Category: Football Africa

Al Ahly, Esperance, Sundowns all set for Intriguing second leg CAF Champions League ties
by Football Sierra Leone

Al Ahly, Esperance, Sundowns all set for Intriguing second leg CAF Champions League ties

The CAF Champions League semi-finals are on the line Tuesday as four teams look to overcome deficits, while others aim to protect slim leads in quarter-finals are entering a critical phase with second-leg matchups set to determine who advances to the final four of Africa’s top club tournament.

Sundowns up against tough Esperance

Mamelodi Sundowns heads into a challenging match against Tunisia’s Esperance Sportive de Tunis with a narrow 1-0 lead. Coach Miguel Cardoso’s squad needs to stay firm to avoid last season’s semi-final disappointments.

Key players include Namibian forward Peter Shalulile and Brazilian playmaker Lucas Ribeiro. Sundowns will rely on their experience against a determined Esperance team aiming for their fifth Champions League title.

Under coach Maher Kanzari, they seek to turn the deficit around, with star player Youcef Belaïli expected to lead their attack. The Tunisian crowd will be a crucial motivator as Esperance looks to make a comeback.

MC Alger seeks revenge against Orlando Pirates

MC Alger faces a tough challenge after losing 1-0 to Orlando Pirates in the opening match in Algiers. The return leg in South Africa presents a significant test for the Algerians, who now must produce a strong away performance to remain in the competition.

Coach José Riveiro’s Pirates are the favorites for the second leg in Johannesburg.

The Buccaneers displayed solid defense in the first encounter, and fans hope to see players like Evidence Makgopa return to scoring form or potentially witness a surprising comeback from Monnapule Saleng, who recently resumed training after an extended absence. MC Alger will aim to harness their belief and character to defy the expectations away from home and turn the tie in their favor.

Pyramids FC are ready but cautious in Morocco

Egypt’s Pyramids FC holds a strong lead in the quarter-finals after a 4-1 victory over Morocco’s Royal Army in Cairo. The team’s attacking trio, consisting of Ibrahim Adel, Ramadan Sobhi, and Fiston Mayele, played a key role.

Coach Krunoslav Jurcic aims to secure their advancement in the upcoming match in Rabat. Despite the setback, Royal Army’s coach, Alexandre Santos, remains hopeful for a comeback on home ground. The match is taking place amid tensions between the clubs due to complaints over fan restrictions and stadium access.

Al Ahly cautious of an upset as Al Hilal prepares for an ambush in Nouakchott.

Al Ahly holds a 1-0 lead against Al Hilal ahead of their second-leg match in Nouakchott, due to security issues in Sudan. Coach Marcel Koller aims for improved offensive play from players like Achraf Bencharki, Imam Ashour, and Wissam Abu Ali, while veteran goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy anchors the defense. 

Cote d'Ivoire down Mali to win Group D and reach U-17 World Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cote d’Ivoire, Mali qualify for quarter-finals and FIFA U17 World Cup  

Cote d’Ivoire showed a strong performance on Monday by defeating Mali 4-2 in their final Group D match at the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

With this result, Cote d’Ivoire finished first in the group with seven points, while Mali ended with six points. Despite the loss, Mali had already qualified for the quarter-finals and the World Cup thanks to earlier wins against Angola and the Central African Republic.

This result allowed them to take first place and second places in the group and secure a spot in the quarter-finals and the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar later this year.

Alynho Haïdara shined for Cote d’Ivoire, scoring two goals in the first 18 minutes—first from open play and then from a penalty kick. Moïse Diarrassouba added a third goal with a great finish just before halftime, giving Cote d’Ivoire a solid 3-0 lead.

Seydou Dembélé scored for Mali during first-half stoppage time. Although Mali got a chance to score again with a penalty in the second half, Dembélé’s shot was saved by the Ivorian goalie. Ndjicoura Bomba later made it 3-2 with a strong shot in the 69th minute.

However, any chance of a comeback ended in added time when Broulaye Cissé scored a spectacular long-range goal to make it 4-2 and secure the win.

In another match, Angola won 6-1 against the Central African Republic but did not advance to the quarter-finals; however, they will get a chance to play in the World Cup playoffs as one of the best third-placed teams.

Uncertainty grips Sierra Leone FA after chaotic Congress
by Football Sierra Leone

Uncertainty grips Sierra Leone FA after chaotic Congress

In the highly anticipated Football Congress of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2025, FIFA and CAF representatives witnessed severe violence and misconduct.

