by FSL News | 20 Jun, 2016 | African News
Egyptian club Zamalek put their domestic disappointment behind them to open their African Champions League group campaign on Sunday with a 1-0 victory away to Enyimba of Nigeria.
Zamalek, keen to seek consolation for their slip in the Egyptian league, were one of three African sides to win their away group games at the weekend.
Mamelodi Sundowns were 2-0 winners at Entente Setif, whilst in Group A Wydad Casablanca won 1-0 at Asec Mimosas in Ivory Coast, as Zesco United shocked Al Ahly with a 3-2 home win in Zambia.
African Champions League
Group A
Zesco United 3-2 Al Ahly
Asec Mimosas 0-1 Wydad Casablanca
Group B
Entente Setif 0-2 Mamelodi Sundowns
Enyimba 0-1 Zamalek
Two-time African champions Enyimba hosted Zamalek in Port Harcourt, with the Egyptians looking to win a sixth African Champions League crown.
Zamalek travelled to Nigeria with a new coach in Mohamed Helmy after former Scotland coach Alex McLeish parted ways with the Cairo giants after just 65 days.
They secured a 1-0 win over the Nigerian side thanks to an 8th-minute goal from Basem Morsi and withstood pressure from the hosts to hold on for the victory.
On Saturday night, South African champions Mamelodi Sundowns began their Group B campaign with a 2-0 win away to Algeria’s Entente Setif, in a match which was interrupted by crowd disturbance.
Sundowns made the most of their second chance in the competition, after being allowed back in following the disqualification of AS Vita Club.
Goals from Tiyani Mabunda and Zimbabwe’s Khama Billiat sealed their Group B victory over the 2014 African champions.
On a bitterly disappointing night for the home side, the supporters failed to hide their frustration in the Setif stadium.
As the final whistle approached, missiles were thrown from the stands, with the referee stopping the game.
Entente Setif must wait to find out if they will face sanctions from the Confederation of African Football following the crowd trouble.
Also on Saturday, Egyptian giants Al Ahly returned to the group stage of the Champions League for the first time in two years with a shock 3-2 defeat away to Zambia’s Zesco United.
Ahly, the eight-time winners coached by former Tottenham manager Martin Jol (pictured), were determined to make up for recent disappointments in Africa’s premier club competition.
But Zesco United, who have never got beyond the group stage, upset the Red Devils with a famous home victory in Ndola.
Midfielder John Chingandu put the Zambian side ahead with a goal after 27 minutes, only for Ahly to equalise three minutes later through Ghana striker John Antwi.
It took just five minutes of the second half for the hosts to regain the lead, as Clatous Chama scored after 50 minutes and then again after 56 to give the Zambians a 3-1 lead.
Ahly tried to claw their way back in, and they were rewarded with another Antwi goal after 67 minutes.
Despite a nervous finale, the hosts held on to upset the Egyptians and go top of the standings.
In the other Group A match, Wydad Casablanca, who knocked out the defending champions TP Mazembe in the play-off round, carried on their good form by winning 1-0 away to Asec Mimosas of Ivory Coast in their opener.
The Moroccans, who were runners-up the last time they competed in the competition in 2011, secured their victory thanks to a 39th minute goal from Salah Eddine Saidi.
BBC
by FSL News | 14 Jun, 2016 | African News
West Ham have signed Algerian winger Sofiane Feghouli (Pictured) from Valencia on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.
Feghouli, 26, joined Valencia from French side Grenoble back in 2010, scoring 42 goals in 243 appearances in the last six years.
Feghouli told the West Ham website: “I am very happy to sign for the Hammers and for Slaven Bilic. The history of the club is important for me in my decision.”
He is the Londoners second signing this summer following Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Havard Nordtveit, who joins on 1 July.
The 2012 Algerian Footballer of the Year, Feghouli has 40 caps and has played in three major tournaments.
The Algerian international has 35 caps and nine goals to his name and has impressed down the right-hand side for Valencia, with his pace, hard work and dribbling ability a particular highlight for the West Ham faithful to keep an eye out for.
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by FSL News | 13 Jun, 2016 | African News
The Indomitable Lions, who have qualified for the tournament more times than any other African country and reached the 1990 quarter-finals, are among 20 teams to be split into five groups. The Indomitable Lions have appeared at the tournament seven times – more than any other African country – but have suffered in recent years.
Algeria, Ghana, and African champions Ivory Coast are among the top seeds based on Fifa’s rankings for June.
Twenty African teams will be split into five groups, with only the winners making it to the finals in Russia.
Nigeria, who boast the second most World Cup qualifications from Africa with five, have been included among the second seeds.
Eighteen of the teams in the draw, which will take place on 24 June, are among the top 20 in the rankings with Gabon (22) and Libya (33) the exceptions.
Qualifying kicks off in October, continues in November and there will be further four rounds during 2017 between August and November.
Cameroon’s last two appearances at the World Cup were a disaster. They lost all three of their group games in South Africa in 2010 and in Brazil four years later.
They have also suffered a miserable time on their continent, finishing bottom of their group at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. Cameroon failed to qualify for the tournament in 2012 and 2013.
