Category: Football Africa

Ghana U20 beat Central African Republic to top Group A
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ghana U20 beat Central African Republic to top Group A

Ghana U20 won a tough match against the Central African Republic (CAR) 1-0 on Thursday. This victory allowed them to top Group C and secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt 2025.

Joseph Opoku scored the only goal in the 84th minute at the Suez Canal Stadium. Until then, Ghana had controlled the game with most of the possession and chances, but they couldn’t score. With this result, Ghana finished the group with seven points from three matches. Senegal also advanced to the knockout stage after beating DR Congo 2-0 in another match.

CAR needed to win to move on but spent most of the game on the defensive, struggling to create chances. Ghana’s players, like Aziz Issah and Andrews Adjabeng, tried to break the deadlock, but they had trouble finishing.

The winning goal came when Joseph Aidoo made a strong run on a counterattack and passed to Opoku in the box. Opoku scored confidently, sending the Ghana bench into celebration. CAR couldn’t mount a comeback in the final minutes as Ghana controlled the game to secure their second win of the tournament.

Ghana U20 coach Desmond Ofei expressed pride in his team’s patience and tactical discipline following their progression to the knockout stage. Ghana needed only a draw to advance after previously defeating Senegal and drawing with DR Congo, while CAR ended with just one point from three matches, a drop from their 2021 quarter-final performance.

This marks the first time Ghana has gone unbeaten in the group stage since 2013, as they aim for their fifth U20 AFCON title. The final lineup for the knockout stages will be announced after all group matches conclude on Friday.

Morocco Under-20 finished their group stage with an unbeaten record, winning 3-1 against Tunisia at the Suez Canal Stadium. This victory secured the top spot in Group B of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco U-20 pick Cup of Nations quarter final ticket

Morocco Under-20 finished their group stage with an unbeaten record, winning 3-1 against Tunisia at the Suez Canal Stadium. This victory secured the top spot in Group B of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt 2025.

Ayman Arguigue scored the first goal in the first half, setting the pace for Morocco. Late goals from Smail Bakhty and substitute Jones El Abdellaoui clinched the win. Tunisia briefly tied the game with an equalizer from Anis Doubal early in the second half, but they could not keep up and must now wait to see if they advance as one of the best third-placed teams.

The match was crucial for both teams, as they aimed for a knockout spot, depending on the outcome of the Nigeria vs. Kenya game, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Morocco’s victory ensured they finished first with seven points, while Nigeria came in second with five.

Morocco started strongly, putting pressure on Tunisia’s defense. Their efforts paid off just before halftime when Arguigue scored in the 44th minute after a great setup from Zahouani.

After halftime, Tunisia tied the game in the 53rd minute with a long-range goal from Doubal. However, Morocco regained the lead in the 86th minute when Bakhty scored during a goalmouth scramble, and El Abdellaoui sealed the victory with a stoppage time goal from a quick counterattack.

This win solidified Morocco’s unbeaten streak in the group stage, showcasing a strong defense and sharp attack. Tunisia, despite showing some quality, finished third with three points and a negative goal difference, and their hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals as one of the best third-placed teams are dimmed by this heavy loss.

Minnesota United FC sign Sierra Leone U20 star Momoh I Kamara on loan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Minnesota United sign Sierra Leone U20 star Momoh I Kamara on loan

Minnesota United has confirmed a one-year loan signing of Sierra Leone’s U20 Cup of Nations star Momoh I Kamara from Mattia Football Club through December 2025, with an option to buy. Once Kamara gets his P-1 Visa, he will be joining MNUFC2.

“Momoh is an exciting young player with a natural feel for the game, capable of creating scoring threats,” said Amos Magee, MNUFC’s Head of Development. “We look forward to him joining MNUFC2 and building on his national team succes,” the club said in their statement.

Kamara expressed his excitement about joining, stating, “This is a dream come true and a significant step forward in my career. I’m ready to give my all for the fans and my teammates.”

Khaled El-Ahmad, MNUFC Chief Soccer Officer, praised the recruitment team for successfully adding talent like Kamara, Putt, and Kabia, highlighting the promising future for the club.

Momoh Kamara began his playing career at a young age with Mattia FC, where he played from 2017 to 2022. He briefly played for Diamond Stars Football Club in 2022-2023 before moving to Leixões SC B, competing with the Portuguese team from 2023 to 2024. Following his time at Leixões, he returned to Mattia FC before joining MNUFC2.

Internationally, Kamara has represented Sierra Leone at nearly every level, starting with the U17 team and progressing to the U20 and senior national teams. He is currently competing alongside MNUFC2 teammate Alpha Kabia in the 2025 U20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In the first three matches of the group stage, Kamara has scored three goals, notably a hat trick against Egypt on April 30, helping propel his country to the top of the group and secure a berth in the quarterfinals. 

The 19-year-old also made appearances for the senior team in March 2025 during two FIFA World Cup qualifier games, playing in group stage matches against Guinea-Bissau and Egypt.

VITALS

  • Momoh Kamara
  • Position: Midfielder
  • Height: 5’7”
  • Date of Birth: 5/6/2005 (19 years old)
  • Place of Birth: Kambia Town, Sierra Leone
  • Hometown: East End, Freetown, Sierra Leone
  • Previous Club: Mattia Football Club
Momoh I. Kamara has won back-to-back Man of the Match awards in the ongoing U20 AFCON
Momoh I. Kamara has won back-to-back Man of the Match awards in the ongoing U20 AFCON
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.

𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐃𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐔𝟐𝟎 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

𝐄𝐠𝐲𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐃𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐔𝟐𝟎 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫

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.