Category: Football Africa

AFCON 2025 qualifiers: Sierra Leone grouped with Ivory Coast, Zambia and Chad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone face former champions for road to Morocco 2025

The national football team of Sierra Leone, known as the Leone Stars, has been placed in Group G as per the official draw made on Thursday in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The team, led by Amidu Karim, faces formidable opponents including holders Ivory Coast, 2012 Champions Zambia and Chad, in the race to the 2025 AFCON group stages starting in September.

The qualifiers are set to kick off in September 2024 to determine the first 24 nations to compete in Africa’s biggest event, the CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in 2025.

The upcoming matches will determine the qualification of teams for the 35th edition of the biennial African football tournament, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

In each group, only the top two teams will qualify for the final tournament, except for Group B, which includes hosts Morocco 🇲🇦. In this group, only one other team will qualify.

The 35th AFCON edition is scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, encompassing the Christmas period.

The qualifiers will begin in September 2024 and conclude in November 2024. This prestigious event will bring together the best national teams from across the continent to compete for the coveted title.

The Leone Stars did not qualify for the AFCON in Ivory Coast as they finished third in Group A behind Nigeria and Guinea-Bissau.

Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye pleased to join Everton from Marseille
by FSL News

Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye pleased to join Everton

Everton has signed Senegalese forward Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee, confirmed the Premier League side.

Ndiaye, 24, scored four goals in 46 games for Marseille last season, helping the club reach the Europa League semi-finals.” I am so pleased to be an Everton player,” he told Everton TV. “The main reasons I wanted to join were the club’s size, its history, and the part I can play in helping the team move forward. I’m so excited and can’t wait to get going.”

Everton manager Sean Dyche expressed confidence in Ndiaye, praising his experience at the European and international levels.

Ndiaye becomes Everton’s third summer signing after winger Jack Harrison and midfielder Tim Iroegbunam. Director of football Kevin Thelwell believes Ndiaye will bring excitement and a new dimension to Everton’s attack.

Ndiaye, born in France to a Senegalese father and a French mother, made his debut for the Senegal national team in a 3–1 win over Benin during a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match.

He was later selected for Senegal’s squad in the postponed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in the Ivory Coast.

Mamelodi Sundowns and coach Rhulani Mokwena part ways
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mamelodi Sundowns and coach Rhulani Mokwena part ways

Mamelodi Sundowns and Rhulani Mokwena have mutually agreed to conclude their working relationship, marking the end of Rhulani Mokwena’s role as Head Coach.

Mokwena won four league trophies with Sundowns, two as co-coach. Last season, he guided Sundowns to the first-ever African Football League but they couldn’t win the CAF Champions League, their main goal.

Sundowns express its sincere appreciation to Rhulani Mokwena for his invaluable contributions to the club’s successes and achievements during his tenure as Head Coach.

Mokwena will always be considered a part of the Mamelodi Sundowns Family, and the club wishes him the utmost success in his future endeavours.

The decision was made by the Board, taking into consideration the club’s objectives and expectations and was not influenced by any individual associated with the club.

“Sundowns is deeply committed to the development and growth of South African coaches and players. Coach Manqoba Mngqithi and the Technical Team will continue to lead and oversee the training and preparation of the players for the upcoming season,” Sundowns noted.

Mamelodi Sundowns is diligently preparing to compete in all upcoming competitions and is honoured to be one of the four Football Clubs representing the African Continent in the historic FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

The 18-year-old defensive midfielder, Boubakar Dembaga, expressed his delight after joining AS Monaco from Paris FC.
by FSL News

AS Monaco move excites Malian Boubakar Dembaga

The 18-year-old defensive midfielder, Boubakar Dembaga, expressed his delight after joining AS Monaco from Paris FC.

Originally from Aulnay-sous-Bois (Seine-Saint-Denis), Boubakar Dembaga, who recently celebrated his 18th birthday on June 7, has joined AS Monaco from Paris FC, where he trained.

Dembaga played with the Ile-de-France club in the U17 and U19 categories after starting his career at CSL Aulnay and then at Espérance Aulnaysienne, alongside playing futsal.

The youngster is thrilled to sign his first professional contract with AS Monaco. He sees this as an important step and is eager to start this new adventure.

He looks forward to continuing to progress and reach his best level. Boubakar Dembaga had a successful 2023-2024 season with Paris FC, playing more than twenty matches as a starter and scoring 5 goals. He will play with Djimi Traoré’s Elite Group at AS Monaco.

Equatorial Guinea'S Dacosta Gonzalez pens long-term deal with AFC Bournemouth
by FSL News

Equatorial Guinea’s Dacosta Gonzalez pens long-term deal

Michael Dacosta Gonzalez has signed a new long-term contract with AFC Bournemouth, keeping him at the club until at least the end of the 2026/27 season.

The forward, eligible to represent Spain, Ecuador, and Equatorial Guinea, expressed his excitement and commitment to the club, emphasizing his gratitude towards his family for their support.

Dacosta Gonzalez, whose younger brother Malcolm recently signed a two-year scholarship with the Cherries, said on afcb.co.uk: “It’s an honour and a privilege to sign a contract at this club. I’ve been here since I was 11 and the club is on the rise.

I’m pleased and, hopefully, I can go all the way. I’m happy for myself, but I’m mostly happy for my mom because I couldn’t have done it without her. Me, my mom, and everyone are really happy.

I’m extremely excited and I’ve got a lot of emotions running through me because I really want to do well for this club.”