Category: Football Africa

Grant unveils Zambia 25-man provisional squad June friendlies
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Grant unveils Zambia 25-man provisional squad for June friendlies

Avram Grant, Zambia’s national football coach, has named a preliminary roster of 25 players. The squad will run two friendly games over the FIFA international window. On June 6, they will confront Sudan; four days later, in Morocco, Tunisia.

These friendly games will help Zambia prepare for their World Cup Qualifier matches in Group E. In September, Zambia will host Morocco and then play against Tanzania and Niger in October.

Zambia is also keeping the team engaged before the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will take place in Morocco in December. The team qualified for AFCON by finishing first in Group G with 13 points, ahead of Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Chad. Zambia achieved this through four wins, one draw, and one loss.

The squad will be reduced before the trip to Morocco, but the coaches are open to adding more players before the September qualifiers. Players will undergo fitness tests as part of their preparation for the matches in Morocco.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD

(GOALKEEPERS)

Toaster Nsabata (Zesco), Francis Mwansa (Green Buffaloes), Willard Mwanza (Power Dynamos)

(DEFENDERS)

Gift Mphande (Rishon LeZion-Israel), Dominic Chanda (Power Dynamos), Kabaso Chongo, Killian Kanguluma (both Kabwe Warriors), Obino Chisala (Al Merreikh-Sudan), David Hamansenya (Leganes-Spain), Benedict Chepeshi (Zesco United),

(MIDFIELDERS)

Benson Sakala (Boleslav Mlada-Czech Republic), Miguel Chaiwa (BSC Young Boys-Switzerland), Kings Kangwa (Hapoel Beer’Sheva-Israel), Golden Mafwenta (MFK Vyskov-Czech Republic), Emmanuel Banda (Al Tai-Saudi Arabia), Joshua Mutale (Simba Sc-Tanzania), Kelvin Kapumbu (Zanaco), Owen Tembo (Power Dynamos)

(FORWARDS)

Patson Daka (Leicester City-England), Edward Chilufya (Midtjylland-Denmark), Clatous Chama , Kennedy Musonda (both Young Africans-Tanzania), Lubambo Musonda (Magdeburg-Germany), Kelvin Kampamba (Al Medina-Libya), Joseph Sabobo Banda (FC Zurich-Switzerland).

First leg CAF Champions League final draw between Mamelodi and Pyramids
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

First leg CAF Champions League final draw between Mamelodi and Pyramids

Mamelodi Sundowns drew 1-1 with Pyramids FC in the first leg of the 2024/25 CAF Champions League final on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

Lucas Ribeiro Costa scored in the second half to give Sundowns the lead. However, Pyramids equalised with a late header from Walid El Karti in stoppage time. This late goal sets up an exciting second leg in Cairo next month.

Both teams played carefully in the first half with few chances. Iqraam Rayners and Arthur Sales had shots that went just wide for Sundowns, while Fiston Mayele and Ibrahim Adel tried their luck but were stopped by Sundowns’ goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.

The game became more intense after halftime. Costa scored in the 54th minute after he found a loose ball in the box, sending the local fans into a frenzy. Sundowns could have scored again, but substitutes Peter Shalulile and Neo Maema missed their chances late in the game.

As stoppage time began, Pyramids fought back. Mohanad Lasheen sent a perfect cross to El Karti, who was unmarked in the six-yard box. He scored with a precise header, surprising the home crowd.

This draw keeps the tie balanced before the second leg in Cairo on June 1, where the new CAF Champions League trophy will be awarded. Pyramids remain unbeaten in the knockout stages and achieved an important result in their first final.

Sundowns will feel disappointed about conceding late, but they will hold on to their solid performance as they prepare for the return match.

The match reached fans across 28 countries, showcasing African club football on a global stage. Both teams now focus on their preparation for the crucial match in Cairo, where a new chapter in this major competition will unfold.

