Sierra Leone's Juma Bah on Manchester City's Radar
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Juma Bah on Manchester City’s Radar

Manchester City and other English clubs want to sign Sierra Leone-born defender Juma Bah, a rising star, as Pep Guardiola works to improve his defence.

The 18-year-old defender has impressed while on loan at Real Valladolid after moving from AIK Freetong, a team in Sierra Leone.

He started with the Juvenil División de Honor and quickly moved up to the Promesas team, where he made a successful debut in September.

However, the 6’5” player earned a spot on the first team, playing 855 minutes in eleven appearances.

Among centre-backs in Europe’s top five leagues, Bah ranks in the 95th percentile for clearances, averaging 5.63 per game, and in the 98th percentile for aerial duels won, averaging 3.81 per game.

Read related News New Real Valladolid defender back Bah headline Spanish News.

Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko announced Baba Yara's return.
by FSL News

Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko announced Baba Yara’s return

Asante Kotoko, a prominent football club in Ghana, has officially announced its return to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for the remainder of the season.

The team, recognized as the 24-time champions of the Ghana Premier League, had been utilizing the Len Clay Sports Stadium while Baba Yara underwent renovation.

Asante Kotoko has a distinguished history, having claimed the CAF Champions League title on two occasions and being honoured as the African Club of the Century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

In a recent statement, the club expressed, “We are pleased to announce our return to Baba Yara Stadium for our remaining home matches of the season.

This decision follows an official communication from the National Sports Authority confirming the completion of maintenance work at our historic venue.”

Currently, Asante Kotoko occupies the seventh position in the Ghana Premier League standings, trailing the leaders, Bibiani Gold Stars, by five points, with 22 matches left in the season.

Sierra Leone plummet eight places in latest FIFA ranking
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone plummet eight places in latest FIFA ranking

Sierra Leone has seen a significant drop in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday, following their unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the Morocco 2025 AFCON tournament next year.

This decline is attributed to poor performances in the recent African Cup of Nations match day five and six, where they drew against Chad and suffered a 2-0 defeat to Zambia in Group G as hosts nation.

From 121st to 129th in the global ranking – as a result, the West African nation has plummeted also to 38th on the continent, having conceded ten goals while scoring only five in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

Africa’s top ten ranked teams include Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Mali, Tunisia and South Africa.

On the global stage, Argentina, captained by Lionel Messi, retains the top position, followed by France in second and Spain in third. England and Brazil hold the fourth and fifth spots, respectively.

These rankings reflect a busy international football calendar, which includes the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, AFCON 2025 matches, and Nations League fixtures.

Meanwhile, Niger made the biggest leap in the rankings, rising nine spots to 122nd globally with a total of 31.23 points.

The next FIFA ranking update is scheduled for December 12, 2024.

La Liga CD Leganés sign Ivorian striker Yan Diomande
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

La Liga CD Leganés sign Ivorian striker Yan Diomande

CD Leganés has signed Yan Diomande, an 18-year-old striker from Ivory Coast, who is known for his speed, skill, and ability to read the game, the club has said.

Diomande developed his talent in Ivory Coast and has shown a lot of potential, which has allowed him to move to European football.

He is expected to join the team at the end of this year or the beginning of 2025, depending on the completion of necessary paperwork.

He joins Leganés on a free transfer, showing the club’s commitment to developing young international players. After signing, Diomande said, “I am very grateful for this opportunity. I want to thank everyone involved in making this happen. I am fully committed and excited to get started.”

Zamalek off to a strong start in Confederation Cup group stage
by FSL News

Zamalek off to a strong start in Confederation Cup group stage

Match Day 01 of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stages featured three notable matchups in northern Africa. Defending champions Zamalek SC from Egypt, USM Alger from Algeria, and RS Berkane from Morocco each hosted their opening matches.

Zamalek SC, a two-time champion, secured a solid 2-0 victory over Mozambique’s Black Bulls FC, with goals from Ahmed Abdelhamid and Nabil Emad.  

In Group B, RS Berkane triumphed 2-0 against Angola’s Club Desportivo de Lunda Sul, with Issoufou Dayo scoring both goals.

The final match saw USM Alger deliver a dominating 6-0 win against Orapa United from Botswana, featuring two goals from Ismail Belkacemi and contributions from Saadi Raouani, Wale Alli, Nabil Lamara, and Islam Mrili.  

The TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup will continue with Match Day 02 on Sunday, December 8th.

Vital opening win for Simba in group stage start campaign
by Football Sierra Leone

Simba begins CAF Confederation group campaign with a vital win

Tanzanian team Simba SC began their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup group stage with a 1-0 win against Angola’s Bravos do Maquis at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday.

Jean Ahoua scored the only goal with a penalty in the first half, putting Simba at the top of Group A. The penalty occurred in the 27th minute after Edmilson from Bravos handled the ball.

Ahoua struck the penalty into the top left corner, out of the goalkeeper’s reach.

The match was intense, with both teams creating chances. Despite pressure from Simba and several close attempts by Steven Mukwala, they could not score again.

In the second half, Bravos sought to equalize, but Emmanuel Edmond had a penalty saved by Simba’s goalkeeper. Bravos missed other chances, and Simba’s Joshua Mutale hit the post in the 66th minute.

Both teams made substitutions, but neither could find the net in the final minutes. Simba’s solid defense held strong, securing an important win.

This victory positions Simba SC at the top of Group A, ahead of the later match between Tunisia’s CS Sfaxien and Algeria’s Constantine. Simba’s win could be crucial for their chances of reaching the knockout stages.

