CS Sfaxien are through to the last four after a 1-0 win over Ahly Benghazi in their Group B clash on Friday in Tunis.Midfielder Ferjani Sassi scored the match winner in the second half to hand the Sfax-based side the right of becoming the first club to qualify for the semis of the 2014 edition of the premier continental club championship.Sfaxien now have 10 points, two more than ES Setif of Algeria, who squares Esperance, also of Tunisia in the other Group B match on Saturday in Setif, with the Algerians needing to avoid defeat to clinch the group’s second…
Author: CAF News
The opening matches in Groups A and B at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 have now concluded and the teams have had time to take stock. Some will be looking to build on positive starts, but others are already engaged in a battle to avoid an early exit.Hosts Canada and holders USA must bounce back quickly from opening day upsets, while Germany, Ghana and Korea DPR can all but book their places in the quarter-finals by moving on to six points. FIFA.com previews the third matchday.Match of the dayUSA-Brazil, Edmonton, 8 August 2014, 20:00 (local time)USA also…
Egyptian giants, Al-Ahly can clinch their place at the last four with at least a draw against Nkana of Zambia in their Group B encounter on Saturday, 9 August 2014 in Ndola.With eight points thus far, avoiding defeat against the Zambians will see Ahly become the first club from Group B to reach the next stage. On the otherhand, Nkana, who bounced back into contention thanks to a 4-3 win against Etoile du Sahel of Tunisia a fortnight ago, will take the group down the wire with victory against their visitors.So far, Group A leaders, Coton Sport of Cameroon is…
Mexico gained a small dose of revenge for their 2012 elimination against Nigeria by holding the African powerhouse to a 1-1 draw in their Canada 2014 opener.The two teams shared a goal apiece in the first half in what proved an entertaining affair in Moncton.Nigeria displayed their trademark speed and strength from the outset, and Asisat Oshoala had a glorious chance to break the deadlock when she latched onto a long ball, but her clipped shot over the advancing goalkeeper narrowly cleared the crossbar.However, Mexico soon settled and it was they who opened the scoring. Fabiola Ibarra slotted home from…
At least one of the semi-finalists will be known after the Day Five matches of the group phase of the 2014 Orange CAF Champions League this weekend.With clubs such as ES Setif and CS Sfaxien looking forward seeking to confirmation their places at the last four, the penultimate matches provides probably the last option for former winners’ Esperance and Zamalek to bounce back into contention. The biggest game of the weekend is arguably the Group B clash between Algerian side, ES Setif and Esperance billed for Saturday, 9 August 2014 at the 8 May 1945 Stadium in the northeastern Algerian…
CAF inspectors are scheduled to arrive in Zambia on Saturday 9th August for the final phase of inspections of bidding nations eyeing the opportunity to host the 2019 and 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.Zambia is among five countries contending to host the African Nations Cup in 2019.The CAF delegation of Messrs. Amadou Diakite and Djibrin Adoum, both CAF Executive Committee members, FIFA Expert Walter Gagg, CAF Expert Paul Bassey and Amr Fahmy, the CAF Director of Africa Cup tournaments will be in Zambia from 9th through the 15th August 2014.The CAF Inspections Committee started its work in West Africa, visiting…
The Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) president Jamal Malinzi has reiterated that coach Mart Nooj will remain in charge of the Taifa Stars despite failing to reach the final group phase of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015.Malinzi took to twitter to explain his decision which should put to rest raging debate about the future of the Dutch born coach who has faced some criticism following Tanzania’s elimination from the Orange Africa Cup of Nations 2015 race.”Mart Nooj will continue as the head coach of Taifa Stars as the federation totally believes in his ability despite failing to…
Zimbabwe coach Ian Gorowa has quit his job, days before a Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) executive committee meeting called to review the Warriors failed 2015 Africa Cup of Nations campaign and the coach’s future.Gorowa, in a letter to Zifa, alleged a broken down relationship with the football authorities for his resignation.“This is my letter making it official that I have stepped down as coach of the national team. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see that all is not well; my working relationship and the ZIFA secretariat headed by Jonathan Mashingaidze,” Gorowa wrote adding: “I therefore believe it’s time…
FAZ president Kalusha Bwalya says the appointment of Honour Janza to lead the Chipolopolo technical bench provided an opportunity for local coaching experts to demonstrate their ability to lead the Zambia national team and continue on the path of development for the 2012 Africa Cup winners.Janza, the Football Association of Zambia’s Technical Director, was installed boss of the Chipolopolo following the departure of Patrice Beaumelle early this week. Beaumelle took over the Zambia job when new Ivorian coach Herve Renard left the Zambia post after the 2013 Nations Cup finals. He opted not to renew his contract beyond 31st July…
Host nation Canada began their FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup campaign in disappointing fashion with a 1-0 defeat against Ghana in Toronto’s National Soccer Stadium.A lone strike from the Black Princesses’ Sherifatu Sumaila midway through the opening half proved the difference, and leaves Canada with little margin for error in their remaining Group A matches against Finland and 2006 champions Korea DPR. A fast-paced opening set up an entertaining first half, even if gilt-edged chances remained at a premium. Canada defender Kadeisha Buchanan made several important interceptions but she could do little to prevent Sumaila breaking the deadlock on 22…
