Sports

28, January 2025

Marc Brys says Lions fear no one ahead of Cote d’Ivoire clash in AFCON 2025 ⁰

Cameroon head coach Marc Brys has delivered a defiant message following the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 draw, declaring that his team fears no opponent, including defending champions Côte d’Ivoire.

The two footballing powerhouses will meet in Group F, setting up one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament.

“We must be careful, stay true to our playing philosophy, add passion and the enthusiasm common to the Cameroonian people. We will be ready,” Brys said at the draw event in Rabat on Monday night.

“We are not afraid of any team.”

The upcoming group-stage encounter between Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire rekindles a fierce rivalry that saw the Indomitable Lions secure a narrow 1-0 victory in their last meeting during the 2021 AFCON qualifiers.

Group F also includes Gabon and Mozambique, making it one of the tournament’s most competitive groups.

Brys, who stood alongside former Ivorian captain Serge Aurier during the draw, acknowledged the historical weight of the matchup but remained confident.

“I am aware of the historical rivalry between the two countries. The only thing is to stay focused and be ourselves. Of course, they won the last AFCON, but we will be ready for the match,” the Belgian tactician emphasized.

Brys expressed satisfaction with the make-up of his squad, describing it as a “good mix” of experienced players and emerging talent.

“I have a team that combines a lot of experience and youth. It is a good mix. We must remain united and motivated,” he added.

Cameroon versus Côte d’Ivoire promises to be one of the defining moments of the group stage, with Brys confident in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion.

“The biggest opponent will be ourselves. We must remain disciplined, motivated, and fearless,” he concluded.

The Indomitable Lions, five-time AFCON champions, will rely on this balance to navigate a group that includes Côte d’Ivoire, fresh from their title-winning campaign on home soil, as well as an ambitious Gabonese side and an improving Mozambique.

The 2025 AFCON, scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, will feature 24 teams competing in six Moroccan cities.

With six groups, the tournament format will see the top two teams in each group, along with the four best third-placed teams, advance to the knockout stages.

Host nation Morocco headlines Group A, which includes Mali, Zambia, and Comoros, while other groups promise equally exciting matchups:

Group B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
Group C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
Group D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
Group E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
Group F: Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique

Morocco, returning as AFCON hosts for the first time since 1988, is among the favorites following their historic semi-final finish at the 2022 World Cup.

The tournament will be a showcase of African football’s finest talent, with Morocco set to play their group matches in Rabat.

Source: CAF

28, January 2025

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS: Cameroon drawn in Group F alongside Côte d’Ivoire ⁰

The 24 teams qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have learned their fates following the group stage draw held on Monday in Rabat. The tournament is set to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, and promises high-stakes matchups. Cameroon finds itself in a challenging Group F, where it will face defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, and Mozambique.

The most anticipated clash in this group is undoubtedly the showdown between Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire. Their last encounter took place during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers on November 16, 2021, when the Indomitable Lions secured a narrow 1-0 victory. However, this rematch comes with a different set of circumstances.

Cameroon’s assistant coach, Martin Ndtoungou Mpile, expressed confidence despite the group’s apparent difficulty. He stated that matches against Côte d’Ivoire and Gabon are familiar territory for the team. “We’re not starting as underdogs in this group. On the contrary, these are matchups we’ve known for a long time: Cameroon-Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon-Gabon. But it’s going to be tough. Now we need to prepare well. A strong mentality is essential to win the AFCON,” he said on public television.

On the Côte d’Ivoire side, Serge Aurier, captain of the Elephants, reacted to the draw with anticipation for intense matches in Group F. The former PSG defender acknowledged the challenges posed by all opponents, particularly Cameroon. “It will be difficult. Against Cameroon, we know those matches are tough. What makes Africa proud today is that all teams have improved. So, we can’t talk about just one standout team; it’s about the whole group. We just hope to get out of the group. We know our strength when we advance past the group stage, and based on what we showed in the last AFCON, we know what to do to go all the way,” he commented after the draw.

Cameroon topped Group J in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers, bouncing back after an early elimination in the Round of 16 during the last tournament held in Côte d’Ivoire. Facing Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Namibia in their qualifying group, the Indomitable Lions finished first with 14 points (four wins, two draws, and no losses), five points ahead of Zimbabwe, which claimed the second qualifying spot. Cameroon scored eight goals and conceded just two during the campaign. Maintaining this level of performance will be crucial for their success in the upcoming competition.

Source: Sbbc

27, January 2025

Belgium: prominent footballer arrested in cocaine trafficking sting ⁰

Belgian footballer Radja Nainggolan has been arrested as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking.

The 36-year-old was one of several suspects apprehended by Belgian police on Monday morning, after a series of raids were carried out across the country.

