Ex-Sierra Leone head coach Jonathan McKinstry says it was a special moment for the newly crowned Kenya Champions Gor Mahia FC. 

Coach McKinstry, a UEFA Pro Coach and professional football manager, signed with the Kenya side in July 2022 – on his first attempt, the Irish man has guided Kenya’s most decorated club to lift their 20th title.

Gor Mahia on Sunday rallied from a goal down to thrash Nairobi City Stars 4-1 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, to secure a record-extending 20th league title.

McKinstry took to Twitter to express his delight. “A special day for the Gor Mahia FC family as we sealed the Kenya Premier League title in style,” he proudly tweeted.

Sierra Leone ranked 50th in FIFA World Rankings and 7th in Africa – their highest ever on 14 Aug 2014 when the Irishman was in charge.

Mckinstry was speaking after he was appointed in July last year.

“The opportunity to lead Gor Mahia is something that has interested me for several years ever since I first visited the club in 2016 whilst Head Coach of Rwanda. The stature of the club, combined with its significant and passionate fanbase place them as one of the leading clubs on the continent. To be trusted with the responsibility of guiding them back to success is a task that I relish.”

🟢 | BACK TO CAF STAGE

Hello @CAF_Online … we are back, please show us where our seats are. Confirm if Esperance are in the house? We missed that CAF tune.

Pass our regards to Zamalek – 🤚#Sirkal | #GorFansClub | @CAF_Media pic.twitter.com/0awl9uwjQ7

— GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) June 26, 2023

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The Black Meteors of Ghana hold on to seal a nervy 3-2 win against Congo in their opening Group A game at the 2023 U-23 AFCON In Morocco on Sunday.

A brace for Emmanuel Yeboah and Ernest Nuamah gave the West Africans a three-goal lead before Congo fought back with two goals.

The Black Meteors opened the scoring in the 50th minute, thanks to Ernest Nuamah.

In the 76th minute, Emmanuel Yeboah made it 2-0 and got on the score again for his brace to register the third goal on 83 minutes from the penalty spot.

Reich Kokolo pulled a goal back for Congo in the 90th minute, while Yann Kouori made it 3-2 in the 94th minute.

But it was too little too late as the Black Meteors held on to kick start the tournament with a win.

The Black Meteors will take on hosts Morocco in their second Group A game on Tuesday, June 27. The Moroccans edged Guinea 2-1 in their opening game on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Mali defeated Gabon 3-1 in their opening TotalEnergies CAF U-23 Africa Cup of Nations 2023. In the 3rd minute, Emmanuel Ovono confidently slotted Gabon’s opener from the spot after they were awarded a penalty to put Gabon in a 1-0 lead.

Mamadou Sangaré equalized for Mali through the penalty when under pressure, goalkeeper François Junior Bekale committed a serious foul.

Cheickna Doumbia scored in 41st-minute to put Mail ahead. Gabon’s goalkeeper, François Junior Bekale, was sent off at the end of the first half.

Alassane Tamboura completed the win in the 93rd-minutes for Mali

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

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In an enthralling clash between two football giants, Senegal, the reigning champions of Africa, triumphed 4-2 over Brazil in a highly-anticipated international friendly on Tuesday night in Lisbon, Portugal.

Sadio Mane was twice on target to help Senegal fight back and shock the five-time world champions’ third loss in their last four matches.

It was the first time Brazil had lost by two goals since they were beaten 2-0 by Chile in 2015, while they had not conceded four or more in a match since they were humiliated 7-1 by Germany in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals.

Lucas Paqueta puts Brazil in the lead early in the first half before Vinicius Jr was fouled inside the box. However, the referee’s decision was overturned following a VAR review for an offside in the buildup.

Strasbourg man Habibou Mouhamadou Diallo drew Senegal level in the 22nd minute and Marquinho’s own goal in the 52nd gave Senegal the lead before Mane made it three for the African Champions.

