Football Africa Archives - Page 49 of 139

Morocco and Croatia play out goalless draw

by FSL News | 24 Nov, 2022 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Croatia and Morocco play out a drab goalless draw in Group F opener
2018 runners-up dominate possession but lack a cutting edge
Next up: Belgium-Morocco and Croatia-Canada on 27 November

Morocco 0-0 Croatia | Group F

Thrills, spills and goals were sadly lacking at Al Bayt Stadium as Morocco and Croatia opened their Qatar 2022 campaigns with a forgettable 0-0 draw.

Chances were in short supply throughout a tense and evenly contested match, with Yassine Bono producing the one major save of note to keep out Nikola Vlasic’s effort late in the first half.

The 2018 runners-up dominated possession, while Achraf Hakimi showed some flashes of brilliance. But when the list of Qatar 2022’s most memorable matches is drawn up, this will not figure near the top.

Belgium and Canada face off in today’s other match in this section, and you can keep up-to-date via our Qatar 2022 live blog.

Key moment

Given the scarcity of clear-cut chances, Vlasic’s effort on the stroke of half-time stood out. Ivan Perisic, who was largely subdued, did some good work in the build-up before Borna Sosa produced a fine cross. But while the on-loan Torino striker looked odds-on to score, Bono came up with a fine save to keep the scoreline blank.

Stat of the Match

By taking to the field 75 days after his 37th birthday, Luka Modric became the oldest Croatian ever to take part in a World Cup match. The Vatreni captain surpassed the record set by Drazen Ladic, who was 35 years and 191 days old – a comparative youngster – when he took the field against the Netherlands in 1998.

Player of the Match

Luka Modric

@FIFA.com

Making their nation proud 🇲🇦

The Atlas Lions impressed in their #FIFAWorldCup2022 opener against 2018 semifinalists 🦁

Who shone brightest for Morocco? 👀

📸: @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/1UL8BPYxzn

— CAF (@CAF_Online) November 23, 2022

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Referee Salima Mukansanga makes history in Qatar

by FSL News | 23 Nov, 2022 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Rwandan referee Salma Mukansanga made history in Qatar after she became the first African woman to officiate a men’s World Cup in France 4-1 triumph over Australia in the Group D opener on Tuesday, November 22, at Al Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, in Qatar.

The popular Mukansaga, 34, was the fourth official assisting South Africa’s Victor Gomes, the centre referee, Zakhele Siwela and Lothian Souru Phatsoane.

Mukansanga is among three female referees selected for the first time for a men’s FIFA World Cup alongside Japanese Yamashita Yoshimi and French Stephanie Frappart.

Mukansanga made history at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations when she was appointed as the center Referee for the game involving Zimbabwe and Guinea.

“I’m excited, and this is a privilege for me. I had never dreamed to go to the men’s World Cup,” Mukansanga told FIFA.com after her appointment.

“The first time I was nominated for World Cup was in France for the 2019 Women’s World Cup, so my next target was more at the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand in 2023.

“Being appointed to the Men’s World Cup is something new, another opportunity we get. It means FIFA recognises that women are working hard, that we are providing quality refereeing and that we can deliver and reach higher, up to the top of the men’s game.”

Female referee Salima Mukansanga makes history

Images of Rwanda's Salima Mukansanga, who was the 4th referee in France's 4-1 win over Australia on Tuesday.@FIFAWorldCup in Qatar @CAF_Media pic.twitter.com/MBd6f6yCIG
— Alie Bittar (@bittar32) November 23, 2022

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Mustapha Bundu ends Andorra’s goal drought

by Admin | 22 Nov, 2022 | Football Africa, Players Abroad News

Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu scored his first two goals for Spanish side FC Andorra in their 4-0 triumph over CD Lugo on Sunday.

Bundu, 25, on loan from Belgium club Anderlecht, has ended his goal drought with two goals in the 69th and 74th minutes as they thrashed CD Lugo.

Andorra dominated the early stages without creating any clear-cut chances. They were unable to score in the first half. However, all four goals came in the last 25minutes of the contest.

Another brace from Sinan Bakis completed their big win as they moved to eight in the league.

