Category: Football Africa

Opening draw for Morocco against Argentine in Paris Olympics
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Opening win for Morocco over Argentina in Men’s Olympic

In the Group B Olympics match held at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint Etienne, Rahimi Soufiane scored two goals as Morocco defeated Argentina 2-1 on Wednesday.

The Argentina squad, which included players such as Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, scored late to make it 2-2. However, a late VAR intervention ruled the goal offside on the first day of football action at the Paris Olympics.

Soufiane Rahimi scored both goals for Morocco, first in the 45+2nd minute and then again from the penalty spot to double his side’s lead.

In the Argentina vs. Morocco football game at Paris 2024, Giovanni Simeone scored a goal for Argentina, but they couldn’t find another goal until the 16th minute of added time when Cristian Medina equalized for the 2008 Olympics gold medal winners.

Due to on-field chaos, the match was suspended for over an hour. Play eventually resumed behind closed doors, with the African side winning 2-1 after an equalizer by their opponents had been ruled out by VAR.

Argentina’s players were booed by the crowd after a video showed them chanting a song labelled as “racist and discriminatory” by the French Football Federation after winning the Copa America.

The organizers issued a statement confirming that the football match between Argentina and Morocco at the Saint-Etienne Stadium had to be suspended. This was a result of a pitch invasion by a small number of spectators.

In another match, Spain defeated Uzbekistan 2-1 at the Parc des Princes in western Paris, with Marc Pubill and Sergio Gómez scoring for the Euro 2024 winners, while Eldor Shomurodov pulled one back for the Uzbeks.

Mali will play their first match against Israel in the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday, July 24th - kick off at 6:00 PM CAT.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali ready for Israel in Olympics football showdown

Mali will play their first match against Israel in the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday, July 24th – kick off at 6:00 PM CAT.

The match will be at Parc des Princes in Paris, France. Mali had a 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan in a friendly match on June 10th. They haven’t lost in their last four matches, winning three and drawing one.

“As coach, my objective is to do better than our quarter-final finish at Athens 2004,” Badra Diallo told FIFA. The well-travelled Malian is sure to have lofty ambitions for his troops when the action gets underway in France, not least because the Olympic movement holds a special place in his heart.

Keep an eye on midfielder Boubacar Traoré, who plays for Wolverhampton Wanderers in the English Premier League.

Israel lost 2-0 to Germany in the 2025 UEFA Under 21 Euro qualifiers in March 2024 and hasn’t played since. They have lost their last six matches. Oscar Gloukh, an attacking midfielder for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga, is a key player for Israel.

This will be the first time Mali and Israel meet at the under-23 level. The match will be officiated by referee Campbell-Kirk Kawana-Waugh from New Zealand.

Olympics history – Previous participations: 1 (Athens 2004) – Best result: Quarter-finals (Athens 2004)

Mali headed to Athens in 2004, eager to emulate the exploits of African heavyweights Nigeria and Cameroon, who had reigned supreme in the previous two editions of the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament.

Les Aigles Espoirs got their campaign up and running with a scoreless stalemate against Mexico before making their mark against the hosts with a 2-0 win. Well placed to advance to the next round, the tournament first-timers shared the spoils with the Korea Republic in a thrilling tussle that ended 3-3, a result that was enough to see them progress as group winners.

The West Africans then took Italy to extra time in the quarter-finals following a goalless draw after normal time, only for Cesare Bovo’s 116th-minute header to crush Malian dreams of an Olympic medal.

Mali’s Group D fixtures – All kick-off times are local

Wednesday, 24 July – Mali v Israel | 21:00 | Parc des Princes, Paris

Saturday, 27 July- Japan v Mali | 21:00 | Stade de Bordeaux

Tuesday, 30 July – Paraguay v Mali | 21:00 | Parc des Princes, Paris

Women's Olympic - Nigeria to open against Brazil as Zambia meet USA
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Women’s Olympic: Nigeria face Brazil as Zambia meet USA

Africa’s representatives, Nigeria and Zambia, will kick off their campaigns on the opening day of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament Paris 2024 on Thursday, alongside ten other teams.

Nigeria vs. Brazil Venue: Stade de Bordeaux, Kick-off: 19:00

Nigeria will participate in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008.

Nigeria is the most experienced African nation at the Games, having competed three times in the past. Brazil has won both previous meetings against Nigeria.

They won 4-3 after extra time in the 1999 Women’s World Cup quarter-final and 3-1 in the group stage of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

USA vs. Zambia Venue: Stade de Nice, Kick-off: 21:00

The U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team starts their 2024 Summer Olympics journey on July 25 against Zambia at Stade de Nice in Nice, France. The game will be at 9 p.m. local time / 3 p.m. ET.

The USA’s only previous Olympic match against an African team was a 3-1 victory against Nigeria at Sydney 2000.

During Tokyo 2020, Zambia’s captain Barbra Banda made history by becoming the first player to score hat-tricks in back-to-back Olympic matches.

She scored three goals in each of the group-stage matches against the Netherlands and China PR.

Zambia secured its place in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by defeating Morocco 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Meanwhile, host nation France will play against Colombia, while World champions Spain will face Japan in a rematch of their FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 group-stage meeting, which Japan won 4-0.

Germany will compete against Australia from Group B as Canada takes on New Zealand.

See the link for full Women’s Olympic matches.

Nigeria will participate in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008.
Nigeria will participate in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008.
Zambia secured its place in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by defeating Morocco 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Zambia secured its place in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris by defeating Morocco 3-2 on aggregate in the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Senegal's defender Mamadou Fall joins Barcelona
by FSL News

Senegal’s defender Mamadou Fall joins Barcelona

Senegal’s defender Mamadou Fall has officially joined Barcelona, as confirmed by Major League Soccer side Los Angeles.

Fall, 21, spent last season on loan at Barça and featured in 22 matches for their reserves. Previously, LAFC loaned the Senegalese centre back to Villarreal CF.

LAFC initially signed Fall in June 2021. His profile quickly grew, and now he has 11 goals and two assists in 101 professional appearances, including five goals and one assist in 36 regular-season games with the Black & Gold.

“Fall is a player with incredible potential and exceptional talent,” said LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington.

“He began his professional journey at LAFC, and we are excited to see him join not only one of the top clubs in the world but also a great environment for his continued development. We wish him nothing but the best in his career at Barcelona.”

Ivorian striker Bénie Traoré pens FC Basel deal from Sheffield United
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivorian Bénie Traoré pens Basel deal from Sheffield United

Sheffield United has officially announced the departure of Ivorian International striker Bénie Traoré from the club to join Swiss side FC Basel for an undisclosed fee.

The Ivorian striker has signed a four-year contract until the summer of 2028 and will strengthen the Red and Blue squad with immediate effect.

Traoré, 21, who was signed by the previous manager, Paul Heckingbottom, from BK Häcken last summer, had limited playing time during his tenure at the Blades, with only nine competitive appearances.

Following his official debut on 12 August 2023 in a 1–0 loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League, he spent the latter half of the previous season on loan in France with Nantes.

Expressing his satisfaction upon signing for the Swiss Super League club, Traoré stated, “I am delighted to have finalized my move to FC Basel. I have received encouraging feedback about the club, further affirming my positive impressions.

I am adept in various offensive positions on the field and can contribute in versatile roles. Having completed my pre-season training with Sheffield over the past few weeks, I am eagerly anticipating representing my new team on the pitch.”