Category: Football Africa

Noah Makanza's brace helps DRC's U20 Improve qualification chances
by Football Sierra Leone

Noah Makanza’s brace helps DRC’s U20 Improve qualification chances

DR Congo won 3-1 against the Central African Republic (CAR) in Group C of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations on Monday. This victory helps DR Congo’s chances of reaching the knockout stage.

Noah Makanza scored two goals, and Samuel Ntanda added a late header to secure the win at the New Suez Stadium. With this result, DR Congo now has four points after an opening 1-1 draw with Ghana.

CAR took an early lead with a goal from Raphael Nzabakomada in the 10th minute. However, DR Congo quickly responded. After missing a first-half penalty, Makanza scored to equalize just minutes later, finishing the first half at 1-1.

DR Congo started the second half strong and took the lead five minutes in when Makanza scored his second goal with a close-range shot. Ntanda then closed the match with a goal in the 59th minute, heading in a cross from Messy Manitu after a fast counterattack.

Coach Guy Bukasa had told his team to stay focused and play aggressively to beat a strong team like CAR. The players listened well and played with discipline.

In the final minutes, CAR tried to come back with several shots, but they could not get past DR Congo’s defense. This result leaves CAR with only one point after two matches, having drawn with Senegal in their first game. Their chances of moving forward now depend on their last group match.

DR Congo, however, is in a good position as they prepare for their next match against the defending champions Senegal. The Congolese team remains unbeaten in the tournament and showed better teamwork, taking more shots on target and winning more duels during the game.

Later, Senegal faced Ghana in another important match in Group C.

π„π π²π©π­π’πšπ§ 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐒-𝐃𝐨𝐩𝐒𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐒𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐒𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐒𝐬𝐒𝐭 π’π’πžπ«π«πš π‹πžπ¨π§πž π”πŸπŸŽ 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐑𝐞 𝐒𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩π₯𝐚𝐲𝐒𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐒𝐫
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

π„π π²π©π­π’πšπ§ 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐒-𝐃𝐨𝐩𝐒𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐒𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐒𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐒𝐬𝐒𝐭 π”πŸπŸŽ 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐑𝐞 𝐒𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩π₯𝐚𝐲𝐒𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐒𝐫

As part of an instructional outreach for the U20 Cup of Nations, the Egyptian Anti-Doping Organization, EGY-NADO, working in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football, which tests, educate, and support Egyptian athletes in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency, recently visited the Sierra Leone and the Egyptian U-20 team.

The EGY-NADO team talked to officials and players from both teams during the visit about the dangers related to taking any kind of forbidden drug as athletes. They offered direction on how to avoid consuming banned substances or employing unauthorized techniques by outlining the rights and responsibilities of athletes.

Fair play in sports means competing based on skill and training, not using performance-enhancing drugs. Speakers warned that banned substances can cause lasting harm and stressed that strict rules are essential to maintain fairness in sports.

EGY-NADO officials cautioned medical personnel and athletes alike regarding their right to know what they were putting into their bodies. They went on to detail a few of the prohibited drugs and techniques physicians and athletes must be aware of in order to safeguard the players’ welfare.

Among the prohibited drugs are steroids, EPO/blood doping agents, stimulants, diuretics, masking agents, and Beta-2 agonists. The presentation also addressed what qualifies as a Doping Violation (ADRVs), the procedures used in doping control, and who is qualified for testing.

CAF Hosts Life Skills Lectures for Sierra Leone and Egypt U20 teams
by FSL News

CAF Hosts Life Skills Lectures for Sierra Leone and Egypt U20 teams

On Sunday, May 4th, the Confederation of African Football conducted a motivational and life skills workshop for the Sierra Leone and Egypt U-20 teams, including their coaches, at the Mercure Hotel in Ismailia.

Emphasizing mental preparation and future planning, the session aimed to equip young footballers for life beyond their playing careers.

The workshop was moderated by former Nigerian international and AFCON 1994 winner Daniel Amokachi, alongside Walter Steenbok, former Technical Director of the South African Football Association. Both are members of the CAF Technical Study Group and brought valuable insight to the session.

Amokachi praised the players’ dedication, acknowledging their strong performance and Group A leadership. He stressed the importance of building healthy relationships, making smart investments, and acquiring additional skills to ensure a stable future.

He encouraged players to pursue education and consider roles such as coaching, administration, and mentoring to help shape their post-football careers.

Steenbok commended the teams’ intensity and addressed both short- and long-term career strategies. He highlighted the importance of mentorship and leadership in a footballer’s journey, encouraging players to take on active leadership roles for personal and professional growth.

The young Sierra Leonean players left the session inspired and grateful for the guidance.

Many saw it as a turning point, reminding them that success goes beyond the pitch. With renewed focus, they embraced the path of discipline, education, and leadership as vital parts of their football journey.

Walter Steenbok, former Technical Director of the South African Football Association and Sierra Leone U20 skipper Momoh I Kamara
Walter Steenbok, former Technical Director of the South African Football Association and Sierra Leone U20 skipper Momoh I Kamara
Emphasizing mental preparation and future planning, the session aimed to equip young footballers for life beyond their playing careers.
Emphasizing mental preparation and future planning, the session aimed to equip young footballers for life beyond their playing careers
Egypt and Zambia share Group A U20 Cup of Nations spoils
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt and Zambia share Group A U20 Cup of Nations spoils

Egypt was held to a goalless draw by Zambia in their second Group A match at the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025 on Saturday night in Ismailia.

This result gives Egypt four points from two games, following a win against South Africa and a loss to Sierra Leone. Zambia also has two draws, including one against Sierra Leone.

Both teams showed attacking intent, but neither could score. Egypt came close in the 67th minute when Ahmed Kabaka hit the crossbar, and Mohamed Zaalouk missed a chance from close range. Zambia had scoring opportunities too, with David Simukonda missing a key shot in stoppage time.

In the first half, both teams tested each other, with Egypt’s Mohamed Abdallah forcing a save from Zambia’s goalkeeper, Leevison Banda. Egypt added fresh players in the second half, hoping to break the deadlock, but Zambia defended well.

Sierra Leone leads Group A with six points after beating Tanzania 1-0. Egypt is in second place, while Zambia has two points and needs to win in their final game to advance.

Egypt must avoid defeat in their last match to progress, facing pressure from their home fans after the loss to Sierra Leone.

No winners in Group C after opening U20 AFCON matches
by Football Sierra Leone

Ghana, Senegal register opening draws in Group C U20 AFCON matches

After four teams fought to a 1-1 draw on Friday in the U20 African Cup of Nations in Egypt, Group C had no opening winners .

In a fiercely fought Group C match at the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, reigning champions Senegal drew 1-1 with the Central African Republic. Senegal grabbed advantage in the 49th minute following a scoreless first half with a header from Cheikh Thiam.

But Central African Republic leveled in the 74th minute when replacement Diogène Pengazonia scored from a through ball. Both teams were unable to find a victor even after generating several opportunities, including a near header from Thiam.

Senegal will get ready to face Ghana despite having control of the CAR aims to grow on this performance against DR Congo.

In their first Group C encounter at the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Ghana decided on a 1-1 tie with DR Congo. With Samuel Ntanda’s header in the 16th minute, DR Congo got off to an early lead; eight minutes later, Ghana leveled the score with Musibau Aziz.

Ghana couldn’t find the net once more despite controlling the ball and driving for a second-half winner; some close attempts included a saved Aziz header. The resilience shown by both sides helped the game to end in a draw, therefore all four teams in the group were tied on one point.