Cercle Brugge: Sevilla close to acquiring Kevin Denkey

On fire this season (25 goals in 32 games), Kevin Denkey is leading Cercle Brugge. His performances have not gone unnoticed by other European clubs and one of them is ready to make a move. According to TodoFichajes, Sevilla have already begun talks with the Togolese striker's entourage. The two parties are close to a contractual agreement,” continues the media outlet, adding that the Spanish club is ready to put €10 million on the table. Cercle Brugge, for their part, would expect at least 13 million euros to let their jewel go.

Marseille: Big blow for Chancel Mbemba

Chancel Mbemba is expected to miss the match against RC Lens on Sunday April 28.According to L'Équipe, the Congolese international should be spared for the Europa League semi-final against Atalanta Bergamo. The Leopards' captain is still nursing a meniscus injury. “It's a bit complicated for Mbemba. It's the meniscus that moves in the knee. He had an infiltration the day after the injury. It's getting better but we're still on alert,” Jean-Louis Gasset told a press conference on Friday April 26.

The French media outlet also reveals that Olympique de Marseille are planning to operate on him at the end of the season to try and resolve the problem once and for all.

Algeria: Jerôme Rothen sees Djamel Belmadi to a top French club

At the end of the season, Olympique de Marseille will have to find a new coach. In fact, the French press has thrown up a number of names, including Habib Beye, as potential candidates.But for Jérôme Rothen, there is one ideal candidate: Djamel Belmadi. According to the RMC Sport consultant, the former Fennecs coach can do the job.

“We need a strong coach with personality, who can stand up to the media and the fans when they put pressure on him. When you talk to me about Conceição, yes, he's not afraid of anyone, but there's another one: Belmadi, who did great things with Algeria. He played at OM and is attached to the club. He was criticized for the African Cup, but maybe he wants to take over a club. In a project like this, there's perhaps no need to sell him a major shake-up of the squad,” says the former Monaco player. Djamel Belmadi knows the Marseille club well, having played there between 1997/1998 and then from 2000 to 2003.

Marseille: Pape Gueye agrees with his future club

At the end of his contract in June 2024, Pape Gueye is set to leave Olympique de Marseille. The Senegalese midfielder has already identified his future club.According to Futbol Fantasy, the Le Havre-trained player has decided to sign for Villarreal on a four-year contract, plus an optional season.

 CAF CL: Al Ahly vs Espérance Tunis in the final

Al Ahly will once again be in the final of the CAF CL after their 3-0 victory in the second leg of the semi-final in Cairo on Friday April 26. The Egyptians hosted and beat TP Mazembe. Although the Congolese held out for an hour, they finally succumbed in the 68th minute when Mohamed Abdelmonem opened the scoring with an assist from Tunisian international Ali Maaloul. Denmark's Wessam Abou Ali struck in the 84th minute to put an end to TPM's dreams. Even so, Akram Tawfik added a third goal (90+13). With this new qualification, Al Ahly set a new record in this competition with their fifth consecutive final.

In the other semi-final of the African Champions League, Esperance Tunis managed to beat Mamelodi Sundowns on home soil. Raed Bouchniba's sole goal (54th) was enough for the Esperantists, who had beaten the South Africans by the same scoreline in the first leg.

The first leg of the final is scheduled for May 19. Esperance Tunis will host first. The return leg will be played in Cairo on May 26.

 

Bournemouth: Antoine Semenyo punishes Wolverhampton

Antoine Semenyo has just scored his 8th goal of the season for Bournemouth. The Ghanaian striker scored the only goal of the match between Wolverhampton and the Cherries (0-1). The Black Star has only been involved in 10 goals (8 goals, 2 assists) this season. Bournemouth (45 points) are currently 10th in the English league.

Lorient: Mohamed Bamba scores against PSG

FC Lorient lost heavily at home to Paris Saint-Germain (1-4) on Wednesday April 24. Mohamed Bamba scored the only goal for Les Merlus. It was the 7th for the Ivorian striker in just 12 games with the French club. He arrived in January from Wolfsberger AC in Austria.

 

Marseille vs Nice: Aubameyang and Moffi score, Moumbagna excluded

Olympique de Marseille and OGC Nice played out a 2-2 draw on Wednesday April 24. Les Aiglons opened the scoring in the 13th minute thanks to Terem Moffi. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave his side the lead (56th) after Jonathan Clauss had equalized in the 31st minute. Nice equalized in the 72nd minute. Marseille played with 10 men throughout the second half. Faris Moumbagna was sent off at the end of the first half (45+2) for a second yellow card.

TP Mazembe - Katumbi: “I can say that Kalaba is 99% back”.

Tout-Puissant Mazembe president Moise Katumbin was at the bedside of the club's former Zambian player Rainford Kalaba, who was involved in a serious car accident. With the help of the Lusaka University Hospital, the player's prognosis is now safe. Moise Katumbi praised the heavens for this.“I've come to see my son Rainford Kalaba.First of all, I thank the Lord who saved my son. I'm in Lusaka before leaving for Egypt. I can say that he is already 99% cured.”

Moise made a promise to the player.“He was an exemplary player. Other players can take his example. We won a lot of trophies with him. He's going to join the Mazembe technical staff. He's like a son to me. I thank the Lord, the Zambian government and the doctors. If it was anywhere else, we'd lose Kalaba,” he said.

Gambia: New coach to be announced before June

The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) is confident of appointing a new coach for the senior national team before June 2024. In two months' time, the Scorpions will play Seychelles and Gabon, in qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Gambia are still without a coach since Tom Saintfiet resigned after the 2023 African Cup of Nations. But, according to The Point, “the process of recruiting a new coach for Gambia's senior national team will be completed before the World Cup qualifiers in June 2024”, writes the newspaper.

Gambia are fifth in Group F, having lost their first two matches. The Scorpions lost to Burundi 3-2 on Matchday 1. Before falling again to Côte d'Ivoire 2-0 (matchday 2).

As a result, Gambia must win their remaining eight qualifiers and pray that both Côte d'Ivoire and Gabon miss their qualifiers to ensure their place at the 2026 World Cup.