NEWS
We were unlucky to miss CAF Champions League semis – John Bocco
Simba Sports Club skipper John Rapheal Bocco has said they were unlucky to bow of the 2020/2021 CAF Champions League at the quarter final stage.
The Tanzanian giants beat Kaizer Chiefs 3-0 in the return leg of the quarter final last Saturday at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es salaam, but bowed out on a 4-3 aggregate.
“We were unlucky to miss out making it to the semi final stage. It was unfortunate that we did not score in the first leg,” said Bocco who netted two goals in the win. Bocco who last Friday promised they would win the game netted in each half at the Benjamin Nkapa Stadium.
Bocco made it 1-0 after 24 minutes after picking a cross from Zambian international Clatous Chama. The home side continued to torment the Kaizer Chiefs defenders and creating several scoring opportunities that they failed to put away.
Early in the second half Kaizer Chiefs’ Leonardo Castro almost punished Simba SC when his close range header missed the target by inches.
Bocco made it 2-0 eleven minutes into the second half with a tap-in off a good Luis Miquissone cross. The home side continued to attack in numbers as the Kaizer Chiefs midfielders failed to hold the ball well.
With four minutes to time it was Chama who got his name on the score sheet for Simba SC to make it 3-0 from another Miquissone cross. The home fans went wild and cheered on their team to keep pushing forward.
But Kaizer Chiefs held on and managed defend in numbers till the final whistle to qualify to the semi final stage. It is also the first time the South African side make it to the semi final stage of the CAF Champions League.
Kaizer Chiefs will now face Wydad in the semis, while Tunisia’s Esperance battle reigning champions Al Ahly in the second semi final clash.
Sudan giants Al Hilal SC have again written history by winning the 2025/2026 Rwanda Premier League title – BK Pro League.
Last season they also emerged champions of the Mauritania Premier League.
The guest side Al Hilal SC were crowned champions after defeating Gasogi United 2-1 in a League match played on Wednesday.
They finished with 70 points, ahead of army side APR FC who bagged 59 points. Another guest side from Sudan Al Merriekh collected 58 points to finish third.
The two Sudan teams were forced to relocate and play as guest sides in the Rwanda Premier League because of the political conflict that affected Football activities back in Sudan.
Al Hilal SC becomes the first club in history to win top-flight league titles in Sudan, Mauritania and Rwanda.
However, according to the regulations by the Rwanda Premier League Board, Al-Hilal SC will not be allowed to represent Rwanda in African competitions.
Al Hilal SC will still play in the play-offs of the Elite League organized by the Sudan Football Association (SFA) to determine which teams will play in the 2026/2027 CAF competitions.
Handled by Romanian coach Laurențiu Reghecampf, Al-Hilal SC also reached the quarter final stage of the 2025/2026 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
A 10-man Uganda Cubs side have made a winning start in the 2026 TotaIEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which kicked off today in Rabat, Morocco.
The CECAFA side humbled debut making DR Congo 3-0 in their opening Group B match played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex on T8 ground.
Midfielder Own Mukisa gave Uganda the lead after 37 minutes, and Nicholas Kawooya made it 2-0 at the stroke of half time.
The DR Congo team returned charged and tried to push forward, but failed to tame the Ugandan defending line. Uganda had Trevor Mubiru sent-off, but the Cubs still added a goal by substitute Abulshakur Bobi.
“I am very happy that my team was disciplined and managed to score three goals in the opening match,” said Uganda’s head coach Laryea Kingston.
Uganda are now top of Group B after Cote d’Ivoire also defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the earlier match of the same group.
Another CECAFA side Ethiopia started their campaign with a goalless draw against Egypt in a Group A match.
The CECAFA U-17 reigning champions Tanzania will take to the field on Thursday in a Group C match against Mozambique.
The top two teams in each of the four groups earn direct qualification to the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026, while the other two slots are determined via a playoffs. A total of 10 teams will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026.
CECAFA Teams Ethiopia and Uganda will take to the field as the 2026 TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off on Wednesday in Rabat, Morocco.
The competition will be played in a festival-style competition model with 30 matches to be played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
The opening match on Wednesday between hosts Morocco and Tunisia, semi-finals and final will be played at the Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat.
Ethiopia will face a tough test in a Group A match against Egypt in what promises to be a thriller. Benjamin Ziemer, Ethiopia’s head coach has made it clear that it will be great to have a good start in the competition.
“We have prepared well in Ethiopia and a few days in Morocco and the players are ready for the campaign,” said Ziemer, an American born coach.
Dawit Kassaw Yirdaw who was one of the top scorers in the Zonal qualifiers last last year together with Biyam Abrha will be some of the key Ethiopian players to watch.
Uganda who are not new to this stage will also start their campaign today in a Group B encounter against debut making DR Congo.
The Uganda Cubs will go into the match breathing with some confidence after stopping Mozambique 3-1 and Mali 1-0 in two friendly matches played in Casablanca last week.
“We have prepared very well and the team is looking in shape ahead of our first match. Our major focus is to qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup again like the team di last year and later battle for the title,” says Uganda’s head coach Laryea Kingston.
The Uganda Cubs will look to forward Owen Mukisa and instrumental Henry Muhoozi who are expected to play pivotal roles for the team.
The top two teams in each of the four groups earn direct qualification to the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026, while the other two slots are determined via a playoffs. A total of 10 teams will qualify to represent Africa at the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2026.
Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia are the teams that qualified to represent the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) at the 2026 AFCON U-17.
May 13th Fixture
Morocco vs Tunisia (A)
Egypt vs Ethiopia (A)
Cote d’Ivoire vs Cameroon (B)
Uganda vs DR Congo (B)
Aigle Noir Club Sportif are champions of the 2025/2026 Primus Burundi Premier League.
The Makamba based team was crowned last Saturday after their last match that saw them defeat Garage Express FC 1-0.
After 30 matches played Aigle Noir CS finished with 71 points, while Musongati FC came second with 59 points, Flambeau du Centre finished in third place with 56 points.
Aigle Noir CS player Abdi Ineza finished as top scorer with 16 goals.
The three relegated teams include; BG Green Farmers FC, Garage Express FC and Burundi Sport Dynamik.
Aigle Noir CS who are also in the final of the Burundi Cup will now represent Burundi in the 2026/2027 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.
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