Raja Casablanca suffer defeat to FAR Rabat as Pirates edge Belouizdad
by Football Sierra Leone

Raja Casablanca suffer defeat to FAR Rabat as Pirates edge Belouizdad

FAR Rabat shocked Raja Casablanca with a 2-0 win in a heated Moroccan derby at the Stade Larbi Zaouli during the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Tuesday.

Ahmed Hammoudan scored the first goal in the 41st minute after a defensive mistake. Raja missed a chance to equalize when Sabir Bougrine’s penalty shot was saved. Khalid Aït Ouarkhane secured the win in stoppage time after a counterattack.

This victory marked FAR Rabat’s first win over Raja since 2020 and puts them at the top of Group B, while Raja needs to regroup after a tough start.

  • **Orlando Pirates Beat Belouizdad in Algiers**

Orlando Pirates returned to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League with a 2-1 victory over CR Belouizdad at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962.

Mohau Nkota shone with two first-half goals, scoring in the fifth and 27th minutes. Belouizdad pulled one back with a header from Khanyisa Mayo, but the Pirates’ defense held strong for the win.

This result places Orlando Pirates tied with Al Ahly at the top of Group C, with Al Ahly leading on goal difference.

  • **Esperance Tunis Defeats Djoliba in Tunis**

Esperance Tunis won convincingly, defeating Djoliba 4-0 at the Stade Hammadi Agrebi.

Raed Bouchniba opened the scoring in the fourth minute, followed by a goal from Elias Mokwana. Oussama Bouguerra added a header for a third while Koussay Maacha scored in stoppage time.

Djoliba struggled to keep up with Esperance, who now shares the top spot in Group D with Pyramids FC after strong opening matches.

Mustapa Bundu nets in Argyle's 6-1 humiliation at Norwich
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mustapha Bundu nets in Argyle’s 6-1 humiliation at Norwich

Mustapha Bundu from Sierra Leone scored for Plymouth Argyle in their 6-1 humiliation to Norwich City at Carrow Road on Tuesday night.

Argyle made three changes from their last game against Watford on Friday. Callum Wright, Bundu, and Victor Palsson started. Daniel Grimshaw was in goal, while Matty Sorinola, Bali Mumba, Julio Pleguezuelo, and Kornel Szucs played in defence with Palsson.

Sainz scored early for the hosts in the second minute before  the Spaniard calmly made it 2-0 but Just before half-time, Sierra Leone’s Mustapha Bundu pulled one back in the 39th minute, giving the visitors hope.

But Norwich’s Borja Sainz scored a hat-trick, and Shane Duffy, Anis Slimane, and Ante Crnac also scored for the home team.

Adam Randell captained the team again, with Darko Gyabi in midfield. Wright and Bundu played on either side of Andre Gray, who was the striker.

Norwich’s victory lifts them to ninth place in the Championship, just five points away from the play-off spots.

Meanwhile, Argyle, who suffered their previous worst defeat under Rooney—a 5-0 loss with ten men at Cardiff City last month—have dropped to 20th position, now only two points above the relegation zone.

Sierra Leone's Sullay Kaikai helps Cambridge draw against Bolton
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sullay Kaikai header helps 10-man Cambridge draw against Bolton

On Tuesday at the Abbey Stadium, Sullay Kaikai’s exceptional header in the 89th minute secured an unexpected draw for the 10-man Cambridge team against Bolton.

Despite being in the bottom three of the League One standings, a draw against Bolton while playing with ten men will feel like a win.

Cambridge faced significant challenges after Jubril Okedina received a red card four minutes into the second half for violent conduct following an altercation with George Johnston while Bolton prepared to take a corner.

Bolton’s goal looked set to decide the match until Andrew delivered a precise cross, which Kaikai headed past Nathan Baxter.

Cambridge opened the match well, creating two scoring opportunities in the first four minutes. Baxter saved both Kaikai’s initial shot and Ryan Loft’s chance from a deep cross by Liam Bennett.

Just before halftime, Jay Matete missed an opportunity, shooting over the bar after a poor clearance from James Brophy.

Defending champions Al Ahly wallop Stade d'Abidjan in Cairo
by Football Sierra Leone

Defending champions Al Ahly wallop Stade d’Abidjan in Cairo

Group C, Defending champions Al Ahly began their pursuit of a third consecutive TotalEnergies CAF Champions League title with a decisive 4-2 victory over Côte d’Ivoire’s Stade d’Abidjan in Cairo on Tuesday.

Al Ahly took control in the first half with a 3-1 lead, featuring two goals from Kahraba and one from Mohamed Magdi Kafsha.

Stade d’Abidjan responded with a goal from Kassoum Koné, but Kahraba sealed the win in the second half, despite a late goal from Roger Assalé.

In Group B, Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa were held to a 0-0 draw by DR Congo debutants Maniema Union.

Despite dominating possession and creating multiple chances, including a shot that hit the crossbar, the Sundowns could not find the net.

Looking ahead, the tournament will feature the anticipated Moroccan derby between Raja Casablanca and FAR Rabat, as well as a match between CR Belouizdad and Orlando Pirates in

In Group D, Pyramids FC delivered an impressive 5-1 triumph over Angola’s Sagrada Esperança at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium.

Ibrahim Adel starred with two goals, including a stunning opener. Fiston Mayele, Mohamed Hamdy, and Ahmed Atef also contributed, while Sagrada managed a late consolation from Cachí.

Esperance will also face Djoliba in the final Group D fixture later this evening.