Football Africa Archives - Page 20 of 139

Morocco beat Mali to set U17 final date with Senegal

by FSL News | 15 May, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Morocco’s goalkeeper Taha Benrhozil was brilliant, saving three of eight penalties as they defeated Mali 6-5 to make their first-ever TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final at the Stade Chahid Hamlaoui on Sunday.

As a result, they will face West African giant Senegal in the final of this year’s U17 AFCON at the Stade de Nelson Mandela on Friday.

Morocco and Mali match was forced into penalties after a 0-0 stalemate in regulation time, and Benrhozil showed just why he is one of the top keepers in the tournament with three intelligent saves.

On the other hand, Senegal reached their first U17 final after surviving a penalty shoot-out to down Burkina Faso 5-4 at the 19 May 1956 Stadium in Annaba on Sunday.

The Atlas Cubs coach, Said Chiba, has said they were patient and organised after the victory.

“We knew that we were going into a difficult game, and we needed to manage it well and ensure Mali, which is a very high-level team, does not find its rhythm and channels to attack. We played compact as to how we had planned,” the coach noted.

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Skipper Steven Caulker could miss Nigeria qualifier

by FSL News | 13 May, 2023 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

Sierra Leone skipper Steven Caulker, 31, is set to be sidelined for four to six weeks after successful surgery on his knee on Thursday.

The experienced defender sustained the injury in Wigan Athletic’s final goalless draw of the English Championship season against Rotherham United this week.

Sierra Leone is set to host Nigeria on June 18 at the Samuel Kayon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia, Liberia, and the Leone Stars skipper is doubtful to be fully fit on time.

The Africa Cup of Nations matchday five qualifier is a must-win game for John Keister’s team if they are to revive hopes of reaching Ivory Coast 2023.

It’s a 50-50 that the former Tottenham and Liverpool defender could captain Leone Stars against Nigeria. Sierra Leone revamped their hopes of reaching 2023 AFCIN in Ivory Coast with a comfortable 2-0 victory over their Central African opponent Sao Tome and Principe, on March 26 in Morocco.

As a result, they stand third in Group A behind Super Eagles on nine points and Guinea Bissau on seven first and second, respectively.

The Super Eagles, who are aiming for a third consecutive Africa Cup of Nations appearance, suffered a defeat to Guinea-Bissua at home but regained the top spot by defeating Bissau in March.

Sierra Leone skipper Steven Caulker is out for up to six weeks and could miss Nigeria's AFCON qualify next month.

Caulker underwent a successful medial meniscus surgery on Thursday.

It's a 50-50 that he could captain Leone Stars against Nigeria.#SaloneTwitter @NGSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/wQytEllBN9
— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) May 12, 2023

Confirmed – Sierra Leone to host @NGSuperEagles in Liberia#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023Q match day 5 between Sierra Leone v @SSE_NGA to be played at the Samuel Kayon Doe Sports Complex in Monrovia, Liberia June 18 next month.

Leone Stars must win to revive hopes of Ivory Coast. pic.twitter.com/ya5NUJh2xt
— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) May 12, 2023

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FC Kallon’s Alie Conteh sets new Premier League record

by FSL News | 12 May, 2023 | Football Africa, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

FC Kallon star striker Alie Conteh best known as Nzonzi becomes the first-ever player to hit six goals in a single match in the Sierra Leone national top-flight league on Thursday.

FC Kallon thrashed newcomers Lamboi FC 6-0 at the Angola field in Goderich as Conteh set a new high in the Sierra Leone Premier League record books.

The 20-year-old Sierra Leonean international recorded his fourteen of the season. For the first time, a player scored five goals in a 45-minute hattrick in the opening 10 minutes.

As a result, FC Kallon moved up to third on 44 points, 14 points adrift from the leaders.

Conteh is presently the top scorer with 14 goals overtaking Bo Rangers’ Abu Komeh, who has accounted for 13 goals with runaway leaders Bo Rangers.

On the International stage, Conteh scored a brace for Sierra Leone in the Chan 2023 qualifier as the home-based Leone Stars defeated their Cape Verdean counterparts at the Marrakech Stadium in July last year.

