Category: Football Africa

by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Sierra Leone Book WAFU-A U20 Semifinal Spot After Senegal Stalemate

The Shooting Stars of Sierra Leone have secured a place in the semifinals of the 2026 WAFU-A U20 Male Championship after holding Senegal to a goalless draw on Thursday, October 22.

The result sees head coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara’s side advance as Group B runners-up with two points after recording consecutive draws in the group stage.

Star Sport Academy’s midfielder Mohamed C Jalloh was named Player of the Match. Sierra Leone will now face The Gambia in the semifinals, while Group B winners Senegal take on Guinea for a place in the final and a chance to qualify for next year’s U20 AFCON.

Reacting to his team’s progress in the tournament, currently being held in Mali, Shooting Stars head coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara expressed confidence in his players’ ability to rise to the challenge in the knockout stage and make Sierra Leoneans proud.

The experienced coach, who guided the Shooting Stars of Sierra Leone to their historic AFCON appearance in 2025, said he believes his side “can continue making its mark on the international stage.”

WAFU A semifinal schedules
WAFU A semifinal schedules
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone U20 set for WAFU opener against Mauritania in Bamako

Sierra Leone set to open their U20 WAFU Zone A U-20 male tournament against Mauritania today in Bamako. This match is their first game in the tournament and is a qualifier for the next CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 in Ghana.

A win for Shooting Stars means they will secure a spot in the quarter-finals, even without playing their final group game against defending champions Senegal.

This is because Mauritania, who are finishing their group matches, lost their first game 2-1 to Senegal. The group only has three teams because Guinea-Bissau withdrew on the tournament’s start day.

Shooting Stars were runners-up last time in Monrovia and qualified for their first-ever U-20 AFCON, but they exited in the quarter-finals.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Hilal Pick Up Crucial Away Victory Over Sidama Bunna

Al Hilal Omdurman of Sudan boosted their chances of advancing to the group stage of the CAF Champions League with a solid 2-0 away victory over Ethiopia’s Sidama Bunna in the first leg of their Second Preliminary Round match on Sunday.

The visitors got off to a great start thanks to an early own goal by Sidama Bunna in the 11th minute, putting Al Hilal ahead right from the outset. The Ethiopian team struggled to find an equalizer before the break, which allowed Al Hilal to maintain control of the game.

Throughout the second half, the Sudanese club held onto their slim lead as Sidama Bunna pressed for a way back into the match. Just as the game was nearing its end, Mohamed Abdelrahman found the net in the 90th minute, doubling Al Hilal’s advantage and sealing the victory.

As a result, Sidama Bunna now faces the daunting task of overcoming a two-goal deficit in the return leg if they hope to stay in the competition. On the other hand, Al Hilal will enter the next match feeling confident about securing their spot in the group stage as they chase their continental ambitions.

by Football Sierra Leone

Billiat, Musona Fire Scottland to 2-0 Win Over Petro Atlético

Zimbabwe’s Scottland FC edged closer to the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a 2-0 victory over Angola’s Petro Atlético in the first leg of the Second Preliminary Round on Sunday.

Second-half goals from former Zimbabwe internationals Khama Billiat and Knowledge Musona secured the win. Billiat opened the scoring in the 67th minute, followed by Musona ten minutes later, giving Scottland a solid advantage for the return leg.

Petro Atlético struggled after losing a player just two minutes into the match, forcing them to play with ten men. Despite their numerical superiority, Scottland couldn’t score in the first half, but Billiat eventually broke the deadlock, and Musona sealed the win.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Rangers International also triumphed, defeating Algeria’s MC Alger 2-0, even after a red card in the 13th minute. James Emo starred for Rangers, scoring both goals in the final minutes—including a penalty in the 83rd minute.

Despite being down a player, Rangers adapted quickly and held off MC Alger, who also faced a red card in the 52nd minute. Emo’s goals give Rangers a two-goal lead heading into the second leg in Algeria as they aim for the group stage.

by Football Sierra Leone

Nigeria’s Rangers Beat MC Alger in Dramatic Match

Nigeria’s Rangers International played strongly to beat Algeria’s MC Alger 2-0 in the first leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Second Preliminary Round on Sunday, even after losing a player to a red card in the 13th minute.

James Emo scored both late goals for Rangers, including a penalty in the 83rd minute and another goal in the 87th minute, giving the Nigerian team an important lead before the second leg on 23 October in Algeria.

After losing a player early on, Rangers coach Fidelis Ilechukwu had to quickly change his strategy. Despite having one less player, Rangers held off MC Alger’s efforts to score, and the first half ended without any goals.

In the 52nd minute, MC Alger also lost a player to a red card, which interrupted the game briefly. Tensions rose further when an official from MC Alger was sent off in the 70th minute.

Rangers finally scored their first goal from the penalty spot in the 83rd minute, and Emo increased their lead just four minutes later. The win means Rangers now need to defend their two-goal lead in the return match in Algeria to move on to the group stage.