Sierra Leone's Tyrese Fornah is excited to join Salford City
by @football_sierra

Sierra Leone’s Tyrese Fornah ready for fresh start at Salford City

Sierra Leone international Tyrese Fornah is ready for a fresh start after joining League Two side Salford City FC on a season-long loan deal from Derby County for the 2024-25 season. The move is subject to FA and EFL ratification and approval.

The midfielder helped Derby win automatic promotion from League One with the Rams.

“I’m a dynamic soccer player who loves advancing the ball, creating excitement, and showcasing my skills.  I want to share joy with the fans and help the team win. The club’s ambition to get promoted aligns perfectly with mine. I believe this team can achieve promotion. Let’s get started,” Fornah told the club’s website.

The Sierra Leone international signed with the Rams from Nottingham Forest last summer. He played in 23 matches in all competitions as Paul Warne’s side secured promotion from the third tier.

However, he had limited playing time in the second half of last season, with his last league start coming in the 3-1 home win against Lincoln City in December 2023.

Fornah came off the bench as a late substitute in last Friday’s Sky Bet Championship season opener at Blackburn Rovers. He might make his Salford debut in their league match at Bradford City on Saturday.

Abu Kamara nets in Norwich Carabao Cup win over Stevenage
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Kamara scores first Norwich’s goal in win over Stevenage

On Tuesday, Abu Kamara, a native of Sierra Leone, scored his first goal for Norwich as they secured a 4-3 victory over Stevenage, earning a spot in the second round of the Carabao Cup at Carrow Road.

The team made seven changes from their last game. Newcomers to the starting lineup included Brad Hills, Jaden Warner, Amankwah Forson, Abu Kamara, George Long, Onel Hernández, and Kellen Fisher.

Kamara, who last season was pivotal in Portsmouth’s promotion, scored his first goal for Norwich, in the first start, but Stevenage quickly equalized.

Hernández then scored, but Stevenage equalized again. In the second half, Kamara and Hernández, both scored again, leading to Norwich’s 4-3 win.

17-year-old Elliot Myles made his senior debut towards the end of the match. Next, Norwich City will play against Blackburn Rovers at Carrow Road on Saturday at 3 pm.

The Carabao Cup Round Two draw will be conducted live on Sky Sports after the Leeds United v Middlesbrough match on Wednesday, 14 August.

Nigeria midfielder Alhassan Yusuf ready for MLS adventure
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigerian midfielder Alhassan Yusuf ready for MLS adventure

The New England Revolution has obtained Nigerian central midfielder Alhassan Yusuf from the Belgian club Royal Antwerp FC for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old will occupy an international roster spot through the 2027 Major League Soccer season, with an option for 2028.

“Yusuf will join the Revolution pending receipt of his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate (ITC),” NER has announced.

After three years in the Belgian top flight with Royal Antwerp, where he won three trophies, including the 2022-23 Belgian Pro League championship and 2022-23 Belgian Cup, he joined our team.

Yusuf played in all six games for Antwerp in the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League, scoring a goal against FC Porto and providing an assist against FC Barcelona.

He also made seven appearances in the UEFA Europa League. In total, he had 90 league appearances for Antwerp and made three appearances for the Nigeria National Team at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished as runners-up.

Highly rated youngster Gift Sunday joins Norwegian side
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Highly rated youngster Gift Sunday joins Norwegian side

Norwegian football club FK Bodø Glimt has officially announced the signing of Nigerian forward Gift Sunday.

“The 18-year-old Nigerian Gift Sunday is the newest addition to Bodø/Glimt,” Bodø Glimt noted on their website

He hails from the P Sports Academy in his home country and has recently signed with Bodø/Glimt until the summer of 2028.

“It’s a great experience for me to sign my first professional contract with such a big club like Glimt. It’s a dream come true,” says a smiling Gift Sunday to glimt.no.

“We’ve been following each other for a while, and he has previously visited us during a training stint. Now we’re looking forward to getting to know him even better,” says sporting director Håvard Sakariassen.

The 2024/25 CAF Interclub season will kick off on Friday
by FSL News

The 2024/25 CAF Interclub season set to kick off on Friday

The 2024/25 CAF Interclub season set to start this week with the Preliminary Rounds of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

The First Preliminary Round First Leg will take place between August 16-18, with the return leg set for August 23-25, 2024.

The Second Preliminary Round will take place between September 13-15 for the first legs of the second round, while the return legs to confirm the draw for the Group Stages will be played between September 20-22, 2024.