Just prior to the start of the congress, there were several injured individuals, including the President’s Personal Assistant, David Turner. This unexpected act of violence, unprecedented in any sporting event in Sierra Leone, resulting to Ordinary Congress was aborted.

The congress was intended to elect various independent committees for a four-year mandate, specifically the Ethics Board, the SLFA Appeals and Disciplinary Committees, the newly proposed Audit and Compliance Committee, and the electoral bodies.

It was also slated to review and approve newly proposed football statutes, as well as other agenda items typical for annual ordinary congresses, such as the approval of the annual audit report and the budget for the upcoming year.

The behavior of delegates and supporters at the congress has been condemned by a significant portion of Sierra Leoneans, as well as by global football pundits and analysts. It has embarrassed the nation and raised concerns about FIFA’s next steps.

During the congress, there was evident animosity and division within the Executive Committee (EXCO), political divides among delegates, and a desperate scramble for power among leading aspirants. The involvement of government officials and security forces, who appeared to incite problems in favor of certain candidates, further exacerbated the situation.

According to a reliable and knowledgeable source, the only viable option for FIFA in this context is to establish a Normalization Committee due to the level of conflict and incidents that violate FIFA’s policies against third-party interference.

Normally, FIFA would refer such matters to the General Secretary of FIFA and CAF to determine a new attempt at convening the congress. However, due to the extensive violence, reported divisions among EXCO members, and inappropriate behavior towards FIFA and CAF representatives, it is likely that the FIFA Secretariat, responsible for operational affairs and decision-making in the absence of a FIFA Council meeting, will move towards implementing a Normalization Committee.

The source explained that a Normalization Committee would be authorized by FIFA statutes and would be supervised and directed entirely by FIFA. Unlike an elected executive, this committee would be accountable only to FIFA.

The only other alternative would be a more lenient approach involving one more attempt to convene the congress, which is typically pursued when issues are less severe than those currently faced in Sierra Leone.

The source concluded that the FIFA General Secretariat would probably wait for reports from the FIFA and CAF representatives, as well as the General Secretary of the SLFA, before consulting with the Head of the African Division and the CAF General Secretary for a final decision, which could be expected before the end of the week.

Zambia Advance to FIFA U-17 World Cup after Billy Daka's winner
by Football Sierra Leone

Zambia Advance to FIFA U-17 World Cup after Billy Daka’s winner

A crucial goal by Billy Daka in the closing stages of the match helped Zambia secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, eliminating Uganda in the process. This victory also earned Zambia a place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.

Zambia finished second in Group A, following group leaders Morocco, as both teams progressed to the knockout stage of the competition.

The match was highly tactical, with both sides approaching the game cautiously given the stakes involved. Zambia took the lead in the 20th minute when a lapse in concentration by the Ugandan defense allowed Kelvin Chipelu to score, putting the Southern African nation ahead.

Zambia maintained their lead going into halftime with a slight advantage, but Uganda responded aggressively in the second half. Just minutes after the break, Elvis Torach levelled the score for Uganda in the 49th minute.

As the game continued, both teams struggled to break the deadlock until Daka emerged as the hero for Zambia in the 86th minute, scoring the pivotal goal that sent Zambia through to the knockout stages and secured their place in the World Cup.

Senegal play to a goalless draw against Tunisia in U17 AFCON
by Football Sierra Leone

Senegal play to a goalless draw against Tunisia in U17 AFCON

Defending champions Senegal must wait until the final day of group matches to officially secure their place in the quarterfinals of TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

In their second group encounter on Friday, Senegal and Tunisia played to a stalemate, ending in a 0-0 draw in a tough contest within Group C.

Although Senegal controlled possession, they could not break through the well-organized defense of the North Africans, who were steadfast in both defensive and offensive efforts throughout the game.

Following a slim 1-0 win against The Gambia in their initial match, Senegal aimed to secure a spot in the quarterfinals early. Conversely, Tunisia, after a strong start with a 3-0 victory over first-timers Somalia, sought to achieve an upset.

With both sides earning a point, the concluding match day of the group phase is set to be thrilling. Senegal will take on Somalia in a crucial must-win match, while Tunisia is set to face The Gambia, who still hold a slim chance of progressing from this tough Group C.

Both matches on Match Day 3 are scheduled for Monday, April 7. The two teams finishing at the top of the group will not only ensure a quarterfinal spot but also earn the chance to represent Africa at the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year.