African News Archives - Page 13 of 159

Brilliant Gambia ease past South Sudan to reach U20 semis

by FSL News | 3 Mar, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

The Gambia are through to the U20 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in Egypt and Fifa World Cup in Indonesia after thrashing South Sudan 5-0 at the Haras El Hodood Stadium on Friday.

A brilliant performance from the West Africans as the Scorpions of Gambia thrashed debutantes Bright Stars of South Sudan 5-0 in the most comprehensive victory of the African Youth Championship in Egypt.

Their big triumph means the Gambians became the third country to qualify for the World U20 championships in Indonesia in May this year.

With a hattrick for Adama Bojang and a goal apiece for Moses Jarju, Mahmudu Bajo condemned South Sudan to their worst defeat in the tournament thus far.

The Gambia join their neighbours Senegal as the only teams to win all their matches without conceding a goal and also seal places at the semis and the World Cup.

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The Young Scorpions also qualified for the U20 World Cup to be played in Indonesia this year thanks to the win that steered them to the last four.

Senegal through to U20 semis after victory over Benin

by FSL News | 2 Mar, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Senegal’s young Lions are through to this year’s TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals after their 1-0 win over Benin at the Cairo International Stadium on Thursday.

The win also means they sealed a place at the U20 World Cup later this year. Malick Daf’s Teranga Cubs victory secured a second goal from captain Samba Diallo to beat the Cheetahs.

Diallo headed in from Lamine Camara’s brilliant free kick to send the West Africans to the semis and the World Cup.

The Young Teranga started the better side at the Cairo International Stadium, with Lamine Camara and Djibril Diop pulling the strings in midfield.

Senegal broke the deadlock six minutes into the second half through captain Samba Diallo’s diving header from a well-worked set piece.

The captain turned in Lamine Camara’s free-kick at the far post to beat the helpless Rahman Karim and hand Senegal a deserved lead.

Diallo should have doubled Senegal’s lead in 67 minutes when he fired straight at the woodwork from Sulaymane Faye’s intelligent pass.

Faye latched on to a long ball deep into the Benin half as Karim failed to clear to allow the youngster to square it to captain Diallo, who couldn’t convert it into an empty goal.

The Teranga Cubs continued to dominate, and Pape Diallo came close with a half volley late on, but Karim was well positioned to gather.

With time running out, substitute Stephane Vignigbe glanced a header wide for Benin as Senegal held on to qualify for the semi-finals and book a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Indonesia.

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TotalEnergies AFCON U-20: Senegal edge Benin to reach semis

Women’s football on agenda as Infantino meets SLFA boss Brima

by FSL News | 27 Feb, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Gianni Infantino holds discussions with counterpart from the SLFA
President Thomas Brima provides an update on his country’s progress in the women’s game
The meeting took place in FIFA’s Paris bureau, in France

The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) has travelled to Paris to meet with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to provide an update on the remarkable progress made in women’s football development, and to identify further collaboration opportunities with FIFA in the future.

Women’s football in Sierra Leone entered an exciting new era in October 2022, as the country’s Women’s Premier League kicked off.

More than three years had passed since Sierra Leone last had a women’s league in operation when it was only a regional competition.

The inauguration of the new competition meant that the African nation’s top 12 women’s teams would face each other home and away and fight it out for the right to become Sierra Leonean champions – a project made possible by FIFA Forward funding.

President Infantino said, “At FIFA we are committed to developing football at all levels and in every corner of the world. Hearing the reports of the great work being carried out in Sierra Leone to ensure that women and girls across the country can have access to football and aspire to be the next football star fills me with joy. The launch of the Women’s Premier League is a perfect example of what the FIFA Forward programme is for, and it was great to meet with President Brima in Paris to learn more about the progress they are making.”

Speaking after the meeting, President Brima also said of his organisation’s willingness to further engage the FIFA Forward programme, which moves into its next phase in 2023 – as FIFA honours its commitment to bolster funding by almost 30%, compared to the previous four-year cycle.

“We are working with the Forward [Programme] Funds to develop infrastructure, and the good thing is that I’ve just got the confirmation FIFA is going to help us with infrastructure through the Forward Funds,” he said. “On our end, we are trying to play whatever tournaments we can. Last year, we played all FIFA and CAF-sanctioned tournaments. That is to say, we are moving in the right direction.”

Credit Fifa.com

U20: Nigeria’s Flying Eagles stun host Egypt

by FSL News | 23 Feb, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Resilient Nigeria’s Flying Eagles defeated host Egypt 1-0 in the ongoing U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in their second group game on Wednesday.

After starting on a losing note against Senegal, the win over their north African counterparts was an improved performance as they reignited their hope for a record-extending eighth title and a berth in the World Cup.

