Category: Football Africa

Kenya’s Junior Starlets set for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup debut
by FSL News

Kenya’s Starlets set for FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup debut

Kenya’s Junior Starlets will camp in Spain for three weeks before heading to the Dominican Republic for the Women’s U17 World Cup in October and November.

On Sunday, they made history by becoming the first Kenyan side to qualify for a World Cup after a 5-0 aggregate win against Burundiat Ulinzi Complex, Nairobi.

The team will have a three-week camp in Marbella, Spain in September to prepare for the global tournament taking place between October 16 and November 3.

The draw for the tournament is scheduled for this month and Kenya will face strong teams from Asia, such as Japan and Korea.

Recap

The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ will occur in the Dominican Republic from October 16 to November 3, 2024.

This will be the first time the Dominican Republic has hosted a FIFA tournament.

Spain won the tournament in 2022 and achieved the remarkable feat of holding the U-17, U20, and senior women’s titles simultaneously, becoming the first nation to do so.

Sixteen teams will compete to win the trophy and join the ranks of former champions DPR Korea, Korea Republic, France, Japan, and Spain.

Nigeria & Zambia secure tickets to FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup
by FSL News

Nigeria & Zambia secure tickets to FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup

Nigeria and Zambia have officially secured their spots in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, which will occur in the Dominican Republic from October 16 to November 3, 2024.

 

Nigeria became the first African team to qualify for the women’s youth competition after defeating Liberia 6-1 on aggregate. They won 4-1 in the away match and then secured a 2-0 victory in the home leg in Abuja.

 

Zambia returned to the tournament after a 10-year absence by securing their spot on June 15. They won 3-1 in their first match in Ndola and then played to a goalless draw in the return leg in Morocco, which was enough to secure their place in the finals.

The third and final African spot in the tournament will be determined in the match between Kenya and Burundi on June 16. Kenya holds the advantage after winning the first leg 3-0 at home.

Ex-Nigerian International Finidi quits Super Eagles job
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ex-Nigerian International Finidi quits Super Eagles job

Finidi George has resigned as coach of the Super Eagles, stating, “I won’t work under another coach in the Super Eagles.”

This decision followed the NFF’s option to appoint a foreign coach after the team failed to win the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin.

During Finidi’s tenure, the Super Eagles suffered a surprising 2-1 defeat to the Benin Republic in Abidjan after a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.

These results leave the Super Eagles winless after four matches, putting them in fifth place in Group C with just three points and jeopardizing Nigeria’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Finidi, appointed as the substantive coach in April after serving as an assistant to Jose Peseiro, had his position reconsidered by the NFF due to the recent poor results.

The 53-year-old coach succeeded the Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, who left his post after his contract ended in February and had previously worked as Peseiro’s assistant for 20 months.

Crystal Palace have made their first summer signing with the arrival of Morocco centre-back Chadi Riad, in a deal worth £12m plus £2m in add-ons.
by FSL News

Morocco’s Chadi Riad joins Premiership side Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have made their first summer signing with the arrival of Morocco centre-back Chadi Riad.

The 20-year-old, who moved to Real Betis on loan from Barcelona last summer before making the move permanent, has joined the Eagles, external on a contract until June 2029.

Riad made 30 appearances for Betis in all competitions during the past campaign and helped them finish seventh in La Liga.

“As a full international at just 20 years old, Chadi is an exciting young player who we are delighted to be able to welcome to the club,” said Palace chairman Steve Parish.

Riad added: “I was interested in coming here because of the history of the club, and the league in which it plays.

“The club has high-level players who are young and I have come here to follow their same trajectory, to grow as they have grown.”

Riad was selected for the senior Morocco national team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He made his debut in a 3–1 pre-tournament friendly win over Sierra Leone on 11 January 2024.

The Fédération Malienne de Football (FEMAFOOT) has immediately terminated senior national team coach Eric Sékou Chelle's contract.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali Fédération part ways with coach Eric Sékou Chelle

The Fédération Malienne de Football (FEMAFOOT) has immediately terminated senior national team coach Eric Sékou Chelle’s contract.

In a statement reported on national television, no reason was given for the decision. The sacking occurred days after Mali were held to a goalless draw by 10-man Madagascar in a Group I World Cup qualifier in Johannesburg.

The decision was unanimously made by the Executive Committee in an extraordinary session, with the approval of the relevant authorities on Thursday.

Mali suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Ghana at the Stade du Mars in Bamako last week before drawing with a ten-man Madagascar on Tuesday in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Malian Eagles face a tough challenge in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, as they currently have just five points after four matches.

FEMAFOOT has expressed its gratitude to Sekou Chelle for his leadership of the national team and has also thanked the Department of Sports for their ongoing support.

Malian football is entering a new chapter as the federation seeks a new coach. Mali is among several African nations making changes to their coaching staff ahead of the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 qualifiers.