Category: Football Africa

RS Berkane 2-0 Simba SC
by Football Sierra Leone

RS Berkane win to gain first-leg advantage over Simba SC

The much-anticipated RS Berkane vs Simba SC showdown in the CAF Confederation Cup final lived up to expectations as Moroccan club RS Berkane claimed a crucial 2-0 victory in the first leg at Berkane Municipal Stadium on Saturday.

The match marked the first part of the two-legged Simba SC CAF final journey, where the Tanzanian giants faced a strong and determined RS Berkane side. The win puts RS Berkane on the brink of securing their third continental title.

Strong Start for RS Berkane

RS Berkane dominated from the outset. In the 8th minute, Mamadou Camara opened the scoring with a powerful header from a Hamza El Moussaoui corner. Just six minutes later, Oussama Lamlaoui added a second goal, converting a sharp pass from Imad Riahi to make it RS Berkane 2-0 Simba SC early in the game.

Simba SC’s Missed Opportunities

Despite the early setback, Simba SC created chances to get back into the match. Leonel Ateba and Elie Mpanzu came close to scoring, but RS Berkane’s defense and goalkeeper Hamza Hamiani were solid throughout. Simba’s struggle deepened when midfielder Abdulrazack Hamza exited the match due to injury.

VAR Drama & Late Action

In the second half, RS Berkane had a third goal ruled out by VAR in the 60th minute for offside. Still, they continued to threaten through counterattacks, with Issoufou Dayo and Mateus Santos nearly adding to the scoreline. Simba SC held on, avoiding further damage ahead of the return leg.

Second Leg All to Play For

The second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup final is set for Sunday, 25 May at 15:00 GMT, where Simba SC will need to overturn the deficit to win their first continental trophy. Meanwhile, RS Berkane are one step closer to lifting their continental title for the third time.

El Abdellaoui strike helps Morocco set U20 final date with South Africa
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

El Abdellaoui strike helps Morocco set U20 final date with South Africa

Morocco Beats Egypt to Reach CAF U 20 Africa Cup of Nations Final

Morocco has secured their spot in the final of the CAF U 20 Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Egypt 1-0 in a tense semi-final clash on Thursday. The Morocco U20 team displayed great discipline and composure to advance.

CAF U 20 Africa Cup of Nations Semi-Final: A Tight Encounter

The match was closely contested, with both teams fighting hard for dominance. Egypt controlled the early phases but failed to break through Morocco’s organized defense. As the game progressed, Morocco gradually took control, with midfielders Reda Laalaoui and Hossam Essadak playing key roles.

El Abdellaoui’s Winning Goal

The turning point came in the 77th minute when substitute Jones El Abdellaoui scored from a perfectly delivered cross by Ismaël Aouad. The goal lifted Morocco and left Egypt chasing an equalizer.

Morocco’s Defense Shuts Down Egypt

Despite Egypt’s late push through players like Ahmed Kabaka and Mohamed Raafat, the Morocco U20 team stood firm. Their solid backline ensured they held on to their lead and kept a clean sheet.

What’s Next for the Final?

This win puts Morocco in the final of the CAF U 20, where they will face South Africa, who also won their CAF U-20 semi-final 1-0 against Nigeria. Meanwhile, Egypt will play Nigeria for third place.

Houssam Essadak claims Man of the Match award after a standout performance
Houssam Essadak claims Man of the Match award after a standout performance
Morocco's U-20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi aims for a win against Egypt
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco’s U-20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi aims for a win against Egypt

Morocco U-20 coach Mohamed Ouahbi says his team will show “respect, focus, and ambition” in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations against Egypt.

Morocco has already qualified for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile and now aims for the continental title. Thursday’s match in Cairo is a key opportunity.

“We respect the Egyptian national team. They are strong and determined,” Ouahbi said at a pre-match press conference. “But we want to win this championship. We achieved our first goal by qualifying for the World Cup—now we want to finish the job.”

