Click on the link below to watch the game. Kickoff is 1pm.
Match Report: Nine-man Sundowns hold Wydad to a barren draw in CAF Champions League semi-final first-leg
The first leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final between Wydad Casablanca, the title holders, and 9-man Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa ended in a goalless draw on Saturday.
The game was full of drama, with Mamelodi Sundowns starting strong and having a goal from Peter Shalulile disallowed after a VAR review for offside.
The South Africans continued to dominate until Neo Maema was sent off for a reckless challenge just before half-time.
Wydad Casablanca then had the numerical advantage, but they could not capitalize on it, with Zouheir El Moutarji, Hamid Ahadad and Bouly Junior Sambou all missing good chances to score.
Near the end of the game, Marcelo Allende of Mamelodi Sundowns was shown a second yellow card, reducing them to nine men.
The result sets up an exciting second leg in Pretoria on Friday.
Match Report: Dreams FC defeat Skyy FC to book MTN FA Cup final spot
Dreams FC secured a spot in the final of the MTN FA Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Skyy FC at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports Complex.
The “Still Believe” lads wasted no time in taking the lead, as Simba Sylvester found the back of the net in the early stages of the game.
Skyy FC had an opportunity to equalize shortly after with a penalty awarded to them, but Solomon Agbasi made a crucial save to deny them.
Undeterred, Dreams FC extended their advantage with a second goal from Huzaif Ali, showcasing their dominance.
Despite trailing, Skyy FC continued to launch attacks in search of a goal, but Agbasi came to the rescue once again to maintain Dreams FC’s two-goal lead.
The second half saw both teams return with determination, as they battled fiercely and looked to add more goals to the scoreline.
A chance arose for Dreams FC when Godfred Atuahene set up Huzaif Ali, but Ali’s effort narrowly missed the target.
In the closing stages of the match, Skyy FC piled on the pressure in a bid to stage a comeback, but their efforts proved fruitless.
With the final whistle, Dreams FC emerged victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, securing their place in the final.
They now await the outcome of the match between King Faisal and Nsoatreman FC to determine their opponent in the final.
WATCH: Kelvin Yeboah scores maiden Bundesliga goal for Augsburg in Bochum loss
Kelvin Kwarteng Yeboah made a significant impact in the German Bundesliga by scoring his first goal for FC Augsburg, despite their 3-2 defeat to VfL Bochum on Saturday afternoon.
In the opening moments of the game, Bochum’s goalkeeper Manuel Riemann narrowly escaped a potentially costly mistake when he misjudged a swing wide from the box.
However, FC Augsburg quickly found themselves trailing as Christopher Antwi-Adjei capitalized on a pass from Philipp Hofmann, unleashing a powerful shot to give Bochum a 1-0 lead. Antwi-Adjei had previously scored the winning goal for Bochum in the first leg.
Augsburg managed to equalize in the 29th minute when Arne Maier’s right-footed shot from the right side of the box found the bottom left corner. Dion Beljo provided the assist for Maier’s goal.
Unfortunately, Augsburg’s Jeffrey Gouweleeuw unintentionally scored an own goal in the 59th minute, handing Bochum a 2-1 advantage.
Bochum extended their lead in the 62nd minute as Anthony Losilla’s right-footed shot from outside the box found the bottom right corner. Philipp Förster was credited with the assist for Losilla’s goal.
In the 85th minute, substitute Kelvin Yeboah gave Augsburg hope by finding the back of the net, making it 3-2.
On January 18, 2023, Yeboah was loaned out to FC Augsburg from Genoa, playing in the Bundesliga with an option for a permanent transfer.
Watch video below:
Who is Samuel Dabo, the 24-year-old Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo fan who is a star in Ghana? – Article by Javier Estepa of Marca in Spain
Following the Real Madrid vs Manchester City first leg on Tuesday, Samuel Dabo spoke to the MARCA microphones and immediately went viral.
His passionate analysis of the game, and his belief that Real Madrid shouldn’t fear Erling Haaland, saw the video go viral, along with the fact that he revealed he is 24 years of age.
Actor and influencer Samuel Dabo speaks to MARCA: We’re not scared of Haaland
MARCA invited the Ghanaian to the newspaper’s offices the following day, where he told his story and revealed that this Champions League semi-final first leg had been his first game at the Bernabeu.
“Yes, it was my first time in the Bernabeu, it was marvellous, my dream,” he said of the game in a longer interview in English that you can watch in the video above.
“Maybe one day I should meet the players or Florentino Perez because Florentino Perez is a top, top president in transfers.”