However, Marquinhos made amends for his earlier mistake as he scored to level the scoreline from a loose ball inside the box, but Senegal kept their cool and extended their lead when Mane scored from the penalty spot after Nicolas Jackson was fouled inside the box by Brazil goalkeeper Ederson.

It was another blow for Brazil, who have Under-20 manager Ramon Menezes acting as a caretaker coach.

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• Ghana Black Meteors will face Congo in their opener of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations kick-off this weekend in Morocco.

Having departed from Accra on Monday, 12th June, the Black Meteors arrived in Cairo on the same day to kick-start their intensive training camp ahead of the tournament.

On Tuesday, the Ghanaian U23 side battle Egyptian side Zamalek in a friendly contest as they prepare for the U23 continental showpiece.

They’ll travel to Morocco on Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s opener against Congo at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

In Group A, host Morocco to compete against Ghana, Congo and Guinea. Group B is set for action between holders Egypt, Mali, Gabon and Niger in what promises to be a high-flying show.

Group A matches will be held at Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, while Group B matches will take place at the Grand Stade de Tanger in Tangier.

The first three nations will get their ticket for the Summer Olympics in 2024.

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• Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been speaking ahead of the Super Eagles Group A Cup of Nations qualifying contest against Sierra Leone at the Liberian capital on Sunday.

Awoniyi, 25, is confident they must get the job done on Sunday because he believes the Nigerian players are coming off tremendous individual seasons. 

After helping Forest to stay in the Premier League, the 25-year-old is confident of victory against Sierra Leone.

“Of course, Nigerians should not expect anything other than victory. Because looking at the calibre of players that we have in the team, these are players that have done well for their club sides, and I hope that we can bring home the same spirit that we have from our club sides.”

“This is a game that you have to put in your best because you only have 90 minutes to play. Perhaps, the next time you play again in September or thereabout.

Guinea-Bissau topped Group A of the qualifiers with ten points after five qualifying matches, followed by Nigeria with nine, while Sierra Leone is third with five points.

A win or draw for Nigeria will mean the end of the road for Sierra Leone, but if the Leone Stars can stun the Super Eagle, they revive every hope of reaching a back-to-back AFCON.

In seventeen meetings between the West African nations, Sierra Leone only managed two wins, ten defeats and five draws.

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Guinea-Bissau’s Zinho Gano’s 55th-minute goal in the 1-0 win over Sao Tome moved them ahead of Nigeria in Group A in the race to Côte d’Ivoire on Wednesday at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in Bissau.

The victory in Bissau means the Djurtus move to the top of Group A with 10 points, one ahead of second-placed Nigeria, who play Sierra Leone in the group’s other match.

Sierra Leone with an uphill task but can still qualify if they secure maximum points in their remaining games, starting with Nigeria on Sunday at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.

In 2017, Guinea-Bissau qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. They also made the AFCON in 2019 and 2021.

The Guinea-Bissau side will play Sierra Leone in their final group match.

In Wednesday’s late kickoff, Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Ahmed scored as Egypt qualified for the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Guinea in Marrakesh on Wednesday.

Serhou Guirassy put the visitors ahead in the 26th minute, but Trezeguet equalized for Egypt just before the break before Mostafa Mohamed scored the winner 11 minutes to full time.

As a result, Egypt moved to 12 points after five rounds of matches and has an unassailable lead of nine points to the third-placed team with one round of qualification matches left to play.

Guinea remains second on course with nine points and will only need a draw in the final qualification match in September to earn a ticket to the final tournament.

Elsewhere, The Gambia defeated South Sudan 3-2 as they secured nine points from five matches in the qualifiers in Group G.

Substitute Hamza Barry’s last-gasp goal was enough as Gambia beat South Sudan in a five-goal thriller in Suez to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.

📹 HIGHLIGHTS: 🇸🇹 0-1 🇬🇼

Super-sub Zinho Gano's goal takes Guinea-Bissau closer to #TotalEnergiesAFCON qualification as they beat São Tomé and Príncipe ✅#TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 pic.twitter.com/oiK1Ua48Tc

— CAF (@CAF_Online) June 14, 2023

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