ASEAN Wrap: Phnom Penh Crown maintain lead; JDT, Sri Pahang set up Malaysia Cup final date
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... final-date
Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor close in on Sepahan; Mohun Bagan stretch unbeaten run
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... beaten-run
West Asia Wrap: Kaio makes dream debut for Al Hilal; Al Duhail stay ahead
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... stay-ahead
Leagues from other continents
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amenina
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amenina
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African club round-up: Orlando Pirates triumph in Soweto Derby
Published: Monday, 03 February 2025
African football is alive every weekend with exciting league action around the continent and our weekly round-up of league action highlights a selection of the most important results.
SOUTH AFRICA
Mamelodi Sundowns kept up their six-point advantage at the top of the Premiership but have played one game more than second placed on Orlando Pirates, who won the Soweto derby at the weekend with a last gasp penalty.
Pirates were awarded a spot-kick deep in stoppage time at the end of the game against archrivals Kaizer Chiefs in front of more than 80,000 at Soccer City in Johannesburg, cheekily converted with a Panenka-style finish from Patrick Maswanganyi.
It was a dramatic end to match that is the long-time ‘classico’ of South African football. That took the Buccaneers to 30 points from 12 games. Defending champions Sundowns played their 13th game of the league season on Sunday and are on 36 points after beating Lamontville Golden Arrows 4-0 in Pretoria.
It included a double from Namibian captain Peter Shalulile, who had come on as a first half substitute.
Sundowns host Pirates in Pretoria this Saturday, but both must navigate a Wednesday fixture in between as the pressure begins to mount.
Polokwane City are up to third spot after beating Chippa United 1-0 at home on Saturday while Sekhukhune United sit fourth after a 1-1 draw away at Stellenbosch on Saturday.
TUNISIA
Esperance Tunis took over the leadership of Ligue 1 on Sunday as they ran out 4-2 victors over Soliman at Rades to advance to 36 points.
The defending champions had been one point behind Stade Tunisien going into the weekend’s league fixtures but Stade have slipped to third on 35 points after being held to a goalless draw at Metlaoui on Saturday.
Zarzis jumped into second spot, ahead of Stade on goal difference, after Amir Tajaouri scored on the stroke of half-time to ensure a 1-0 home triumph over relegation-threatened EGS Gafsa.
Only three points separate the top five clubs on the table with Club Africain on 34 points after they drew 1-1 in Tunis on Saturday in an away clash at JS Omrane while Monastir stayed on 33 points after being beaten away on Sunday by Etoile Sahel in Sousse.
It was a first half penalty from Firas Chaouat that settled the outcome. Monastir were runners-up last season to Esperance, who have won seven of the last eight Tunisian championships.
BURKINA FASO
The Ligue 1 season resumed after a one-month hiatus with Rahimo sitting top after their 3-1 win over ASFB in the Bobo Dioulasso derby at Stade Wobi on Sunday where the 18-year-old Kobana Fatchie Ouattara made a dream debut, providing an assist after five minutes before scoring himself in stoppage time at the end of the game.
Rahimo are two points clear of SONABEL, who won 2-0 in Ouagadougou on Friday over ASEC Koudougou but took until the final 11 minutes to break the deadlock through Raouf Memel Dao.
Damassi Konate quickly added a second in the absence of top striker Aboubacar Traore, who was sold on Saturday to Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
ETHIOPIA
Ethiopian Medhin saw their Premier League lead extended to three points after they won on Friday and then saw closest challengers Kedus Giorgis held to a draw on Sunday.
Ethiopian Medhin, with former national team coach Gebremedhin Haile in charge, made it six wins in a row as they triumphed 1-0 away at previous leaders Hadiya Hosaena in Adama with Dawit Tefera’s sensational strike from outside the box proving to be the match-winner.
Kedus Giorgis drew 0-0 with Ethiopia Bunna on Sunday to miss out on a chance to keep the gap to a single point.
BOTSWANA
Township Rollers took over the leadership of the Premier League with a 2-1 home victory over VTM on Saturday in Gaborone, where Botswana international Segolame Boy curled home a superb finish to put his side ahead.
Rollers are up to 36 points just past the halfway mark of the season, two ahead of TAFIC, who were held at home in Francistown to a 1-1 draw by champions Jwaneng Galaxy and had been top of the table for two months.
African club round-up: Orlando Pirates triumph in Soweto Derby
Published: Monday, 03 February 2025
African football is alive every weekend with exciting league action around the continent and our weekly round-up of league action highlights a selection of the most important results.
SOUTH AFRICA
Mamelodi Sundowns kept up their six-point advantage at the top of the Premiership but have played one game more than second placed on Orlando Pirates, who won the Soweto derby at the weekend with a last gasp penalty.
Pirates were awarded a spot-kick deep in stoppage time at the end of the game against archrivals Kaizer Chiefs in front of more than 80,000 at Soccer City in Johannesburg, cheekily converted with a Panenka-style finish from Patrick Maswanganyi.
It was a dramatic end to match that is the long-time ‘classico’ of South African football. That took the Buccaneers to 30 points from 12 games. Defending champions Sundowns played their 13th game of the league season on Sunday and are on 36 points after beating Lamontville Golden Arrows 4-0 in Pretoria.
It included a double from Namibian captain Peter Shalulile, who had come on as a first half substitute.
Sundowns host Pirates in Pretoria this Saturday, but both must navigate a Wednesday fixture in between as the pressure begins to mount.
Polokwane City are up to third spot after beating Chippa United 1-0 at home on Saturday while Sekhukhune United sit fourth after a 1-1 draw away at Stellenbosch on Saturday.
TUNISIA
Esperance Tunis took over the leadership of Ligue 1 on Sunday as they ran out 4-2 victors over Soliman at Rades to advance to 36 points.
The defending champions had been one point behind Stade Tunisien going into the weekend’s league fixtures but Stade have slipped to third on 35 points after being held to a goalless draw at Metlaoui on Saturday.
Zarzis jumped into second spot, ahead of Stade on goal difference, after Amir Tajaouri scored on the stroke of half-time to ensure a 1-0 home triumph over relegation-threatened EGS Gafsa.
Only three points separate the top five clubs on the table with Club Africain on 34 points after they drew 1-1 in Tunis on Saturday in an away clash at JS Omrane while Monastir stayed on 33 points after being beaten away on Sunday by Etoile Sahel in Sousse.
It was a first half penalty from Firas Chaouat that settled the outcome. Monastir were runners-up last season to Esperance, who have won seven of the last eight Tunisian championships.
BURKINA FASO
The Ligue 1 season resumed after a one-month hiatus with Rahimo sitting top after their 3-1 win over ASFB in the Bobo Dioulasso derby at Stade Wobi on Sunday where the 18-year-old Kobana Fatchie Ouattara made a dream debut, providing an assist after five minutes before scoring himself in stoppage time at the end of the game.
