by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 23, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Soccer
The chase for Africa’s most coveted club trophy enters a decisive phase as the CAF Champions League 2025/26 rolls into its second-leg, first preliminary-round matches. From Abidjan to Cairo, giants and debutants alike are battling for a coveted spot in the next stage of the continent’s premier competition.
The drama kicked off on Tuesday, September 23, with Stade d’Abidjan setting the tone in front of their home crowd. Their 2–0 victory over Côte d’Or of Seychelles signaled the fierce determination that defines this tournament.
Key Second-Leg Fixtures & Results
Wednesday, September 24
Stade d’Abidjan (Ivory Coast) 2–0 Côte d’Or (Seychelles)
Thursday, September 26
US Zilimadjou (Comoros) 0–4 Remo Stars (Nigeria)
JS Kabylie (Algeria) 2–0 Bibiani Gold Stars (Ghana) (moved to Sept. 28)
Saturday, September 27
ASAS Djibouti Télécom 0–0 Aigle Noir
Mlandege 0–2 Ethiopian Insurance
Espérance de Tunis 3–0 AS FAN
RS Berkane 1–1 ASC Kara
Horoya 0–1 Al Hilal Benghazi
AS FAR 2–0 Real de Banjul
MC Alger 0–0 Fassell
Silver Strikers 1–1 Elgeco Plus
Young Africans 3–0 Wiliete
Petro de Luanda 3–0 Cercle de Joachim
Black Bulls 0–0 AC Léopards
Orlando Pirates 3–0 Lioli
Sunday, September 28
Nsingizini Hotspurs 0–1 Simba Bhora
Simba 1–0 Gaborone United
ASEC Mimosas 1–0 Power Dynamos
Kenya Police 3–1 Mogadishu City
Al Hilal (Sudan) 0–0 Jamus
Mangasport 0–0 Rahimo
Al Ahli Tripoli 0–0 Dadjè
US Monastir 4–0 East End Lions
FC Nouadhibou 0–0 Fundación Bata
ASC Jaraaf 0–0 Colombe Sportive
Rivers United 0–0 Aigles du Congo
Wednesday, October 1
Pyramids (Egypt) vs APR (Rwanda) – First Leg
From Tunis to Luanda, the weekend promises everything from tactical chess matches to passionate, all-out attacking football. Heavyweights like Espérance de Tunis, Orlando Pirates, and Young Africans are flexing their muscles early, while underdogs such as Kenya Police and Remo Stars are making their mark with emphatic wins.
The second-leg encounters will decide who marches toward the money-spinning group stages and who bows out early. African club football’s intensity is here—stadiums are roaring, and history is ready to be written.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 22, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Soccer
Liberian icon George Weah, the first and only African to win the prestigious Ballon d’Or, has opened up about the bittersweet memories surrounding his historic achievement. While the 1995 award crowned him as the world’s best player, Weah revealed that racism cast a dark shadow over what should have been a moment of pure pride.
“I can’t say I am proud of the Ballon d’Or because of what I endured,” Weah recalled. “The morning after my win, the front page of La Gazzetta dello Sport screamed, ‘And oh, the black wins the gold.’ Even inside AC Milan, there were cruel jokes about me and about Africa. They mocked, asking, ‘Did you sell it to buy bread?’”
Weah pointed out that the struggle went beyond his own experience. “Didier Drogba won everything with Chelsea, Samuel Eto’o won everything with Barcelona and Inter—but did they ever give them the gold? No. Why? Because many still lack the humanity to honor black African players,” he said.
For Weah, the true measure of greatness isn’t a trophy. “Gold is not a ball handed to the best,” he concluded. “Real gold is having a good heart and never hurting others. The sad truth is that some people possess racism, but not humanity.”
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 22, 2025 | Africa, Europe, International, Soccer
In a heartfelt tribute, Egyptian football legend and national team manager Hossam Hassan has voiced strong support for Mohamed Salah’s bid to win the coveted Ballon d’Or.
Reflecting on Salah’s remarkable journey, Hassan described the Liverpool star’s rise as nothing short of inspirational. “Considering the challenges he has faced throughout his career, he truly deserves it,” Hassan said. “Reaching the top in the toughest league in the world is difficult, but remaining there for years is an even greater test—and Salah has done exactly that.”
Hassan credited Salah’s longevity at the pinnacle of world football to divine blessing, relentless hard work, and unwavering determination. “He reached the summit and stayed there for many years thanks to God first, and through his own talent and perseverance,” he added. “He is a role model for anyone chasing success. Now the question is whether football will finally do him justice when it comes to choosing the Ballon d’Or winner.”
The Egyptian coach concluded with a unifying message: “Our prayers—and those of every Egyptian and Salah fan around the world—are that he wins the Golden Ball. It would be the perfect crown to a career that may never be repeated in Egyptian, Arab, African, or even global football history.”
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 22, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Ghana midfielder Salis Abdul Samed has spoken candidly about the Black Stars’ shock exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, admitting that the team “managed our matches poorly.”
For the first time in two decades, the four-time African champions will miss Africa’s premier football tournament after finishing bottom of Group F with three draws and three defeats. The tournament is scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026.
Salis, now a key figure for FC Nantes in France, missed the qualifiers because of injury but closely followed Ghana’s campaign. Reflecting on the disappointment, the former RC Lens star stressed that the squad is still in transition.
> “I won’t say we were rubbish, but the team was under construction,” he said. “There were lots of young players coming in, and the team was changing all the time. The manager is now creating his group and we are feeling a bit better. Unfortunately, we managed our matches poorly.”
Despite the setback, the 26-year-old insists the Black Stars have already shifted focus to 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, determined to restore pride on the global stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 22, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Ghana midfielder Salis Abdul Samed has dropped a strong hint that rising Nice defender Kojo Oppong Peprah could earn his maiden Black Stars invitation for the October international break.
The 21-year-old left-back, who joined Nice during the summer transfer window, has quickly become a key figure in the Ligue 1 side’s impressive start to the season. Oppong Peprah has featured in every league match so far, showcasing the consistency and defensive steel that have caught the eye of Ghana’s national team selectors.
Speaking after a recent game, Abdul Samed revealed that Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has already shown interest in the young defender.
“I knew him from his time with Ghana’s U19s—he’s a hard worker,” said the Nice midfielder. “The national team manager watched him in our last match and asked me about him. I told him he’s a good guy who can help us and is strong defensively.”
When asked if Oppong Peprah could be called up for Ghana’s next fixtures, Abdul Samed added: “I hope so. That’s what the manager was saying for the next international break, so we’ll see.”
Ghana top Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and will complete the final round of group matches in October, a window that could mark Oppong Peprah’s long-awaited debut for the senior side.
