Category: Football Africa

Jonathan Bamba contributes to Chicago's dominant victory over DC United
by FSL News

Jonathan Bamba contributes to Chicago’s dominant victory over DC United

Ivorian Jonathan Bamba and Osman Bukari played key roles in helping the Chicago Fire and Austin FC secure victories in Major League Soccer on Saturday.

At Audi Field, Chicago quickly took the lead against DC United, scoring twice in the first 24 minutes, including a goal from Ivorian winger Bamba. Bamba also assisted on Tom Barlow’s second goal, contributing to a surprising 7-1 victory.

Despite leaving the game due to injury, he has been a standout player for Chicago, scoring three goals and providing seven assists in 16 league matches for the ninth-place team in the Eastern Conference.

In the second match of the day, Austin FC also won, thanks to Bukari, who provided an assist in their 2-0 victory over Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. The Ghanaian winger crossed the ball to Mikkel Desler, who scored the opening goal in the 6th minute.

With this win, Austin ended a six-match winless streak. Bukari now has one goal and three assists in eighteen MLS games this season, including three assists in his last five matches.

League action concludes on Sunday with three matches, including Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga facing Sporting Kansas City. During the international window, MLS saw limited activity, with only two games on Saturday.

At Audi Field, the Chicago Fire took an early lead against DC United, with Jonathan Bamba scoring the second goal in the 24th minute, leading to a dominant 7-1 win. Bamba also assisted Tom Barlow and has recorded three goals and seven assists this season, helping Chicago to ninth in the Eastern Conference.

Meanwhile, Austin FC defeated Colorado Rapids 2-0, thanks in part to Osman Bukari, who assisted Mikkel Desler’s opening goal in the sixth minute.

This victory allowed Austin FC to break a six-match winless streak. Bukari’s contributions this season now include one goal and three assists in eighteen MLS games, with three assists in his last five matches.

As the weekend concludes, league action will continue on Sunday with three games, including Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga facing Sporting Kansas City.

Nigeria's Super Eagles come from behind to draw with Russia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria’s Super Eagles come from behind to draw with Russia

The Super Eagles arrived in Moscow feeling confident after winning the Unity Cup in west London last week. They were able to secure a 1-1 result even without several key players, such as Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi, Ademola Lookman, and Ola Aina.

These absences gave chances to players like Victor Boniface and Christantus Uche, but Tolu Arokodare stood out the most. He has now shown that he deserves to start in the important World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa later this year.

The hosts took the lead just before the half-hour mark through an unfortunate own goal by Semi Ajayi, who redirected Danil Krugovoy’s cross into his own net.

In the 71st minute, Nigeria’s Arokodare seized a moment of carelessness from Russian goalkeeper Matvey Safonov, collecting a poor pass and scoring with a low shot.

Despite facing more Russian attacks, Nigeria held on for a draw, but their overall performance was disappointing.

International friendlies: Morocco, Cameroon and the Gambia all register wins
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

International friendlies: Morocco, Cameroon and the Gambia register wins

On Friday, African national teams were busy testing their prowess during the June FIFA window. While some top teams played in Europe, several matches between African teams took place in Morocco.

In Morocco, Cameroon, Niger, Burundi, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic all won their matches. In Marrakech, Cameroon beat Uganda 3-0.

Cameroon scored through set pieces. Flavien Boyomo and Jean Batoum scored their first goals for the team with headers from corner kicks. Patrick Soko also scored his first goal for the national team, assisted by captain Vincent Aboubakar.

Earlier, Gambia beat Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in Marrakech, with both goals from Adama Sidibeh. Gambia will face Uganda next, while Equatorial Guinea will play Cameroon on Monday in Morocco.

In Casablanca, Niger faced Gabon in an exciting match that ended 4-3 in favor of Niger. Youssouf Oumarou and Oumar Sako each scored, and Daniel Sosah added two goals. Jim Allevinah, Andre Biyogho Poko, and Guelor Kanga scored for Gabon.

