Category: Football Africa

Ivorian star Wilfried Zaha set for Charlotte FC MLS debut
by FSL News

Ivorian star Wilfried Zaha set for Charlotte debut in friendly

Wilfried Zaha could make his appearance with new outfit Charlotte FC after joining on loan from Turkish champions Galatasaray.

Charlotte will face Nashville SC today in a friendly match as they prepare for the upcoming MLS season. Zaha may join the squad for his first appearance in new colours at the Oxbridge Academy.

Zaha will play for Charlotte until January 2026, with an option to extend the loan until June 2026. The firmer Crystal Palace attacker will occupy a Designated Player spot and international roster slot on the Club’s 2025 roster.

The Ivory Coast international played 10 seasons in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Cardiff City, where the forward scored a total of 68 goals in 305 appearances.

For the past six months, Zaha was on loan at Olympique Lyonnais in France, where he made six appearances but did not score or assist.

“Wilfried is a world-class player who has shown his skills as a top goal scorer and creator of chances. His performances in the Premier League and on the international stage speak for themselves, and we believe he can make an immediate impact in MLS,” said Zoran Krneta, the general manager of Charlotte.

“He adds versatility to our attack and brings that extra magic that can help us win more games. We are excited to welcome a player of Wilfried’s talent and experience to our team.”

Zaha changed his national team to Ivory Coast before the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon. He debuted in a friendly against Sweden in January 2017, where he provided an assist. Since then, he has earned 33 caps, scoring four goals and providing six assists.

Omar Marmoush proud as first Egyptian player to join Manchester City
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Omar Marmoush proud as first Egyptian player to join Manchester City

The 25-year-old striker has transferred from Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany and has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract. He is the third new player to join the team this week, after Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.

The Egyptian International will wear the No.7 shirt for Manchester City after completing his move from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Marmoush has been a standout player in the Bundesliga for the past two years and has also been important for the Egyptian national team. He helped Egypt reach the final of the 2021 African Cup of Nations.

“It’s a great honor to be the first Egyptian to play for Manchester City and to show what my country can achieve,” Marmoush told City’s Channel.

“Playing for a big club like this has always been a dream of mine. Now that I am the first Egyptian at Manchester City, I am very happy, and I hope to keep playing at this level.

“The Premier League is the biggest and most followed league in Egypt because of players like Mo Salah and others from Egypt. Most young players dream of being in this league, so I am excited to be here.”

Ivorian Maxwell Cornet trains with Genoa after loan move
by Football Sierra Leone

Ivorian Maxwell Cornet trains with Genoa after loan move

Ivorian international Maxwel Cornet has joined Italian club Genoa on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season from West Ham United. He has completed his first training session with the team at the Centro Sportivo Gianluca Signorini.

Cornet’s loan spell at Premier League side Southampton was terminated by mutual consent, allowing him to move to Serie A.

The 28-year-old player had only made four appearances for the Saints and will now look for more regular playing time under Genoa manager and former Arsenal and France midfielder Patrick Vieira.

Cornet signed with West Ham from Burnley in August 2022, where he scored one goal in 37 appearances over two seasons. He was also part of the squad that won the UEFA Europa Conference League in Prague in June 2023.

The Ivorian has completed his first training session with the team at the Centro Sportivo Gianluca Signorini.
The Ivorian has completed his first training session with the team at the Centro Sportivo Gianluca Signorini.
Juma Bah's excellent form continues as Valladolid beat Valencia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Controversy looming over Juma Bah’s Manchester City transfer

Real Valladolid are threatening legal action after Juma Bah did not turn up for training after paying to terminate his contract; a decision they believe was advised by his agent and Man City – after finalising a deal to join the club on a six-year contract. (Photo Credit Real Valladolid)

Reports from Spain say that City and Valladolid were in talks for a fee of about €8 million, while Fenerbahce and Inter both offered up to €12 million for him.

Bah joined Valladolid on loan from AIK Freetong in his home country of Sierra Leone, and Valladolid used a buy clause in his loan deal that cost €165,000. However, since he is still on a youth contract, City plans to accept a €6 million penalty to end that contract.

On Wednesday afternoon, Valladolid released a statement saying Bah did not show up for training. They also said that the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation) informed them that Bah has paid the necessary amount to cancel his contract unilaterally.

Valladolid expressed their disappointment and anger, believing that City advised Bah and his agent to take this action.

Read the Real Valladolid statement on the present situation over Juma Bah.

Ademola Lookman shines in Atlanta Champions League triumph
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ademola Lookman shines in Atalanta Champions League triumph

Nigerian International and African Best Player Ademola Lookman came off the bench to shine for Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday night at the Gewiss Stadium.

Atalanta made it a 5-0 win over Sturm Graz and edged through to the play-off round of the UEFA Champions League in Bergamo. This loss concluded Sturm Graz’s stint in the competition because they were sent packing despite a game in hand.

Unfortunately for Sturm Graz, they hadn’t featured since the Austrian winter break had them out of the pitch for six weeks and almost capitalized on an early lead before Italy forward Matteo Retegui scored for Atalanta from a close-range shot after Davide Zappacosta’s cross to him.

Substitute Ademola Lookman quickly set up Charles De Ketelaere for a goal, but it was disallowed for offside after a VAR review. Lookman had two more chances saved by Sturm Graz goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen. Mario Pasalic then scored from Juan Cuadrado’s cross to make it 2-0.

Atalanta continued to push and scored a third when De Ketelaere (3-0) scored after Sturm Graz could not clear a corner. Lookman missed a one-on-one chance, and substitute Marco Brescianini had a shot blocked. Zappacosta also had a goal disallowed for offside.

Lookman finally scored late in the game, heading in a cross from De Ketelaere. Brescianini added another goal soon after.

A win against Barcelona on Wednesday, January 29, could send Atalanta to the last 16 of the tournament.