Their next league outing is on Monday when they travel to face UD Ibiza.

🤩 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐀 𝐁𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐔 vs CD Lugo

🏟️ En només 14 minuts, @musbundu19 va fer embogir l’Estadi Nacional: ⚽️⚽️ + 🅰️ #SomTricolors 🔵🟡🔴#Morabanc pic.twitter.com/FSvkBWPZBy

— FC Andorra (@fcandorra) November 21, 2022

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Friendly: Sierra Leone suffer another defeat

by Admin | 19 Nov, 2022 | Football Africa, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sport News

Sierra Leone National A senior team lost their third friendly game in two months.

Algeria’s national B side defeated Sierra Leone 3-0 at the Fujairah Club Stadium on Saturday.

As a result, the Leone Stars have conceded ten goals in the last three friendlies after 4-0 defeats to South Africa and a 3-0 hammering to DRC Leopards in September.

Saturday’s loss to the Algeria B side is their fifth game without a win. They looked like a shadow of themselves as they fell to second-half goals from Shoaib Kdad 57th-minute, Ahmed Qandousi 71st-minute and Abdul Rahman Mezian in the 77th minute.

The friendly contest was part of Coach John Keister’s ongoing preparation for next year’s Cup of Nations qualifiers against São Tomé and Príncipe.

Images from Fujairah Stadium #Warmup #Friendly #LesVerts #LeoneStars pic.twitter.com/aH4lOLfixp
— @football_sierra (FSL Media) 🇸🇱 website (@football_sierra) November 19, 2022

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Williams, Bakayoko to lead attack against Algeria

by Admin | 19 Nov, 2022 | African News, Football Africa, Sport News

Algeria Vs Sierra Leone – Fujairah Club Stadium, 19 November – 19:00

Amadou Bakayoko of Bolton Wanderers and Augustine Williams from Charleston Battery will lead the Sierra Leone attack against Algeria B side in a warn-up contest in the United Arab Emirates at the Fujairah Club Stadium on Saturday.

After defeats against South Africa and DRC Leopards, the Leone Stars are in the hunt to bounce back as head coach John Keister named a strong side.

In midfield, RB Linense duo twin brothers Alusine & Alhassan Koroma will play in the middle of the pack whilst attacker Emmanuel Samadiya starts on the left and Wycombe Wanderers‘ winger Sullay Kaikai on the right.

Skipper Steven Caulker will partner Bo Rangers Umaru Samura for the first time. A new position for right winger Prince Barrie, who will be playing as a right back. Alex Bangura from Cambuur’s in his usual left-back position.

Sierra Leone continues their preparation for next year’s Cup of Nations qualifiers against São Tomé and Príncipe whilst the Algerians prepare to host the 202 2 African Nations Championship.

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Fujairah Stadium to host Sierra Leone, Algeria test

by Admin | 18 Nov, 2022 | Football Africa, International, National Sport News Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Soccer team Profile

Sierra Leone national A team, Leone Stars, are set to engage Algeria’s national B side in the United Arab Emirates at the Fujairah Club Stadium on Saturday.

Kickoff is from 19:00 local time (15:00 hours in Sierra Leone) – it is the third preparation match for Leone Stars in just under two months.

After two difficult results in their last outings against South Africa and DRC, the Leone Stars will be in the hunt to bounce.

After two difficult results in their last outings against South Africa and DRC, coach John Keister’s side is to continue their groundwork ahead of next year’s Cup of Nations qualifiers against São Tomé and Príncipe.

The Algerians, on the other hand, are preparing to host the 2022 African Nations Championship.

Coach Keister will use the match to assess the depth of his squad, as any of the four new faces could make their Sierra Leone debut.

Jay Tee Kamara from Columbus Crew II, Mbabane Swallows midfielder Mohamed Kabia, US-based attacker Rodney Michael and Mohamed Kamara are all in line to make their Sierra Leone debut.

It’s worth mentioning that Sierra Leone marked their return to the Africa Cup of Nations after more than two decades with a deserving goalless draw with the senior Desert Warriors side in Cameroon at the Japoma Stadium in Douala on January 11, 2022.

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