“The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium,” the Brussels prosecutor’s office said in a statement.

No further information has been released to the public.

The arrest comes just six days after Nainggolan came out of retirement to sign for Lokeren in the Belgian second division.

He scored on his debut, giving his side a point in their 1-1 home draw to K. Lierse.

Born in Antwerp, the midfielder spent most of his career in Italy, playing for both Roma and Inter Milan.

Between 2009 and 2018, he made 30 appearances for the Belgium national team.

Source: BBC

23, January 2025

Football: Claude Le Roy holds special piece of Africa Cup of Nations history ⁰

Claude Le Roy’s first two TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations finals tournaments saw his team finished on the podium but the achievement that the popular Frenchman is most famous for is a record nine appearances as a coach.

His is a record that might take decades to beat. “Records are meant to be broken! But for me it’s a privilege that I had all these opportunities and even more important for me is the fact I was never sacked, I always decided to leave. And that’s a big privilege,” recalls the 76-year-old, who still follows the African game with a keen eye.

“And everywhere I worked, people always asked me to come back. I’m proud of that.”

His first game in 1986 was a thrilling 3-2 win over Zambia in Alexandria where Cameroon led slip a two-goal lead but then won the match with a late penalty while a burst of three goals in the space of six minutes saw them beat Algeria 3-2 to finish top of the group. After Roger Milla’s goal accounted for Cote d’Ivoire in the semi-final, Cameroon met host Egypt in the decider, going down on penalties 5-4 after a goalless draw.

Two years later, however, the Indomitable Lions were crowned champions, overcoming hosts Morocco in a fiery semi-final and then edging Nigeria in the final in Casablanca with Emmanuel Kunde’s second half penalty settling the outcome.

Le Roy coached Senegal at the 1990 and 1992 finals, finishing fourth the first time in Algeria but then being disappointingly eliminated by his old Cameroon charges in the quarter-finals when Senegal hosted the 1992 finals.

Le Roy missed the next six Cup of Nations finals before taking the Democratic Republic of Congo to the 2006 tournament in Egypt, where they reached the last eight.

In 2008, he coached a host nation for the second time, this time Ghana but there was a disappointing semi-final exit to Cameroon again.

In 2013, Le Roy was back with the Leopards but three draws in their first round meant they finished third in the group. It was the first time in seven tournaments the coach had not taken a side beyond the first round.

Congo had missed six successive finals before Le Roy qualified them for the 2015 edition in Equatorial Guinea and saw them to the quarter-finals as they won their group.

Le Roy’s last tournament was in Gabon in 2017 with Togo and his record 38 games as a coach at the finals has seen 16 wins, 12 draws and 10 losses with a positive goal tally of 44 scored to 38 conceded.

Le Roy at the Cup of Nations finals

1986 (Cameroon)

Cameroon 3 Zambia 2

Cameroon 1 Morocco 1

Algeria 2 Cameroon 3

Cameroon 1 Cote d’Ivoire 0

Egypt 0 Cameroon 0

1988 (Cameroon)

Cameroon 1 Egypt 0

Cameroon 1 Nigeria 1

Cameroon 0 Kenya 0

Morocco 0 Cameroon 1

Cameroon 1 Nigeria 0

1990 (Senegal)

Kenya 0 Senegal 0

Cameroon 0 Senegal 2

Senegal 0 Zambia 0

Algeria 2 Senegal 1

Senegal 0 Zambia 1

1992 (Senegal)

Senegal 1 Nigeria 2

Senegal 3 Kenya 0

Senegal 0 Cameroon 1

2006 (DR Congo)

DR Congo 2 Togo 0

Angola 0 DR Congo 0

Cameroon 2 DR Congo 0

Egypt 4 DR Congo 1

2008 (Ghana)

Ghana 2 Guinea 1

Ghana 1 Namibia 0

Ghana 2 Morocco 0

Ghana 2 Nigeria 1

Ghana 0 Cameroon 1

Ghana 4 Cote d’Ivoire 2

2013 (DR Congo)

DR Congo 2 Ghana 2

DR Congo 0 Niger 0

Mali 1 DR Congo 1

2015 (Congo)

Equatorial Guinea 1 Congo 1

Congo 1 Gabon 0

Burkina Faso 1 Congo 2

Congo 2 DR Congo 4

2017 (Togo)

Cote d’Ivoire 0 Togo 0

Morocco 3 Togo 1

DR Congo 3 Togo 1

Source: CAF

22, January 2025

Champions League: Liverpool make it to last 16, Barcelona beat Benfica ⁰

Mohamed Salah scored his 50th European goal for Liverpool on Tuesday as they qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League after a 2-1 victory over Lille at Anfield. Barcelona beat Benfica 5-4 in a dramatic nine-goal Champions League match.

Mohamed Salah (R) was on target as Liverpool beat Lille 2-1 at Anfield in the Champions League. — Liverpool’s Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah during a match between Liverpool and Lille LOSC at Anfield in Liverpool on January 21, 2025. © Paul Ellis, AFP

Liverpool beat Lille 2-1 on Tuesday to maintain their perfect record in this season’s Champions League and clinch qualification for the last 16, while Barcelona produced a stunning comeback to beat Benfica 5-4 in a classic to secure their own place.

The Anfield side are the only team with a maximum 21 points from seven matches in this new, expanded Champions League and they now know they will skip next month’s play-offs and head straight to the last 16 in March.

Mohamed Salah ran clear to give Liverpool the lead at home to a Lille team who have also impressed this season, and the visitors appeared in trouble when they had Aissa Mandi sent off just before the hour mark.

Jonathan David swept in an equaliser for Lille, but Harvey Elliott’s shot took a wicked deflection on its way in to give Liverpool the points.

“We’re happy that we are top eight. That’s the only thing that tells me something, because this league table doesn’t tell you anything,” said Slot when asked about being through to the last 16.

The biggest drama on the night, however, came in the rain in Lisbon, where Barcelona trailed 4-2 with 12 minutes of the 90 remaining, but somehow recovered to win 5-4.

Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis scored a hat-trick in the first half-hour for Benfica, including a penalty, while Robert Lewandowski netted from the spot for Barca, who were 3-1 down at the interval.

Raphinha pulled it back to 3-2 when a clearance by the goalkeeper ricocheted back off the Brazilian’s head and in, but a Ronald Araujo own goal midway through the second half appeared to have secured the win for the Portuguese side.

Raphinha celebrates after scoring the winner as Barcelona beat Benfica in a nine-goal thriller. © Patricia De Melo Moreira, AFP

However, another Lewandowski penalty on 78 minutes gave Barcelona renewed hope, and Eric Garcia headed in the equaliser on 86 minutes, before Raphinha ran away to settle an incredible game.

“The mentality of the team, they always believe in themselves and this was unbelievable to see,” said Barcelona coach Hansi Flick.

The Catalans are second with six wins out of seven, and will finish in the top eight to go straight to the last 16. Benfica, with 10 points, must still sweat to reach the play-off round.

Alvarez gives Atletico victory

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid are third on 15 points and certain to at least be in the play-offs after a Julian Alvarez brace secured a 2-1 home victory over Bayer Leverkusen in a game both teams finished with 10 men.

Atletico had Pablo Barrios sent off midway through the first half, and Piero Hincapie then put Leverkusen ahead just before the break.

Argentina star Alvarez levelled seven minutes into the second half, and Hincapie was sent off for the Germans before another Alvarez goal won it for the home side in the last minute as they climbed above Leverkusen.

Last season’s Europa League winners Atalanta are also guaranteed at least a play-off place after crushing Sturm Graz of Austria 5-0.

Mateo Retegui, Mario Pasalic, Charles De Ketelaere, Ademola Lookman and Marco Brescianini all scored for the Italians.

Monaco got back to winning ways after some disappointing results had seen their campaign stall, as Wilfried Singo’s early goal proved enough for them to beat Aston Villa 1-0.

Both teams are set to progress to the knockout phase and both could still finish in the top eight.

Julian Alvarez got both goals for Atletico Madrid in their win against Bayer Leverkusen. © Javier Soriano, AFP

Last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund should also be fine despite a 2-1 defeat away to Bologna, as substitutes Thijs Dallinga and Samuel Iling-Junior scored a minute apart in the second half after Serhou Guirassy’s early penalty had put the Germans in front.

Club Brugge held Juventus to a 0-0 draw in Belgium as that duo both look set to go through to the play-offs at least, while PSV Eindhoven are poised to advance following a 3-2 win at Red Star Belgrade.

PSV led 3-0 at the break thanks to a Luuk de Jong double and a Ryan Flamingo strike, but the latter was sent off early in the second half and Red Star pulled goals back courtesy of Cherif Ndiaye and Nasser Djiga.

VfB Stuttgart maintained their hopes of reaching the play-offs with a 3-1 win away to Slovan Bratislava, who have lost every game.

Jamie Leweling bagged a brace for Stuttgart and Fabian Rieder sealed their victory after Idjessi Metsoko had pulled one back.

(AFP)

21, January 2025

Football: Mbappé says he overcame bad start with Real Madrid ⁰

Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe said Tuesday a shift in mentality helped him improve his ‘situation’ in the Spanish capital after struggling initially following his dream move from Paris Saint-Germain.

