Category: Football Africa

Olympic Safi record vital win over Ivorian side San Pedro
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Olympic Safi record a vital win over Ivorian side San Pedro

Olympic Safi asserted a significant home win following a thrilling match where they narrowly defeated San Pédro 2–1 in their CAF Confederation tie on Sunday.

The Moroccans started the scoring in the 29th minute as Salaheddine Errahouli finished a quick counter-attack, slamming a right-footed strike into the top corner from the left side of the box to put Safi a deserved lead at the half.

After the break, San Pédro showed more urgency and almost scored many times; most obviously, when Laciné Dosso struck the post from far range, and Alpha Karamoko compelled a strong save from goalkeeper Hamza Hamiani.

Late in the game, Olympic Safi increased their lead through the replacement Moussa Koné, who coolly fired home from close range in the 88th minute to give the hosts full control.

San Pédro pulled one back deep into stoppage time when Amalaman Allou converted from inside the box following an assist from Laciné Dosso, but the goal came too late to change the outcome as Olympic Safi held on for the win that puts them in second place behind USM Alger.

Olympic Safi 2–1 San Pédro
Zamalek edge Al Masry to maintain top spot in Confederation Cup
by FSL News

Zamalek edge Al Masry to maintain top spot in Confederation Cup

In a close Sunday evening match, Zamalek delivered a determined away showing to beat Al Masry 2–1 to maintained their grip at the top of Group D in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The guests assumed the lead in the 22nd minute when Hossam Abdelmaguid struck his shot low into the corner from the penalty spot following a foul in the box.

Respond positively, Al Masry was rewarded in the 32nd minute as Salah Mohsen calmly converted a penalty of his own to even things following a handball decision.

Both teams sought a decisive goal in the second half, with opportunities at either end and several interruptions breaking the flow of the game.

Eventually finding the breakthrough in the 75th minute, Zamalek reacted quickest to a corner and fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner from close range. Oday Dabbagh did so.

Late on, Al Masry searched for an equaliser, but Zamalek stood strong across seven minutes of additional time to grab all three points away from home.

Al Masry 1–2 Zamalek
Zambia's Power Dynamos beat Rovers United in Group A CAF CL tie
by FSL News

Zambia’s Power Dynamos beat Rovers United in Group A CAF CL tie

In the Group A other game, Power Dynamos claimed their first victory of the CAF Champions League group stage with a hard-fought 1-0 win away to Rivers United, condemning the Nigerian side to another frustrating night.

The decisive moment came five minutes after the restart when Kundwani Chiboni struck to secure all three points for the Zambian champions. The midfielder timed his run perfectly to meet a well-weighted pass from Prince Mumba before calmly slotting the ball into the net to silence the home crowd.

Rivers United sought their first win but struggled to turn possession into clear chances in the first half, while Power Dynamos maintained a disciplined defence.

After going behind, Rivers pushed for an equaliser in the second half, launching several attacks but failing to break through the strong Dynamos ‘ defence and composed goalkeeping.

Despite late efforts, Rivers managed few clear opportunities, and Power Dynamos secured a vital away win, rising to four points in Group A.

Rivers remain bottom with one point from four matches, putting their hopes of progression in jeopardy.

Rivers United 0–1 Power Dynamos
Pyramids close to cementing CAF Champions League quarter-finals spot
by Football Sierra Leone

Pyramids close to cementing CAF Champions League quarter-finals spot

Following a convincing 3-0 triumph over Morocco's RS Berkane in Cairo on Sunday, title holders Pyramids are close to cementing their spot in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League quarter-finals.

Emphasising their increasing power in Africa’s leading club tournament, the Egyptian side gave a disciplined and precise performance at the Air Defence Stadium on Sunday to move clear at the top of Group A.

Early on, the pyramids set the tone, and in the 10th minute, Mahmoud Abdel Hafeez, also known as “Zalaka”, opened the scoring with a strong header from near range, thereby rewarding them. After a flawless delivery from Nasser Maher, whose impact would keep altering the match, the goal arrived.

