Category: Football Africa

Moroccan forward Zakaria Aboukhlal pens move to Torino
by Football Sierra Leone

Moroccan forward Zakaria Aboukhlal pens move to Torino

Morocco national team forward Zakaria Aboukhlal has transferred to Italy’s Serie A side Torino on a four-year contract and aims to improve Torino’s attack, which struggled last season.

Torino announced the signing of Aboukhlal, 25, on Tuesday after bringing him in from Toulouse, a club in France, for €8.5 million.

They finished 11th in the 2024-25 Serie A season, scoring only 39 goals in 38 matches. Aboukhlal, who started his career at PSV, is a versatile forward known for his ability to play on either wing. His best season was in 2022-23, where he scored 10 goals and provided 5 assists in 37 matches for Toulouse.

He is skilled, quick, and strong on the ball, which gives Torino manager Marco Baroni several options to boost the team’s offense. Aboukhlal will compete for playing time with players like Ché Adams, Antonio Sanabria, and returning Colombian Duván Zapata. His versatility can help complement the team’s other goal scorers.

Before the season starts, Torino will play friendly matches against AS Monaco and Valencia. They will begin their season with a Coppa Italia game against Serie B club Modena on August 18.

Getafe CF sign Moroccan defender Abdelkabir Abqar until 2028
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Getafe CF sign Moroccan defender Abdelkabir Abqar until 2028

Moroccan central defender Abdelkabir Abqar has agreed a three-year deal, ending June 30, 2028 with Getafe CF.

Having left Deportivo Alavés, where he made 29 La Liga appearances last season, the 25-year-old was a free agent. Trained at the Mohammed VI Academy, Abqar signed with Alavés in 2017 and was elevated to the first team in 2022.

Hoping to draw on Abqar’s knowledge and abilities, Getafe wants to improve its defense for the 2025-2026 season.

Abqar’s signing marks a fresh start in his career as he also aims to establish himself on the Moroccan national team.

“Getafe CF has reached an agreement with Moroccan centre-back Abdel Abqar to join the club for the next three seasons , until June 30, 2028. 

At 26, Abqar is a full international for his country and arrives at Getafe on a free transfer after spending the last five seasons with Deportivo Alavés, with whom he rose to the top flight of Spanish football and where he has played 56 matches over the last two seasons,” the Spanish announced.

Morocco first to touch down in Kenya ahead of CHAN 2024
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco first to touch down in Kenya ahead of CHAN 2024

Ahead of the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, Morocco has arrived.

Landing in Nairobi, the team is eager to get ready for the competition hoping to be the first to lift the CHAN championship three times.

At 4:00 am local time on Monday morning, the Atlas Lions arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi to be greeted by a vibrant East African welcome highlighting energetic traditional dancers and music. 

Hoping to create history as the first team to secure the CHAN trophy for the third time, the North African giants are quickly getting set as they prepare for their first match.

“We are excited to be here and ready for CHAN,” stated AS FAR defender Marouane Louadni, who added that Nairobi is already great and that the weather is amazing. We cannot wait for a successful competition.

On Saturday, August 2 marks the start of the competition for national league players only, highlighting regional ability. Other Groups Soon after Morocco are scheduled to arrive.

On Sunday they start their Angola campaign. Two-time winners Morocco is in Group A with Kenya, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia, and is widely regarded as a clear frontrunner.

Super Falcons of Nigeria fight back from two goals down to WAFCON 2024 holders
by Football Sierra Leone

Nigeria fight back from two goals down to WAFCON 2024 holders

Nigeria won their tenth TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title by defeating Morocco 3-2 in a dramatic comeback.

The match took place at the Stade Olympique in Rabat. Trailing 2-0 at halftime, Nigeria’s Super Falcons rallied in the second half, with goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and a late winner by Joe Echegini.

Morocco initially took the lead with goals from Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaâ Mssoudy before Nigeria’s comeback, sparked by a penalty awarded after a VAR review for a handball by Nouhaila Benzina.

Momentum shifted to Nigeria when Okoro provided a key pass to Ijamilusi in the 71st minute, who equalised with a left-footed shot.

The Super Falcons secured their victory just before extra time, as Esther Okoronkwo assisted Joe Echegini, who scored in the 88th minute. Despite late pressure from Morocco, Nigeria held strong during stoppage time.

This win marked Nigeria’s 10th African championship in 13 editions, reinforcing their dominance in African women’s football and sending a clear message that they remain the team to beat.

Eric Chelle names 23-man squad Super Eagles for CHAN
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Eric Chelle names 23-man Super Eagles squad for CHAN

With important Super Eagles B team members including captain Junior Harrison Nduka and leading scorer Anas Yusuf, head coach Eric Chelle has released his team for the forthcoming CHAN tournament.

Nine players from Remo Stars, winners of the Nigeria Premier Football League, have been chosen in his last 23-man team for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Before leaving for Zanzibar, where they will conduct a second-phase training camp and play warm-up games against Zanzibar, the team has been training at the Remo Stars Sports Institute.

Grouped with Senegal, Sudan, and Congo, Nigeria aspires to win their first CHAN championship following a runner-up in 2018 and bronze in 2014.

Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will host the 2–30 August tournament.

The Super Eagles B Squad 

Goalkeepers: Henry Ozoemena Ani (Enyimba FC); Nurudeen Badmus (Kwara United); Lawal Mustapha (Shooting Stars)

Defenders: Sodiq Ismaila (Remo Stars); Bankole Afeez (Kwara United); Taiwo Abdulrafiu (Rivers United); Uzondu Harrison (Ikorodu City); Junior Harrison Nduka (Remo Stars); Ngengen Leonard (Ikorodu City); Steven Mayo Egbe (Rivers United)

Midfielders: Adedayo Olamilekan (Remo Stars); Hadi Haruna (Remo Stars); Otaniyi Taofik (Rivers United); Akanni Qudus (Remo Stars); Michael Tochukwu (Remo Stars); Alex Oyowah (Remo Stars)

Forwards: Anas Yusuf (Nasarawa United); Shola Adelani (Ikorodu City); Sikiru Alimi (Remo Stars); Temitope Vincent (Plateau United); Ijoma Anthony (Abia Warriors); Godwin Obaje (Rangers International); Jabbar Malik (Remo Stars)