasi-Nzau, who had kept DR Congo in the game for most of the match.

Despite neither team scoring a goal in the first 90 minutes, the match went to extra time as both teams struggled to find the net. The Algerians managed to find a way to win.

The goal finally broke the deadlock between two closely matched teams that had cancelled each other out during regular time and the early part of extra time. The game was marked by discipline, physical play, and missed opportunities.

Algeria started strong, controlling the ball and being aggressive, but they had difficulty creating clear chances against the solid Congolese defence. Mpasi-Nzau, the DR Congo goalkeeper, was not tested much in the first half.

DR Congo looked dangerous on counterattacks. Cedric Bakambu nearly scored in the first half, forcing Luca Zidane into a good save. Then, Axel Tuanzebe’s header from the resulting corner went just wide.

Algeria is now set to compete in the quarter-finals against Nigeria in Marrakesh, as their pursuit of a second AFCON title in six years gains traction.