Who is Samuel Dabo?
Samuel Dabo is 24 years of age and is an actor in his native Ghana, where he has a football academy too.
In his interview with MARCA, he revealed a little more about himself and also spoke of how many messages he has received since the interview outside the Bernabeu.
“My name is Samuel Dabo, aka Adwen Kessie,” he said.
“I’m a movie actor from Ghana. I stay in Ashanti region in Kumasi.
“I do a lot of movies. When you go to YouTube, when you go to any social media page, TikTok, I have videos everywhere.
“The viral video is marvellous. I’m very, very, very happy because I don’t expect this to go very far.
“Everybody is calling me, from US, from everywhere in Europe, from my country, Ghana.
“Everybody is clapping for me. I’ve done well.”
The Dabo Soccer Academy
In his native Ghana, Samuel Dabo has used his fame to launch a football academy to give back to society all the affection he received.
This is how the Dabo Soccer Academy was born, as he has built a school to help children in the country and to use football as a way of personal and professional development.
“I have the Dabo Soccer Academy, because we have to support others,” he explained.
“That’s my dream because, when you get money, you have to give it to somebody because everybody needs help.
“Me, too. I need help. My brother needs help. So I want to give back to my society to support others.
“I go to orphanages and I go to the villages to bring talented players to everybody to see that in Ghana we have very talented players.
“A lot of good players are in the academy and go to school.
“I have workers, coaches and caterers to support the football team. I have everybody.
“I came to Europe to find a solution to support my academy.
“I have a U14, U15, U16, U17 and U18, so I want support and maybe from this interview I can get opportunities and maybe partnerships with Real Madrid, or other big teams.
“You have to start from somewhere. Maybe I get an opportunity from lower divisions, I’m okay with that.
“Or maybe Jorge Mendes. Jorge Mendes is doing a lot for children, so maybe he is listening to me and can come and help my academy.”
His love of Cristiano Ronaldo
Dabo also expressed his love for Cristiano Ronaldo, the former Real Madrid No.7.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is a very super player, an inspiration,” he said.
“He gives inspiration to every child that they can make it, because he came from a poor family.
“Cristiano Ronaldo, maybe you hear my voice, you can call me.
“I want to shake your hands because you are marvellous. God bless you. God give you more life.”
Source: Marca.com
The article was written by Marca journalist Javier Estepa
Black Stars duo Kamaldeen Sulemana, Mohammed Salisu suffer Premier League relegation with Southampton
Southampton’s Ghanaian duo, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Salisu Mohammed, have experienced relegation from the Premier League.
In a home match against Fulham on Saturday afternoon, the Saints suffered a defeat.
Prior to the game, Southampton needed a victory to keep their hopes of survival alive, despite occupying the bottom position in the league with 24 points.
Unfortunately, goals from Carlos Vinicius and Aleksandar Mitrović secured the win for Marco Silva’s Fulham side.
Salisu, aged 24, joined Southampton from Real Valladolid in the summer transfer window of 2020 and has since become a key player for the team. However, injuries this season have resulted in him missing a significant number of games.
On the other hand, Sulemana only joined Southampton during the winter transfer window. He was recruited from Stade Rennes to bolster the Saints’ squad in their efforts to avoid relegation.
Although he has performed well, it has not had a substantial impact on Southampton’s fortunes.
As a result of their relegation from the Premier League, both players will now compete in the English Skybet Championship next season.
Southampton’s remaining fixtures will see them face Brighton and Liverpool as they conclude their campaign.
MTN FA Cup: Nsoatreman coach Abubakari Mumuni plots King Faisal downfall
Abubakri Mumuni, the coach of Nsoatreman FC, is filled with confidence ahead of their FA Cup semifinal clash against King Faisal on Sunday.
The newly promoted Premier League team made headlines in the quarterfinals of the Cup competition with a 1-0 victory over Real Tamale United at the Aliu Mahama stadium.
“We are making all the necessary preparations to eliminate King Faisal and advance to the finals. We have a positive outlook on our chances, and the players are well aware of what is expected of them. The club President has motivated us to give our all, so we are determined to achieve the result that will bring joy to the people of Nsoatre,” Coach Mumuni expressed during the pre-match press conference on Thursday.
“Considering how far we have come and where we currently stand, we are almost there. Our aim is to reach the final stage and conclude the season on a high note.”
“Undoubtedly, if we haven’t been performing well in the league but have reached this stage in the FA Cup, we want to strive for the ultimate prize and represent Ghana on the continental stage.”
The match is set to kick off at 3pm on Sunday, May 14, and will be broadcast live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247.
