Category: Football Africa

drissa Gueye to miss Premier League contest against Crystal Palace
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Idrissa Gueye to miss Premier League clash against Crystal Palace

David Moyes has confirmed Idrissa Gueye will miss the upcoming match against Crystal Palace. The Senegal defensive midfielder plays for Everton, who are trying to secure a spot in European competitions as the season comes to an end.

Gueye could not play in the last match, a 3-3 draw with Manchester City. In a press conference ahead of the Crystal Palace game, manager David Moyes confirmed that Gueye, who is 36 years old, will not participate. Moyes said, “He’s fine. He’s not training yet, but it’s not a serious injury, so we hope he’ll be back soon.”

Gueye debuted for Senegal in 2011 and played in the 2012 Summer Olympics, taking part in one match. He has played in two FIFA World Cups and six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

After losing in the 2019 AFCON final, he helped Senegal win the 2022 final. Gueye holds the record for the most caps for Senegal and is the first player from Senegal to earn over 100 caps.

He started his career at Diambars in Senegal and joined Lille’s reserve team in 2008. He played for Lille’s first team from 2010 to 2015, winning Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France in 2011. He then moved to Aston Villa and a year later signed with Everton.

USM Alger and Zamalek SC set for CAF Confederation Cup final first leg cracker
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

USM Alger and Zamalek SC set for CAF Confederation Cup final first leg cracker

The CAF Confederation Cup 2025/26 final starts this week, with the first leg between USM Alger and Zamalek SC in Algiers on Saturday at 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).

Both teams have won this competition before and want to add another title to their achievements in African football.

USM Alger will host the first leg at Stade 5 Juillet 1962. The second leg will take place at the Cairo International Stadium on Saturday, May 16, at 21:00 local time (18:00 GMT).

USM Alger became the 2023 champions after drawing 2-2 on aggregate against Young Africans and winning on away goals. Zamalek secured their first title in 2019 by beating RS Berkane in penalties after a 1-1 draw and won again in 2024 with another away goals victory over the same team after a 2-2 aggregate score.

This season’s TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup final remains highly competitive. Mauritanian referee Dahane Beida will officiate the first leg, and Gabonese referee Pierre Atcho will handle the second leg.

Zamalek reached the final by defeating CR Belouizdad 1-0 on aggregate, while USM Alger progressed by winning on away goals against Olympic Club Safi, drawing 0-0 at home and 1-1 away. The champions will receive a record prize of USD 4 million as CAF invests in African football.

TOTALENERGIES CAF CONFEDERATION CUP 2025/26 FINAL

First Leg

USM Alger vs Zamalek SC

Date: Saturday, 09 May 2026

Venue: Stade 5 Juillet 1962, Algiers, Algeria

Kick-off: 20h00 local time | 19h00 GMT

Referee: Dahane Beida (Mauritania)

Second Leg

Zamalek SC vs USM Alger

Date: Saturday, 16 May 2026

Venue: Cairo International Stadium, Cairo, Egypt

Kick-off: 21h00 local time | 18h00 GMT

Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR set for CAF CL double header final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mamelodi Sundowns and AS FAR set for CAF Champions League final double-header

The finale of this year’s CAF Champions League 2025/26 promises to be an electrifying showdown between South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Morocco’s AS FAR, as they go head-to-head in a two-legged duel for the title of continental champions.

The first leg kicks off in Tshwane (Pretoria), South Africa, on Sunday, May 17, at 14:00 GMT (16:00 local time). The action will then shift to Rabat for the return leg on Sunday, May 24, at 19:00 GMT (20:00 local time).

This highly anticipated final pits two former champions of Africa’s premier club competition against each other, each to reclaim their spot at the top. Mamelodi Sundowns are on the hunt for their second title, having previously celebrated victory in 2016, while AS FAR is eager to end a 41-year drought since their last triumph in 1985.

In addition to the honour of lifting Africa’s most sought-after club trophy, the teams will also vie for a record prize fund. CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe recently announced that the winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League will walk away with a remarkable USD 6 million, marking a 50% increase from previous editions.

Dates and kickoff times of the 2025/26 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final

First Leg – Mamelodi Sundowns vs AS FAR

Date: Sunday, 17 May 2026

Venue: Tshwane, South Africa

Kick-off: 16h00 local time | 14h00 GMT

Second Leg – AS FAR vs Mamelodi Sundowns

Date: Sunday, 24 May 2026

Venue: Rabat, Morocco

Kick-off: 20h00 local time | 19h00 GMT

Ismaila Sarr helps Crystal Palace close in on Conference League final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ismaila Sarr helps Crystal Palace close in on Conference League final

Ismaila Sarr scored the fastest goal in Conference League history to help Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 in the first leg of their semi-final tie.

Sarr found the net just 21 seconds into the match in Poland after receiving a pass from Jean-Philippe Mateta. Shakhtar controlled possession afterward but struggled to create clear chances.

They equalized quickly in the second half when Oleh Ocheretko scored from close range. However, Palace took the lead again in the 58th minute when Daichi Kamada scored his first goal since October 2024.

Jorgen Strand Larsen added a third for Palace after a smart play, giving them a strong position heading into the second leg at Selhurst Park on May 7.

Oliver Glasner, the Palace coach, has led the team to memorable victories, including last season’s FA Cup win. With Sarr’s eighth goal in the competition, Palace looks poised to reach the final on May 27 in Leipzig.

Strand Larsen, despite previous struggles in the Premier League, proved his worth with this crucial goal.

CAF and UEFA confirm an MoU aimed at strengthening collaboration
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF and UEFA confirm an MoU aimed at strengthening collaboration

The Confédération African Football (CAF) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) have signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation and foster football development across Africa and Europe.

This agreement, formalised by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin in Vancouver, Canada, aims to deepen collaboration in essential areas of the sport.

Running until June 30, 2031, the MoU focuses on youth and women’s football, technical development, refereeing, governance, and education. CAF Member Associations will have opportunities to participate in select CAF–UEFA youth competitions, as well as initiatives like the CAF African Schools Football Championship.

A key aspect of the partnership is coach education, promoting the exchange of technical expertise and best practices to improve coaching standards. Additionally, refereeing development will be supported through structured knowledge-sharing programs.

The agreement also facilitates cooperation through observer programs at major tournaments and professional exchanges to enhance administrative and technical capacities. Regular governance meetings will monitor progress, ensuring alignment on shared goals.

Both organizations believe this partnership highlights football’s capacity to drive opportunity, education, and social development while setting the stage for ongoing collaboration.