Berkane attempted to respond after the break, but their efforts were thwarted by goalkeeper Ahmed El Shenawy, as Pyramids continued to dictate the pace and exploit open spaces on the counterattack.

The crucial moment arrived in the 74th minute when Nasser Maher scored his first goal wearing a Pyramids shirt after an amazing performance. Latching onto a quick transition sparked by Zalaka, Maher finished confidently from inside the penalty area to double the lead and effectively extinguish Berkane’s hopes of a comeback.

Six minutes later, pyramids contributed even more gloss to the scoreboard. In the 80th minute, Ahmed Atef “Qatta” scored the third goal to cap a dominating evening for the home team and cement their superiority.

After four games, Pyramids moves to 10 points, three ahead of second-placed Berkane. The Egyptian team is on the verge of advancing to the last eight of the tournament.

Seven points put Berkane second, but their grasp on qualifying is now in danger as Zambia’s Power Dynamos are in the fight for the group’s second spot.

For Pyramids, the triumph is another declaration of intent as they strive for continental success, fusing attacking genius with rising tactical maturity at a pivotal point in the competition.

After a hard-fought triumph, Sudanese side Al Hilal go top of Group C lead
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

After a hard-fought triumph, Sudan’s Al Hilal go top of Group C

On Friday night, Al-Hilal astonished South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns with a 2-1 victory in Kigali to claim Group C in the CAF Champions League, thereby ending a long wait for a victory over their prestigious rivals.

Performed at the Amahoro Stadium, the Matchday 4 match swung on moments of ruthlessness from the Sudanese side, who capitalised on Sundowns’ errors to climb to the top of the table at the halfway stage of the group phase.

Deep into first-half stoppage time, Al-Hilal struck first after referee Mahmoud Nagy gave a penalty following a costly error by veteran goalkeeper Denis Onyango.

Mohammed Abdel Rahman, an international forward, stepped forward and held his nerves to send Onyango the wrong way, enabling the Sudanese champions a well-deserved halftime lead.

Al-momentum stayed with them after the restart, doubling four minutes into the second half.

Jean Claude Girumugisha grabbed a loose ball on the perimeter of the field and fired a low shot beyond Onyango, a finish highlighting Sundowns’ increasing uneasiness and their opponents’ sharpness.

Sundowns reacted by speeding their pace and found a lifeline just beyond the hour mark.

With a composed finish from inside the penalty area, Brazilian replacement Arthur Sales reduced the gap and inspired the South Africans, creating a nervous final half-hour.

Sundowns could not find an equaliser despite ongoing pressure.

Defending with discipline and resilience, Al-Hilal slowed the game at key times and guarded their slim lead to guarantee a statement triumph on neutral soil.

The outcome moves Al-Hilal eight points and alone atop Group C, putting them in a good place going into the critical phase of the tournament.

While Sundowns remain second with five points and will need a great response in the return games to reaffirm their eligibility.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Matchday 4 fixtures – (All times GMT)

Group C Result - Friday,  30 January — Al Hilal (SUD) 2-1 Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)
Group B - Saturday, 31 January
13:00 — Young Africans SC (TAN) vs Al Ahly SC (EGY)
19:00 — AS FAR Rabat (MAR) vs JS Kabylie (ALG)

Group A - Sunday, 1 February
16:00 — Pyramids FC (EGY) vs RS Berkane (MAR)
16:00 — Rivers United (NGA) vs Power Dynamos (ZAM)

Group D - Saturday, 31 January
16:00 — Petro Atlético (ANG) vs Stade Malien (MLI)
Sunday, 1 February
13:00 — Simba SC (TAN) vs Espérance de Tunis (TUN)

Group C - Sunday, 1 February
19:00 — MC Alger (ALG) vs St Éloi Lupopo (DRC)