Month: September 2023

Defender Alex Bangura in line for Middlesborough debut
by FSL News

Defender Alex Bangura in line for Middlesbrough Debut

Middlesbrough travel to Ewood Park to face Blackburn Rovers on Saturday following the International break, and new acquisition Alex Bangura could make his debut for the English Championship side.

Michael Carrick’s side will be looking for a quick response following the defeat to Queens Park Rangers. Bangura was introduced in their 2-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers before the International break on September 2nd. 

The Sierra Leone International joined the club on a four-year deal on 1st September as he became the club’s 12th signing of the summer. Bangura, who started his career in the Netherlands with DRL before joining Feyenoord at the youth level, wanted to get started.

“I cant wait to play in front of the Boro fans. It feels very good to be a Boro player like everyone was welcoming,” Bangura told the club’s website. “After a couple of charts with the club, i knew that I wanted to come here. I heard a lot about the club’s ambition and it has been a dream move for me to play in Egngland.”

Boro head coach Michael Carrick was delighted to welcome Alex to the club. “Alex is a really exciting signing,” he said. “He’s a left-back, and he’s captained his team. He’s a good character with a great personality and he won’t have any problem fitting into the group.”

He played for the Dutch club from U18 to U21 level before joining SC Cambuur permanently. He played a pivotal role in Cambuur’s promotion winner and has spent the last two seasons playing regularly in the Dutch top flight.

He has played the majority of his football at left-back but has also played on the wing. Alex is a five-time capped international for Sierra Leone.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and Players Abroad. The writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.net. 

Bo Rangers suffer a heavy Champions League home defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bo Rangers suffer a heavy Champions League home defeat

Sierra Leone Champions Bo Rangers suffered a 3-1 home defeat to  Algerian side CR Belouizdad in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League on Sunday at the Southern Arena.

Rangers started well and capitalised in the 11-minute as Abu Komeh opened his CAF Champions League account.

However, the Algerian side regrouped and started passing the ball with more agility. They levelled the scoreline in the 42nd minute through Ben Tahar Meziane to silence the home fans.

After the recess, It was an end-to-end affair as both teams rallied to get a second goal of the day. The visitors took the lead through Algerian forward Ousama Darfalou just seven minutes after the break.

Oussama Darfalou recorded his brace in the 80th minute as he gave his side a 3-1 away goal advantage. 

As a result, Bo Rangers face a giant second-leg task. The return fixture is set to be played at the Oran Olympic Stadium in Algeria on September 30th 2023.

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CAF Confed Cup first leg narrow defeat for FC Kallon
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF Confed Cup first leg narrow defeat for FC Kallon 

On Friday, Sierra Leone CAF Confederation Cup representative FC Kallon suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Dreams FC at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The host Dreams FC took the lead in the 11th minute through Atuaheme Godfred in the Second round first leg, but after half an hour, the visitors drew parity through Daniel Karim just before the break.

After an hour of the restart, Dreams took the lead through a penalty kick that was awarded and converted by John Antwi Duku in the 70th minute as they edged their visitors.

It’s all to play for in the second round second leg as Kallon will look to surpass last season when they were eliminated in this stage by FC Future of Egypt.

Ex-Sierra Leone skipper Umaru Bangura made his FC Kallon debut in the CAF Confederation Cup against Dreams FC at the Accra Sports Stadium. 

Bangura skippered the Kallon side, probing to make the competition group stage for the first time in their history.

Dreams reached this competition stage after a 3-2 aggregate victory over Milo Fc of Guinea.

The former Inter Milan and Monaco was the coach of his club (FC Kallon) in the CAF inter-clubs Confederation Cup last September when they progressed to the second qualifying stage of the competition. 

Under his guidance, they eliminated Buffles de Borgou of Benin 4-0 on aggregate – but they suffered a heavy defeat to the Egyptian side FC Future over the two legs in the second preliminary round.

The second preliminary round of return fixtures is on 29 September 2023, as Karim Zito’s side face an uphill task away from home.

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Osman Kakay skipper was in action in 2-1 defeat to Guinea-Bissau (1)
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone end AFCON campaign with Guinea-Bissau defeat

The Djurtus Wild Dogs of Bissau defeated Sierra Leone 2-1 on Monday at the Estádio 24 de Setembro to wrap up the AFCON 2023 qualifiers.

Coach John Keister’s side started brightly as they capitalised on an early six-minute chance scored by Dundee‘s striker Amadou Bakayoko, assisted by Emmanuel Samadia.