Big CAF Champions League showdown between Sundowns and Pyramids
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Big CAF Champions League showdown between Sundowns and Pyramids

Mamelodi Sundowns and Pyramids FC will face off in the first leg of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday, May 24.

Sundowns have reached the Champions League final for the third time, having previously won in 2016 and been runners-up in 2001. This year, they finished second in Group B, behind ASFAR, and advanced to the knockout stage by defeating Esperance de Tunis and Al Ahly on away goals.

After clinching their eighth consecutive domestic championship, Sundowns aim for continental success, though coach Miguel Cardoso noted that the Champions League is tougher than the Betway Premiership.

“With all due respect to the Premiership, this is another level we are going to face,” said Cardoso. “We have a very tough challenge ahead in this Champions League final. We also need to be strong and play high-quality football.”

Pyramids set to compete in their first Champions League final after previously reaching the Confederation Cup final in 2020. They advanced by finishing second in Group D, defeating ASFAR and Orlando Pirates in knockout rounds.

Coach Krunoslav Jurcic has a tactical plan for the first leg, focusing on a balanced approach to counter their opponents’ strengths and weaknesses.

Pyramids and Sundowns have faced each other twice in the current Champions League, with a 0-0 draw in Pretoria and a 1-0 win for Sundowns in Cairo. Sundowns have a record of 10 wins, 9 draws, and 7 losses against Egyptian teams, while Pyramids have 1 win, 3 draws, and 2 losses against South African teams.

The return match will take place at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday, June 1.

Simba set for a tough task against Berkane in CAF Confed Cup final
by Football Sierra Leone

Simba set for a tough task against Berkane in CAF Confed Cup final

Simba will face a tough matchup against a Moroccan side at Amaan Stadium at 16:00 local time (13:00 GMT) on Sunday, May 25th. They lost 2-0 to RSB Berkane in the first leg of the 2025 CAF Confederations Cup final last week.

Coach Fadlu Davids and his team are determined to rise to the occasion in the second leg. Goals from Mamadou Camara and Oussama Lamlaoui provided RSB Berkane with a significant advantage heading into the second leg. David noted that his players felt “overwhelmed” by the situation.

Berkane scores a lot of goals at home in the first 20 minutes due to the pressure. We were tactically prepared but not emotionally ready. My players were a bit overwhelmed by the occasion and the pressure,” Davids said during the post-match press conference after the first leg.

As Simba strives to score in their pursuit of the CAF Confederations Cup title, RSB Berkane’s coach, Mouin Chaâbani, emphasised his team’s aim to secure an away goal to solidify their lead.

“A 2-0 victory in the final is never completely comfortable. It’s just the first leg, and we’ll have to defend our chances until the last second of the return leg. Scoring an away goal can make a huge difference; it’s something we must keep in mind,” Chaâbani stated.

The winners of this year’s CAF Confederation Cup final will receive a brand new trophy.

Malian midfielder Yves Bissouma hails boss Postecoglou after Europa League success
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Malian midfielder Yves Bissouma hails boss Postecoglou after Europa League success

Malian midfielder Yves Bissouma thanked Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou for his support during a tough season. Bissouma described Postecoglou as “a dad or uncle” to the players.

Tottenham is currently in 17th place in the Premier League, with one game left to play. They have lost 25 matches this season, which is the highest number they’ve had since the 1991-92 season.

However, they have a chance to turn things around in the Europa League final against Manchester United on Wednesday. Bissouma said the relationship between the players and Postecoglou has stayed strong, even in hard times.

“It’s never changed. We have a good relationship,” Bissouma, 28, said about Postecoglou. “He’s like a dad or uncle to us. He’s always trying to help us understand what he wants. For us, he’s just Ange. He has his ideas and always protects us.”

Bissouma received a rating of 7 for his solid performance. He won the second-most duels of any Tottenham player in the match, just behind Cristian Romero, and had the second-most tackles, after Destiny Udogie. He is expected to be one of the more underrated players in the team’s success.