Rahimo are two points clear of SONABEL, who won 2-0 in Ouagadougou on Friday over ASEC Koudougou but took until the final 11 minutes to break the deadlock through Raouf Memel Dao.
Damassi Konate quickly added a second in the absence of top striker Aboubacar Traore, who was sold on Saturday to Maniema Union from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
ETHIOPIA
Ethiopian Medhin saw their Premier League lead extended to three points after they won on Friday and then saw closest challengers Kedus Giorgis held to a draw on Sunday.
Ethiopian Medhin, with former national team coach Gebremedhin Haile in charge, made it six wins in a row as they triumphed 1-0 away at previous leaders Hadiya Hosaena in Adama with Dawit Tefera’s sensational strike from outside the box proving to be the match-winner.
Kedus Giorgis drew 0-0 with Ethiopia Bunna on Sunday to miss out on a chance to keep the gap to a single point.
BOTSWANA
Township Rollers took over the leadership of the Premier League with a 2-1 home victory over VTM on Saturday in Gaborone, where Botswana international Segolame Boy curled home a superb finish to put his side ahead.
Rollers are up to 36 points just past the halfway mark of the season, two ahead of TAFIC, who were held at home in Francistown to a 1-1 draw by champions Jwaneng Galaxy and had been top of the table for two months.
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amenina
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ASEAN and East Asia Wrap: Sanfrecce sink Kobe to lift Super Cup; JDT on the brink of 11th title
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... sia-wrap-1
Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor switch places with Sepahan; Mohun Bagan continue cruising
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... e-cruising
West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad take charge; Al Duhail, Shabab Al Ahli stay hot
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... i-stay-hot
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... sia-wrap-1
Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor switch places with Sepahan; Mohun Bagan continue cruising
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... e-cruising
West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad take charge; Al Duhail, Shabab Al Ahli stay hot
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... i-stay-hot
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amenina
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African club round-up: Pyramids, Sundowns get vital wins
Published: Monday, 10 February 2025
African football is alive every weekend with exciting league action around the continent and our weekly round-up of league action highlights a selection of the most important results.
EGYPT
A dramatic winner from veteran centre back Ali Gabr seven minutes into stoppage time at the end of Friday’s game in Alexandria against Smouha saw Pyramids retake top place in the Premier League with a narrow 1-0 away success. They are a single point above African champions Al Ahly, who had a narrow 2-1 home victory over Petrojet in Cairo on Thursday. Emam Ashour and Ahly’s new Slovenian striker Nejc Gradisar were the scores for the hosts with Ahmed Farouk getting a late consolation for the hosts. The 22-year-old Gradisar has scored three goals in as many games since joining from Fehervar in Hungary. Zamalek, who meet Al Ahly in the Cairo derby later this month, are third in the standings, four points behind Pyramids. Mostafa Shalaby and Nabil Emad were the scorers as Zamalek beat Ismailia 2-0 on Friday despite finishing down to 10-men when substitute Nasser Maher was sent off. El Gouna moved off the bottom after forcing a goalless draw at El Geish in Cairo on Friday and are now in a three-way tie on seven points in the relegation zone with ENPPI and Modern.
TANZANIA
Simba, who are in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup draw later this month, dropped unexpected points on Thursday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fountain Gate at Babati. It meant that arch rival Young Africans are now top of the table with 45 points to Simba’s 44 after they had an emphatic 6-1 home win in Dar-es-Salaam on Wednesday over KenGold. Yanga won despite the abrupt departure of coach Sead Ramovic, who has taken up an offer at Chabab Belouizdad in Algeria. Simba were ahead away from home but an own goal by midfielder Ladack Chasambi saw them drop potentially vital points.
SOUTH AFRICA
Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have been neck-and-neck throughout the season at the top of the Premier League but the defending champions shrugged off Pirates’ challenge with an emphatic 4-1 home win in Pretoria on Saturday. Victory for Sundowns sees them nine points ahead of second placed Pirates at the top of the table, albeit with a game in hand. Sundowns also reached the halfway stage of the season with a record 42 points with 14 wins from 15 games. Two goals from their Brazilian import Lucas Ribeiro set the two sides apart and put Sundowns comfortably on course for a record-extending eighth championship. Pirates are on 33 points and third placed Polokwane City on 29 after they were beaten 2-0 by struggling Richards Bay in Durban on Saturday. Sekhukhune United moved back to fourth spot with a 1-1 home draw against SuperSport United in Polokwane on Sunday after Kaizer Chiefs had moved up there following a 1-0 away victory over Stellenbosch in Cape Town on Friday. Chiefs’ new Congolese international signing Glody Lilepo marked his arrival with the game’s only goal.
COTE D’IVOIRE
Stade d’Abidjan, recently eliminated after the group phase of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, kept up their three-point advantage in Ligue 1 after a 3-0 away win on Sunday over Inova Sporting Club Association. Adama Bayo, Cheick Moukoro and veteran former international Roger Assale were the scorers as Stade moved up to 36 points after a fourth successive league victory. Academie Football Amadou Diallo are in second place after they beat ASEC Mimosas 2-1 away in Bingerville with an early penalty converted by Fulgence Kouadio and a second just after halftime from Ibrahim Kone. ASEC’s late consolation came from Souleymane Fofana but because Stella Adjame lost 3-0 to bottom placed Racing Abidjan, ASEC moved up to third on goal difference.
GAMBIA
Real de Banjul emerged 1-0 away winners over Fortune on Saturday and now have a three point lead at the helm of the First Division. Hart Academy are second after winning 4-2 at Team Rhino at the same time. The league campaign is now a third of the way through the season.
African club round-up: Pyramids, Sundowns get vital wins
Published: Monday, 10 February 2025
African football is alive every weekend with exciting league action around the continent and our weekly round-up of league action highlights a selection of the most important results.
EGYPT
A dramatic winner from veteran centre back Ali Gabr seven minutes into stoppage time at the end of Friday’s game in Alexandria against Smouha saw Pyramids retake top place in the Premier League with a narrow 1-0 away success. They are a single point above African champions Al Ahly, who had a narrow 2-1 home victory over Petrojet in Cairo on Thursday. Emam Ashour and Ahly’s new Slovenian striker Nejc Gradisar were the scores for the hosts with Ahmed Farouk getting a late consolation for the hosts. The 22-year-old Gradisar has scored three goals in as many games since joining from Fehervar in Hungary. Zamalek, who meet Al Ahly in the Cairo derby later this month, are third in the standings, four points behind Pyramids. Mostafa Shalaby and Nabil Emad were the scorers as Zamalek beat Ismailia 2-0 on Friday despite finishing down to 10-men when substitute Nasser Maher was sent off. El Gouna moved off the bottom after forcing a goalless draw at El Geish in Cairo on Friday and are now in a three-way tie on seven points in the relegation zone with ENPPI and Modern.