Ampem Darkoa secure second consecutive Women’s Premier League title with win over Hasaacas Ladies
Ampem Darkoa Ladies have successfully defended their Ghana Women’s League title by beating their archrivals Hasaacas Ladies 5-4 on penalties in the final at the Dr Kwame Kyei Sports Complex on Friday evening.
Both teams had finished top of the tables in the Northern and Southern zones respectively, ensuring a fifth straight final meeting.
The game started slowly, with no goals scored in the first half. Hasaacas Ladies took control of the game in the second half, launching effective attacks on their opponents until they finally broke the deadlock through Doris Boaduwaa, who latched onto a great delivery from a corner kick on the hour mark.
Hasaacas Ladies maintained their lead until seven minutes before the end of the game when Ampem Darkoa’s Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah took advantage of a mistake from Hasaacas Ladies captain Linda Eshun and fired past goalkeeper Grace Banwa to equalize, thereby sending the game into extra time.
Despite the additional 30 minutes, neither team managed to find the back of the net, resulting in a penalty shootout. Serwaa Amponsah proved to be the hero for Ampem Darkoa, scoring a crucial penalty after Success Ameyaa missed Hasaacas Ladies’ third kick. That proved to be the decisive moment, as Ampem Darkoa emerged champions for the second consecutive season.
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U-17 Afcon: Africa’s quartet for the FIFA U-17 World Cup known
Africa’s four representatives at the 2023 FIFA U17 World Cup are known following the conclusion of the quarter final matches at the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Thursday night.
Senegal, Burkina Faso, Morocco and Mali will fly the continent’s flag at the global showpiece event after the four sides sealed their places in the semi-finals of the competition being played in Algeria.
Africa has four slots at the tournament and with the TotalEnergies U17 AFCON serving as the qualification, the teams that reach the semi-finals will represent the continent at the global event.
Of the teams qualified, Mali is the most experienced, having qualified five times previously. This is their sixth qualification.
Their best performance was in 2015 when they lost to African rivals Nigeria in the final. Their last qualification was in 2017 in India when they finished fourth.
They reached the quarter finals in 1997 and 2001 and exited in the group stage in 1999.
Burkina Faso are meanwhile going back to the global stage for the first time since their last qualification in 2011 when they exited in the group stages. They have qualified for the World Cup four times in total and their best ever performance was in 2001 when they finished third after beating Argentina 2-0 in the play-off.
Morocco are meanwhile qualifying for the World Cup for the second time in their history, having made their debut in 2013 when they when they reached the round of 16.
Senegal have qualified for the World Cup for the second time in their history, after making their debut in 2019 following Guinea’s elimination.
In their maiden campaign, they reached the round of 16 after finishing second in their group. They lost 2-1 to Spain in the knockout phase.
Source: Cafonline
U-17 Afcon: Mali down Congo to qualify for semis, book World Cup slot
Two-time champions Mali progressed to the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after seeing off Congo 3-0 in Annaba on Thursday.
The victory also assures Mali of a place at the FIFA World Cup, the third of four African countries to book their tickets.
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.
Tia got Mali infront after just eight minutes with a brilliant break into the box from a Doumbia through ball and a shot into the far left.
Mali was dominant from the word go and limited Congo’s movement upfront, pinning them into their own half. Doumbia almost made it 2-0 for Mali in the 26th minute with a shot on the half turn from the edge of the box, but it went just wide.
Five minutes later though, he made it 2-0 with a low finish after a defense splitting pass from Barry found him well placed.
In the second half, Mali continued with the same pressure and they thought to have had a third in the 53rd minute when Doumbia put skipper Ibrahim Diarra through, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
A minute later though, they were 3-0 up. Barry converted from the penalty spot after his initial cross was handled inside the box by Brad-Hamilton Mantsounga.
The goal improved Mali’s confidence and they played better, passing the ball around the pack with ease while Congo struggled to remain at pace.
They had more chances to score with skipper Diarra seeing a 65th minute shot from the edge of the box come off the post and his effort on the rebound over, while he also had another one on one effort blocked by the keeper.
Substitute Ibrahim Kanate also had a close chance in the 88th minute when he broke through on the right, but his shot rolled inches wide.
Congo were awarded a late penalty by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) after Geltany Stalgout Bantsiele was brought down by Gaoussou Kone inside the box. Bantsiele took responsibility but keeper Bourama Kone made a brilliant save to keep his clean sheet record in the tournament intact.
Mali will now face off with Morocco in the semi-finals on Sunday in Constantine.
Source: Cafonline