Egypt reached the semi-finals after defeating Ghana in a penalty shootout. Morocco advanced with a narrow 1-0 victory over Sierra Leone, thanks to an own goal.

Despite Egypt having home advantage, Ouahbi emphasizes that Morocco will focus on their own game. “We don’t worry about referees or the crowd. We focus on our game plan and seizing our chances,” he explained. This strategy has kept Morocco unbeaten in the tournament.

The match will be at Cairo’s June 30 Stadium at 18:00 GMT. 

Ouahbi feels that qualifying for the World Cup has relieved pressure on his players. “They were thrilled to make history, but they want more. We come to win,” he said.

This is Morocco’s first semi-final appearance since 2005, and a win would take them to their first final in nearly 40 years while chasing their first continental title.

The semi-final will be intense, as both teams are known for their discipline and skill. The winner will face Nigeria or South Africa in the final on Sunday.

For Ouahbi, the goal is clear: “This group has given everything. Now we want to give our country something to celebrate.”

Egypt's U20 coach Osama Nabih calls for fighting spirit against Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s U20 coach Osama Nabih calls for fighting spirit against Morocco

Egypt’s coach Osama Nabih declared that his team will fight “with strength and courage” as they prepare to face Morocco in Thursday’s semi-final of the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025.

The match at Cairo’s June 30 Stadium promises to be exciting, featuring North African rivals driven by national pride. Kick-off is at 18:00 GMT on Thursday.

Following a thrilling quarter-final win over Ghana that secured Egypt’s place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, the young Pharaohs are focused on achieving continental success at home.

Nabih described the match as “like an Arab final,” acknowledging Morocco as a strong opponent that has been impressive at all levels.

Egypt reached the semi-finals after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Ghana, winning 5-4 in penalties, which also marked their return to the World Cup for the first time since 2011.

“The pressure to qualify was heavy,” Nabih admitted, noting that the players have gained mental stability since their success.

He also reflected on the tournament’s competitiveness, highlighting that all four semi-final teams were initially in the same group.

Egypt will face a Moroccan side that narrowly beat Sierra Leone 1-0 in their quarter-final.

Morocco remains unbeaten and boasts a strong defense, having kept three clean sheets in four matches.

Midfielder Ahmed Khaled “Kabaka” believes the team’s resolve is stronger than ever.

“We’ve vowed to fight until the end,” he stated, emphasizing that the World Cup qualification has boosted their morale.

Following a thrilling quarter-final win over Ghana that secured Egypt's place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, the young Pharaohs are focused on achieving continental success at home
Following a thrilling quarter-final win over Ghana that secured Egypt's place in the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, the young Pharaohs are focused on achieving continental success at home
CAF holds Women's Media Officers Workshop in Rabat, Morocco
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF holds Women’s Media Officers Workshop in Rabat, Morocco

The first CAF Women’s Media Officers Workshop has started in Rabat, Morocco, with twenty participants, mostly women from various African regions. (By Marie Esther Samura, Participant )

The workshop, themed “Her Path: Born Winner,” aims to help media officers improve their skills in media operations and communication strategies, supporting CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe’s goal of increasing women’s representation in African football.

The first day, May 13th, featured an introduction to the CAF Future Media Officers Program by Mr. Luxolo September, who highlighted advancements in CAF’s media operations since 2021 and emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust and empowering women in the field.

CAF Media Manager Charlotte Eyoum discussed the CAF Women’s Football Events and Opportunities Program, noting successful training sessions that have increased visibility for women media officers and connected them with experienced professionals.

Media Consultant Christophe Kukawka covered media facility planning in stadiums and the importance of staffing and training. He also introduced the New Media Mixed Zone concept and provided an overview of press operations.

Sheriff Hassan, CAF’s Head of Digital and Marketing, spoke about the federation’s digital platform, highlighting improvements in the production and global distribution of football content.

The day concluded with a panel discussion featuring women journalists and football administrators, focusing on the challenges women face in a male-dominated industry.