Category: Football Africa

Sundowns, Mazembe seal quarter-final places after wins
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sundowns, Mazembe seal quarter-final spots after wins 

Mamelodi Sundowns and TP Mazembe secured their places in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League with victories in Group A on Saturday.

Sundowns won 2-0 away at Nouadhibou, thanks to first-half goals from Grant Kekana and Themba Zwane. 

The South African side started strongly and deservedly took the lead midway through the first half when Kekana headed home a free-kick from Marcelo Allende. 

Zwane added a second goal in the 70th minute, courtesy of a fine assist from substitute Lebohang Mokoena. Sundowns peppered the Nouadhibou goal with shots throughout the game, but goalkeeper Babacar Diop kept the scoreline respectable for the visitors. 

Sundowns’ win secured their place in the quarter-finals with one match remaining in the group stage, while Nouadhibou was eliminated.

TP Mazembe also secured their quarter-final place with a 3-0 win over Pyramids of Egypt. The DR Congo club started the match slowly but took the lead through Joel Beya’s goal. 

They extended their lead just before halftime with a skilful exchange inside the penalty area that led to Glody Likonza scoring. 

Mazembe netted a third early in the second half, but it was disallowed for offside.

Pyramids pushed for a comeback, but Mazembe’s defence stood firm and thwarted their attempts. Substitute Patient Mwamba sealed the victory for Mazembe in the dying moments of the game after capitalizing on a mistake by Pyramids’ Blati Toure. 

Mazembe’s win moved them to second place in the group with 10 points, while Pyramids are out of the competition with only four points.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – African News.

Angola's Petro Atletico into quarter-finals after Al Hilal draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Angola’s Petro Atletico reach quarter-finals after Al Hilal draw

Angolan team Petro Atletico secured their place in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Sudanese side Al Hilal in their penultimate Group C match on Friday. 

The game was played in Benghazi, where Hilal are hosting their home matches.

The result means that the Angolan champions advance to the last eight of the competition, having established an insurmountable lead at the top of their group. 

Petro knew they only needed one point to qualify, and they produced a disciplined defensive performance to earn the points they required. Al Hilal possessed the ball for most of the game and had more opportunities, but Petro goalkeeper Hugo Marques made several crucial saves to keep a clean sheet. 

They extended their unbeaten run to four games and secured their spot in the top two of Group C with nine points. 

Al Hilal and Esperance will compete for the other qualifying spot behind Petro.

IN GROUP B – Simba secured a goalless draw against ASEC Mimosa, elevating their position to the second spot with six points.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – African News.

Al Ahly's win sinks Medeama's knockout hopes
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly’s win sinks Medeama’s knockout hopes

Al Ahly demonstrated their superiority in a tense 1-0 victory over Ghana’s Medeama in Kumasi, bringing them one step closer to the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.

The win keeps Al Ahly at the top of Group D with nine points, four ahead of CR Belouizdad and Young Africans, who will face each other on Saturday.

Despite their opposition’s request for a postponement due to an aeroplane accident, the game was played at its original time at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Al Ahly had the added advantage of Percy Tau’s return from international duty, as well as the return of Amr El-Sulya and Karim Nedved, who had been out due to injury.

While the hosts put up a strong fight in the first half, Al Ahly’s goalkeeper, Mostafa Shobier, was up to the task, making some spectacular saves.

The second half saw Al Ahly dominate the game, with Hussein El-Shahat scoring the only goal of the match just four minutes in. Despite Medeama’s desperate attempts to equalize, Al Ahly maintained their composure, securing their place at the top of Group D with nine points.

With a strong performance like this, it’s clear that Al Ahly is not just a contender for the CAF Champions League title but a force to be reckoned with.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – CAF Champions League.

Baba Yara Stadium to host Dreams, Club Africain cracker
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Baba Yara Stadium to host Dreams, Club Africain cracker

Dreams FC will leave no stone unturned as they gear up for their upcoming CAF Confederation Cup match against Club Africain of Tunisia on Sunday.  

Ghana’s Baba Yara Stadium is set to host the contest as Dreams plan to upset their North African counterparts. In the first meeting, Club Africain won 2-0 in November 2023.

A win for Dreams FC would not only avenge the first-leg defeat to Club Africain but can virtually guarantee their progression to the next round. 

Coach Karim Zito is confident that Dreams FC can overcome the Tunisians and move closer to the competition’s knockout stages. 

Both sides are in excellent form – Club Africain won their last two league matches and Dreams is unbeaten in their last four games in the Ghana Premier League.

Dreams FC is determined to make the most of their home advantage and seal their spot in the knockout stages.

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Fixtures – Sunday, 25 February

  • 13h00 GMT | SuperSport United – Modern Future FC
  • 16h00 GMT | Abu Salem – Zamalek 
  • 16h00 GMT | Stade Malien – Diables Noirs
  • 16h00 GMT | Dreams FC – Club Africain
  • 16h00 GMT | Al Hilal Benghazi – USM Alger
  • 16h00 GMT | Academica do Lobito – Rivers United FC
  • 19h00 GMT | CO Coyah – Sagrada Esperanca
  • 19h00 GMT | Sekhukhune United – RS Berkane 

 

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – CAF Confederation Cup News. 

Mali's Mamadou Doumbia pens Watford long-term deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali’s Mamadou Doumbia pens Watford’s long-term deal 

Watford FC has signed Mali youth international striker Mamadou Doumbia on a five-year contract. 

The 18-year-old left-footed player will join the Hornets from the Malian side, Black Stars FC, on July 1, 2024.

Doumbia stands at 6ft 3in and has a combination of impressive ball control, flair, and natural finishing instincts.

The Striker made his international debut was marked by his performances at the 2023 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored four goals in five games, helping Mali to finish fourth. 

He continued his excellent form at the Under-17 World Cup, scoring four more goals, including a hat-trick against Uzbekistan in the team’s opening fixture. 

Mali went on to win the third-place play-off against Argentina, with Doumbia scoring the third goal.

The Hornets are in their second season back in the second tier, having last been relegated from the Premier League in 2022.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – African News.