Category: Football Africa

Defending champions Pyramids eliminated
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defending champions Pyramids eliminated by FAR Rabat

Defending champions Pyramids were knocked out of the CAF Champions League quarter-finals on Saturday, suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Morocco’s FAR Rabat, who advanced with a 3-2 aggregate score.

This loss marks the end of Pyramids’ title reign, despite managing a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Rabat. The Egyptians had clinched their first African Champions League title last June by overcoming South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.

Rida Slim gave the visitors an early lead in the ninth minute at Cairo’s 30 June Stadium, and Mohamed Rabie Hrimat extended that advantage with a header in the 54th minute.

Although Fiston Mayele pulled one back in the 62nd minute, the Egyptians couldn’t find the equaliser they desperately needed to push the match into penalties, as FAR Rabat held their ground.

“This is a historic win and an important qualification for the club,” stated forward Youssef El Fahli in an interview with beIN Sports. “We are determined to compete for the title this season and, with God’s help, we’ll claim the club’s second continental crown.”

FAR Rabat will go up against fellow Moroccans RS Berkane or Sudan’s Al Hilal in the semi-finals, as they aim to get closer to securing a second continental title, having previously won the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1985 against AS Bilima (now AS Dragons) from what was then Zaire, now the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Esperance knocked out Al Ahly in Cairo after a thriller to reach semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Esperance knock out Al Ahly in Cairo after a thriller to reach semis

Esperance Sportive de Tunis delivered a stunning performance in Cairo, defeating Al Ahly 3-2 on the night and securing a 4-2 aggregate win to advance to the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

After narrowly winning the first leg 1-0 in Rades, the Tunisian giants rallied from an early setback to clinch a late winner, silencing the Cairo International Stadium and dashing the hopes of Africa’s most decorated club.

Backed by a passionate crowd, Al Ahly opened the match with intensity. Their early efforts paid off in the 10th minute when Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” capitalised on defensive confusion to score, levelling the aggregate tie.

Although Al Ahly continued to create chances and control much of the first half, Esperance goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said made crucial saves, leaving the score at 1-0 at halftime.

The second half saw a dramatic shift in momentum as Esperance returned with renewed energy. Theyequalisedd in the 68th minute with a powerful shot from Florian Danho, regaining the aggregate lead. Soon after, a defensive error led to a penalty converted by Mohamed Amine Tougai, putting Esperance ahead 2-1.

Al Ahly fought back with urgency, and an own goal in the 84th minute levelled the match at 2-2, reigniting hope among home fans. As pressure mounted, it was Esperance who struck the final blow. In stoppage time, Hamza Jelassi headed the winning goal in the 94th minute, completing a remarkable turnaround despite his earlier own goal.

The final whistle confirmed Esperance’s semi-final spot, where they will face the winner of Mamelodi Sundowns and Stade Malien. For Al Ahly, this loss brought a disappointing end to their campaign, having dominated portions of both legs.

Meanwhile, Esperance’s determined display underscores their status as serious title contenders and adds another memorable chapter to African club football history.

Zambia's Chipolopolo set to face Argentina in Buenos Aires
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Zambia’s Chipolopolo set to face Argentina in Buenos Aires

Zambia is set to face Argentina in a highly anticipated friendly match on March 31 at La Bombonera Stadium in Buenos Aires.

This encounter, part of the March FIFA international matchdays, marks the inaugural meeting between the two nations and presents the Chipolopolo with a rare opportunity to test their skills against the reigning world champions.

Coach Moses Sichone plans to use this match as a chance to evaluate his squad in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The team will kick off a domestic training camp next week, before heading to Argentina, where they will concentrate on their preparation and tactical adjustments.

The invitation to play Argentina necessitated a shift in Zambia’s plans, as they had already committed to participating in the Four Nations Tournament in Botswana.

To accommodate both events, the federation opted to send a local squad to the tournament while retaining the senior national team for this historic clash in Buenos Aires.