TANZANIA
Simba, who are in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup draw later this month, dropped unexpected points on Thursday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Fountain Gate at Babati. It meant that arch rival Young Africans are now top of the table with 45 points to Simba’s 44 after they had an emphatic 6-1 home win in Dar-es-Salaam on Wednesday over KenGold. Yanga won despite the abrupt departure of coach Sead Ramovic, who has taken up an offer at Chabab Belouizdad in Algeria. Simba were ahead away from home but an own goal by midfielder Ladack Chasambi saw them drop potentially vital points.
SOUTH AFRICA
Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have been neck-and-neck throughout the season at the top of the Premier League but the defending champions shrugged off Pirates’ challenge with an emphatic 4-1 home win in Pretoria on Saturday. Victory for Sundowns sees them nine points ahead of second placed Pirates at the top of the table, albeit with a game in hand. Sundowns also reached the halfway stage of the season with a record 42 points with 14 wins from 15 games. Two goals from their Brazilian import Lucas Ribeiro set the two sides apart and put Sundowns comfortably on course for a record-extending eighth championship. Pirates are on 33 points and third placed Polokwane City on 29 after they were beaten 2-0 by struggling Richards Bay in Durban on Saturday. Sekhukhune United moved back to fourth spot with a 1-1 home draw against SuperSport United in Polokwane on Sunday after Kaizer Chiefs had moved up there following a 1-0 away victory over Stellenbosch in Cape Town on Friday. Chiefs’ new Congolese international signing Glody Lilepo marked his arrival with the game’s only goal.
COTE D’IVOIRE
Stade d’Abidjan, recently eliminated after the group phase of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, kept up their three-point advantage in Ligue 1 after a 3-0 away win on Sunday over Inova Sporting Club Association. Adama Bayo, Cheick Moukoro and veteran former international Roger Assale were the scorers as Stade moved up to 36 points after a fourth successive league victory. Academie Football Amadou Diallo are in second place after they beat ASEC Mimosas 2-1 away in Bingerville with an early penalty converted by Fulgence Kouadio and a second just after halftime from Ibrahim Kone. ASEC’s late consolation came from Souleymane Fofana but because Stella Adjame lost 3-0 to bottom placed Racing Abidjan, ASEC moved up to third on goal difference.
GAMBIA
Real de Banjul emerged 1-0 away winners over Fortune on Saturday and now have a three point lead at the helm of the First Division. Hart Academy are second after winning 4-2 at Team Rhino at the same time. The league campaign is now a third of the way through the season.
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amenina
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Leagues Cup 2025 Schedule is Here!
All Phase One and Quarterfinal matches will feature interleague MLS vs. LIGA MX pairings
Six top-ranked LIGA MX Clubs earn privileges
All matches will be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in over 100 countries and regions
Tickets to all matches will be available on LeaguesCup.com and on participating MLS club’s websites
NEW YORK AND MEXICO CITY (February 11, 2025) – Today, Leagues Cup unveiled the official 2025 Schedule and privileges for top-ranked LIGA MX clubs. The third consecutive edition of the Concacaf-sanctioned competition will run between July 29 and August 31 and feature a new format with all 18 clubs from LIGA MX and 18 qualified clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS), as well as interleague matches exclusively for the entirety of Phase One and the Quarterfinals stage.
The complete Leagues Cup 2025 Phase One schedule can be found here.
https://www.leaguescup.com/schedule/#cl ... 2025-01-01
Leagues Cup 2025 Phase One Schedule
Phase One of Leagues Cup 2025 will take place Tuesday, July 29, through Thursday, August 7, with fifty-four rivalry matches over nine days of jam-packed action. Opening night will feature a series of six highly anticipated matchups between the two leagues. The reigning Leagues Cup champion Columbus Crew will begin the defense of its title against Club Toluca at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. MLS expansion side San Diego FC, featuring Mexico’s Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, will face LIGA MX side Club Pachuca – where Lozano began his professional career – at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, Calif. On the same night, Club León, who recently sign James Rodríguez, will debut in the tournament visiting CF Montréal at Stade Saputo in Montreal, Canada.
Also on opening night, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., 2024 Leagues Cup finalist Los Angeles Football Club will host Mazatlán F.C. for the first time in Leagues Cup tournament history. Tigres will play its opening match at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas, against Houston Dynamo FC, while New York City FC will receive Club Puebla at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J., to close out day one of matches.
Day two will see the tournament’s 2023 champion Inter Miami CF taking on Atlas FC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., followed by LIGA MX’s 2023 Apertura champion Club América visit to Real Salt Lake’s America First Field in Sandy, Utah. On July 31, Club Guadalajara will debut at Sports Illustrated Stadium against the New York Red Bulls, and six-time League champion and 2024 MLS Cup winner LA Galaxy will play host to Club Tijuana at Dignity Health Sports Park in Southern California. On the same night, Cruz Azul will travel to the Pacific Northwest to kick off its participation in the tournament against Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash.
Phase One will feature four exciting doubleheaders including New York City FC vs. Club León and Toluca vs. CF Montréal at Sports Illustrated Stadium on August 1, Orlando City vs. Atlas and Pumas vs. Atlanta United at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Fla. on August 2, Monterrey vs. New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati vs. FC Juárez at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 3, and Cruz Azul vs. Colorado Rapids along with LA Galaxy vs. Santos Laguna at Dignity Health Sports Park on August 7.
Leagues Cup Phase One matches are determined by the Leagues Cup Ranking, as well as by region. The six regional sets can be found below.
Fans in over 100 countries and regions will be able to watch all Leagues Cup matches on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app, the subscription service from Apple and Major League Soccer that is available on smart TVs, streaming devices, Apple devices, set-top boxes, game consoles, and the web at tv.apple.com. In addition, TelevisaUnivision’s various television networks, FOX Sports, TSN and RDS will be the linear broadcast home for select matches. Game times, which will all be in the evening, and additional broadcast details for Leagues Cup Phase One matches will be announced in the coming weeks.
As previously announced - at the end of Phase One, the top four (4) clubs from each League will qualify for the Quarterfinals, which will take place midweek on August 19-20, followed by the Semifinals, also midweek, on August 26-27. The tournament concludes with the Final and Third-Place Match on Sunday, August 31, to determine the three qualifiers for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Privileges for Top-ranked LIGA MX Clubs
Leagues Cup 2025 will recognize the LIGA MX champion and the next five (5) top-ranked LIGA MX clubs with less travel and provide hosting privileges, which is based on the Leagues Cup Ranking.
The assignments for Phase One are as follows:
Club América (LIGA MX champion) – Following its opening match in Salt Lake City, Club América will play two matches in Texas against MLS clubs, one in Houston and one in Austin.
