African News Archives - Page 4 of 159

Nigeria to Start Women’s WC Campaign against Canada

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

Africa’s formidable side, Super Falcons of Nigeria, will open their FIFA Women’s World Cup against Olympic champions Canada at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Friday.

Of course, Group B has been coined this year’s version of the Group of Death alongside co-hosts Australia and the Republic of Ireland.

Game 1: vs. Nigeria, July 20, 10:30 p.m., in Melbourne.

Boasting a talent-studded squad headlined by Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala, Atletico Madrid’s Rasheedat Ajibade, and Sevilla’s Toni Payne, only a few nations outdo Nigeria in terms of quality, even though in recent times, that strength of quality has proven not to be enough as the nine-time African champions are slowly losing grip of their monopoly on the continent of Africa.

Canada, on the other hand, won historic back-to-back bronze medals at London 2012, Rio 2016 and a gold medal at Tokyo 2020. They are surely a force to reckon with.

Canada are reigning Women’s Olympic Football Tournament champions and heads to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ with a new level of confidence.

Asisat Oshoala, who is a five-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, is set to lead by example when they tackle Canada. Global soccer fans eagerly waiting for such a mouthwatering contest between the two nations.

Group stage (kick-off times are local and are subject to change)

20 July

Group A – New Zealand v Norway 19:00, Eden Park (Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau)

Group B – Australia v Republic of Ireland 20:00, Stadium Australia (Sydney/Gadigal)

21 July

Group B – Nigeria v Canada 12:30, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium (Melbourne/Naarm)

Group A – Philippines v Switzerland 17:00, Dunedin Stadium (Dunedin/Ōtepoti)

Group C – Spain v Costa Rica 19:30, Wellington Regional Stadium(Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-tara)

Sierra Leone to know 2026 WC group opponents on Thursday

by FSL News | 12 Jul, 2023 | African News, Sport News

The 2026 World Cup will see an increase of participating countries to 48, meaning more spots for African teams as Sierra Leone is in line to know their challengers.

The West African state has never qualified for a FIFA World Cup. The draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers for Africa will take place on July 13, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced on Tuesday.

The new format will see Member Associations of CAF divided into nine (9) Groups. Winners of each Group will automatically qualify for the FIFA World Cup™ 2026.

The four best runners-up (from the Groups) will play in a CAF Play-Off tournament. The winner of the CAF Play-Off Tournament will play in the FIFA Play-off Tournament.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and Players Abroad. The writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*********************ne.net.

Morocco win first U23 AFCON defeating Egypt

by Admin | 9 Jul, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Host Morocco defeated defending champions Egypt 2-1 in extra time at home in Rabat on Saturday (8 July). Both teams and Mali booked their places in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Morocco came from behind to clinch their first TotalEnergies U-23 Africa Cup of Nations title against ten-man Egypt at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, requiring extra time to settle the match.

They became only the fourth nation to lift the trophy since the football tournament was launched in 2011. Morocco finished runners-up in the inaugural tournament losing to Gabon 2-1 in Marrakech.

Egypt took an early lead when Mahmoud Saber unleashed a brilliant curler into the top corner, giving his team an advantage after just nine minutes of play.

However, after Saber’s received a red card eight minutes later for a reckless challenge to Abdessamad Ezzalzouli, things went from good to bad.

In the 37th-minutes, Yanis Begraoui draws parity to end the first half 1-1. No goal was scored in the second 45 minutes until extra time when substitute Oussamna Targhalline capitalized on a free kick from Ezzalzouli, delivering a powerful strike that eluded the Egyptian goalkeeper, making it 2-1 in favour of Morocco.

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 🇲🇦🏆🎉🥳#TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 pic.twitter.com/YX44Ccyydj

— #TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 🏆 (@CAF_Online) July 8, 2023

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer on Twitter @bittar32, Contact bi****@*********************ne.net and African News.

Guinea, Mali to battle for U23 Olympic Games ticket

by Admin | 7 Jul, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

The two West African nations set for an eventful TotalEnergies CAF U23 Africa Cup of Nations third and fourth-place play-off tie on Friday.

Kick Off for the all-important cracker at 17:00 GMT at the Grande Stade de Tanger in Tangier.

A place for Paris Paris 2024 Summer Olympics next year is at stake after both nations suffered semi-final defeats to Egypt and Morocco, respectively.

With only three allocated spots for the Paris games, the winner of this cracker will join Morocco and Egypt. However, there is still the chance for the loser of the third-place playoff between Mali and Guinea to seal a place in the competition to be held in Paris.

The U23 African Cup of Nations fourth-placed team must win a play-off match against a country from Asia at a date to be decided by competition organisers.

Guinea finished second in the group, with their only loss coming against the host nation.

Mali, who also finished second, made the defending champions sweat for a top finish in Group B as they were separated by a mere point in deciding who finished top.

Host Morocco face-off Egypt in Africa Cup of Nations U23 final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex on Saturday.#TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 #AfricanFootball #AfricanTwitter pic.twitter.com/Wfx3wHq5G7
— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) July 5, 2023

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Mali determined for historic battle against Guinea in Olympic play-off

Egypt to defend U23 Afcon title against host Morocco

by Admin | 5 Jul, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

The Egyptians emerged triumphant in the first semi-final of the CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations following a 1-0 win over their West African counterpart Guinea on Tuesday to reach the final.

As a result, the African champions will defend their title against hosts Morocco on Saturday at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex.

Talented midfielder Mohamed Shehata Mahmoud’s fantastic first-half strike was what separated the two sides in the tension-filled encounter in the Moroccan city.

Morocco’s U23 side was the second African nation to book a place in the Paris Olympics 2024 after a thrilling encounter against Mali.

The hosts Morocco, on the other hand, emerged victorious in a penalty shootout, prevailing 4-3 after the teams had fought to a 2-2 draw in regular time.

Mali’s Mamady Diambou expressed deep dissatisfaction after the final whistle.

“We lacked efficiency. If you analyze all of our matches, you’ll notice this frustrating pattern of scoring an early goal,” the midfielder remarked.

Meanwhile, Mali and Guinea are to compete for a bronze medal in a match scheduled for Friday.

The winner of the bronze medal match will also earn a spot in the Olympic Games, while the losing team will still have a chance to qualify through an intercontinental playoff.

Host Morocco face-off Egypt in Africa Cup of Nations U23 final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex on Saturday.#TotalEnergiesAFCONU23 #AfricanFootball #AfricanTwitter pic.twitter.com/Wfx3wHq5G7
— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) July 5, 2023

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Guinea book U23 AFCON semis spot behind Morocco

by FSL News | 1 Jul, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Guinea secured a U23 Africa Cup of Nations semifinal spot on Friday evening, coming from a goal down to draw 1-1 against Ghana, who crashed out of the competition.

The Guineans ended up second behind hosts Morocco, who topped Group A after edging Congo 1-0 in a simultaneous match.

A tense atmosphere at the Ibn-Batouta Stadium in Tangier saw the Young Syli National advance thanks to Ibrahima Fofana’s fierce strike. His goal cancelled Emmanuel Yeboah’s lead and caused an upset for Guinea.

Ghana is fully aware they must redeem themselves following their 5-1 loss to the tournament hosts, Morocco, on Tuesday as they failed to capitalise on their lead against Guinea.

Ghana coach Ibrahim Tanko expressed disappointment following their elimination.

“It’s a big disappointment to be out of the tournament,” said Tanko during the post-match press conference. We apologize to everyone back in Ghana. We are also disappointed in ourselves,” he added.

The competition continues on Tuesday – The first three nations will get their ticket for the Summer Olympics in 2024.

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