“We received an invitation to play Argentina, and it’s an opportunity we can’t afford to miss. When the world champions come calling, you answer. It’s a clear indication of the respect Zambia has earned on the global stage,” explained a federation spokesperson. However, since this match coincides with the Four Nations Tournament, they decided it was best to send their local team to Francistown.

The federation emphasised the Four Nations Tournament as a key platform for preparing their Olympic team. “With our Olympic participation confirmed, the tournament will help refine our squad selection, including both local and international players,” a spokesperson stated.

Following the friendly against Argentina, Zambia will focus on upcoming continental competitions, particularly the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The coaching staff aims to use the March matches to fine-tune the squad and evaluate player performance against local rivals and elite international teams.

Morocco awarded as Senegal stripped off Afcon title following CAF's decision
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco awarded AFCON title as Senegal is stripped after CAF’s decision

Morocco has been declared the winner of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned the result of the final due to Senegal’s controversial walk-off.

In the match on January 18, Senegal initially won 1-0, but the game was disrupted when Senegal’s players refused to continue after a last-minute penalty was awarded to Morocco, which had been tied at 0-0.

After a 17-minute delay, the players returned, but Brahim Diaz’s penalty was saved, and Senegal’s Pape Gueye later scored in extra time. However, Caf has reversed the result, recording it as a 3-0 victory for Morocco instead.

The Senegalese Football Federation announced plans to appeal this decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, calling it “unfair” and damaging to African football.

CAF’s ruling followed an appeal by the Moroccan FA (FRMF), which cited a violation of Articles 82 and 84 of the competition’s regulations, stating that a team refusing to play is deemed the loser.

The FRMF emphasised that its appeal aimed to enforce the competition’s rules, not to challenge the teams’ performances.

After the announcement, some Senegalese players took to social media to react, with Crystal Palace forward Ismaila Sarr sharing laughing emojis. At the same time, West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf posted a celebratory image with the caption “Champions, speak up!”

During the final, with the score tied, referee Jean Jacques Ndala awarded a penalty following a VAR review. However, after a dispute, Senegal’s coach, Pape Thiaw, led his team off the field. Following the delay, Senegal returned, but Diaz’s penalty was saved, and Gueye scored to secure the initial win.

Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui, described Senegal’s actions as “shameful,” and Fifa president Gianni Infantino criticised the “ugly scenes.” Thiaw later acknowledged that ordering his team off the pitch was a rash decision made in the moment. Morocco parted ways with Regragui on March 5, just four months before the World Cup finals.

Nigeria and DR Congo face FIFA sanctions for Indiscipline
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria and DR Congo face FIFA sanctions for Indiscipline

FIFA has sanctioned Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) due to disciplinary issues during their 2026 World Cup continental play-off in November last year.

Following the match, FIFA’s judicial body found both the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the DR Congo Football Association (Fecofa) guilty of separate violations.

The NFF was fined 1,000 Swiss francs (around $1,270; £950) for failing to ensure proper “order and security,” specifically regarding objects thrown by spectators. In contrast, the Congolese FA faced a heavier fine of 5,000 Swiss francs for supporters using “laser pointers,” which breaches FIFA’s Article 17.2.d.

The play-off final on November 16, 2025, in Rabat, saw DR Congo win 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, ending Nigeria’s hopes of World Cup qualification for the first time since 2018.

Following the defeat, NFF questioned the eligibility of several DR Congo players who had changed their national allegiance, citing domestic laws that reportedly do not recognise dual citizenship for adults.

With just two weeks until the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico to decide World Cup qualifiers, the sanctions have intensified focus on FIFA’s decision regarding Nigeria’s protest about alleged ineligible players.

Nonetheless, FIFA has confirmed DR Congo’s participation in the upcoming fixtures, where they will face the winner of New Caledonia and Jamaica on March 31.

Coach Sebastien Desabre has named a 26-man squad, welcoming back Yoane Wissa after a knee injury sidelined him during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

DR Congo is hoping to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when the country competed under the name Zaire.

Up to 10 African nations could qualify to participate in the expanded global tournament in North America.