Cruz Azul (highest-ranked LMX club) will play two matches against MLS opposition in Carson, Calif.
Toluca (second highest-ranked LMX club) will play two matches in the NY/NJ area.
Tigres (third highest-ranked LMX club) will play two matches in Southern California.
Monterrey (fourth highest-ranked LMX club) will play two matches in Cincinnati.
Pumas (fifth highest-ranked LMX club) will play its three matches against MLS clubs in Florida.
In the Knockout Stage, MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy will have venue privileges throughout the duration of the tournament. LIGA MX champions Club América will have venue privileges through the Semifinal except if they face LA Galaxy, and Cruz Azul, the highest-ranked LIGA MX club based on the Leagues Cup Ranking, will have venue privileges through the Quarterfinals, again excluding a match against LA Galaxy.
For the Quarterfinals, a maximum of two clubs – from the above top-ranked LIGA MX club list – can host in the Quarterfinals, which will also be based on the Leagues Cup Ranking.
Leagues Cup 2025 Neutral Venues
The list of pre-determined venues for LIGA MX seeded team Knockout Stage matches or for potential LIGA MX vs. LIGA MX matches includes, but is not limited to:
BMO Stadium – Los Angeles, Calif.
Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson, Calif.
SeatGeek Stadium – Bridgeview, Illinois
PayPal Park – San Jose, Calif.
Shell Energy Stadium – Houston, Texas
Q2 Stadium – Austin, Texas
Ticket Information
Fans are encouraged to visit LeaguesCup.com and hosting MLS Club websites for updated ticketing information when it's available. MLS season ticket holders will receive information from their club on details involving their season plan.
Media Assets
Click herefor 2025 Leagues Cup assets, including downloadable links for the Leagues Cup 2025 New Format and 2025 Schedule Release Teaser videos.
ABOUT LEAGUES CUP
Entering its third year, Leagues Cup represents a monumental new chapter for North American club soccer. Since 2023, Major League Soccer and LIGA MX have fueled the long-standing soccer rivalry between the three countries and its first division leagues to compete in this Concacaf-sanctioned summer cup, which qualifies the top three finishers for the Concacaf Champions Cup. Fans in over 100 countries and regions will be able to watch Leagues Cup on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. In addition, TelevisaUnivision's various television networks, FOX Sports, TSN, and RDS will be the linear broadcast home for select Leagues Cup matches.
Leagues Cup 2025 Schedule is Here!
All Phase One and Quarterfinal matches will feature interleague MLS vs. LIGA MX pairings
Six top-ranked LIGA MX Clubs earn privileges
All matches will be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in over 100 countries and regions
Tickets to all matches will be available on LeaguesCup.com and on participating MLS club’s websites
NEW YORK AND MEXICO CITY (February 11, 2025) – Today, Leagues Cup unveiled the official 2025 Schedule and privileges for top-ranked LIGA MX clubs. The third consecutive edition of the Concacaf-sanctioned competition will run between July 29 and August 31 and feature a new format with all 18 clubs from LIGA MX and 18 qualified clubs from Major League Soccer (MLS), as well as interleague matches exclusively for the entirety of Phase One and the Quarterfinals stage.
The complete Leagues Cup 2025 Phase One schedule can be found here.
https://www.leaguescup.com/schedule/#cl ... 2025-01-01
Leagues Cup 2025 Phase One Schedule
Phase One of Leagues Cup 2025 will take place Tuesday, July 29, through Thursday, August 7, with fifty-four rivalry matches over nine days of jam-packed action. Opening night will feature a series of six highly anticipated matchups between the two leagues. The reigning Leagues Cup champion Columbus Crew will begin the defense of its title against Club Toluca at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. MLS expansion side San Diego FC, featuring Mexico’s Hirving “Chucky” Lozano, will face LIGA MX side Club Pachuca – where Lozano began his professional career – at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, Calif. On the same night, Club León, who recently sign James Rodríguez, will debut in the tournament visiting CF Montréal at Stade Saputo in Montreal, Canada.
Also on opening night, at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., 2024 Leagues Cup finalist Los Angeles Football Club will host Mazatlán F.C. for the first time in Leagues Cup tournament history. Tigres will play its opening match at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas, against Houston Dynamo FC, while New York City FC will receive Club Puebla at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, N.J., to close out day one of matches.
Day two will see the tournament’s 2023 champion Inter Miami CF taking on Atlas FC at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., followed by LIGA MX’s 2023 Apertura champion Club América visit to Real Salt Lake’s America First Field in Sandy, Utah. On July 31, Club Guadalajara will debut at Sports Illustrated Stadium against the New York Red Bulls, and six-time League champion and 2024 MLS Cup winner LA Galaxy will play host to Club Tijuana at Dignity Health Sports Park in Southern California. On the same night, Cruz Azul will travel to the Pacific Northwest to kick off its participation in the tournament against Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field in Seattle, Wash.
Phase One will feature four exciting doubleheaders including New York City FC vs. Club León and Toluca vs. CF Montréal at Sports Illustrated Stadium on August 1, Orlando City vs. Atlas and Pumas vs. Atlanta United at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Fla. on August 2, Monterrey vs. New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati vs. FC Juárez at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 3, and Cruz Azul vs. Colorado Rapids along with LA Galaxy vs. Santos Laguna at Dignity Health Sports Park on August 7.
Leagues Cup Phase One matches are determined by the Leagues Cup Ranking, as well as by region. The six regional sets can be found below.
Fans in over 100 countries and regions will be able to watch all Leagues Cup matches on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app, the subscription service from Apple and Major League Soccer that is available on smart TVs, streaming devices, Apple devices, set-top boxes, game consoles, and the web at tv.apple.com. In addition, TelevisaUnivision’s various television networks, FOX Sports, TSN and RDS will be the linear broadcast home for select matches. Game times, which will all be in the evening, and additional broadcast details for Leagues Cup Phase One matches will be announced in the coming weeks.
As previously announced - at the end of Phase One, the top four (4) clubs from each League will qualify for the Quarterfinals, which will take place midweek on August 19-20, followed by the Semifinals, also midweek, on August 26-27. The tournament concludes with the Final and Third-Place Match on Sunday, August 31, to determine the three qualifiers for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Privileges for Top-ranked LIGA MX Clubs
Leagues Cup 2025 will recognize the LIGA MX champion and the next five (5) top-ranked LIGA MX clubs with less travel and provide hosting privileges, which is based on the Leagues Cup Ranking.
The assignments for Phase One are as follows:
Club América (LIGA MX champion) – Following its opening match in Salt Lake City, Club América will play two matches in Texas against MLS clubs, one in Houston and one in Austin.
Cruz Azul (highest-ranked LMX club) will play two matches against MLS opposition in Carson, Calif.