A Hattrick in 1️⃣0️⃣ minutes and 5️⃣ goals in the first 4️⃣5️⃣ minutes.
First to do both in the SLPL. pic.twitter.com/H0RLnLA7Jt
— FC KALLON (@fckallon) May 11, 2023

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Three West African nations qualify for FIFA U17 World Cup

by FSL News | 12 May, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

At the Fifa U17 World Cup this year, Africa will be represented by these four nations Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal and Morocco – Three impressive sides from West Africa and one from North Africa.

Burkina Faso and Mali joined Senegal and Morocco in the Semi-finals of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday.

Burkina Faso defeated Nigeria 2-1 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers as two-time champions Mali thrashed Congo 3-0 in the quarter-finals in Annaba on Thursday.

Both nations progressed to the tournament to the semi-finals, as well as picking up their U17 Fifa World Cup tickets as two of the four African countries to book their places.

Aboubacar Camara’s brace was enough for the Junior Stallions. It was sweet revenge for Burkina, who lost to Nigeria via the same score-line in the final of the WAFU Zone qualifiers.

Ange Tia, Mamadou Doumbia and Mohamoud Barry got the three goals for the Malian Eagles to hand them a place in the last four and a ticket to the global showpiece.

Semi-Finals – 14 May 2023

QF1 winner vs QF4 winner – Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine, 17h000 local time
QF2 winner vs QF3 winner – 19 May 1956 Stadium, Annaba, 20h00 local time

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Burkina Faso and Mali joined Senegal and Morocco in the Semi-finals of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday.

Morocco and Senegal pick U17 World Cup tickets

by FSL News | 11 May, 2023 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Senegal and Morocco have qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup to be held from 10 November to 2 December 2023 after reaching the CAF U17 Afcon semi-finals on Wednesday.

West African giant Senegal proved too strong for their counterpart as they walloped South Africa 5-0 in the quarter-final of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Wednesday evening.

North African giant Morocco triumphed over their Algerian counterpart 3-0 to qualify for the semi-finals. As a result, book their place in the FIFA U-17 World Cup on Wednesday in Constantine, Algeria.

Two own goals in the first half owned by each of South Africa’s central defenders followed up by Mamadou Sadio’s goal, and skipper Amara Diouf’s brace was more than enough as the Teranga Cubs continued with their impressive performance in the competition.

And for the first time, Senegal has progressed beyond the group stages of the U17 AFCON.

They have also qualified for the World Cup for the second time in their history, having done so in 2019.

Morocco, on the other hand, scored their opener 28 minutes into the game through young striker Zakaria Ouazane. He further cemented their win in the 57th minute with a second goal before Adam Chakir’s third in the 86 minutes.

Today’s Quarter-final matches

May 11.

Mali vs Congo – 19 May 1956 Stadium, Annaba, 17h00 local time
Nigeria vs Burkina Faso – Nelson Mandela Stadium, Algiers, 20h00 local time

Semi-Finals – 14 May 2023

QF1 winner vs QF4 winner – Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium, Constantine, 17h000 local time
QF2 winner vs QF3 winner – 19 May 1956 Stadium, Annaba, 20h00 local time

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Morocco and Senegal pick U17 World Cup tickets

Sierra Leone skipper Caulker confirms Wigan’s departure

by FSL News | 10 May, 2023 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News, Sport News

Sierra Leone skipper Steven Caulker has confirmed his time with Wigan Athletic is up after four months spell with the club.

Caulker, 31, has spent the past four months with the Latics. He joined the club on a deal until the end of the 2022/23 Championship campaign.

“I would like to thank Wigan Athletic opportunity to have been a part of something special over the last four months,” Caulker continues, “Despite the obvious issues the club faces, the staff, players and fans continue to rally together to fight as one.

“I have met some great people. It’s rare my stories have a fairytale ending, and this one is no different. I will take the pain from defeat and move on to my next challenge, stronger and wiser. I wish Wigan Athletic F.C. and everyone involved with the club – the very best of luck for next season.”

Wigan were relegated from the Sky Bet Championship after they could only manage a 1-1 draw at relegation rivals Reading on Saturday. A last-gasp equaliser was enough as they were condemned to relegation from the Championship, with the 1-1 draw at relegation rivals Reading sealing their fate.

They concluded their campaign with another draw against Rotherham on Monday. Since joining the club in January, Caulker has featured nine times for the Latics.

Caulker was signed to help the club battle a struggling campaign. The captain of the Sierra Leone national team after switching allegiances in October 2021, with his wealth of experience, Caulker has played over 300 senior games in his career to date.

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