Category: Football Africa

AL-Hilal slip in CAF Champions League after draw with St Éloi Lupopo
by Football Sierra Leone

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.

Burkina Faso attacker Dango Ouattara nets in Brentford win over Burnley
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Burkina Faso attacker Dango Ouattara nets in Brentford win over Burnley

Burkina Faso attacker Dango Ouattara scored as Brentford moved up to eighth place in the Premier League after defeating Burnley 3-1. The game featured three late goals, all scored within 11 minutes.

Igor Thiago scored two late goals as Brentford secured the victory at the Gtech Community Stadium. After missing a crucial penalty against Brighton last week, Thiago was once again in the spotlight during an exciting finish to Saturday’s match.

The first half was uneventful, but five minutes into the second half, Thiago had a goal disallowed for offside. He broke the deadlock in the 81st minute with a penalty after Dango Ouattara was fouled by Axel Tuanzebe.

Burnley equalised just four minutes later with a penalty from Zian Flemming after Jaidon Anthony was fouled. However, Thiago quickly regained the lead for Brentford with another goal after a cross from Jordan Henderson, just 72 seconds later.

In stoppage time, Ouattara secured the win with a goal past Martin Dubravka. Thiago’s performance has been exceptional, reaching 11 goals this season, second only to Erling Haaland, and setting a record for the fewest matches played for a Brentford player to achieve this milestone.

With this victory, Brentford has now won three home games in a row for the first time since December 2024, scoring three goals in each match and temporarily rising to eighth in the league table.

Attacker Mustapha Bundu nets first Bundesliga 2 goal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Attacker Mustapha Bundu nets first Bundesliga 2 goal

Sierra Leone player Mustapha Bundu scored his first goal of the season in Bundesliga II. His team, Hannover, won 3-0 against Karlsruhe on Friday.

The first half ended without any goals, but after halftime, the Reds quickly took control of the game with two quick goals. Key moments included Benedikt Pichler’s comeback goal and Mustapha Bundu’s first goal of the season.

Goals:- 1-0 (68th minute): Aseko runs down the wing and passes to Chakroun, who places the ball perfectly into the bottom right corner of Bernat’s net.

2-0 (70th minute): Aseko pushes past several KSC defenders. Despite pressure, the on-loan Bayern Munich player plays a through ball to Pichler, who chips it over Bernat into the net.

3-0 (77th minute): Neubauer steals the ball and passes to Bundu, who is unmarked. Bundu stays calm in front of Bernat and scores, marking his first goal in the Reds’ jersey!

The highlight of the game: Benedikt Pichler made a fantastic comeback after a long injury. He scored just four minutes after returning to play following a knee injury.

The statistics of the game: Just two minutes separated the goals by Chakroun and Pichler, which helped secure a comfortable home win over KSC.

What’s next: In a week, the team will play again. They will start matchday 15 on Friday at 6:30 p.m., away at the LVM-Preußenstadion. Head coach Christian Titz is eager to lead the team to another victory.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania to co-host Africa Nations Championship
by Football Sierra Leone

CAF named 2025 Cup of Nations Match Officials

The Confédération of African Football (CAF) has revealed the lineup of Match Officials who will oversee the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025, scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

This edition of Africa’s premier football tournament features a total of 73 seasoned officials, including 28 referees, 31 assistant referees, and 14 VAR officials.

The chosen officials represent all corners of the continent and include some of the most experienced referees who have officiated in several key CAF competitions in recent years.

All appointed match officials are expected to arrive in Morocco on December 15, 2025, for an intensive preparatory course leading up to the tournament.

This program, organised by CAF’s Referees Department, will encompass physical, technical, and theoretical evaluations aimed at ensuring peak performance throughout the event.

This meticulous selection of highly qualified match officials highlights CAF’s steadfast commitment to excellence in officiating, maintaining the integrity of the competition, and continually raising the technical standards in African football.

The full list of match officials appointed for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 – here!

Wydad record strong start in CAF Confederation Cup
by FSL News

Wydad record strong start in CAF Confederation Cup

Wydad Casablanca, former African champions, started their campaign strongly by beating debutants Nairobi United 3–0 in Casablanca in their Group B CAF Confederation Cup group stage opener.

Ayoub Boucheta, Mohamed Bouchouari, and Mohamed Rayhi scored the goals for Wydad.

AS Maniema Union also earned three points with a 2–0 win over Azam FC in Kinshasa. Christian Panzi scored first, and substitute Chadoma Ozome added a second goal late in the game.

In Group C, CR Belouizdad from Algeria won 2–0 against Singida Black Stars in Algiers. Goals from Belhocini and Benguit put them at the top of Group C on goal difference.

Meanwhile, Stellenbosch needed stoppage time to beat AS Otoho 1–0, with Angelo Cupido scoring in the 90+3 minute for a thrilling home victory.

Matchday 1 Results – Group B
• Wydad 3–0 Nairobi United
• Maniema 2–0 Azam

Matchday 1 Results – Group C
• CR Belouizdad 2–0 Singida Black Stars
• Stellenbosch 1–0 Otoho d’Oyo