Toluca (second highest-ranked LMX club) will play two matches in the NY/NJ area.
Tigres (third highest-ranked LMX club) will play two matches in Southern California.
Monterrey (fourth highest-ranked LMX club) will play two matches in Cincinnati.
Pumas (fifth highest-ranked LMX club) will play its three matches against MLS clubs in Florida.
In the Knockout Stage, MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy will have venue privileges throughout the duration of the tournament. LIGA MX champions Club América will have venue privileges through the Semifinal except if they face LA Galaxy, and Cruz Azul, the highest-ranked LIGA MX club based on the Leagues Cup Ranking, will have venue privileges through the Quarterfinals, again excluding a match against LA Galaxy.
For the Quarterfinals, a maximum of two clubs – from the above top-ranked LIGA MX club list – can host in the Quarterfinals, which will also be based on the Leagues Cup Ranking.
Leagues Cup 2025 Neutral Venues
The list of pre-determined venues for LIGA MX seeded team Knockout Stage matches or for potential LIGA MX vs. LIGA MX matches includes, but is not limited to:
BMO Stadium – Los Angeles, Calif.
Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson, Calif.
SeatGeek Stadium – Bridgeview, Illinois
PayPal Park – San Jose, Calif.
Shell Energy Stadium – Houston, Texas
Q2 Stadium – Austin, Texas
Ticket Information
Fans are encouraged to visit LeaguesCup.com and hosting MLS Club websites for updated ticketing information when it's available. MLS season ticket holders will receive information from their club on details involving their season plan.
Media Assets
Click herefor 2025 Leagues Cup assets, including downloadable links for the Leagues Cup 2025 New Format and 2025 Schedule Release Teaser videos.
ABOUT LEAGUES CUP
Entering its third year, Leagues Cup represents a monumental new chapter for North American club soccer. Since 2023, Major League Soccer and LIGA MX have fueled the long-standing soccer rivalry between the three countries and its first division leagues to compete in this Concacaf-sanctioned summer cup, which qualifies the top three finishers for the Concacaf Champions Cup. Fans in over 100 countries and regions will be able to watch Leagues Cup on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. In addition, TelevisaUnivision's various television networks, FOX Sports, TSN, and RDS will be the linear broadcast home for select Leagues Cup matches.
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amenina
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East Asia Wrap: Vissel Kobe held; Ulsan HD stunned
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... hd-stunned
ASEAN Wrap: Shan United, Kasuka FC crowned champions in Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... darussalam
Central & South Asia Wrap: Sepahan make Hazfi Cup quarter-finals; Maclaren on fire for Mohun Bagan
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... ohun-bagan
West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad take firm grip on Saudi Arabia title race
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... title-race
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... hd-stunned
ASEAN Wrap: Shan United, Kasuka FC crowned champions in Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... darussalam
Central & South Asia Wrap: Sepahan make Hazfi Cup quarter-finals; Maclaren on fire for Mohun Bagan
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... ohun-bagan
West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad take firm grip on Saudi Arabia title race
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... title-race
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amenina
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African club round-up: Remo Stars lose but remain in front in Nigeria
Published: Monday, 17 February 2025
African football is alive every weekend with exciting league action around the continent and our weekly round-up of league action highlights a selection of the most important results.
NIGERIA
Remo Stars lost to Enugu Rangers in the Professional Football League on Sunday but still have a comfortable eight-point lead at the top of the table. Rangers beat them 2-1 in Enugu on Sunday allowing them to move into third spot and to within two points of second placed Shooting Stars, who lost 2-1 to Heartland in Owerri on Sunday. Remo Stars had been unbeaten in their last eight league games but were undone through goals in the first 50 minutes from Isaac Saviour and Kingsley Maduforo, before a late consolation from Hadi Haruna set up a nervy conclusion to the contest. Two of the three goals in Shooting Stars’ loss at Heartland came from the penalty spot after Chukwuma Agor had the hosts ahead with a deflected effort. Stars equalised from the spot through Mustapha Adams, who had been fouled and got up off the gras to convert. Four minutes later, the home side were awarded a penalty and although Stars goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal saved John Bassey's kick, the referee ordered a retake with Bassey making no mistake the second time round. Rivers United slipped to fourth after a 1-0 loss to Enyimba in Aba where Imo Odot scored the game’s only goal.
ALGERIA
A five-goal thriller saw Mouloudia Alger edge JS Kabylie 3-2 in Algiers on Thursday and restore a two-point advantage at the top of the standings as Ligue 1 returned to regular action after a six-week break. The club competing in CAF club competition have played catch up games throughout January and MCA were therefore a touch sharper than their visitors in the ‘classico’ with Tayeb Meziani’s 78th minute goal proving decisive. MCA were 2-0 up after 65 minutes through Akram Bouras’ deflected effort and Zakaria Naidji’s tuck away. New Russian signing Ivan Ignatjev came off the bench to score JSK’s first with a headed goal in the 72nd minute and a late consolation came from Redouane Berkane. Chabab Belouizdad had gone top the previous evening with their 3-0 home win over Khenchela in Algiers in a dream start for new coach Sead Ramovic, who joined from Tanzania’s Young Africans. MC Alger sit on 31 points from 16 games and Belouizdad on 29. In third place are USM Alger on 26, having dropped points in a goalless draw at bottom of the log US Biskra on Friday. More key games are ahead in midweek with MC Alger at Paradou and Belouizdad away against Entente Setif on Thursday.
ZAMBIA
The top five teams in the Super League all won at the weekend, but defending champions Red Arrows were the big losers as they fell seven points behind after losing 1-0 to leaders ZESCO United as Pasco Phiri scored the only goal of the game in Ndola on Saturday. ZESCO have 46 points from 24 games, two more than Kabwe Warriors in second place, and a further two ahead of third-placed Power Dynamos. Nkana and Nkwazi both have 40 points. Warriors were 1-0 winners in Kabwe on Saturday as they edged Zanaco thanks to a strike seven minutes from full-time by Simon Tonga. Power Dynamos claimed a 2-0 victory at Atletico Lusaka on Saturday to keep their title chances alive as Fredrick Mulambia and a penalty from Brian Masanyinga gave them the points while Nkana defeated 10-man Green Eagles 1-0 as Clement Mwape's goal on the stroke of halftime in Kitwe on Sunday proved the difference.
UGANDA
Vipers extended their lead in the Premier League after two successive wins after the campaign’s restart last week. They beat Marrons 1-0 in Kitende last Monday and followed that up with a 2-0 away triumph over Kampala Capital City Authority on Sunday. It was a fifth successive league win for Vipers, who are now three clear of National Enterprise Corporation, who dropped points in a 1-1 away draw against Police in Wakiso on Sunday. The two have a major points advantage over the rest of the pack with Vipers 10 points ahead of third placed Uganda Revenue Authority.
