Category: Football Africa

Stalemate between Ahly and Inter Miami in Club World Cup opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Stalemate between Al Ahly and Inter Miami in Club World Cup opener

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicked off with an electrifying clash at the iconic Hard Rock Stadium, where African powerhouse Al Ahly faced off against the dazzling Inter Miami, featuring global superstar Lionel Messi.

The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, but the match ended in a stalemate, a testament to the determination and resilience of both teams.

The opening moments of the first half took a heartbreaking turn for the Egyptian champions when Emam Ashour was forced to leave the pitch in tears, succumbing to a painful shoulder injury just 12 minutes into the game. His departure brought debutant Ahmed Sayed Zizo into the fray, igniting hope among the Al Ahly supporters.

As the game progressed, Al Ahly found themselves on the cusp of taking the lead late in the first half. Zizo, who had just stepped onto the field, was brought down in the penalty area, setting the stage for a potentially game-changing moment. However, in a twist of fate, Trezeguet, marking his return to Al Ahly, missed the penalty kick, leaving the scoreline untouched and the crowd in disbelief.

On the other end, Inter Miami threatened to break the deadlock with dangerous plays led by Messi and Luis Suárez. Yet, the steadfast Mohamed El Shenawy stood resolute in goal, delivering two spectacular saves during injury time that secured a hard-fought clean sheet for his team.

Javier Mascherano, head coach of Inter Miami, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance despite not winning. He noted their dominance in controlling the game and creating chances. He highlighted the importance of starting the season with a win.

Jose Riveiro, head coach of Al Ahly, reflected on the game’s challenges, mentioning missed opportunities in the first half and difficulties in maintaining defensive structure in the second half. He remarked on the unexpected atmosphere of playing in the U.S. compared to Cairo during his first official match with the team.

Both clubs left the pitch with a reward of $1 million each, reflecting FIFA’s incentive structure for the group stage draw.

Looking ahead, Al Ahly will next challenge the formidable Brazilian side Palmeiras on Thursday, June 19, at 7 PM Cairo time, in a pivotal Group A showdown. They will conclude their group campaign against FC Porto on June 23, with eyes set on further glory in this prestigious tournament.

DR Congo's Mbemba announces his departure from Marseille
by Football Sierra Leone

DR Congo’s Mbemba announces his departure from Marseille

Chancel Mbemba, the DR Congo international, has confirmed that he will leave Olympique de Marseille at the end of June 2025. The centre-back missed the entire 2024/25 season due to injury.

At 30 years old, Mbemba announced that his contract with the French Ligue 1 club is coming to an end. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Olympique de Marseille and its supporters, stating, “My contract wraps up on June 30, and I want to thank Olympique de Marseille and all its fans. I gave my all during my time here, which has made me part of the club’s history. I truly enjoyed two wonderful seasons with the team.”

He also extended his best wishes for the club’s future, noting that there are talented players ready to step in. “I wish Marseille all the best. My journey here ends on the 30th, but I’m confident there are plenty of strong defenders—better than me—who can come to Marseille. The key thing is: Go OM!” he added.

Mbemba has been an essential player for the Congolese national team, enjoying the backing of coach Sébastien Desabre.

“Nobody believed in me at Marseille, but coach Sébastien Desabre and the entire Congolese community had faith in me, and I worked hard to keep my performance at its peak.”

With eyes set on a summer transfer, he is keen to secure a place in the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place in Morocco.

Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey wins Fulham's Player of the Year
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigerian defender Calvin Bassey wins Fulham’s Player of the Year

Calvin Bassey has been awarded the title of Fulham’s Player of the Season for the 2024/25 campaign.

Following a commendable second-place finish in his inaugural season last year, Bassey has improved his performance, securing the top position in the final voting.

A remarkably reliable presence in defence, Bassey participated in all but three of the Premier League matches as the team achieved a record points total. His pace, strength, and composure while advancing the ball from the back have been integral to the team’s success.

Additionally, he made significant contributions to the offensive effort, scoring two crucial goals: the decisive goal in the victory against the formidable Nottingham Forest and the opening goal during the memorable Emirates FA Cup triumph at Old Trafford.

In expressing his gratitude, Bassey stated, “I extend my thanks to all who voted for me as Player of the Season. I must acknowledge God; without divine support, I would not be where I am today.

“I also wish to express my appreciation to my teammates, including those no longer at the Club, who have supported my development.

“I am particularly grateful to the coaching staff and the Manager for their trust and belief in my capabilities. I hope that we can achieve remarkable success in the forthcoming season, and I appreciate the support provided by all.”

Calvin Bassey (39.6%), Alex Iwobi (21.5%), Antonee Robinson (19.9%)

Bernd Leno (10.9%) and Saša Lukić (8.1%)

Al Ahly named Squad for FIFA Club World Cup tournament
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly and Messi’s Inter Miami to open FIFA Club World Cup tournament

Al Ahly’s coach, José Riveiro, has announced the team that will compete in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

Al Ahly will start the tournament on June 15 with a match against the host team, Inter Miami. In the group stage, they will also play Brazilian club Palmeiras on June 19 and the Portuguese side Porto on June 24.

The referees for the matches are: main referee Ali Reza Faghani, first assistant Anton Shchetin, second assistant Ashley Beecham, and fourth referee Simon Marciniak.

In their last game, Al Ahly drew 1-1 with Pachuca in a friendly match. Inter Miami won their last match 5-1 against the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.

Al Ahly, a top team in Egypt, has won the CAF Champions League three times in the past five years. This success gives them their tenth chance to play in the Club World Cup. On the other hand, Inter Miami’s route to the tournament was less straightforward. They won the 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield for having the best seasonal record but lost 3-2 to Atlanta in the playoffs.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said this performance earned Inter a spot in the Club World Cup. With coach Javier Mascherano, star players Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets will lead Inter, making them favourites to start strong in Group A.

Hull City sign Moroccan midfielder de Reda Laalaoui
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Hull City sign Moroccan midfielder Reda Laalaoui

The English club signed the 20-year-old player to a four-year contract, with an option for one more year. They reached the agreement on Thursday, June 12, 2025, for an undisclosed fee.

Laalaoui is recognized for his strong capabilities in both defensive and offensive play. He is regarded as one of the most promising young talents in Moroccan football.

His endurance, physical attributes, and technical abilities set him apart. His skill has attracted attention beyond the borders of Morocco.

Upon signing for the Tigers, Laalaoui said: “I am really happy to join Hull City. It is a historic club in England and I am looking forward to helping the team and making the supporters happy.

“It’s a well-known team in England and one of my dreams was to play in England. As you know, it’s one of the best leagues in the world and I am here to improve myself and it’s important for my development.

I always work hard for the team and I play with a lot of grit. I always play to win and I am here to win.

I am looking forward to seeing the fans at the MKM Stadium and I will do my best to make them happy.”

Laalaoui showcased impressive performance with the Moroccan junior national team during the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, which took place from April 27 to May 18, 2025.

This season, he participated in 23 matches for his club, FUS Rabat, in the Moroccan league (Botola Pro), netting 4 goals and assisting 3 times.