TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 Qualifying Groups Announced

Posted on by Inkoom Esther

The draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 qualifiers was held in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Forty-eight African countries will vie for a spot in the 35th edition of the biennial African showpiece, aiming to dethrone coach Emerse Faé’s Côte d’Ivoire as continental kings. Faé, alongside Moroccan legend Marouane Chamakh, assisted with the draw and saw his side placed in a challenging group as they bid to defend their title.

Côte d’Ivoire, the defending champions after their 2-1 victory over Nigeria in Abidjan earlier this year, were placed in Group G alongside former champions Zambia, Sierra Leone, and Chad

Hosts Morocco were placed in Group B, set to face Gabon, the Central African Republic, and Lesotho. With the assurance of participating as hosts, Morocco will approach this qualifying campaign with less pressure.

The qualifiers will commence in September 2024 and conclude in November 2024. The top two teams from each of the eleven groups, excluding the hosts’ group, will qualify for the competition.

The TotalEnergies CAF AFCON is Africa’s premier sporting event, and the next championship will be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco.

Groups:

Group A: Tunisia, Madagascar, Comoros, Gambia
Group B: Morocco, Gabon, Central African Republic, Lesotho
Group C: Egypt, Cape Verde, Mauritania, Botswana
Group D: Nigeria, Benin, Libya, Rwanda
Group E: Algeria, Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Liberia
Group F: Ghana, Angola, Sudan, Niger
Group G: Côte d’Ivoire, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Chad
Group H: DR Congo, Guinea, Tanzania, Ethiopia
Group I: Mali, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, Eswatini
Group J: Cameroon, Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe
Group K: South Africa, Uganda, Congo, South Sudan
Group L: Senegal, Burkina Faso, Malawi, Burundi

Police Ladies Advance in Women’s FA Cup After Victory Against Ampem Darkoa Ladies

Posted on by Inkoom Esther

Police Ladies continued their impressive journey in the Women’s FA Cup by defeating holders Ampem Darkoa Ladies 2-1 in a thrilling quarter-final match on Sunday, March 31st.

The match began with Juanita Aguadze giving Police Ladies an early lead, finding the net in the eighth minute. However, Ampem Darkoa Ladies responded with determination, equalizing through Latifa Abesik in the 52nd minute.

Despite the momentum shift, Police Ladies demonstrated resilience, reclaiming the lead with a goal from substitute Sophia Mabena Agyaakwa in the 57th minute. Ampem Darkoa Ladies were awarded a late penalty opportunity to level the score, but they failed to capitalize, securing Police Ladies’ well-deserved victory.

Police Ladies will now face Supreme Ladies in the semi-finals, who secured their spot after a penalty shootout victory against Nasara Ladies following a 1-1 draw in regular time.

In another compelling match at the Auntie Aku AstroTurf, Division One League side Epiphany Warriors emerged victorious against Jonina FC with a 2-1 win. Sonia Opoku opened the scoring for the Warriors in the 61st minute, followed by Leticia Adjei’s dramatic goal in the 112th minute of extra time. Jonina FC managed to pull one back through Eunice Kpentey’s penalty in the 85th minute, but it was not enough.

The Epiphany Warriors, the only Division One League team remaining in the tournament, now face the formidable challenge of Army Ladies in the next round of the Women’s FA Cup.

José Mourinho Addresses Future Amid Brazil National Team Speculation

Posted on by Inkoom Esther

Roma’s head coach, José Mourinho, shed light on his future at the club following his team’s comeback victory against Cremonese in a Coppa Italia Last-16 clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

Despite a shaky start with Cremonese taking the lead through Frank Tsadjout, Roma secured the win with Romelu Lukaku’s equalizer and a late goal from Paulo Dybala.

In the post-match press conference, Mourinho discussed various topics, including the Giallorossi’s performance and his own future with the club.

The question of Mourinho’s plans beyond the summer has been a prominent topic in the Italian headlines as his contract expiration approaches. In response, Mourinho indicated that a resolution remains uncertain, stating, “I haven’t signed yet.”

Addressing recent rumors linking him with the Brazil national team coaching position, Mourinho dismissed the speculation: “About Brazil, I don’t know if it’s true or not. They didn’t talk to me. I told my agent that until we know that a club is interested, he shouldn’t talk to anyone while I’m here.”

The Portuguese coach emphasized trust in the honesty of Roma’s ownership but acknowledged that his future with the club is yet to be finalized. The comments leave room for speculation about Mourinho’s next move, keeping fans and pundits alike eagerly awaiting further developments.

Lampard Reflects on Chelsea’s Game Against Arsenal and Draws Comparisons

Posted on by Inkoom Esther

Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s caretaker manager, addressed the media in a pre-match press conference ahead of their upcoming Premier League clash against Arsenal. Lampard expressed his fascination with comparing the stories of the two clubs, highlighting the potential impact of Arsenal’s resilience.

As Chelsea aims for a victory in Tuesday’s game following a series of five consecutive losses, Lampard acknowledged the challenge they will face against Arsenal, who are eager to secure three points and regain the top spot in the league standings.

Lampard praised Mikel Arteta’s side, recognizing their impressive performance throughout the season. “They’re still very much in the hunt to win the Premier League. They’re a fantastic team who have had a great season,” he commented. Lampard further noted that if Arsenal faced any setbacks, it could fuel a strong reaction, while emphasizing the importance of making things difficult for them.

Additionally, Lampard drew comparisons between the two teams, highlighting the long process involved in achieving success. Reflecting on the Amazon series that provided insight into Arsenal’s operations, Lampard stated, “What you see is that there’s a long process to get to where you want to.” He recalled facing Mikel Arteta’s early teams, noting the variations in their tactical approach. However, he acknowledged that Arsenal now possesses a clear identity in their playing style and a strong vision in terms of player recruitment.

Discussing Chelsea’s journey, Lampard emphasized the need to consider the tougher periods in a season when assessing the team’s potential. He affirmed the possibility of Chelsea going through such phases and highlighted the importance of making good decisions along the way.

Chelsea’s clash against Arsenal promises to be an intriguing encounter as both teams seek a positive result on Tuesday.