MADAGASCAR
AS Fanalamanga, with seven points, lead after three rounds of the national championship despite being held at home in Ambatondrazaka by Elgeco Plus on Saturday. The 0-0 draw moved Elgeco to five points. Fosa Juniors are third with four points but were held 0-0 by Disciples on Sunday in Mahajanga.
African club round-up: Remo Stars lose but remain in front in Nigeria
Published: Monday, 17 February 2025
African football is alive every weekend with exciting league action around the continent and our weekly round-up of league action highlights a selection of the most important results.
NIGERIA
Remo Stars lost to Enugu Rangers in the Professional Football League on Sunday but still have a comfortable eight-point lead at the top of the table. Rangers beat them 2-1 in Enugu on Sunday allowing them to move into third spot and to within two points of second placed Shooting Stars, who lost 2-1 to Heartland in Owerri on Sunday. Remo Stars had been unbeaten in their last eight league games but were undone through goals in the first 50 minutes from Isaac Saviour and Kingsley Maduforo, before a late consolation from Hadi Haruna set up a nervy conclusion to the contest. Two of the three goals in Shooting Stars’ loss at Heartland came from the penalty spot after Chukwuma Agor had the hosts ahead with a deflected effort. Stars equalised from the spot through Mustapha Adams, who had been fouled and got up off the gras to convert. Four minutes later, the home side were awarded a penalty and although Stars goalkeeper Mustapha Lawal saved John Bassey's kick, the referee ordered a retake with Bassey making no mistake the second time round. Rivers United slipped to fourth after a 1-0 loss to Enyimba in Aba where Imo Odot scored the game’s only goal.
ALGERIA
A five-goal thriller saw Mouloudia Alger edge JS Kabylie 3-2 in Algiers on Thursday and restore a two-point advantage at the top of the standings as Ligue 1 returned to regular action after a six-week break. The club competing in CAF club competition have played catch up games throughout January and MCA were therefore a touch sharper than their visitors in the ‘classico’ with Tayeb Meziani’s 78th minute goal proving decisive. MCA were 2-0 up after 65 minutes through Akram Bouras’ deflected effort and Zakaria Naidji’s tuck away. New Russian signing Ivan Ignatjev came off the bench to score JSK’s first with a headed goal in the 72nd minute and a late consolation came from Redouane Berkane. Chabab Belouizdad had gone top the previous evening with their 3-0 home win over Khenchela in Algiers in a dream start for new coach Sead Ramovic, who joined from Tanzania’s Young Africans. MC Alger sit on 31 points from 16 games and Belouizdad on 29. In third place are USM Alger on 26, having dropped points in a goalless draw at bottom of the log US Biskra on Friday. More key games are ahead in midweek with MC Alger at Paradou and Belouizdad away against Entente Setif on Thursday.
ZAMBIA
The top five teams in the Super League all won at the weekend, but defending champions Red Arrows were the big losers as they fell seven points behind after losing 1-0 to leaders ZESCO United as Pasco Phiri scored the only goal of the game in Ndola on Saturday. ZESCO have 46 points from 24 games, two more than Kabwe Warriors in second place, and a further two ahead of third-placed Power Dynamos. Nkana and Nkwazi both have 40 points. Warriors were 1-0 winners in Kabwe on Saturday as they edged Zanaco thanks to a strike seven minutes from full-time by Simon Tonga. Power Dynamos claimed a 2-0 victory at Atletico Lusaka on Saturday to keep their title chances alive as Fredrick Mulambia and a penalty from Brian Masanyinga gave them the points while Nkana defeated 10-man Green Eagles 1-0 as Clement Mwape's goal on the stroke of halftime in Kitwe on Sunday proved the difference.
UGANDA
Vipers extended their lead in the Premier League after two successive wins after the campaign’s restart last week. They beat Marrons 1-0 in Kitende last Monday and followed that up with a 2-0 away triumph over Kampala Capital City Authority on Sunday. It was a fifth successive league win for Vipers, who are now three clear of National Enterprise Corporation, who dropped points in a 1-1 away draw against Police in Wakiso on Sunday. The two have a major points advantage over the rest of the pack with Vipers 10 points ahead of third placed Uganda Revenue Authority.
MADAGASCAR
AS Fanalamanga, with seven points, lead after three rounds of the national championship despite being held at home in Ambatondrazaka by Elgeco Plus on Saturday. The 0-0 draw moved Elgeco to five points. Fosa Juniors are third with four points but were held 0-0 by Disciples on Sunday in Mahajanga.
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amenina
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https://www.theguardian.com/football/20 ... ns-8-0-winamenina wrote: Wed Jan 08, 2025 16:36 We are only one week into the new year, and we already have our first league champions crowned, and it comes from the country first in alphabetical order.
The 4th edition of the Afghanistan Champions League was held from 6 December 2024 to 7 January 2025. A total of 12 teams played a single round-robin tournament. Abu Salim finished 1st, ahead of 2-time defending champions Attack Energy on goal difference. Their 1st league title means they will play in the 2025/26 AFC Challenge League.
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?stor ... 4332916663
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Afghan club disbands after alleging match-fixing in champions’ 8-0 win
Attack Energy say complaint not taken seriously by FA
Abu Muslim Farah beat them to title on goal difference
A club that missed out on winning Afghanistan’s top division on goal difference has disbanded in protest at what it says is the national federation’s failure to properly investigate allegations of match-fixing.
Attack Energy were dissolved after Abu Muslim Farah were crowned champions for the first time in a competition set up in 2021 when the Taliban regained power.
Attack Energy led the Afghanistan Champions League for most of the way and have raised questions about Abu Muslim’s 8-0 victory against Adalat Farah in their sixth game of the 10-match season. Abu Muslim then drew with Attack Energy and won their remaining fixtures to take the title in January with a goal difference superior by three.
It is understood Abu Muslim and Adalat are owned by the same person: Abdul Hamid Sharifi, a businessman based in the city of Farah, in the west of the country. Eight teams lodged complaints with the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) that the result had been fixed and demanded an investigation.
Officials from Attack Energy, a club founded in 1947 and which competed in last season’s Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Challenge League after being crowned Afghan champions, also wrote to Fifa and the AFC to ask them to look into the claims. The AFF produced a report that concluded it was satisfied with the situation and allowed Abu Muslim’s title to stand. The AFF’s president, Mohammad Yousef Kargar, was accused of fixing two matches during an international men’s tournament in 2008 in Malaysia. He denied those allegations.
An Attack Energy statement said: “We, at the management of Attack Energy Cultural Sports Club, have tried with all our might and hope to clarify these issues and have repeatedly called on the Afghanistan Football Federation to investigate and transparently pursue cases related to injustice and collusion. However, unfortunately, we did not receive any convincing response and no action was taken towards transparency and justice.
