Latest news with #Djoliba
France 24
6 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Mali club hope motorbikes can help drive for CAF Cup glory
Officials at the Bamako club, who have dominated domestic football with neighbours Stade Malien for decades, told reporters they had motivated the squad by presenting 21 motorbikes to players. But the Djoliba bosses said the gifts came with conditions, including that they must be used exclusively for training and matchdays. "The bikes must not be used for social activities, or for commercial purposes. We presented the gifts to ensure our boys arrive early for matches and achieve success," an official said. Motorbikes are a popular mode of transport in many west African countries with the purchase and running of cars beyond the financial reach of most citizens. Djoliba, who lost 4-3 on aggregate to AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville in the 2012 Confederation Cup final, want to emulate arch rivals Stade, surprise winners of the trophy three years earlier. However, just getting past the two-round qualifying stage in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League, poses challenges for Djoliba. Their first opponents, on consecutive weekends in September, will be African debutants Abia Warriors, who finished third in the highly competitive Nigeria Premier Football League. Should Djoliba win that two-leg tie, they will meet the winners of another west African derby, between USFA of Burkina Faso and AS Gbohloe-Su des Lacs of Togo, for a place in the group phase. Cash boost Being among the 16 qualifiers for the mini-leagues guarantees each club $400,000 (€345,000), with the prize money progressively rising to $2mn for the winners. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) last season responded to numerous complaints about the high cost of competing in continental competitions by giving qualifying-phase losers $50,000 each. This has been doubled to $100,000 for the forthcoming campaign -- a huge boost given travel and accommodation costs in a continent where flight options are limited and relatively expensive. While Djoliba dream of glory, the odds are that the 2025-26 Confederation Cup winners will come from one of four north African countries -- Algeria, Egypt, Morocco or Tunisia. Clubs from those nations have won 17 of the 22 editions, led by Renaissance Berkane of Morocco and CS Sfaxien of Tunisia with three titles each. Berkane will not defend a title won last May with a 3-1 overall victory over Simba of Tanzania as they will make a maiden appearance in the CAF Champions League instead. Twice winners Zamalek of Egypt, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, 2023 title-holders USM Alger and fellow Algerians Chabab Belouizdad are among the clubs who could succeed Berkane.
Al-Ahram Weekly
6 days ago
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Mali club hope motorbikes can help drive for CAF Cup glory - Africa
CAF Confederation Cup contenders Djoliba of Mali hope gifts of motorbikes can steer them to success in a competition where they once finished runners-up. Officials at the Bamako club, who have dominated domestic football with neighbours Stade Malien for decades, told reporters they had motivated the squad by presenting 21 motorbikes to players. But the Djoliba bosses said the gifts came with conditions, including that they must be used exclusively for training and matchdays. "The bikes must not be used for social activities, or for commercial purposes. We presented the gifts to ensure our boys arrive early for matches and achieve success," an official said. Motorbikes are a popular mode of transport in many west African countries with the purchase and running of cars beyond the financial reach of most citizens. Djoliba, who lost 4-3 on aggregate to AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville in the 2012 Confederation Cup final, want to emulate arch rivals Stade, surprise winners of the trophy three years earlier. However, just getting past the two-round qualifying stage in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League, poses challenges for Djoliba. Their first opponents, on consecutive weekends in September, will be African debutants Abia Warriors, who finished third in the highly competitive Nigeria Premier Football League. Should Djoliba win that two-leg tie, they will meet the winners of another west African derby, between USFA of Burkina Faso and AS Gbohloe-Su des Lacs of Togo, for a place in the group phase. Cash boost Being among the 16 qualifiers for the mini-leagues guarantees each club $400,000 (€345,000), with the prize money progressively rising to $2mn for the winners. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) last season responded to numerous complaints about the high cost of competing in continental competitions by giving qualifying-phase losers $50,000 each. This has been doubled to $100,000 for the forthcoming campaign -- a huge boost given travel and accommodation costs in a continent where flight options are limited and relatively expensive. While Djoliba dream of glory, the odds are that the 2025-26 Confederation Cup winners will come from one of four north African countries -- Algeria, Egypt, Morocco or Tunisia. Clubs from those nations have won 17 of the 22 editions, led by Renaissance Berkane of Morocco and CS Sfaxien of Tunisia with three titles each. Berkane will not defend a title won last May with a 3-1 overall victory over Simba of Tanzania as they will make a maiden appearance in the CAF Champions League instead. Twice winners Zamalek of Egypt, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, 2023 title-holders USM Alger and fellow Algerians Chabab Belouizdad are among the clubs who could succeed Berkane. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mali club hope motorbikes can help drive for CAF Cup glory
CAF Confederation Cup contenders Djoliba of Mali hope gifts of motorbikes can steer them to success in a competition where they once finished runners-up. Officials at the Bamako club, who have dominated domestic football with neighbours Stade Malien for decades, told reporters they had motivated the squad by presenting 21 motorbikes to players. But the Djoliba bosses said the gifts came with conditions, including that they must be used exclusively for training and matchdays. "The bikes must not be used for social activities, or for commercial purposes. We presented the gifts to ensure our boys arrive early for matches and achieve success," an official said. Motorbikes are a popular mode of transport in many west African countries with the purchase and running of cars beyond the financial reach of most citizens. Djoliba, who lost 4-3 on aggregate to AC Leopards of Congo Brazzaville in the 2012 Confederation Cup final, want to emulate arch rivals Stade, surprise winners of the trophy three years earlier. However, just getting past the two-round qualifying stage in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League, poses challenges for Djoliba. Their first opponents, on consecutive weekends in September, will be African debutants Abia Warriors, who finished third in the highly competitive Nigeria Premier Football League. Should Djoliba win that two-leg tie, they will meet the winners of another west African derby, between USFA of Burkina Faso and AS Gbohloe-Su des Lacs of Togo, for a place in the group phase. - Cash boost - Being among the 16 qualifiers for the mini-leagues guarantees each club $400,000 (€345,000), with the prize money progressively rising to $2mn for the winners. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) last season responded to numerous complaints about the high cost of competing in continental competitions by giving qualifying-phase losers $50,000 each. This has been doubled to $100,000 for the forthcoming campaign -- a huge boost given travel and accommodation costs in a continent where flight options are limited and relatively expensive. While Djoliba dream of glory, the odds are that the 2025-26 Confederation Cup winners will come from one of four north African countries -- Algeria, Egypt, Morocco or Tunisia. Clubs from those nations have won 17 of the 22 editions, led by Renaissance Berkane of Morocco and CS Sfaxien of Tunisia with three titles each. Berkane will not defend a title won last May with a 3-1 overall victory over Simba of Tanzania as they will make a maiden appearance in the CAF Champions League instead. Twice winners Zamalek of Egypt, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco, 2023 title-holders USM Alger and fellow Algerians Chabab Belouizdad are among the clubs who could succeed Berkane. str-dl/ea
The South African
03-08-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Orlando Pirates unveil Malian sensation but demands this first
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has confirmed that new signing Abdoulaye Mariko made a strong first impression, but insists the young forward must quickly learn English to fully settle into life in South Africa. Mariko, 22, came off the bench during Pirates' 2-0 win over Polokwane City in the MTN8 opener, producing a lively second-half cameo that thrilled the crowd and sparked growing excitement around his potential impact in the upcoming season. The former Djoliba forward arrived at Mayfair with high expectations after a stunning campaign in the Malian Ligue 1, where he claimed both the Golden Boot and Player of the Season awards. His namesake, also Abdoulaye Mariko, joined Pirates from Djoliba as well but will spend the 2025/26 campaign on loan at Chippa United. Ouaddou recognised the potential in his new recruit but stressed the importance of adapting both on and off the pitch. 'Mariko is a very interesting young player, he was the top scorer in Mali, he took the award as the best player in the league and top scorer, he's come in a new environment in a big club,' Ouaddou said. While praising Mariko's talent and debut display, the coach underlined the challenges of adapting to a new culture, environment and team dynamic. 