In Mohammedia, Burkina Faso bounced back from a recent loss to defeat Zimbabwe 2-0. New signing Stephane Aziz Ki scored first in the 22nd minute, followed by Cyriaque Irie, who scored just before halftime.

Burundi achieved a 1-0 victory over Guinea-Bissau in Casablanca, with Bienvenue Kanakimana scoring the only goal from a cross.

In another match, the Central African Republic came from behind to defeat Mauritania. Hemeya Tanjy scored a penalty for Mauritania, but Gabriel Oualengbe equalized, and Paul Guinari scored the winner in stoppage time.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1931246271198548171

Uganda's Cranes set for International friendly doubleheader
by FSL News

Uganda’s Cranes set for International friendly doubleheader

Uganda Cranes have finished selecting their squad in Marrakech, Morocco against Cameroon on Friday, June 6, and the Gambia on Monday, June 9—as the Cranes prepare for upcoming competitive matches.

Bobosi Byaruhanga, Elio Capradossi, Jordan Obita, Allan Oyirwoth, Isaac Muleme, and Elvis Bwomono have joined the team, increasing the total number of players to 27.

Striker Steven Mukwala will not be joining the team due to a minor injury he sustained while playing for Simba SC in Tanzania.

Wigan Athletic defender Toby Sibbick was the first of the eight foreign-based players to arrive at the training camp. With Mukwala’s injury, there are now seven foreign players available.

The team will hold its second training session this evening in Marrakech, with all players expected to participate.

Full Uganda Cranes Squad in Marrakech:

Goalkeepers

Isima Watenga (Golden Arrows, South Africa)

Nafian Alionzi (Defence Forces, Ethiopia)

Joel Mutakubwa (BUL FC, Uganda)

Hannington Sebwalunyo (NEC FC, Uganda)

Defenders

Elvis Bwomono (St Mirren, Scotland)

Nico Wadada (Vipers SC, Uganda)

Elio Capradossi (AS Cittadella, Italy)

Arnold Odong (SC Villa, Uganda)

Toby Sibbick (Wigan Athletic, England)

Hilary Mukundane (Vipers SC, Uganda)

Jordan Obita (Hibernian FC, Scotland)

Isaac Muleme (Viktoria Žižkov, Czech Republic)

Midfielders

Bobosi Byaruhanga (Oakland Roots, USA)

Kenneth Semakula (Club Africain, Tunisia)

Allan Oyirwoth (New England Revolution, USA)

Enock Ssebagala (NEC FC, Uganda)

Abdu Karim Watambala (Vipers SC, Uganda)

Allan Okello (Vipers SC, Uganda)

Travis Mutyaba (Bordeaux, France)

Forwards

Dennis Omedi (APR FC, Rwanda)

Hakim Kiwanuka (APR FC, Rwanda)

Shafik Nana Kwikiriza (KCCA FC, Uganda)

Rogers Mato (FK Vardar, North Macedonia)

Usama Arafat (KCCA FC, Uganda)

Patrick Jonah Kakande (SC Villa, Uganda)

Ivan Ahimbisibwe (URA FC, Uganda)

Mohammad Shaban

Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu pens new Espérance deal
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu pens new Espérance deal

Tunisian club Espérance Sportive de Tunis has extended Nigerian midfielder Onuche Ogbelu’s contract.

The 22-year-old’s old contract was set to end in 2026, but now he will stay with the club until June 2028. This extension shows the club’s strong belief in him as a promising young player for the upcoming season.

Ogbelu is a key player in Espérance’s midfield. Since joining from Nigeria’s Fosla Academy in September 2023, he has made 53 appearances. He has also helped the team win two Tunisian Ligue 1 titles, one Tunisian Cup, and one Tunisian Super Cup.

His most memorable moment came when he scored the winning goal with a powerful shot from outside the box in the Tunisian Cup final against Club Sportif de la Médina de Tunis. This performance established him as a big-game player.

Espérance acted quickly to secure his future due to growing interest from other clubs in Africa and Europe.