The champions Al Ahly SC (Egypt), Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) don’t need to play in the first round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. The top 12 clubs in the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, including holders Zamalek SC, also don’t need to play in the First Preliminary Round.

It’s early in both competitions, but fans can expect great matchups. Clubs from across Africa will try to qualify for the second round and the group stages.

In the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, there are exciting matches like Young Africans, the Tanzanian champions, playing against Vital’O FC of Burundi. Also, Pyramids FC from Egypt will face JKU SC of Zanzibar, and former champions Orlando Pirates FC will face Disciples FC of Madagascar.

In the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, there’s an interesting match between Zambia’s Zesco United and Dynamos FC of Zimbabwe. UTS from Morocco will host RS Abidjan of Cote d’Ivoire, and Nsoatreman FC of Ghana will welcome TP Elect Sport of the Republic of Chad.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Fixtures – CLICK HERE 

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Fixtures – CLICK HERE

Yayah Kallon nets first Salernitana goal in win over Spezia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Yayah Kallon nets first Salernitana goal in win over Spezia

At the “Arechi” stadium, Salernitana qualified for the round of 32 of the Coppa Italia by beating Spezia 5-4 on penalties after a 3-3 draw at full time.

Sierra Leone-born Yayah Kallon helped U.S. Salernitana 1919 progress to round 32 of the Coppa Italia – his 53rd-minute goal revived their comeback.

In the 43rd minute, Spezia scored the first goal. After that, they scored a second goal and were ahead 2-0 at halftime. Salernitana scored a goal early in the second half through Yayah Kallon, making it 2-1.

Spezia then scored another goal, making it 3-1. The home team scored twice, equalizing the game at 3-3. The match went to a penalty shootout, which Salernitana won 5-4.

Kallon, 23, sealed a season-long loan transfer from Hellas Verona to the Serie B outfit Salernitana last month.

During his loan spell at Bari last season, Kallon made 14 appearances and scored two goals. He is hopeful he will continue performing well on the field.

Winger David Kalokoh is in line to start against Jong PSV
by FSL News

Winger David Kalokoh in line to start against Jong PSV

Sierra Leone-born David Kalokoh is expected to be in the starting line-up when Jong PSV hosts Jong Ajax at PSV Campus De Herdgang on Monday, August 12, 2024, at 18:00 UTC in the first round of the Eerste Divisie.

Last season, both teams faced difficulties, with Jong Ajax finishing fifteenth on 40 points but with a better goal difference compared to the PSV youth team.

The current head-to-head records for the teams stand at Jong PSV’s seven wins, Jong Ajax’s eight wins, and seven draws. Kalokoh scored three goals in thirty-one appearances last season, and the young winger aims to improve this statistic in the upcoming games.

The 19-year-old signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club from September 1, 2023, until June 30, 2027. His previous contract was set to expire in 2024. David Kalokoh was born on April 21, 2005, in Kono, Sierra Leone, and he transferred from VVV-Venlo’s youth academy to Ajax’s youth academy in 2018.

On April 28 of this year, Kalokoh made his professional football debut during the Ajax U23 match against his former club VVV-Venlo, which ended with a score of 0-1. So far, he has played nine matches for Ajax U23, scoring one goal.

Senegal's Aigles de la Médina crowned Champions of WAFU A
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s Aigles de la Médina crowned Champions of WAFU A

The Aigles De La Medina from Senegal emerged as the champions of the WAFU A CAF Women’s Champions League, earning the opportunity to represent their region in the forthcoming CAF Women’s Champions League.

The tournament, which took place in a vibrant and diverse setting, showcased the participation of five clubs representing different countries. Aigles De La Medina, displaying remarkable skill and determination, clinched the top title, thereby earning the right to compete in the renowned continental contest.

The qualifiers saw the impressive performances of the Determined Girls from Liberia and the Mogbwemo Queens from Sierra Leone, who both put up a valiant fight. Their tenacity and talent made the final matches intensely competitive and thrilling for all involved.

In a pivotal match, Aigles De La Medina achieved a 2-1 victory against Determine Girls, who required a win to secure the title. This outcome provided Mogbwemo Queens with a chance to claim the championship, but they failed to win against the Red Scorpion from Gambia.

As the matches unfolded, Aigles De La Medina anxiously awaited the result between Mogbwemo Queens and Red Scorpions. In the end, it was a goalless draw.