Following several unsuccessful attempts at breaking the deadlock, Solomon Agbalaka’s bullet header in the 71st minute was enough for the Flying Eagles to boost their chance of qualifying for the knockouts.

The defender was voted Man-of-the-match for his match-winning goal.

With this victory, Flying Eagles are now second in Group A with three points behind Senegal.

Egypt, the host nation, sits in third position with a point from two games, the same as Mozambique, which lies at the bottom with an inferior goals deficit.

Ladan Bosso’s men face Mozambique in the final group game on Saturday evening.

Meanwhile, Senegal booked their place in the quarter-final following a flawless 3-0 hammering of Mozambique on Wednesday.

In the final round of matches, Nigeria to battle Mozambique at the Suez Canal Stadium. Egypt goes toe to toe with already qualified Senegal in Cairo International Stadium on Saturday.

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TotalEnergies AFCON U-20 Group A standings after two matches

FK Mornar debut delight for attacker Rodney Michael

by FSL News | 18 Feb, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Sierra Leone International Rodney Michael was pleased after helping his side FK Mornar‘s 1-0 triumph on his debut for the Montenegro top-tier side this afternoon at the City Stadium in Pljevlja.

Mornar defeated FK Rudar Pljevlja through an Aleksandar Vujačić 48-minute strike as they battle to stay at the top league of the Southeastern Europe country.

Michael, 23, who enjoyed 86 minutes of action on his debut before he was subbed off – was pleased with the final scoreline.

He signed for the Meridianbet 1 CFL side a few days ago until the summer. The former Indy Eleven attacker is hoping his decision will help him revive his professional career in the Southeastern Europe country.

“It felt great to make my debut with FK Mornar. Extremely happy to be back on the pitch playing in a competitive league again. And to be able to help the team get three points as we start the second part of the season,” Michael told FSL News. “We now look ahead to the upcoming games as we continue the fight to climb up the league table.”

Michael was part coach of John Keister’s Sierra Leone squads for the last three friendlies in a 4-0 defeat to South Africa, DR Congo 3-0 and 3-0 against the Algeria B team in South Africa, Morocco and Dubai, respectively.

In March last year, Indy Eleven announced it had acquired forward Rodney Michael from USL League One club South Georgia Tormenta FC.

Bravo za momke !! Pobjeda u Pljevljima /Rudar – Mornar 0-1/ Vujačić 47 " pic.twitter.com/o0ppLRerIc
— FK Mornar-Bar (@FkMornar) February 18, 2023

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Christian Atsu confirmed dead after Turkey earthquake

by FSL News | 18 Feb, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Former Chelsea and Newcastle winger Christian Atsu has been found dead under the rubble almost two weeks after the Turkey earthquake, his agent has confirmed.

The Ghana international, 31, had spells with Premier League sides Everton, Chelsea and Newcastle.

The winger had been missing since the 6 February quake that caused the collapse of his apartment in Antakya, Hatay.

His former clubs, Newcastle and Chelsea have expressed their sadness on their social pages.

Early life

Atsu was born in Ada Foah, Greater Accra Region. As a youngster, he spent some of his education at the then Feyenoord Football Academy at Gomoa Fetteh, in the Central Region of Ghana, which has now been changed to West African Football Academy at Sogakope, in the Volta Region of Ghana. He later moved to join Cheetah FC, a club based in Kasoa.

International career

Atsu won his first senior cap for the Ghana national team on 1 June 2012 against Lesotho, scoring in the process. He was described by the BBC as an “excellent prospect”. ESPN added he was “quick and technically impressive”, and a potential future star for his national team, according to Wikipedia.

CHRISTIAN ATSU

Born: January 10, 1992, Ada Foah, Ghana

Clubs

Porto: 2011-2013

Rio Ave (loan): 2011-2012

Chelsea: 2013-2017

Vitesse (loan): 2013-14

Everton (loan): 2014-15

Bournemouth (loan): 2015-16

Malaga (loan): 2016

Newcastle (loan): 2016-17

Newcastle (permanent): 2017-2021

Al-Raed: 2021-22

Hatayspor: 2022-23

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to announce to all well wishers that sadly Christian Atsu’s body was recovered this morning

My deepest condolences go to his family and loved ones. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their prayers and support

— Nana Sechere (@iAmNana7) February 18, 2023

We are profoundly saddened to learn that Christian Atsu has tragically lost his life in Turkey's devastating earthquakes.

A talented player and a special person, he will always be fondly remembered by our players, staff and supporters.

Rest in peace, Christian. 🖤🤍

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) February 18, 2023

Everyone at Chelsea Football Club is devastated to learn of the tragic passing of our former player, Christian Atsu. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 18, 2023