Category: Football Africa

Samuel Chukwueze nets brace in Fulham's defeat to Manchester City

Samuel Chukwueze nets brace in Fulham’s defeat to Manchester City

Fulham's thrilling comeback ended in heartbreak with a 4-5 defeat to Manchester City at Craven Cottage in Tuesday's Premier League action

City took an early lead with goals from Erling Haaland, Tijjani Reijnders, and Phil Foden. Emile Smith Rowe pulled one back with a header just before halftime.

Despite another goal from Foden and an own goal by Sander Berge putting City ahead, Fulham fought back. Alex Iwobi scored, followed by Samuel Chukwueze’s brace, marking his first goals for the club. A late chance for Josh King to equalise was cleared off the line.

Manager Marco Silva made key adjustments, reinstating Saša Lukić and Smith Rowe after the win against Tottenham. Fulham had opportunities early on but fell behind after two quick City goals. Yet, Smith Rowe’s stoppage-time header brought renewed hope.

In the second half, City’s lead was restored with another goal from Foden, but Fulham persisted. Iwobi’s stunning goal and Chukwueze’s swift volley brought the score to 4-5.

With eight minutes of added time, a dramatic equalizer was tantalizingly close, but King’s effort was heartbreakingly cleared, denying Fulham a remarkable comeback.

Ghanaian defender Maxwell Woledzi MLS side Nashville

Ghanaian defender Maxwell Woledzi joins MLS side Nashville

Maxwell Woledzi, 24, the defedner, who was instrumental in Fredrikstad FK's 2024 Norwegian Cup win, helping the team secure a spot in the Eliteserien. He was named to the league's Team of the Year and Fredrikstad FK’s Player of the Year in 2025.

In 2018, Woledzi founded the Maxwell Woledzi Foundation and launched The Hijab Project in his hometown of Nima, Ghana, to empower young people, especially girls, in soccer.

On December 2, 2025, Nashville SC announced Woledzi’s signing from Fredrikstad FK for the 2026 season, with an option to extend through 2029. “Maxwell is a fantastic player and a great leader,” said Nashville SC President Mike Jacobs.

Since joining Fredrikstad FK in 2023, Woledzi has made 88 appearances, including 29 league matches in the 2024 season. Before Fredrikstad, he developed at FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark from 2019 to 2022, playing 33 First Team matches, and later played for Vitória Guimarães SC B in Portugal.

Woledzi began his journey at the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana at age 14, which has helped young talent grow both on and off the pitch.

Shocking Cameroon AFCON squad news, no keeper Andre Onana

Shocking Cameroon AFCON squad news, no keeper Andre Onana

Andre Onana has been excluded from Cameroon's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Morocco, following the dismissal of head coach Marc Brys amidst claims of "subterfuge."

Just days after being re-elected as president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot), Samuel Eto’o and his executive team announced Brys’s exit in a dramatic statement.

The statement details a long list of accusations against Brys, including allegations of “professional failure” and claims that he incited players to oppose Fecafoot’s authority.

The Belgian coach, who was appointed by Cameroon’s sports ministry in April 2024—a decision Eto’o aimed to overturn—also faces accusations of “collaborating with unknown individuals” within Fecafoot.

Furthermore, he is criticised for missing important meetings, withholding training schedules, damaging relationships with sponsors, delaying his squad announcements, and avoiding his responsibility to hold press conferences.

Stepping in for Brys is one of his assistants, David Pagou, a seasoned Cameroonian coach with experience managing several teams in the country’s top league.

However, Pagou’s 28-man squad for the upcoming Afcon in Morocco, set to kick off on December 21, notably lacks several key players. Among those missing are goalkeeper Onana, team captain Vincent Aboubakar, Napoli midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who is sidelined due to injury and defender Michael Ngadeu.

While Anguissa’s absence is understood, no explanations have been provided for the exclusion of the other players.

Debutants Nairobi United fell to a second defeat in CAF Confederation Cup

Debutants Nairobi United fell to a second defeat in the CAF Confederation Cup

Nairobi United suffered their second consecutive defeat in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, losing 1–0 to DR Congo’s AS Maniema at Kasarani, who remain at the top of Group B.

The only goal of the match was scored in the 67th minute by Jaency Mboma Kinda, who converted a low cross from Chadoma Ozome at the near post. This rare moment of clarity in a cautious game ensured Maniema’s strong defensive record in the group remained intact.

Before the goal, scoring chances were limited, but Maniema gained momentum after halftime with a double substitution that energised their midfield and right flank.

Nairobi responded with three substitutions in the 69th minute, but the Congolese side managed the game’s final moments well. Nairobi’s frustration showed when Kevin Otiende received a yellow card in the 71st minute, followed by Mboma Kinda being cautioned in the 80th. Maniema also made a late substitution and held on with disciplined defending.

This victory puts Maniema on six points from two matches, tied with Wydad AC at the top of the standings on goal difference (Wydad 4:0, Maniema 3:0). Nairobi remains at the bottom, without any points or goals, while Azam is in third place.

AL-Hilal slip in CAF Champions League after draw with St Éloi Lupopo

Al-Hilal slip in CAF Champions League after draw with St Éloi Lupopo

Congolese side St Éloi Lupopo came from behind late in the match to draw 1–1 against Al-Hilal Omdurman in Lubumbashi on Sunday, a result that keeps Group C tightly contested after two matchdays of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

The Sudanese champions took the lead early, scoring on 12 minutes when Abdelraziq Omer found the net from close range, capitalising on Al-Hilal’s quick start.

Lupopo struggled to respond, and their mounting frustration was evident when captain Issama Mpeko was shown a yellow card before halftime. Changes made by St Éloi Lupopo at the break brought urgency and better control for the Congolese side.

As Al-Hilal found themselves increasingly pinned back, Petrus Aprocious received a yellow card due to the growing pressure. Lupopo finally equalised in the 79th minute when Ramos Kashala slotted in after the ball deflected nicely in the box.

Although Al-Hilal still posed a threat on counterattacks late in the game, two players from the visiting side received yellow cards as the Sudanese side fought hard to secure a point. Lupopo substitute Mika Miche also saw a booking in stoppage time as tensions rose, yet neither team managed to score again.

This draw came after MC Alger and Mamelodi Sundowns played to a scoreless draw in Algiers on Friday. Sundowns currently top Group C on goal difference with four points, tied with Al-Hilal. MC Alger is in third place with two points, while Lupopo sits in fourth with one point after two matches.

Both teams will return to continental action in January, with Lupopo looking to convert their improved second-half performance into their first group victory, while Al-Hilal aims to maintain their unbeaten record.