Category: Football Africa

Josh Koroma scores Huddersfield Town winner to strengthen promotion chances
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Josh Koroma scores Huddersfield’s winner to strengthen promotion chances

Sierra Leone international Josh Koroma contributed significantly to Huddersfield’s victory over Mansfield Town, as the latter faced their fifth consecutive defeat in League One.

In his sixteenth appearance of the season, Koroma scored his sixth goal, helping Huddersfield ascend to fourth place in the league standings and secure a playoff spot.

The match began with Huddersfield taking an early lead in the eighth minute. Ben Wiles scored, finding the net off the inside of the near post after an impressive run and low cross from the left delivered by Josh Koroma.

Mansfield equalized in the 31st minute when Jacob Chapman parried a header from Aden Flint, stemming from an Aaron Lewis corner, which allowed Will Evans to strike the rebound into the goal.

However, the visitors quickly regained the lead within two minutes. Jose Koroma could chase down a long ball and skillfully directed his shot across Christy Pym, placing it into the far corner of the net.

In the last of four added minutes at the end of the first half, Mansfield nearly equalized again when George Maris struck the post with a low shot from 20 yards.

Mansfield experienced a moment of fortune when Tom Lees directed a close-range free header directly at Pym in the 51st minute, following a free-kick taken by Ben Wiles. Shortly thereafter, Mansfield came close to scoring again as Chapman made two swift saves from attempts by Keanu Baccus and Aaron Lewis.

In the 62nd minute, Flint prevented a goal by clearing a shot from Michal Helik off the line during a corner kick. As the match approached its conclusion, Lees inadvertently headed the ball against his own crossbar during the last of five added minutes. Despite mounting pressure from Mansfield, Huddersfield managed to secure their fourth consecutive victory.

Mimosas, Stellenbosch, Zamalek & Enyimba in CAF Confed ties this weekend
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mimosas, Stellenbosch, Zamalek & Enyimba in CAF Confed action this weekend

On Sunday, Stellenbosch will look to regain their winning form in the CAF Confederations Cup, while ASEC Mimosas aims for consecutive victories over Orapa United.

In Group D, the reigning CAF Confederations Cup champions, Zamalek, will face the Nigerian side Enyimba at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Zamalek commenced their CAF Confederations Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Black Bulls at the Cairo International Stadium on November 27.

Currently, they hold 2nd place in Group D, with Al Masry leading the group after the first matchday. Al Masry is set to compete against Black Bulls at Estadio do Zimpeto.

Additionally, Stellenbosch FC will strive to bounce back when they compete against the Moroccan team RSB Berkane at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Stellenbosch experienced a 2-0 defeat to Stade Malien in their previous match, while RSB Berkane opened their CAF Confederations Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Lunda Sul two weeks ago.

Furthermore, ASEC Mimosas has the opportunity to secure a second consecutive victory as they take on Orapa United at the Francistown Stadium on Sunday.

ASEC Mimosas currently occupies 2nd position in Group C following their 2-0 win against Jaraaf on November 27, while USM Alger, in 1st place, is scheduled to face Jaraaf at Stade Me Abdoulaye Wade on Sunday evening.

Fixtures Sunday, 8 December

Group A

CS Constantine vs Simba
Bravos do Maquis vs CS Sfaxien

Group B

Stellenbosch vs RSB Berkane
Lunda Sul vs Stade Malien

Group C

Orapa United vs ASEC
Jaraaf vs USM Alger

Group D

Black Bulls vs Al Masry
Enyimba vs Zamalek

Aimen Mahious nets as Belouizdad earn away win in Abidjan
by FSL News

Aimen Mahious nets in Belouizdad’s crucial win in Abidjan

Aimen Mahious played a pivotal role for CR Belouizdad by scoring the decisive goal in the 71st minute, enabling the team to secure a 1-0 victory over Stade d’Abidjan in a highly competitive Group C match of the CAF Champions League at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny on Saturday.

This victory revitalizes the Algerian champions’ prospects following their initial loss to Orlando Pirates, while Stade d’Abidjan remains in last place in the group, yet to accumulate any points after two matches.

CR Belouizdad started strong, exerting pressure on their opponents; however, they faced challenges in overcoming the resilient Ivorian side.

The first half concluded without any goals, as both teams struggled to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. Seydou Touré, the goalkeeper for Stade d’Abidjan, made several critical saves that kept his team in contention.

The breakthrough came midway through the second half when Mahious, well-positioned in the penalty area, received an astute pass from Abderrahmane Meziane and skillfully directed the ball into the bottom corner of the net, eliciting a jubilant response from the Belouizdad bench.

Stade d’Abidjan valiantly pursued an equalizer, yet their finishing proved inadequate. Ezechiel Zaddy came closest in the 87th minute, with a powerful attempt that narrowly missed the target, sailing over the crossbar.

As a result of this match, Belouizdad climbs to third place in Group C, trailing the co-leaders Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates by just one point. The group remains highly competitive, with Al Ahly and Orlando Pirates each on four points, while Belouizdad follows with three.

Unfortunately, Stade d’Abidjan’s path to advancement remains precarious, as they continue to seek their first victory in the tournament.

Sundowns played to a draw as Yanga suffered their second defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sundowns played to a draw as Yanga suffered their second defeat

AS FAR demonstrated resilience on Saturday evening, securing a draw against former champions Mamelodi Sundowns in a CAF Champions League Group B match at Stade Ben Ahmed El Abd in El Jadida.

Iqraam Rayners gave Sundowns the lead with a goal in the 66th minute, but home captain Mohammed Hrimat equalized just eight minutes later, ensuring AS FAR remained at the top of the group with Sundowns in second place.

The match featured contrasting halves, with AS FAR initially dominating and Sundowns struggling to find their rhythm. After halftime, Sundowns improved, with Rayners scoring from a precise pass by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. However, an error by Williams allowed Hrimat to score into an empty net.

Meanwhile, in Group A, Young Africans suffered a second consecutive defeat, losing 2-0 to MC Alger at Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers, following a similar loss to Al-Hilal.

Ayoub Abdellaoui and Soufiane Bayazid secured the victory for MC Alger, momentarily placing them at the top of the group ahead of the upcoming match between Al Hilal and Mazembe.

CAF Award ceremony set for December 16 in Marrakech, Morocco
by FSL News

Morocco set to host CAF 2024 Awards December 16

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has revealed that the prestigious 2024 CAF Awards will take place at the elegant Palais des Congrès in Marrakech on Monday, December 16. This highly anticipated event will gather Africa’s top football stars, celebrating their outstanding achievements and contributions to the sport.

The prestigious event will be held at the Palais des Congrès de Marrakech, starting at 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT, 20:00 Cairo time, and 21:00 East African time). The CAF Awards highlight the continent’s most outstanding football talents, honouring their exceptional achievements in both club and national competitions.

The ceremony will highlight the crowning of the CAF African Player of the Year in both men’s and women’s categories, an esteemed honour in African football.

It will also recognize achievements through awards for Best Coach, Best National Team, and Best Club. This year’s event promises to be spectacular, featuring an impressive lineup of nominees and guests from across Africa and beyond.

Set against Morocco’s rich footballing history and vibrant culture, Marrakech is the ideal location for this prestigious celebration.

Five nominees are in the running for the Men’s Player of the Year, with the same number competing in categories like Interclub Player of the Year, Goalkeeper of the Year, Young Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, National Team of the Year, and Club of the Year.