Seeding
Pot 1: Algeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia
Pot 2: Cape Verde, Egypt, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Mali
Pot 3:Cameroon, Morocco, Guinea, South Africa, Congo Brazzaville
Pot 4: Uganda, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Gabon, Libya
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by FSL News | 11 Jun, 2016 | African News
Tragedy has hit Nigeria football again as former Super Eagles coach Shuaibu Amodu, four-time manager of the Nigerian Super Eagles and Technical Director of the NFF is dead.
Amodu Shaibu the top coach was recently appointed Nigeria technical director.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced Saturday that Amodu, 58, died after complaining of chest problems.
On Wednesday, Keshi, 54, died suddenly in Benin City.
Amodu and Keshi worked together as Nigeria coach and assistant coach respectively at the 2002 African Nations Cup.
Amodu, who qualified Nigeria to two World Cups, in 2002 and 2010, was re-appointed Nigeria manager in October 2014, replacing Stephen Keshi.
It was his fifth spell in charge of the country. Late Steven Keshi returned to the role two weeks later but was fired in July 2015 and Amodu took over the Eagles again temporarily.
He was replaced by Sunday Oliseh on a permanent basis later that month.
Senior football officials told AFP Amodu was hypertensive and had been on medication. Keshi assisted Amodu when Nigeria qualified for the 2002 World Cup.
Amodu rose to prominence when he guided BCC Lions of Gboko to win the Africa Cup Winners Cup in 1991.
The late Amodu has managed a number of club sides in Nigeria, such as BCC Lions, El-Kanemi Warriors, and Shooting Stars; he also managed Orlando Pirates in South Africa.
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by FSL News | 8 Jun, 2016 | African News
RIP: Nigeria legend Steven Keshi passes away aged 54
Steven Keshi was one of African football’s finest and best-known figures and had three spells in charge of the Super Eagles.
The world is mourning the Super Eagles Legend demise. The news was confirmed by the Nigeria Football Association on Wednesday morning.
Former Nigeria captain and Togo’s national team manager Stephen Keshi died from a suspected heart attack at the age of 54 according to reports.
Keshi began his managerial career with Togo in 2004 and would have three stints with the Sparrow Hawks during which he led them to a surprise qualification for the 2006 World Cup. He had a two-year spell with Mali before landing the Super Eagles job in 2011.
During his playing career, Keshi lifted the Nations Cup with the Super Eagles in 1994 and then went on to coach his Nigeria in three spells, which included a last-16 finish in the 2014 World Cup.
After winning 64 Nigeria caps as a central defender between 1981-95, Keshi had three stints in charge of Togo before taking over as Nigeria coach in 2011. He also coached Mali between 2008-10.
He led Nigeria to the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations title, defeating Burkina Faso in the final in South Africa before guiding them to the second round of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
During his 20-year playing career, he had spells at Belgian side Anderlecht, plus stints in France, the United States and Malaysia. He won 64 caps for his country at centre-back between 1981 and 1995, scoring nine goals.
Keshi’s contract with Nigeria was not renewed after the 2014 World Cup, despite a strong showing where the Super Eagles lost in the second round to France.
Keshi’s wife Kate passed away last December after a three-year battle with cancer. Keshi is survived by their four children.
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by Admin | 2 Jun, 2016 | African News
Sudan’s newly appointed national skipper Muhannad El Tahir (Pictured) is confident that they can win in Freetown against Sierra Leone.
Speaking ahead of their Group I crucial clash this Saturday, 4 June 2016, the Al-Hilal striker who is targeting a historic third appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations after 2008 and 2012 has said only a victory will improve their chances.
“The real value of the game is that it is very important on the road to the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Gabon in 2017. Certainly, every member of the team is motivated and eager to have a taste of the continental championship. The players are well aware of the value of playing at the Africa Cup of Nations finals,” Muhannad El Tahir told Cafonline.com
“They have the feeling that if you don’t do well in the qualifiers, you cannot be among the best teams on the continent at the final tournament. It comes with a great effort and you have to struggle to achieve the result.
The players are highly motivated with the core of the team personally motivated by the desire to play in the finals of the AFCON. There can be no better motivation for a player than playing for your country at the AFCON finals.
When you get the chance to wear your national colours at such a big tournament, it brings out a sense of national pride and also the joy of the whole nation is in your hands.
“My personal ambition as a player is to strive to achieve success. Also, the determination to continue playing for the national team pushed me to accept the honour to wear the prestigious armband.Throughout my career, I missed out on the national team only twice. The truth is that it is not easy to wear the captain’s armband to lead a national team. It is a big responsibility.
The 1970 African champions have four points going into the fifth round of the qualifiers, one behind leaders Cote d’Ivoire.
Host Sierra Leone with only a point fully mindful that only a win will reinforce their hold for Gabon 2017.
Since the country has been cleared to host International football matches the expectation has soared following a 1-0 win at home against Gabon back in March.
The Sudan tie will be Sierra Leone’s third international football match after the deadly Ebola virus that ravaged hundreds of lives. Victory for the Leone Stars will move them second behind Ivory Coast in the group standings.
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Sierra Leone | Highlights -