“This disregard for the legitimate demands saddened the hearts of all football and sports lovers. In such circumstances, it became impossible for our club to continue on its path, and the club’s leadership, after extensive consultations and careful evaluation, was forced to make a painful decision: to dissolve the Attack Energy Cultural Sports Club.
“What happened in the fourth season of the Afghan Football Champions League was bitter and unfortunate; facts that are clear and undeniable to everyone. We hope that these events will be a serious warning bell to reform and improve the country’s football structure so that such sad days will not be repeated.”
A Fifa spokesperson said they could not comment on “allegations they may or may not have received, or whether investigations are under way into alleged cases”. It is understood that world football’s governing body is unable to intervene when allegations of match-fixing are made in domestic competitions.
Kargar told the Guardian in a statement: “If there is any complaint regarding this matter, the relevant committees, such as the judicial committee, referees committee, and match commissioner, will address it. Based on the investigations conducted, no match-fixing has taken place.”
Sharifi did not respond to a request for comment.
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amenina
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Top of the table clash in the Saudi Pro League: Leader Al Ittihad (55 points) routed defending champion and current 2nd place Al Hilal (48 points) to open a 7-point gap with 13 rounds to go. Newly promoted Al Qadisiya are 3rd (47 points), followed by the remaining two teams of the PIF-four, Al Nassr (44 points) and Al Ahli (43 points). The top three qualify for next season’s first-tier AFC Champions League Elite, unless the title holder is also from Saudi Arabia.
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angel_87
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Last season Al-Ittihad finished 42 points behind champions Al-Hilal... strange to see Blanc & Benzema's team in the lead today.
Marcos Leonardo still deserved to play at a higher level in Europe, being a 2003 and therefore very young
Marcos Leonardo still deserved to play at a higher level in Europe, being a 2003 and therefore very young
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amenina
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East Asia Wrap: Winning start for Shanghai Port; perfect three in Japan
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... e-in-japan
ASEAN Wrap: Svay Rieng, Kaya stay top in Cambodia, Philippines
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... hilippines
Central & South Asia Wrap: Mohun Bagan create ISL history
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... sl-history
West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad, Al Sadd strike crucial blows in Saudi Arabia, Qatar
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... abia-qatar
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... e-in-japan
ASEAN Wrap: Svay Rieng, Kaya stay top in Cambodia, Philippines
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... hilippines
Central & South Asia Wrap: Mohun Bagan create ISL history
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... sl-history
West Asia Wrap: Al Ittihad, Al Sadd strike crucial blows in Saudi Arabia, Qatar
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/domesti ... abia-qatar
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amenina
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https://www.cafonline.com/news/african- ... -dr-congo/
African club round-up: Rivals draw in Egypt and DR Congo
Published: Monday, 24 February 2025
African football is alive every weekend with exciting league action around the continent and our weekly round-up of league action highlights a selection of the most important results.
EGYPT
Moroccan international Achraf Bencharki returned to the Egyptian league in the colours of Al Ahly, after being signed from Qatari club Al Rayyan, and got a goal on debut, coming on as a substitute in the 60th minute to put the African champions in front on Saturday against Zamalek. But it was another Moroccan who ensured a stalemate in the Cairo derby as Mahmoud Bentayg equalised for Zamalek six minutes from time. It was a second game in charge for new Zamalek coach Jose Peseiro, who took Nigeria to the final of the last TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire just over one year ago. The draw allowed Pyramids to open up a three-point lead as they scored a last gasp winner on Sunday as they beat Talae El-Geish 2-1 in Cairo. Mohamed Hamdi scored four minutes into stoppage time in a significant boost for Pyramids’ hopes of a first-ever championship. They are on 36 points with Al Ahly on 33 and Zamalek third on 28 points with all three having played 15 games, still not yet at the halfway mark of the season.
ANGOLA
The Girabola is back in full swing after the mid-season break with Petro Atletico five points clear at the top of the table after beating Isaac Benguela 3-2 at home on Saturday. Petro were 2-0 up inside five minute and cruising after scoring the third but then conceded two and had to scramble to hold on for victory in the end, keeping up their chase for a fourth successive league title. Isaac are last in the standings with a single win in 17 games. Wiliete, who are also from Angola’s second city Benguela, kept up second place in the standings with a 1-0 home win over Desportivo Huila. But they needed a 90th minute strike from forward Kaporal to take all three points. Third in the standings are Primeiro Agostio, who played out a goalless draw away at Recreativo Libolo in Calulo on Saturday. The army side are five points behind Wiliete and 10 behind leaders, and archrivals, Petro. Kabuscorp had the biggest win of the weekend as they beat second-from-bottom Carmona from Uige in Luanda on Sunday with goals from Filhao, Enoch (penalty) and Geuda, all in the first half. Another full round of fixtures is scheduled for Wednesday.
DR CONGO
Municipal officials cited security reasons for the derby between TP Mazembe and FC St Eloi Lupopo to be played behind closed doors on Sunday and the absence of a fervent crowd in Lubumbashi weighed heavily on the two teams, who played out a goalless draw. The result left Mazembe still four points ahead of Lupopo in Group A of the Ligue 1 standings but having played one game more. In Group B at Kinshasa’s Stade des Martyrs, Aigles du Congo, under new Belgian coach Luc Eymael, beat New Jak FC to move to within one point of leaders Maniema Union, who next play on Thursday. AS Vita Club then had a chance to advance to 22 points in a second game at the stadium on Sunday but were upset 1-0 by Anges Vert.
COTE D’IVOIRE
Stade Abidjan consolidated their lead at the head of Ligue 1 but struggled at home on Saturday to overcome bottom-placed Olympic Sport Abobo. Alexandre Koffi netted an 87th minute winner for Stade to advance to 42 points from 20 games. They are now five ahead of Academie Amadou Diallo, who dropped points in Sunday’s goalless draw in Abidjan with Zoman. ASEC Abidjan remain in third place despite a home defeat at the Stade Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe by struggling Racing Abidjan, whose 1-0 win lifted them away from of the relegation places. Joining ASEC on 33 points are Mouna FC after they drew 1-1 with AS Denguele in Yamoussoukro.
RWANDA
APR FC missed a chance to cut Rayon Sports’ lead in the Premier League when they lost 1-0 at home to Mukura Victory on Sunday. Rayon had been held to a 1-1 draw 24 hours earlier at Huye Stadium to go to 41 points from 18 games. But APR remain on 37 points after their loss to Destin Malanda’s 19th minute goal at the same venue. Third placed Gorilla FC and fourth placed AS Kigali moved up to 30 points, separated by goal difference only after their goalless draw in Kigali on Sunday.
African club round-up: Rivals draw in Egypt and DR Congo
Published: Monday, 24 February 2025
African football is alive every weekend with exciting league action around the continent and our weekly round-up of league action highlights a selection of the most important results.