However, the home side, Guinea-Bissau, rallied from a goal down to a 2-1 victory in their final Group A campaign at the Stade du 24 Septembre.

Nito Fernando de Lacerda Gomes and Franculino Djú’s goals in the 35th and 48th minutes, respectively, were enough for the home fans to celebrate another AFCON qualification win.

As a result, the win was the icing on the cake on their qualification to next year’s continental showpiece. 

There were a couple of changes from the Sierra Leone technical bench, including seventeen-year-old Sallieu Bah making his International debut.

Despite the defeat, the Sierra Leone Football Association president, Thomas Daddy Brima, has this to say about the young talented midfielder Bah’s debut.

“Sallieu Bah (17), made his debut for the Sierra Leone National Senior Team today and showed class, confidence and pure talent against Guinea Bissau. It was so much joy watching this young lad. The future is indeed bright for him and many of his kind in Sierra Leone.”

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Sierra Leone CAF Confederation Cup representative for the 2023/24 competition, FC Kallon, departed Liberia for Ghana to face Dreams FC in the Second round first leg on Friday.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

FC Kallon set for Dreams Confederation Cup first leg

Sierra Leone CAF Confederation Cup representative for the 2023/24 competition, FC Kallon, departed Liberia for Ghana to face Dreams FC in the Second round first leg on Friday.

The Accra Sports Stadium is set to host the contest between the two West African clubs.

Having reached the competition’s second round without kicking a ball following the withdrawal of AS Douanes, Kallon will look to surpass last season when they were eliminated in this stage by FC Future of Egypt.

The club’s owner and head coach, Mohamed Kallon, confirmed their departure on Facebook; ” Kallon departs Liberia Airport for Ghana to engage Dreams FC on Friday, 15th September, 2023, in the CAF Confederations Cup Second Preliminary Round, first leg Qualifier fixture in Accra, for a spot into the group stage.”

The former Inter Milan and Monaco was the coach of his club (FC Kallon) in the CAF inter-clubs Confederation Cup last September when they progressed to the second qualifying stage of the competition. 

Under his guidance, they eliminated Buffles de Borgou of Benin 4-0 on aggregate – but they suffered a heavy defeat to the Egyptian side FC Future over the two legs in the second preliminary round.

Dreams reached this stage of the competition after a 3-2 aggregate victory over Milo Fc of Guinea.

The second preliminary round of return fixtures is on the 19 October 2023, expected to be played in Liberia.

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CAF unveils 2023 African Cup of Nations logo
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

No debutants as Africa’s giants target Cote d’Ivoire glory

The line-up for next year’s TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire is complete, with no new teams set to make their debut, CAF reports.

The 24 qualified sides feature continental heavyweights like holders Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.

Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria and DR Congo add further star quality, alongside South Africa, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Less fancied sides such as Equatorial Guinea, Cape Verde and Gambia will look to spring a surprise.

Egypt extended their record number of AFCON appearances to 26 by qualifying again.

The Gambia remain the tournament’s least experienced side following their maiden outing last year.

Mozambique return after a six-edition absence, while Zambia are back following a run of three straight misses.

But there are no newcomers to freshen up the field at the first finals in the Cote d’Ivoire since 1984.

With a host of giants involved, competition for the title promises to be fierce when the tournament starts on 13 January.

Holders Senegal and regional powers Algeria and Nigeria are likely to be among the favourites.

But the expanded 24-team format leaves the door open for a shock winner.

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TotalEnergies AFCON 2023 24-team line-up complete
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Stage set for Cote d’Ivoire Cup of Nations 2023 final draw

All twenty-four nations set to know their group opponents on October 12 after the final draw in the Ivorian Capital of Abidjan.

Continental goliaths like Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco and Algeria are among the big guns waiting to know their fate.

The gigantic football events in the continent will kick off in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on 13 January 2024. CAF noted that the official draw will be held in Abidjan on 12 October 2023.

After the Indomitable Lions picked up their tickets to make it a 19th straight finals by thrashing Burundi 3-0 in Garoua to top Group C on Tuesday, the Confederation of African Football has announced the date for the official draw.

Next year’s (AFCON) in Cote d’Ivoire will be the 34th edition of the biennial African Association Football Tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football.

It will be hosted by Ivory Coast for the second time, having first hosted it in 1984. Senegal are the defending champions after beating Egypt in a penalty shootout last year.

Fifty-two (52) nations battle in the qualification phase, but only 24 will compete in the finals.

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No debutants as Africa's giants target Cote d'Ivoire glory