Category: Football Africa

by Alusine Rehme Wilson

Guinea-Bissau Withdraws as Sierra Leone Stays Ready

Here is the WAFU statement on Guinea-Bissau's withdrawal
Here is the WAFU statement on Guinea-Bissau's withdrawal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cape Verde’s World Cup pedigree faces Sierra Leone scrutiny

When Star Sport Academy of Sierra Leone takes on RS Berkane this Saturday in the first leg of the African Champions League second round in Monrovia, it will be a matchup filled with familiar faces, yet one side has a lot on the line.

Amidu Karim, the head coach of Star Academy, is set to go head-to-head with a friend, Pedro Leitão Brito—widely known as Bubista—who recently took the reins at Berkane after leading Cape Verde to an impressive World Cup run in the United States earlier this year.

Their paths crossed back in 2024 in Abidjan during a Confederation of African Football (CAF) coaching seminar, where they exchanged insights about coaching national teams in Africa, often discussing the challenges and sacrifices that come with it.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve faced their head coach. We met before at a CAF symposium, and we shared our thoughts on the intricacies of coaching national teams,” Karim reminisces.

Karim, a former striker for Sierra Leone and the ex-head coach of the Sierra Leone national team, who managed the opening matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, looks forward to squaring off with a friend in the opposing dugout.

“He’s a very experienced coach; we all admire what he accomplished with the Cape Verde national team. However, Saturday will be a different game, as we are fully prepared to take them on.”

During his playing career, Karim was a key part of the Sierra Leone squad in the 1994 and 1996 African Cup of Nations.

Now, at 56, Bubista has embraced the role of head coach at RS Berkane. He made headlines for leading Cabo Verde to their first-ever FIFA World Cup in 2026, guiding the newcomers into the knockout stage without dropping a single group match.

The Moroccans have arrived safely and have already wrapped up their first training session at the SKD as they prepare for Saturday’s match.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bitter-Sweet Moment for Assane Diao in Defeat to Feyenoord

Senegalese attacker Assane Diao had a night of highs and lows in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League 3-2 defeat to Feyenoord.

The Como striker got things rolling by scoring in the 18th minute, marking his first goal in the Champions League with a tidy finish set up by Jacobo Ramón.

However, his celebration was cut short when he was forced to leave the pitch in the 23rd minute due to a left thigh injury, leading to Jesús Rodríguez stepping in as his replacement.

Despite Diao’s early impact, Como ultimately fell short, losing the match 3-2 in the Netherlands.

It was a frustrating evening for the Senegalese international. Still, he can take pride in scoring his first goal in Europe’s elite tournament while waiting to learn more about the seriousness of his injury.

Feyenoord-Como 1907 3-2 | UEFA Champions League | Matchday 2 | 14/10/2026 | De Kuip Stadium

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s Nicolas Jackson Delighted with Brace against Fenerbahçe

Nicolas Jackson was all smiles after his impressive brace helped Aston Villa secure a remarkable 6-0 victory against Fenerbahçe in the UEFA Champions League.

The Senegal international scored twice in the first half, leading the Villans to their largest-ever win in European competition.

After the match, Jackson shared his thoughts on the significant three points earned. He remarked, “It’s a fantastic win today. It’s only the second day of the Champions League, and we’re thrilled to have achieved both the win and a clean sheet. I’m just focused on playing, trying to score in every game, and doing my part to help the team.”

He added, “Playing for the manager is crucial as well, and my focus remains on winning matches and performing well on the pitch—that’s what matters most to me. I’m really pleased, but the goal is to win, and hopefully next time I can grab a hat-trick!”

Along with Jackson, Johan Manzambi and Ibrahim Mbaye also made notable contributions to this memorable night in B6. The 25-year-old praised his teammates for their impressive link-up play. On Manzambi, he said, “He’s an outstanding player. I’m really glad we’re on the pitch together. I hope we can score plenty of goals and set each other up for many assists.”

Regarding his international teammate Mbaye, Jackson commented, “He’s another fantastic player. We play together on the national team, so we’ve developed a solid connection and communicate well. He’s progressing nicely, and I hope he gets more opportunities to shine. He’s incredibly fast, just like me, so it’s great to have him in the squad. Here’s to more starts and many goals for him in the future!”

by FSL News

Lionel Mpasi Controversy Puts FIFA and Infantino Under Pressure

A controversy surrounding DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi’s eligibility has heightened scrutiny of FIFA and its president, Gianni Infantino.

Mpasi contributed significantly to the DRC’s performance in the 2026 World Cup, helping the team reach the round of 32 before their defeat by England.

However, it has been reported that FIFA attorneys were aware as early as March, three months prior to the tournament, that Mpasi was ineligible to play for the Leopards.

Concerns regarding the use of ineligible players by DR Congo were raised in December 2025, when Nigeria filed a complaint alleging improper player usage during World Cup qualifying.

DR Congo ultimately prevailed against Nigeria in a penalty shootout, securing their place in the World Cup. Cameroon had also previously expressed concerns over the eligibility of several Congolese players born in Europe.

Critics argue this incident highlights a tendency within FIFA to overlook regulations in favour of political allies.

FIFA has refuted claims that its handling of Mpasi’s eligibility was influenced by support for Veron Mosengo-Omba, the newly elected president of the Congo football federation, stating that Infantino was not involved in the decision-making.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has yet to comment publicly, while CONCACAF has stressed the need for consistent eligibility regulations.

Nigeria is considering seeking financial compensation from FIFA, assessing potential damages related to lost World Cup revenue and other economic impacts. Jamaica also has grounds for grievance after missing out on significant financial rewards by not qualifying for the tournament.