by FSL News | 21 Mar, 2019 | African News
Harambee Stars of Kenya will go up against the Black Stars of Ghana in their final Afcon 2019 Group F decider at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.
Kenya defeats the Black Stars back in September last year, Ghana’s Nicholas Opoku own-goal was the difference between the sides.
Although the two nations have qualified for the continental showpieces set for Egypt this year, Ghana still fancies their chances in winning the group.
The Ghanaians hoping to claim three points on Saturday to finish the qualifying campaign as group winners.
However, the Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama, who missed the first leg tie wants to help his country to do the double against Ghana in this qualifiers.
“We want to beat Ghana and finish as the winners of the group. We beat them at home and, I know we can beat them away. We have a good squad, I am confident that we will manage a double over them.” Wanyama was quoted as saying.
It could be recalled that Sierra Leone, who defeats Kenya in their opening qualifier in Freetown, was disqualified from the same group following a FIFA suspension.
Meanwhile, seven-time champions host Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal as well as Guinea, Mali, Uganda, Kenya and the two newcomers to have already confirmed their places.
The Kenyan squad – Goalkeepers – Patrick Matasi, John Oyemba, Faruk Shikalo
Defenders – Joash Onyango, Musa Mohammed, David Owino, Bernard Ochieng, Brian Mandela, Philemon Otieno, Erick Ouma
Midfielders – Anthony Akumu, Ismael Gonzales, Victor Wanyama, Francis Kahata, Dennis Odhiambo, Johanna Omollo, Erick Johanna, Paul Were, Christopher Mbamba
Forwards – Masud Juma, Pistone Mutamba, Allan Wanga
AFCON QUALIFIERS GROUP F STANDINGS
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by FSL News | 21 Mar, 2019 | African News
Guinean side Horoya AC will face Wydad Casablanca of Morocco in one of the quarter-finals of the African Champions League according to the draws conducted in Cairo on Wednesday.
The draw was conducted by CAF Deputy General Secretary, Anthony Baffoe, with the assistance of Cameroon legend Patrick Mboma and Egyptian icon Emad Moteab.
The Guineans qualified to the knockout phase as second best from Group B alongside defending champions Esperance of Tunisia, who will take on Algeria’s CS Constantine.
The winners of Horoya and Wydad will play Sundowns or Ahly in the semi-finals.
Either Constantine or Esperance will take on the winner between Simba and TP Mazembe.
Draws for the Total CAF Champions League
CS Constantine (Algeria) vs Esperance (Tunisia)
Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) vs Al Ahly (Egypt)
Horoya (Guinea) vs Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)
Simba (Tanzania) vs TP Mazembe (DR Congo)
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by FSL News | 20 Mar, 2019 | African News
AZ Alkmaar’s winger Oussama Idrissi pledged to play for Morocco in February.
Football’s world governing body Fifa has given the 22-year old Oussama Idrissi permission to switch international allegiance from the Netherlands to Morocco.
The former Dutch youth international, who plays for AZ Alkmaar, had confirmed his choice to represent Morocco instead of the Netherlands last month.
The Royal Morocco Football Federation (FRMF) confirmed that the players have been given approval for the move earlier this week.
FRMF received a letter from Fifa stating Idrissi is qualified to play for the Atlas Lions.
In an interview with Volkskrant, Idrissi noted that playing for Morocco “was a rational choice.”
“I am a footballer who had to make a choice. I have discussed with my parents what is best for my career,” he added.
“I was born and raised here [in the Netherlands] with the standards and values of this beautiful country. I am a footballer and, I had to make the decision with my parents. I wanted to make the most of myself,” he said.
The winger was born in the Netherlands but still eligible for Morocco through his parents. He has played for the Netherlands at various youth levels,
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by FSL News | 18 Mar, 2019 | African News
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has turned down a request from the Liberia Football Association (LFA) to move Sunday’s crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The expected cracker is scheduled for the Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa. However, Liberia’s FA wanted the venue changed because of the ongoing Ebola epidemic in the country.
The continental body has said they’re ‘monitoring the situation’ and that Kinshasa is safe to host the match as planned.
“According to reports, the virus is located very far from Kinshasa and there is no risk of organising DR Congo versus Liberia match in the said venue as scheduled,” said Caf’s Director of Competitions, Samson Adamu, in an email to the LFA dated 17 March and seen by the BBC.
“Caf is in contact with [the] WHO (World Health Organisation) and is following the situation closely to ensure the organisation of the match in the best conditions,” Adamu wrote.
The West Africans (Liberia) second position on the Group G table with 7 points, a point behind group leaders Zimbabwe.
All four teams in the group can still qualify for this year’s continental showpiece to be held in Egypt later this year.
“The delegation to Kinshasa leaves on Tuesday at 8:00 AM local time [08:00 GMT]. They will be joined by the overseas-based players ahead of the match on Sunday. And by his [God] grace, all will be well,” Montgomery told BBC Sport on Monday.
It could be recalled that in August 2014, Caf banned Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea from hosting international matches because of fears of spreading Ebola – eventually clearing the countries to restage matches in May 2015, December 2015 and January 2016 respectively.
According to the WHO, the most widespread Ebola outbreak in history began in Guinea in 2013 and killed more than 11,000 people – mainly in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
All four teams in the group with a chance to qualify for this year’s continental showpiece to be held in Egypt later this year
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by FSL News | 16 Mar, 2019 | African News
Orlando Pirates suffered a 2-1 defeat in Conakry, Guinea to Horoya AC at the Stade du 28 Septembre in their final group match on Saturday.
As a result, the Guinean side progressed to the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League alongside reigning champions and Group B winners Esperance of Tunisia.
Experience defeated FC Platinum of Zimbabwe 2-1 in the early match in Harare.
The visitors succumbed to goals from Abdoulaye Camara in the 56th-minute and Boniface Haba’s tap in as they crashed out of this year’s competition.
There was a late consolation for Pirates from a Justine Shonga’s goal in the 90th plus extra time.
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by FSL News | 14 Mar, 2019 | African News
ASEC Mimosas must beat Nigerian side Lobi Stars to increase any hopes for a place in the quarterfinals of this year’s CAF Champions League.
The two West African sides lock horns in their final group qualifier at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu on Saturday, 16 March 2019.
Tunisian referee Haythem Guirat will take charge of the match in Enugu.
The Ivorians third in their Group A standings level on points with second-placed Wydad Casablanca.
Casablanca ranked ahead of the Ivorian giant due to the head-to-head tiebreaker.
It could be recalled that Asec defeated the North Africans 2-0 in Abidjan last weekend – thanks to a brace from Ahmed Toure – to give themselves hope of advancing.
Lobi Stars on the other hand, mathematically are out of the race after their 3-0 loss away to South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns.
Elsewhere in the group, for the Mimosas to qualify for the final eight, they must hope Sundowns avoid defeat in Rabat.
The Matchday 2 meeting of ASEC and Stars in Abidjan in January saw the Ivorian side claim a narrow 1-0 win, with a goal from Herve Diomande.
The Ortom Boys will hope to gain some revenge for that defeat and at least have the satisfaction of denying their fellow West Africans a place in the knockout phase.
CAF Champions League Group A standings.
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