Category: Football Africa

Race heats up as Caf invites bids for three AFCON finals
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ethiopia submits bid to host 2028 Cup of Nations

Ethiopia has officially applied to host the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The Ethiopian Football Federation (EFF) believes this government-backed proposal shows the country’s readiness for Africa’s biggest football event.

Ethiopia has hosted Afcon three times (1962, 1968, and 1976), but its football facilities are less developed than those in other African nations.

Currently, only the Bahir Dar Stadium is approved for use by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). A new stadium in Addis Ababa is set to open soon, but it is uncertain if Ethiopia has enough suitable venues for a 24-team tournament.

Many existing facilities do not meet FIFA or CAF standards. Ethiopia played its home World Cup qualifiers for 2026 at neutral sites in Morocco and Rwanda, although it hosted some matches in Dire Dawa earlier this year.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe mentioned that there are exciting bids for the 2028, 2032, and 2036 Afcons. Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe have submitted a joint bid for the 2028 finals. Reports suggest that Morocco, which will host the 2025 edition, is focusing on co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup instead.

Ethiopia won the Afcon title in 1962 but has qualified only three times since, with their last appearance in 2021. They recently advanced in the qualifiers for next year’s Afcon and will compete in Group J with Senegal, Mozambique, and Sudan.

Some critics question Ethiopia’s readiness to host Afcon. While the Bahir Dar Stadium is approved, the new stadium in Addis Ababa and other facilities need improvements.

Hosting the tournament will require good training spaces, accommodations, urban transport, and security. Although Addis Ababa is relatively safe, parts of Ethiopia face issues with conflict and unrest. Addressing security and infrastructure concerns is vital for a successful bid to host Afcon 2028.

Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba joins Manchester United
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba joins Manchester United

Manchester United has signed Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba from Brighton for £70 million, paying an initial £65 million with an extra £5 million in add-ons. Brighton included a sell-on clause in the deal.

United strengthened their midfield after signing Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans this summer. Baleba signed a five-year contract with an option for a sixth year. He expressed his excitement, stating, “It is an incredible feeling to join the club of my dreams.”

Baleba’s move follows United’s 2-0 defeat to Hull City in the Premier League opener. He is currently sidelined with an ankle injury from pre-season training and has made 112 appearances for Brighton, scoring four goals.

In a farewell video, Baleba thanked Brighton fans, saying, “Last season was hard. I will be looking for your result every week for the rest of my life.”

This transfer raises United’s summer spending to £153 million as they prepare for the Champions League. Baleba brings strength and experience to the midfield, addressing the team’s need for more physicality and power. His defensive capabilities and speed could significantly impact the team’s performance this season.

DR Congo's Jules Ahoka signs for Sunderland from Royal Antwerp
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

DR Congo’s Jules Ahoka signs for Sunderland from Royal Antwerp

Sunderland has signed DR Congo midfielder Jules Ahoka from Belgian club Royal Antwerp on a long-term contract. 

Ahoka, 20, is a DR Congo youth international and has agreed to a long-term contract with the club.

“I am very happy and proud to join Sunderland,” said Ajoka, who played in both of Antwerp’s league games this season.

“It is a big club with great ambitions, and I am excited to be here. I want to work hard, learn from my teammates and the staff, and keep improving as a player. I will give everything for the club and can’t wait to get started.”

Ahoka is Sunderland’s third summer signing, joining Belgian left-back Thomas Meunier and French right-back Dayann Methalie.

“Jules is a player we have been watching closely, and he has shown good qualities for his age,” said Sunderland director of football Florent Ghisolfi. “He has great potential, and we believe Sunderland is the right place for him to grow.”

Mogbwemo Queens Name 22-Woman Squad for WAFU-A Qualifiers
by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Mogbwemo Queens Name 22-Woman Squad for WAFU-A Qualifiers

Mogbwemo Queens Football Club head coach Adama P. Suma has unveiled a 22-player squad for the 2026 CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU A Zone qualifiers in The Gambia.

The reigning national women’s top-flight champions and representative of Sierra Leone at this year’s zonal women’s inter-club tournament will be led by a balanced squad featuring two goalkeepers, eight defenders, six midfielders and six forwards as they prepare to compete for a place in the next stage of Africa’s premier women’s club competition.

Coach Suma’s squad includes two goalkeepers, Isatu Dumbuya and Ahouef Larissa Godui. The defensive line-up comprises Fatmata T. Koroma, Musu Sengeh, Saio M Quraishi, Edit David Doe, Penda Colley, Honoria Hotta, Olufunke Victoria Taiwo, and Sangay M. Moulton.

In midfield, coach Suma has selected Jeneba Koroma, Kadiatu M. Kamara, Fatmata Turay, Sallay Jatta, Adama Jalloh, and Jeanette Dominique Sagna.

The attacking options are Fanta Nabe, Nadi Quade, Amos Patrick, Isatu A Bangura, Wuyah Mohai, and Marguerite S Ahouassou.

Coach Suma, who’s no stranger as guardian of Mogbwemo Queens in the WAFU-A’ Zone Women’s tournament after the team’s debut two years ago in Liberia, has described his latest squad announcement as “one that reflects the club’s ambition to make a strong impression in the WAFU-A’ Zone qualifying competition and secure progression in the CAF Women’s Champions League pathway.”

With the regional qualifiers bringing together leading women’s clubs from the WAFU-A’ Zone, the Sierra Leonean side will be seeking to combine defensive stability, midfield creativity, and attacking firepower under Suma’s leadership.

Meanwhile, the squad, which departed Freetown via the Lungi International Airport for Banjul on Sunday, August 23, is currently in the Gambia, all set to carry Sierra Leone’s hopes in this year’s WAFU-A’ Zone Women’s Champions League qualifying campaign.

Mohamed Salah opens Trabzonspor account with a brace
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mohamed Salah opens Trabzonspor account with a brace

Mohamed Salah netted two goals in his initial Turkish Super Lig match for Trabzonspor, nearly securing a hat-trick, as they triumphed over Istanbul Basaksehir.

The 34-year-old forward from Egypt departed Liverpool after nine years, where he tallied 257 goals, on a free transfer this summer.

Initially anticipated to sign with a club in Saudi Arabia, he chose to join the Turkish outfit on a two-year contract, earning £280,000 weekly.

This match marked his third outing for Trabzonspor; he previously came off the bench against Kasimpasa last weekend and started in their Europa League play-off first-leg loss to Ferencvaros.

He found the net for his new team after intercepting a ball from the away goalkeeper, Muhammed Sengezer, before scoring through a deflection off the post.

After Eldor Shomurodov equalized from the penalty spot, Salah reclaimed the lead for his team with a first-time shot from 10 yards.

The seasoned player was issued a yellow card for diving when he fell in the box with 11 minutes remaining.

He believed he had completed his hat-trick in injury time by scoring into an empty net from 45 yards, but was flagged for offside.