by FSL News | 6 Nov, 2016 | African News
A Rainford Kalaba brace helped TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo to beat outplay Algeria’s MO Bejaia 4-1 Sunday to win the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time.
The Lubumbashi ‘Ravens’ won the second-tier African club competition 5-2 on aggregate after drawing the first leg against the ‘Crabs’ 1-1 in North Africa last weekend.
On Sunday, the DRC outfit went ahead in Lubumbashi after just seven minutes through Merveille Bope who reacted quickest to a Jean Kasusula free- kick which hit the woodwork.
Zambia international Kalaba scored home a volley on the stroke of halftime to make it 2-0 and scored again just after the hour mark to put the result beyond the Algerians, appearing in their first continental cup final.
Bejaia scored a consolation goal in the 75th minute from Sofiane Khadir but the three-goal advantage was restored within 60 seconds by Jonathan Bolingi.
TP Mazembe will receive $660,000 following their Confederation Cup triumph with Bejaia receiving the runners-up prize of $462,000.
Mazembe will now play this year’s African Champions League winners, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, in the 2017 African Super Cup on the weekend on 17-19 February.
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by FSL News | 6 Nov, 2016 | Players Abroad News
Partick Thistle defender Mustapha Dumbuya (Pictured) has given supporters and teammates a major hint that he is stepping up his return from serious Achilles injury.
The Jags right-back has confirmed he will return to full first team training in December.
The Sierra Leone international has been sidelined for six months since suffering from Achilles problem ahead of his Thistle’s return to full pre-season training in June.
The news that the right-back, who was one of the club’s most impressive and consistent performers last season, was going to be out for several months was a huge setback to boss Alan Archibald.
Dumbuya, 29, told footballsierraleone.net earlier this week that he has just started running and looking to join the first team training later in December.
“I’ve just started running and it’s looking positive so hopefully late December I will be back training with the squad.”
“I’m in good condition, great sharp and I’m feeling stronger than ever after six months out,” he said.
Thistle in seventh position in the current Ladbrokes Scottish Premiership table with only three wins from twelve games.
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by FSL News | 4 Nov, 2016 | African News
Ivory Coast and Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has apologised to the club and manager Pep Guardiola for “misunderstandings from the past”.
Guardiola a few weeks ago has said he will not include Toure in his side until his agent Dimitri Seluk apologises for criticising the decision to leave him out of the Champions League squad.
“I wish to apologise – on behalf of myself and those who represent me,” said the Ivory Coast player.
The 33-year-old added that he wants “to help City succeed further”.
Seluk said Toure, whose £200,000-a-week contract expires next summer, had been “humiliated” when he was not included in City’s Champions League squad.
Guardiola, who was Barcelona boss when Toure was sold to City in 2010, responded at the time by saying: “Seluk must apologise. If he doesn’t, he won’t play.
“I cannot accept as a coach, when his player doesn’t play, going to the media to speak and speak and speak.”
Asked by BBC Sport about Guardiola’s stance, Seluk then said: “What do I need to apologise for?”
“Those statements do not represent my views on the club or the people who work there,” added Toure on Friday, who has not played for City since 24 August.
“I have nothing but respect for Manchester City and only wish the best for the football club.
“I am immensely proud to have played a part in the club’s history and want to help City succeed further. I live to play football and entertain the fans.
“On that note, I would like to thank all of the fans for their messages through this difficult period. This means a great deal to me and my family.”
Toure, a four-time African Footballer of the Year, has scored 75 goals in 267 appearances for City since arriving from Barca for £24m.
He has won the Premier League twice, the FA Cup and two League Cups during his time in England.
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by FSL News | 3 Nov, 2016 | Players Abroad News
(Photo: Bankole junior Kamara in action on trials with FC Riga)
The younger brother of Sierra Leone international John Kamara has been handed his first professional trials with Latvian side FC Riga.
The 18-year-old midfielder was spotted by FC Riga’s scouts in Sierra Leone while playing for Republicans.
It has now been confirmed that Bankole junior Kamara, the former FC Kelly striker has played three matches for the Latvian top flight second team scoring one goal.
FC Riga midfielder, elder brother John Kamara said: “FC Riga will assess him for few more days and then take a decision, but I’m confident he’s not coming back to Sierra Leone.”
“He scored his first goal against former defending champions FK Liepāja.”
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by FSL News | 1 Nov, 2016 | African News
Egypt Argentine boss Hector Cuper has named a 23-man squad for the Pharaohs’ 2018 World Cup qualifier against Ghana on 13 November.
The two continent heavyweights will meet at the Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria and Egyptian authorities have announced 75,000 fans will be allowed to attend.
Cuper, 60, who was appointed as the new technician for the Pharaohs will be hoping to take full advantage of Group E with a two straight win.
Cuper has picked the same group of players who beat Congo in their opening qualifier in October.
The squad is headed by Roma winger Mohamed Salah and Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny.
Veteran goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary of Wadi Degla is among 13 locally-based players called up on Tuesday.
The Egyptians kicked off their Group E campaign with a 2-1 win over Congo in Brazzaville, while the Black Stars were held to a goalless draw by Uganda.
The Pharaohs are going into this tie as group leaders with three points, two ahead of the second-placed Black Stars.
Egypt squad:
Goalkeepers: Essam El-Hadary (Wadi Degla), Sherif Ekramy (Al Ahly), Ahmed El-Shennawy (Zamalek)
Defenders: Ahmed Hegazy (Al Ahly), Ahmed Fathy (Al Ahly), Ahmed Dweidar (Zamalek), Ali Gabr (Zamalek), Hamada Tolba (Al Masry), Mohamed Abdel-Shafy (Ahli Jeddah), Ahmed Elmohamady (Hull City), Omar Gaber (FC Basel)
Midfielders: Abdallah El-Said (Al Ahly), Momen Zakaria (Al Ahly), Ibrahim Salah (Zamalek), Tarek Hamed (Zamalek), Mostafa Fathy (Zamalek), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Mahmoud Hassan (Mouscron), Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City), Mohamed Salah (AS Roma), Amr Warda (Panetolikos)
Forwards: Bassem Morsi (Zamalek), Ahmed Hassan Koka (SC Braga)
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -