AFCON U-17: Assane Sarr positive ahead of tournament

Senegal U-17 goalkeeper, Assane Sarr has shared a few words ahead of the upcoming AFCON U-17 competition to be staged in Morocco.

The Ndangane FC shot stopper, who won the WAFU ZONE A U17 tournament in Mali, spoke to the media during the Young Lions’ flag presentation ceremony on Tuesday at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium.

Senegal are paired against two time champions Ghana

Reflecting on the team’s preparation, the Senegalese captain expressed optimism ahead of the tournament. catcross.org

“We’ve prepared for this AFCON properly. At the last AFCON, we were eliminated in the quarterfinals. This time, we hope to go further and, why not, win the cup.”

Having participated at the last U17 AFCON in Morocco the captain emphasized his leadership role.

“I thank God, this is the fruit of hard work. It’s hard work that has allowed me to be here today.

“I also want to help those who have just arrived, because we need to support and guide them,” he confided.

Sarr didn’t hide his personal ambitions for the competition.

“I pray to God that we win the AFCON and that I am the best goalkeeper in the tournament.”

Senegal are paired against two time champions Ghana, Algeria and South Africa in Group D for the tournament that runs from May 13 to June 2.

Senegal have won the Africa U-17 tournament once, clinching the title in 2023 where they won all group ane knockout games before beating Morocco 2-1 in the finals.

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Reading FC manager Leam Richardson has paid an emotional tribute to Ghanaian defender Andy Yiadom, hailing him as a club legend with an enduring legacy at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

The 34-year-old veteran is set to depart the League One side this summer, bringing the curtain down on a distinguished eight-year career with the Royals.

Yiadom’s departure comes as part of a significant squad overhaul that has seen the exit of three African internationals, including Guinea-Bissau midfielder Mamadi Camara and Zimbabwean prospect Tivonge Rushesha.

Rare Andy Yiadom goal against Hull in 2018 #ReadingFC pic.twitter.com/ORNMoIgspS

— The Ding Archive (@dingarchive) May 5, 2026

Andy Yiadom included in Reading FC squad clear-out

In an official statement released on Tuesday, 5 May 2026, the club confirmed that the trio will leave Berkshire upon the expiration of their respective contracts this summer.

In a separate, more personal tribute issued later that day, Richardson took the time to specifically recognise the immense contribution of the man who was crowned the club’s 2022 Player of the Season.

“Andy has been outstanding for this football club over a long period of time,” Richardson remarked. “He is someone who embodies everything you look for in a top professional—honest, committed, and a natural leader both on and off the pitch.”

The manager’s only regret

Farewell Andy Yiadom#ReadingFC

2018-2026
253 appearances
4 goals/12 assists
Player of the Season 2021/22 pic.twitter.com/T8H9gVZcUC

— The Ding Archive (@dingarchive) May 5, 2026

The Reading manager expressed his deep regret that the club’s faithful supporters were unable to give Yiadom a proper farewell during Saturday’s final EFL League One fixture away at Blackpool FC.

“It’s a real shame that a small niggle kept him out of the matchday squad on Saturday because he absolutely deserved that final appearance in front of the fans,” Richardson added.

“He leaves with the utmost respect of everyone at the club, and I have no doubt he will be remembered as a player who gave his heart and soul every single day for the Reading badge.”

The versatile right-sided operator joined Reading in 2018 and recently became the 35th player in the club’s history to reach the milestone of 250 appearances—the first player to achieve the feat since Garath McCleary in 2019.

To mark his departure, the club presented the Ghanaian international with a commemorative signed shirt and a watch from club partner Citizen during a farewell meeting with teammates and coaching staff at the Bearwood Park training ground.

African football is alive every weekend with exciting league action around the continent, and our weekly round-up highlights a selection of the most important results.

Egypt

Former TotalEnergies CAF Champions League winners Al Ahly won the Cairo derby against Zamalek in convincing fashion on Friday to put themselves back into the race for the Premier League title.

The result left Zamalek tied at the top of the standings with Pyramids on 50 points, with Ahly lurking ominously three points behind.

Zamalek have let slip a five-point lead by collecting a single point from their last two outings, likely distracted by the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup final against USM Alger over the next week. Zamalek, however, can still determine their own destiny in the league and, if they win their last two fixtures, will take a first league title in four years. They have a better head-to-head record against Pyramids.

Ahly’s win in the derby came courtesy of two goals from Moroccan import Achraf Bencharki and another from Hussein El-Shahat. At the same time, outgoing African champions Pyramids were 3-2 winners over ENPPI, with a double from Mostafa Zico.

Ghana

Medeama extended their lead in the Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Bibiani Gold Stars in their top-of-the-table clash on Sunday and are now five points clear at the head of the standings with four matches to play.

The club from Tarkwa, coached by former Bundesliga attacker Ibrahim Tanko, are chasing a second title to add to their league success in 2023.

Salim Adams scored both goals in a highly charged affair in the first half to take Medeama to 56 points and leave Bibiani on 51. Hearts of Oak lie third on 49 points after an important 1-0 away win at Nations in Abrankese.

Mawuli Wayo’s 11th-minute goal ensured Nations’ first home defeat of the season and left them still hovering above the relegation places.

With Hohoe United banned for three seasons and demoted after failing to honour their fixtures, and Eleven Wonders already relegated, there is now a battle to avoid the third relegation slot, with Berekum Chelsea in the most danger as they prepare to host Medeama in their next league outing.

DR Congo

Eight teams are contesting the championship round for the Linafoot Ligue 1 title, but only Maniema Union and TP Mazembe were winners in the first round of matches.

Maniema, who have never won a league title, were 2-0 away winners over Don Bosco in Lubumbashi, followed by Mazembe’s 2-0 victory over AS Vita Club in a double-header feature at Stade TP Mazembe on Friday.

Maniema, who on Monday appointed Ivorian Lassina Kone as their new coach, opened the scoring against Don Bosco with a penalty from Burkinabe import Clement Pitroipa and added a second in stoppage time through striker Beni Namboka.

Mazembe’s success was given a boost when Vita went down to 10 men in the 72nd minute, followed by Ndongala opening the scoring in the 74th minute and Fofana sealing the points four minutes from the end.

On Monday, Vita lost a second game in Lubumbashi as they went down 2-1 to Don Bosco at the start of the second round of fixtures.

Lesotho

Lijabatho are on the brink of taking a first Premier League title after they took full advantage of a slip by closest rivals Bantu to open up a four-point lead at the head of the standings.

With only two rounds left of the campaign, Lijabatho will win the league if they are victorious in their next outing. They sit on 59 points, four ahead of Bantu, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Lifofane in Maputsoe on Friday.

Lijabatho then won 2-0 away to Lesotho Mounted Police Service in Maseru on Sunday, with goals on either side of the break from experienced Basotho international Jane Thabantso and Siphamandla Klassen.

SOURCE: CAF ONLINE

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After the 2027 World Cup, it’s widely expected that the Springboks will begin a rebuilding phase as many senior players are set to retire, which is likely to include the legendary Siya Kolisi.

The 34-year-old will go down as one of the greats of the game, and it will be no easy task to replace him both as a captain and player.

Although there are numerous other leaders in the squad, the likes of Bongi Mbonambi, Handre Pollard, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth and Jesse Kriel are all approaching their mid-30s and won’t be seen as long-term captaincy successors.

Who else could take over captaincy role from Siya Kolisi?

Salmaan Moerat has already captained the Springboks on three occasions, and the 28-year-old has age on his side, but the big question is whether he would be assured of a starting position.

Rassie Erasmus has already admitted that star flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu shows ‘captaincy material’, but he seemed to struggle with that extra responsibility at the Stormers this season, and so it would be unlikely that this role would be feasible at Springbok level at such an early stage of his senior career.

Unexpected, but viable, alternative option

Interestingly, former Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff has earmarked a future captain who has already impressed in national colours and as a leader for the Bulls.

“Currently, I’m not too sure who’s going to be the future captain. I think if Siya makes it to the 2027 World Cup, he’ll make it physically, but if he gets injured, I’m not sure who is going to be the guy who steps in,” Kitshoff commented.

“If I had to put a name down, I’d say Ruan Nortje from the Bulls. I think he gets the job. He does it at the Bulls exceptionally well, and he’ll probably be my standout guy if someone needs to be selected.”

The Atlas Lions are heading back to familiar territory. Morocco have designated New Jersey as their base camp for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, setting a sophisticated foundation for their high-stakes return to the global stage this July.

By securing one of the tournament’s most prestigious training environments, the Moroccan national team is signalling its intent to build on a legacy that captivated the world in 2022. The Atlas Lions will conduct their final preparations at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, a venue that boasts a storied World Cup pedigree.

Having previously hosted international delegations during the 1994 World Cup, the facility offers a symbolic bridge between the past and Morocco’s modern ambitions.

As the Atlas Lions gear up for their seventh appearance at the world’s premier sporting extravaganza, the choice of a base rooted in tradition adds significant weight to their mission. They arrive in North America looking to eclipse their historic heroics in Qatar, where they broke the glass ceiling for African football by becoming the first nation from the continent to reach a World Cup semi-final.

Morocco’s group-stage itinerary will be centred entirely within the United States, forming a central part of a revolutionary tournament. The 2026 edition marks a series of historic milestones, with Canada, Mexico, and the USA serving as co-hosts for a record-breaking 48-team field.

ATLAS LIONS OF MOROCCO SECURE HIGH-DEMAND TRAINING HUB AHEAD OF BRAZIL CLASH

The Atlas Lions are set for a blockbuster opening fixture against Brazil on June 13 at the iconic MetLife Stadium. Their journey continues on June 19 against Scotland at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, before they conclude the group phase on June 24 against Haiti at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The decision to anchor in New Jersey is a masterclass in logistics. By remaining in the Garden State, Morocco stays within proximity of their opening match and maintains a manageable travel schedule along the East Coast corridor, ensuring maximum recovery time between high-intensity fixtures.

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill welcomed the news with enthusiasm, highlighting the state’s readiness for the global spotlight. “New Jersey is thrilled to welcome Morocco – and the rest of the world – to our state for the FIFA World Cup 2026,” Sherrill stated. “We are especially honoured that Team Morocco has decided to make our state its home away from home.”

Youssef Amrani, the Moroccan Ambassador to the United States, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the strategic importance of securing such a competitive training hub. “My deepest gratitude goes to the State of New Jersey and The Pingry School for their exceptional hospitality. Football possesses a unique power to unite nations, and we look forward to fostering enduring bonds throughout this journey,” Amrani remarked.

The Atlas Lions will find themselves in good company. Senegal, the continental rivals whom Morocco defeated for the African title, will also be stationed in the state at Rutgers University. This concentration of talent underscores a massive African footprint in New Jersey, as the Teranga Lions prepare for their own challenging fixtures against France and Norway.

The state is rapidly becoming a microcosm of the tournament itself. While the African giants settle in, Brazil will be utilising the Columbia Park Training Centre in Morris Township, and Haiti will set up their camp at Stockton University.

With four powerhouse nations converging on the area, and the World Cup Final itself slated for MetLife Stadium, New Jersey is no longer just a host—it is the beating heart of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.