The draw confirmed Aigles De La Medina as champions of the WAFU A Qualifiers with 7 points, followed by Determine Girls and Mogbwemo Queens with 6 points each.

Defending champions AS Mandé settled for fourth place with 4 points, as did Red Scorpion.

The CAF Women’s Champions League 2024 Finals is scheduled for November 2024, aiming to showcase the growth and competitiveness of women’s football on the continent, gaining momentum since its inception in Egypt three years ago.

Individual Trophies and Awards

  • Best Player: Jessica Quachie (Liberia – Determine Girls)
  • Best Scorer: Bountou Sylla, 4 goals (Guinea – Determine Girls)
  • Best Goalkeeper: Djaka Chérif Haidara (Mali – AS Mandé)
  • Fair Play: Mogbewmo Queens

 

Six more places to be confirmed for the following zones:

  • Hosts: To be announced
  • Title Holders: Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
  • WAFU A: Aigles de la Medina (Senegal)
  • WAFU B: To be confirmed 
  • UNIFFAC: To be confirmed
  • COSAFA: To be confirmed
  • CECAFA: To be confirmed
Senegal's Aigles De La Medina won the WAFU A CAF Women's Champions League Qualifiers and will represent their zone in the upcoming CAF Women's Champions League in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Senegal's Aigles De La Medina won the WAFU A CAF Women's Champions League Qualifiers and will represent their zone in the upcoming CAF Women's Champions League in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Sheffield Wednesday thrash Mustapha Bundu's Plymouth Argyle in opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sheffield Wednesday thrash Mustapha Bundu’s Argyle in opener

Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu started under new head coach Wayne Rooney in the English Championship. However, Plymouth Argyle, led by Wayne Rooney, had a tough start, losing 4-0 to Sheffield Wednesday in his first game in charge at Hillsborough.

Last season, it took Sheffield Wednesday 14 games to win, but they managed to do it in their first game of the 2024/25 season, largely thanks to Jamal Lowe. Bundu, who played as a second striker, was substituted in the 57th minute and replaced by Bali Mumba.

Lowe scored in the first half and was also involved in forcing an own goal from Brendan Galloway in the second half at Hillsborough. Josh Windass and Michael Smith added a late third and fourth goal to seal a great day for Sheffield Wednesday. Rooney’s Argyle team struggled, especially in the first half.

Sheffield Wednesday’s two best players played a significant role in the move that led to the opening goal in the 35th minute.

Barry Bannan’s pass and Svante Ingelsson’s excellent cross found Lowe in the middle, who made no mistake with the finish. In the 52nd minute, Sheffield Wednesday extended their lead to 2-0 thanks to a calamitous own goal from Galloway.

Lowe’s header struck Galloway in the face and flew into the net, an unfortunate own goal.

In the 83rd minute, a third goal was scored by Windass after a pass from Anthony Musaba, who set him up for a decisive strike. Finally, with the last kick of the game, substitute Smith scored the fourth goal, firing in from close range at the second attempt.

Police FC beat APR to claim Rwanda Super Cup
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Police FC beat APR to claim Rwanda Super Cup

Police FC emerged as the champions of the 2024 FERWAFA Super Cup, which marked the beginning of the season.

Coach Vincent Mashami’s team secured victory by defeating the reigning champions of the Rwanda Premier League, APR FC, in a penalty shoot-out with a score of 6-5. The final match took place at the Kigali Pele Stadium on Saturday and concluded with a draw of 0-0.

Both teams had opportunities to score but were unable to capitalize on them. Yunusu Nshimiyimana had the best chance for APR FC, while Elijah Ani and Richard Kilongozi also came close for Police FC.

Mashami, whose team had undergone pre-season training in Uganda and played several warm-up matches, expressed that winning the Super Cup provided strong motivation for the upcoming season. He added, “We need to continue working hard because there are many matches ahead, including the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.”

Following their Super Cup victory, Police FC will now focus on preparing for their upcoming match against CS Constantine in the 1st preliminary round of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup, which will take place in Algeria.

On the other hand, APR FC, who secured the second position in the CECAFA Dar Port Kagame Cup held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania last month, will shift their focus to their upcoming away match against Tanzania’s Azam FC in the 1st preliminary round of the 2024/2025 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, which will take place next weekend.

Police FC emerged as the champions of the 2024 FERWAFA Super Cup, which marked the beginning of the season.
Police FC emerged as the champions of the 2024 FERWAFA Super Cup, which marked the beginning of the season.