The French superstar played inconsistently in his first months at Madrid after joining last summer, but in recent weeks has returned to his devastating peak.

“You always have to be calm and focus on your game and what you can improve,” Mbappe told a news conference ahead of Madrid’s Champions League clash with RB Salzburg on Wednesday.

“I knew that I could change the situation, and now the situation has changed.”

Mbappe missed penalties against Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao towards the end of 2024 and admitted at the time he had “hit the bottom”.

The 26-year-old pledged to show his personality and overcome his shaky start, and now has scored eight goals in his last 10 games across all competitions.

“It was more of a mental thing… I knew I was good physically, good with the team, the group, but I had to do more and I knew it,” continued Mbappe.

“It was the moment to say that now I had to change everything, change the situation, because I didn’t come to Madrid to play badly.

“Now it’s all changed, and I have to continue, because playing well for a month is good, but it’s easy.”

During his spell of poor form and while struggling with a thigh problem, Mbappe was left out several France squads for Nations League games in the final months of last year.

However the striker said he was looking forward to returning to action with his country.

“There’s no issue with the national team… I can understand the criticism (in France),” said Mbappe, who won the World Cup with France in 2018.

“I’m excited to return in March and try to reach the Nations League semi-finals. “My love for the national team has not changed.”

Source: AFP

21, January 2025

Biya regime pays FECAFOOT €560 million ⁰

The State of Cameroon has just paid 560 million to the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT). The money will be used to pay the salaries of players playing for clubs in the Elite One and Elite Two leagues.

In a press release issued on Tuesday 21 January, the Cameroon Football Federation announced that the Cameroon government had made available the sum of 560 million CFA francs. According to the statement issued by Cameroon’s football governing body, these funds represent State support for the payment of the salaries of players from clubs involved in Elite One and Elite Two.

To ensure the transparent management of these funds, FECAFOOT has asked the Cameroon National Football Association (ANFC) to take the necessary steps to allocate the quotas. Proof of payment of players’ salaries is required for this purpose.

By Rita Akana

14, January 2025

Football: Rigobert Song meets President Faustin Archange Touadéra ⁰

Cameroon’s legendary footballer Rigobert Song has held talks at the Palais de la Renaissance in Bangui on Monday 13 January with Central African Republic President Faustin Archange Touadéra.

Cameroon Concord News gathered that discussions between the two men focused on the role of sport in youth development in CAR.

The visit is part of a CAR project aimed at strengthening relations with Cameroon.

Rigobert Song shared his expertise and experiences, emphasizing the transformative potential of sport in African societies.

CAR’s Minister Héritier Doneng who is in charge of youth and sport accompanied Song and presented the Central African government’s initiatives to promote sporting disciplines and mobilise young people around constructive projects.

By Rita Akana

14, January 2025

Rigobert Song appointed as new Central African Republic manager ⁰

The former coach of the Indomitable Lions has been offered a job in the Central African Republic.

Rumours had been circulating on social media ever since Rigobert Song travelled to Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic on Monday.

Cameroon Concord News can now report that the news is official.

Rigobert Song has been appointed coach and manager of the Fauves of the Central African Republic.

The decree appointing Rigobert Song was signed by the Minister for the Promotion of Youth, Sport and Physical Education.

The details of the contract including the duration and salary to be paid to the legendary Cameroonian footballer have not been revealed.

Rigobert Song reportedly met with President Faustin Archange Touadera before the appointment was made official.

By Rita Akana

9, January 2025

Football: Eto’o in Cairo ⁰

Samuel Eto’o, the four-time African Player of the Year, this week visited Cairo where he met Egypt’s Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhi and congratulated the new board of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA).

Eto’o, currently the president of the Cameroonian Football Association, congratulated the new board members, headed by FIFA and CAF executive board member Hani Abu Rida, after they won elections last month by acclamation. They will lead the EFA for the next four years.

“Thank you for coming to congratulate Abu Rida, the ‘godfather of Egyptian football’. Glad to meet you again in Egypt,” Sobhi told Eto’o, who had made a surprise visit to the EFA headquarters.

Eto’o was also in Egypt to support Cameroon’s Under-18 women’s football team who are to meet their Egyptian counterparts in the African qualifications for the FIFA U-18 world Cup. The home game is to take place on Sunday 12 January at the 30 June Stadium. The return game is scheduled for 18 January in Cameroon.

Eto’o, 43, joined Barcelona in 2004 where he scored 130 goals in five seasons, winning La Liga three times and the UEFA Champions League once.

As a member of the Cameroon national team, he was part of the squad that won the gold medal at the 2000 Olympics. He also won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002. He is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations with 18 goals.

Eto’o also participated in four World Cups.

He announced his retirement from international football in August 2014.

Source: ahramonline