WACC 2026: Karfamoriah FC and Horoya AC Bounce Back After Opening Defeats

Posted : 18 August 2026

The 2026 West African Clubs Championship (WACC) has delivered an eventful start in Kankan, Guinea, with several teams already showing signs of strong form as the group stage progresses.

Karfamoriah FC made an impressive start to the tournament on August 14, defeating Sierra Leonean side Star Sport Academy 4-0 at the M'Balou Mady Diakité Glao Stadium. Souleymane Diawara put the hosts ahead in the 16th minute before Amadou Mansaré extended the advantage in the 31st minute.

Diawara completed his brace shortly after the hour mark, scoring in the 60th minute, while Mohamed Lamine Condé added a fourth goal in stoppage time to complete a convincing victory for Karfamoriah.

Star Sport Academy responded strongly in their next match on August 16, recording a 2-0 victory over AS Real de Bamako. The result allowed the Sierra Leonean club to recover from its heavy opening defeat and move back into contention.

Karfamoriah also maintained their perfect start by defeating Stade Malien de Bamako 1-0 in their second match. Daouda Camara scored the decisive goal in the 11th minute as the Guinean hosts secured their second consecutive victory.

Elsewhere, Stade Malien began their WACC campaign with a 2-0 victory over Horoya AC on August 14. The Malian side took the lead as early as the second minute after capitalizing on a defensive error, before Mohamed Conté's own goal doubled their advantage.

Horoya attempted to fight back and created several attacking opportunities, but Stade Malien's organized defense held firm to secure all three points.

Horoya coach Nouhoum Diane acknowledged the disappointment of the defeat but pointed to the remaining matches as an opportunity for his team to recover. Stade Malien coach Sghir Hammadi, meanwhile, described the tournament as an important opportunity for his squad to test different approaches.

Horoya subsequently responded with a victory over defending champions Djoliba AC. Lansana Sylla gave Horoya an early lead in the fifth minute, and the Guinean side went on to secure the win, giving them a much-needed boost after their opening defeat.

The fifth edition of the WACC features nine clubs following the withdrawal of Sudanese side Al Hilal because of heavy rainfall in Guinea. The participating teams include four clubs from Mali — FC Diarra, Stade Malien, Djoliba AC and AS Real de Bamako — alongside Mauritania's FC Zidane, Sierra Leone's Star Sport Academy and Guinean clubs Horoya AC, Hafia FC and hosts Karfamoriah FC.

The teams are divided into two groups, with most clubs playing three group matches. Host Karfamoriah FC will play four games. The two group winners will meet in the final on August 22.

With two wins from two matches, Karfamoriah have emerged as one of the early teams to watch, while Star Sport Academy and Horoya AC have both shown their ability to recover after difficult opening results.

WACC 2026: Karfamoriah FC and Horoya AC Bounce Back After Opening Defeats

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