The setting for anything from joyous celebrations to intense team-talks, the team bus – much like the dressing room – is usually a very private place. Making a special exception for FIFA.com, however, Nigeria captain Patience Okaeme invited us on board for a fascinating insight to her side’s preparations for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014.“We don’t normally listen to music on the bus or in the changing room before games, but we do sing,” said Okaeme with a broad smile, before revealing the identity of the team’s number one chanteuse: “Sarah (Nnodim) is the best out of all…
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have appointed Gor Mahia FC coach and ex-Uganda Cranes trainer Bobby Williamson as new boss of the Harambee Stars. Scottish Williamson takes over from Belgian Adel Amrouche who was sacked about three days ago after failing to lead Kenya into the final round of qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2015.Lesotho eliminated Kenya from the race to Morocco 1-0 over two legs.Kenya’s most capped player with 105 games and Harambee Stars skipper for 13 years, Musa “Otero” Otieno has been named assistant. With another former Kenya international Simon Mulama appointed team manager.”We reached the…
Kenya and Mauritania have axed their coaches following their inability to reach the final round of the qualifying rounds of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Morocco 2015.Algeria-born Adel Amrouche’s tenure as Kenya coach saw an abrupt end after the Harambee Stars were held to a barren draw by Lesotho during the weekend’s second round second leg qualifier, a result enough to ensured Lesotho passage into the final round.Kenyan, which has failed to reach the finals of the showpiece continental football event since 2004 will have to wait for the next edition in 2017.Amrouche took over the Harambee Stars…
ASEC Mimosas beat rivals Sewe Sport 2-1 after extra time on Sunday (3 August 2014) to win the 2014 Ivorian Cup (Coupe Nationale).BouaKoffi Davy scored the winner in 101st minute as ASEC cruised to a successive title and 19th overall.With new Ivorian coach, HerveRenard amongst the notable faces at the Felix HouphouetBoigny Stadium in Abidjan, it was Sewe Sport who shot into the lead on 26 minutes through Roger Assale.ASEC restored parity on 63 minutes courtesy Ba LouaD’Avila before finishing off the tie in extra time.It was the third time the Abidjan-based club had triumphed over Sewe Sport in the…
The pastNigeria is one of four teams – the others being Brazil, Germany and USA – who have been omnipresent at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. After failing to advance to the knockout stages at their first two attempts, they qualified for the quarter-finals in 2006 and 2008, but lost to Brazil and France respectively. The Super Falconets came of age in the last two tournaments, both times making it to the semi-finals. In Germany 2010 they were beaten just once – in the final by the hosts. Two years later the west Africans topped their group and beat Mexico…
1024×768 There could hardly be a more explosive opening to the seventh edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, as the tournament in Canada kicks off on Tuesday 5 August with the rerun of the 2012 final between reigning world champions USA and runners up Germany. FIFA.com previews the first day of the tournament action. Match of the dayGermany-USA, Edmonton, 5 August 2014, 17:00 (local time) The luck of the draw fell on the side of the fans and supporters if not necessarily the teams when USA and Germany came out of the hat in the same group. The…
The line-up for the group phase of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Morocco 2015 is now complete. The identity of the seven teams was known after the second leg matches of the second round of the qualifiers at the weekend. The teams are: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Uganda. The biggest casualties were Kenya and Tanzania, who will yet again have to wait for another two years to realize their dream of participating at the continent’s showpiece football event for the first time in as many years. Sierra Leone had the easiest of paths, going…
At the last FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup two years ago in Japan, Ghana’s Black Princesses had one of the youngest squads, with several of the players well under the age-limit. The youthful group found the going tough as they lost all three group matches and crashed out in the first round, conceding six goals in the process without reply. Fast forward two years and coach Bashir Hayford will be able to take a much more experienced side with him to Canada, where the west African team will be competing at their third consecutive finals. FIFA.com caught up with two of his…
The pastHaving twice before appeared at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, Ghana are still looking to escape the group phase for the first time. Ghanaian fans are quick to point out that they have been very unlucky when it came to the draw. Two years ago, they were drawn into a group with Germany, USA and China PR, who between them can look back at 12 semi-final appearances in the six finals. Three defeats later, the Black Princesses were on their way home. At Germany 2010, Ghana were also drawn into a group with USA. The west Africans managed a credible 1-1 draw against the defending…
Malawi and Rwanda emerged tops from penalties to seal their places at the final round of the qualifying series for the Orange Africa Cup of Nations – Morocco 2015.The two sides overturned results from the first leg before wrapping up the tie via kicks from the spot.In both cases, it was courtesy the heroic performances of their goalkeepers, McDonald Harawa for Malawi and Jean Luc Ndayishimiye of Rwanda, that powered them through to the group phase at the expense of Benin and Congo.In Blantyre, John Banda’s first half strike forced the game into penalties after a 1-1 tie. Harawa, who…