Category: Football Africa

Ahly with first leg CAF CL quarter-final advantage over Simba
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ahly with first leg CAF CL quarter-final advantage over Simba

Al Ahly’s Ahmed Nabil Kouka, who joined the club at the age of seven, scored the team’s only goal in their 1-0 victory over Simba of Tanzania in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals. 

The experienced Egyptian team fought hard to secure a 1-0 victory, setting the stage for next week’s match in Cairo.

The 22-year-old midfielder scored his first goal of the African campaign just four minutes before 60,000 fans in Dar es Salaam. 

Mohamed Hany provided a great pass to Amr el Solia, who set up Koko to fire past Moroccan goalkeeper Ayoub Lakred after a mix-up in the Simba defence.

Shobeir, the son of former Egypt and Ahly goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir, has been a capable replacement for captain Mohamed el Shenawy, who was injured at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Tanzanians will take inspiration from their positive display in the latter stages of the game and look to capitalize on their opportunities to overturn the deficit and progress to the semi-finals of the tournament.

Spoils shared between Asec Mimosas & Esperance de Tunis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Spoils shared between Asec Mimosas & Esperance de Tunis

Asec Mimosas and Esperance Sportive de Tunis played out a goalless draw in their Quarter-Final fixture at Stade Olympique in Tunis on Saturday.

Both teams are to meet again in the CAF Champions League return leg Quarter-Finals on 05 or 06 April as everything will be decided at Felicia.

Despite having less possession, Asec Mimosas had the first chance at goal when Karidioula Mofosse almost scored after Raed Bouchniba lost possession in the danger area. 

In the first half, Ghaylen Chaleli’s dangerous ball almost caught Asec’s goalkeeper off guard, but he managed to fist it away.

After the recess, the hosts continued to attack, with coach Miguel Cardoso injecting fresh legs. 

Second-half substitute Oussema Bouguerra’s well-struck effort from outside the box hit the woodwork, and Houssem Tka missed a header that went just off target. 

Despite the pressure from the hosts, Asec Mimosas managed to absorb most of the attacks, securing a confidence-boosting draw before the return leg next weekend. 

Meanwhile, on Friday, in the CAF Champions League quarter-finals, Al Ahly SC, the title holders, won 1-0 in Dar es Salaam against Tanzanian giants, Simba SC in the first leg of the Quarter-Finals.

Ahmed Kouka scored an early goal to secure the first-leg victory for the Egyptian giants. They did well to withstand the ongoing pressure from Simba throughout the encounter.

Sierra Leone mourns one of its greatest Lamin Bangura
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone mourns Lamin Bangura one of its greatest

Ports Authority head coach Lamin Bangura, one of Sierra Leone’s greatest footballers of all time, has sadly passed away following a tragic road accident on Tuesday. 

The late Bangura was a successful coach and player in West Africa, winning titles in Guinea and Sierra Leone. He suffered fatal injuries that ultimately led to his death. Several players and officials are currently in critical condition after a serious accident. 

“On March 25th, 2024, the team departed from Freetown en route to Kenema for a Premier League match between Kanhula Rangers and Port Authority. Unfortunately, while traveling along Konta Line Mile 91, their bus collided with a stationary vehicle, resulting in the tragic loss of a beloved football legend,” Ports Authority confirmed. 

Bangura helped Sierra Leone qualify for Tunisia AFCON 1996 and played for the team in AFCON 1994 and 1996. He also played a key role in As Kaloum’s CAF Clubs Cup final 1995.

The former ASEC Mimosas Abidjan defender was a crucial figure in guiding the Diamond Stars to their first Premier League title in 2012. It was the first Sierra Leonean club outside Freetown to win the league.

“I write with pain upon hearing the sudden death of one of our national football heroes, Coach Lamin Bangura, together with the bus driver and conductor.

Coach Lamin, you have done a lot for the growth of football in Sierra Leone as a player and coach. You represented the country, coached the National U23, and won the 2012 Sierra Leone Premier League with Diamond Stars. Your diligence is admirable,” SLFA’s boss, Thomas Brima

“We extend our deepest condolences to the club, families, and friends of those who lost their lives, including the head coach, Lamin Bangura. Our hearts go out to you all,” The Sierra Leone FA stated

“The Board extends its sympathy to all individuals impacted by this incident. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time,” the Sierra Leone Premier Board noted.

The league board announced the cancellation of the Kahunla Rangers and Ports Authority scheduled match on 27th March 2024 due to an unfortunate event.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ports Authority FC and the family of Head Coach Lamin Bangura. May his soul rest in peace. East End Lions FC stands in solidarity with Ports Authority FC. Our condolences go out to all who knew and loved Coach Bangura,” EE Lions posted.

“Your kindness and love touched us deeply, and your departure has left a void that cannot be filled. We will miss you dearly,” Freetown City FC.

Chad, Eswatini, Liberia, and South Sudan progress to AFCON 2025 group stage
by FSL News

Chad, Eswatini, Liberia & South Sudan progress to group stage 

Chad, Eswatini, Liberia, and South Sudan progressed to the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after achieving successful results in the second legs on Tuesday.

Chad, Eswatini, Liberia, and South Sudan will now join the 44 exempted countries for the group stage of the qualifiers. The quartet will be eager to continue their journey towards securing a spot in the prestigious tournament in Morocco.

Eswatini drew 2-2 with Somalia in a crucial match but still advanced with a 5-2 aggregate score thanks to their 3-0 victory in the first leg.

Mauritius 1-2 Chad

In a tense football match at the National Sports Complex Pitch 1 in Saint Pierre, Mauritius faced Chad. Jeremy Villeneuve scored a goal in the 45th minute, giving Mauritius hope, but Chad responded fiercely. Charles Tchouplaou levelled the score in the 74th minute, and Ousmane Hassan sealed Chad’s victory with a goal deep into stoppage time, securing their advancement with a 3-1 aggregate score.

In Monrovia’s Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium, Liberia and Djibouti played a goalless draw. Despite failing to score in the second leg, Liberia advanced to the next round with a 2-0 aggregate score, thanks to their victory in the first leg.

In Berkane, Morocco, South Sudan and their opponent battled to a goalless draw at the Stade Municipal de Berkane. 

As the aggregate score was tied at 1-1, South Sudan advanced to the next round based on the away goals rule. They had secured a crucial away goal in the first leg, which ultimately made the difference.

CAF workshop on improving Stadium infrastructure
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF workshop on improving Stadium infrastructure

CAF is hosting a stadium inspectors workshop in Rabat, Morocco, to monitor African infrastructure.

Investment in football infrastructure in Africa – building and maintenance of stadiums in the countries that are part of the 54 CAF Member Associations, is a key focus for the CAF Leadership.

Already commenced on Monday, the workshop in Morocco will continue till Wednesday, and the participants will undergo various theoretical and practical activities. They will also be taken for stadium visits accompanied by designated CAF Departmental Heads.

The workshop was inaugurated by Mr Fouzi Lekjaa, the President of Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) and a CAF Executive Committee Member. He emphasized the importance of investing in world-class infrastructure and maintaining the facilities.

To ensure that African clubs and Member Associations can host CAF events, the CAF conducts a Stadium Inspectors Workshop to train stadium inspectors appointed by the CAF.

These inspectors will guide the African clubs and Member Associations in complying with the CAF Stadium Regulations (edition 2022).