EGYPT
Moroccan international Achraf Bencharki returned to the Egyptian league in the colours of Al Ahly, after being signed from Qatari club Al Rayyan, and got a goal on debut, coming on as a substitute in the 60th minute to put the African champions in front on Saturday against Zamalek. But it was another Moroccan who ensured a stalemate in the Cairo derby as Mahmoud Bentayg equalised for Zamalek six minutes from time. It was a second game in charge for new Zamalek coach Jose Peseiro, who took Nigeria to the final of the last TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire just over one year ago. The draw allowed Pyramids to open up a three-point lead as they scored a last gasp winner on Sunday as they beat Talae El-Geish 2-1 in Cairo. Mohamed Hamdi scored four minutes into stoppage time in a significant boost for Pyramids’ hopes of a first-ever championship. They are on 36 points with Al Ahly on 33 and Zamalek third on 28 points with all three having played 15 games, still not yet at the halfway mark of the season.
ANGOLA
The Girabola is back in full swing after the mid-season break with Petro Atletico five points clear at the top of the table after beating Isaac Benguela 3-2 at home on Saturday. Petro were 2-0 up inside five minute and cruising after scoring the third but then conceded two and had to scramble to hold on for victory in the end, keeping up their chase for a fourth successive league title. Isaac are last in the standings with a single win in 17 games. Wiliete, who are also from Angola’s second city Benguela, kept up second place in the standings with a 1-0 home win over Desportivo Huila. But they needed a 90th minute strike from forward Kaporal to take all three points. Third in the standings are Primeiro Agostio, who played out a goalless draw away at Recreativo Libolo in Calulo on Saturday. The army side are five points behind Wiliete and 10 behind leaders, and archrivals, Petro. Kabuscorp had the biggest win of the weekend as they beat second-from-bottom Carmona from Uige in Luanda on Sunday with goals from Filhao, Enoch (penalty) and Geuda, all in the first half. Another full round of fixtures is scheduled for Wednesday.
DR CONGO
Municipal officials cited security reasons for the derby between TP Mazembe and FC St Eloi Lupopo to be played behind closed doors on Sunday and the absence of a fervent crowd in Lubumbashi weighed heavily on the two teams, who played out a goalless draw. The result left Mazembe still four points ahead of Lupopo in Group A of the Ligue 1 standings but having played one game more. In Group B at Kinshasa’s Stade des Martyrs, Aigles du Congo, under new Belgian coach Luc Eymael, beat New Jak FC to move to within one point of leaders Maniema Union, who next play on Thursday. AS Vita Club then had a chance to advance to 22 points in a second game at the stadium on Sunday but were upset 1-0 by Anges Vert.
COTE D’IVOIRE
Stade Abidjan consolidated their lead at the head of Ligue 1 but struggled at home on Saturday to overcome bottom-placed Olympic Sport Abobo. Alexandre Koffi netted an 87th minute winner for Stade to advance to 42 points from 20 games. They are now five ahead of Academie Amadou Diallo, who dropped points in Sunday’s goalless draw in Abidjan with Zoman. ASEC Abidjan remain in third place despite a home defeat at the Stade Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe by struggling Racing Abidjan, whose 1-0 win lifted them away from of the relegation places. Joining ASEC on 33 points are Mouna FC after they drew 1-1 with AS Denguele in Yamoussoukro.
RWANDA
APR FC missed a chance to cut Rayon Sports’ lead in the Premier League when they lost 1-0 at home to Mukura Victory on Sunday. Rayon had been held to a 1-1 draw 24 hours earlier at Huye Stadium to go to 41 points from 18 games. But APR remain on 37 points after their loss to Destin Malanda’s 19th minute goal at the same venue. Third placed Gorilla FC and fourth placed AS Kigali moved up to 30 points, separated by goal difference only after their goalless draw in Kigali on Sunday.
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amenina
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Johor Darul Ta'zim, who have reached the round of 16 in this season's AFC Champions League Elite, have qualified for next season's competition by winning the Malaysian Super League. They have now won 11 titles in a row since winning their first in 2014. This season they have played 20 league matches and won 19 and drew 1, and if they win their remaining four matches they will emulate last season's achievement of drawing only 1 match in a season. In fact, their last domestic league loss was in April 2021, and they are currently in a 80-match unbeaten league streak.
Three other league titles were also decided in Southeast Asia this month. Shan United won the league in Myanmar, their 6th title and 5th in a row. Ezra won the league in Laos, their 1st title. And defending champion Kasuka won the league in Brunei, their 2nd title. All three teams will qualify for the AFC Challenge League, provided they satisfy licensing requirements.
Three other league titles were also decided in Southeast Asia this month. Shan United won the league in Myanmar, their 6th title and 5th in a row. Ezra won the league in Laos, their 1st title. And defending champion Kasuka won the league in Brunei, their 2nd title. All three teams will qualify for the AFC Challenge League, provided they satisfy licensing requirements.
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amenina
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In India, Mohun Bagan won the Indian Super League Shield, awarded to the team with the best regular season record, for the second season in a row. They are the first team to successfully defend the ISL Shield, and join Mumbai City as the only 2-time Shield winner. Theoretically, that means they will qualify for the group stage of next season's AFC Champions League Two. However, since they were deemed to have withdrawn from this season's competition by the AFC after they refused to play a match in Iran during the Middle East crisis, they may be banned from the competition, although it is possible they will escape punishment due to the mitigating circumstances.
And in Australia, another league where there is a regular season champion and a play-off champion, Auckland FC, playing in their first ever A-League season, currently have an 8-point lead with only 9 matches to play, after completing a clean-sweep of all three New Zealand derbies this season with a 6-1 home win over Wellington Phoenix. The regular season winner would usually qualify as Australia's representative in the league stage of next season's AFC Champions League Elite, but Auckland FC are ineligible to do so since they are not based in AFC territories.
And in Australia, another league where there is a regular season champion and a play-off champion, Auckland FC, playing in their first ever A-League season, currently have an 8-point lead with only 9 matches to play, after completing a clean-sweep of all three New Zealand derbies this season with a 6-1 home win over Wellington Phoenix. The regular season winner would usually qualify as Australia's representative in the league stage of next season's AFC Champions League Elite, but Auckland FC are ineligible to do so since they are not based in AFC territories.
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amenina
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And speaking of expansion teams, the 30th season of Major League Soccer started the past weekend, with San Diego FC being added as the league's 30th team. Just like Auckland FC they were off to a good start, travelling to their Southern California neighbors and defending MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy and won 2-0, with a brace from Danish winger Anders Dreyer who just joined from Anderlecht. Inter Miami, the defending Supporters' Shield champion who had the best regular season record last season, drew 2-2 at home against New York City, with Messi getting two assists.