'He has lots of quality, as you may have seen today, but we still need to improve him and bring him to the high level. It's not easy when you're coming into a new country, with new culture – he has to integrate himself to the team, have to learn the language.' 'It's the first thing I told him he has to do, to learn English in order to integrate himself in the team – but the expectation for him is like all the players, to give his best and be the best for Orlando Pirates, because there's a lot of expectation, inside the country and on the continent.' Mariko featured alongside five other debutants during Pirates' confident start to the new season. Sipho Mbule, Sihle Nduli, Oswin Appollis, Yanela Mbuthuma and Tshepang Moremi all pulled on the jersey for the first time. Ouaddou remains optimistic about Mariko's potential, stating. 'And he knows that, I think he's a top man, the personality is good and he's a good player, yeah.' Will Mariko be a hit at Orlando Pirates? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
CAF
21-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Final; Shot At Glory: Pyramids eye first-ever continental title
They've flirted with continental success before, but now Pyramids FC stand just two matches away from making history. With millions invested and a growing continental pedigree, the Cairo-based outfit are preparing for the biggest moment in the club's young existence—a two-legged TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final against Mamelodi Sundowns. The decisive tie will unfold over two legs, with the first showdown at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on May 24, before the grand finale in Cairo on June 1, 2025. Ruthless in the Early Rounds From the very start, Krunoslav Jurčić's side laid down a marker. In the first round, Pyramids thrashed JKU SC 6-0 away before wrapping things up 3-1 in the return leg in Cairo. In the second round, they drew 1-1 away to APR FC before cruising past them 3-1 at home. Those early signs of dominance showed Pyramids' attacking intent and confidence, especially at home, where they averaged more than three goals per game in the qualifiers. Mixed Group Stage, But Progress Secured Placed in Group D, Pyramids FC had to navigate a tricky draw with the likes of Esperance, Djoliba, and Sagrada. Despite some turbulence—including a 2-0 defeat to Esperance in Tunisia and a frustrating goalless draw with Djoliba—they rallied impressively. They exacted revenge on Esperance in Cairo with a 2-1 win, dismantled Djoliba 6-0, and secured progression with a key away win against Sagrada. Pyramids finished the group stage with 10 points from six matches, showing resilience and maturity when it mattered most. A Quarter-Final Masterclass Jurčić's tactical nous was fully displayed in the quarter-finals against AS FAR Rabat, one of Morocco's most tactically disciplined sides. The first leg in Rabat saw Pyramids struggle and fall 2-0, but in the return leg at home, the Egyptians flipped the script with a 4-1 hammering, advancing 4-3 on aggregate. The match was symbolic of Pyramids' mentality shift—they are no longer continental tourists. They are title-hunters with the grit to recover from adversity. Cairo Breakthrough: Semi-Final Redemption The semi-finals saw them square off against Orlando Pirates, a side known for their attacking style and PSL pedigree. In Johannesburg, Pyramids held firm for a 0-0 draw, and back in Egypt, they triumphed 3-2 in a high-octane thriller. That win not only booked their place in the final but also sent a clear message: Pyramids can go toe-to-toe with Southern Africa's elite and come out on top. Krunoslav Jurčić's Blueprint The Croatian tactician has quietly built a balanced unit, leaning on formations like 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 attacking, depending on the opponent. Key to his success has been the flexibility of his midfielders and the goalscoring edge of his front line, especially in home fixtures where Pyramids have scored 13 goals in their last four TotalEnergies CAF Champions League matches. His ability to adjust and react mid-match has turned Pyramids into one of the most tactically intelligent sides in this season's competition. Can they now beat Sundowns? They face Sundowns, a club with pedigree, experience, and a deep squad. The challenge is immense—but so is the opportunity. The first leg in Pretoria on May 24 will be a test of their temperament, and the second leg in front of their own fans on June 1 will be the night they dream of lifting the trophy on home soil. For a club founded just over a decade ago, Pyramids FC reaching this final is already a landmark moment. But with form, belief, and home advantage in the second leg, this might just be their time to shock the continent. From pretenders to contenders—Pyramids FC now have one final mountain to climb.
