Month: December 2023

Guniea named Serhou Guirassy to the AFCON 2023 25-man squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea name Serhou Guirassy in AFCON 25-man squad

Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart striker Serhou Yadaly Guirassy was named in the Guinea Syli national squad for the African Cup of Nations.

Head coach Kaba Diawara on Saturday confirmed his 25-man squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire next month. 

Guinea set to battle for a place in the top two from Group C alongside Cameroon, reigning champions Senegal and the Gambia.

Guinea national team will open the 34th edition of the biennial African Association football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football against five-time winners Cameroon on January 15. at the Charles Konan Banny Stadium in Yamoussoukro.

  • Serhou Guirassy History

Serhou Guirassy was born on 12 March 1996 in Arles and plays for VfB Stuttgart. He played for J3 Sports Amilly from 2008-2009, for USM Montargis from 2009-2010, for J3 Sports Amilly from 2010-2011, for Stade Lavallois MFC from 2011-2015, for Lille OSC from 2015-2016, for AJ Auxerre from 2016-2016, for Lille OSC from 2016-2016, for 1. FC Köln from 2016-2019, for Amiens Sporting Club from 2019-2020, for Stade Rennais FC from 2020-2022 and has played for VfB Stuttgart since 2022.

  • CURRENT SEASON 2023/24

The 27-year-old has scored 17 goals and he is in second position on the league’s scorer list. With one assist, he currently has the 10th-most in his team along with Waldemar Anton, Jamie Leweling, Silas Katompa Mvumpa, Anthony Rouault and Josha Vagnoman. 

In total, Serhou Guirassy has taken 46 shots at goal and therefore, fought his way to fifth place in the league-wide statistics. Until now, he has been responsible for 25 passes to a shot as he earned himself second place within the statistics of his club.

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New York City select Sierra Leone-born Malachi Jones.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

New York City select Sierra Leone-born Malachi Jones

Forward Malachi Jones has been selected as the eighth overall pick in the first round of the 2024 MLS SuperDraft from Lipscomb University. 

The 20-year-old made 35 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing 15 assists over two seasons for the Bisons. 

 He entered college after being named the 2022 Tennessee Soccer Player of the Year. In total, during his college years, he has scored 12 goals and tallied 15 assists in 35 appearances for Lipscomb.

Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Jones was adopted alongside his seven siblings from an orphanage at a young age and moved to Nashville, Tenn., in 2013, where he grew up.

Jones marks the fourth player to be picked in the top 10 by the Club and the first since the 2017 SuperDraft. 

The ‘Boys in Blue’ have selected Forwards Jack Harrison, Khiry Shelton and Jonathan Lewis with the first, second and third overall picks, respectively, In previous drafts, with all of them making appearances for the First Team throughout their time in New York.

Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah has been selected as the 81st overall by the Seattle Sounders in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Seattle Sounders draft Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah

Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah has been selected as the 81st overall by the Seattle Sounders in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday.

Fofanah, 22, who has been a pivotal player with the Portland Pilots, has been handed a fresh start in the Major League Soccer ranks. It’s the first time the Pilots have had three players taken in the same draft.

Fofanah finished the year with nine goals and six assists for 24 points, with his goal and point totals ranking second, respectively, in the WCC. 

He was named Fofanah in the All-WCC Second Team selection and also earned CSC Academic All-District honours.

Fofanah, 22, appeared in 54 matches (30 starts) for Portland from 2020-2023, recording 16 goals and 11 assists. 

The forward was an All-West Coast Conference Honorable Mention as a freshman and made the All-WCC Freshman Team after scoring four goals and adding two assists in 2020. 

Fofanah scored an additional three goals from 2021-2022 before scoring nine goals in 2023, including a brace against UC Santa Barbara on September 1. His performance in 2023 earned him All-WCC Second Team honours as Portland finished third in the WCC.

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Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah has been selected as the 81st overall by the Seattle Sounders in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday.
Sierra Leone-born Buba Fofanah has been selected as the 81st overall by the Seattle Sounders in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft on Tuesday.
East End Lions sack Wright after first defeat in seven games
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

East End Lions sack Wright after first defeat in seven games

Struggling East End Lions parted ways with Coach Charlie Wright on Wednesday, a day after they suffered their first defeat in seven Sierra Leone Premier League games.

Wright was appointed in October with the expectation to lead the club to glory this season. The Eastern giant club suffered a 1-0 defeat to rivals Ports Authority on Tuesday at the Attouga Mini Stadium.

Lions stand 10th on eight points following five draws, one win and one defeat this campaign, a statistic that doesn’t go down well with the club’s management.

The club confirmed it was a mutual agreement to let Coach Charlie Wright depart, effective immediately. They also handed the mantle to assistant Coach Raymond Gerard Hunter, who will take over as interim coach during the transition.

“The decision to part ways with Coach Wright was made after careful consideration, recognizing and appreciating his significant contribution and dedication to the club during tenure,” Lions noted. 

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Yayah Kallon ready for Serie A first-team action
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Yayah Kallon ready for Serie A first-team action

Hellas Verona has received a massive boost as Sierra Leone-born attacker Yayah Kallon has regained full fitness.

On Saturday, Kallon could play for the first time this season in front of the home fans against Cagliari as they battle to move out of the relegation zone. 

The 22-year-old has not featured for the Italian side yet this season due to nursing a hamstring injury sustained in July before the season commenced.

Last Sunday, the attacker was an unused substitute for the Hellas Verona as they suffered 1-0 Fiorentina in the Serie A round of sixteen.

Kallon, who scored his first goal for Genoa in a 3–2 Coppa Italia win over Perugia, joined Hellas Verona initially on loan with an option to buy.

He completed his Verona move in the summer but has yet to future for the club this season. Kallon featured in 22 games last season while on loan for The Yellow and Blues.

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Al Ahly's Club World Cup dream ended by Fluminense
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly’s Fifa Club World Cup dream ended by Fluminense

Egyptian giants Al Ahly’s hopes of lifting the Fifa Club World Cup were dashed as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Fluminens in the semi-final on Tuesday, CAF reports.

The African champions started brightly but were ultimately outdone by the Brazilian outfit, who advance to face either Urawa Reds or Manchester City in Friday’s showpiece finale.

Al Ahly talisman Percy Tau spurned an early opening when veteran defender Felipe Melo made a crucial last-ditch sliding tackle.

Ten minutes before half-time, Fabio made an excellent, one-handed save from a Kahraba header.

Tau was then involved in the game’s pivotal moment, bringing down Marcelo in the box with a clumsy foul. Jhon Arias converted the penalty to give Flu a 71st-minute lead.

The Red Devils almost responded instantly when Tau met a low cross but lacked power on his close-range effort.

Yet there was to be no dramatic Ahly comeback as substitute John Kennedy curled home Fluminense’s second goal late on to seal victory.

While Al Ahly’s decorated veterans failed to seize their opportunity on the global stage, Fluminense’s emerging talents punished them ruthlessly.

The newly-crowned South American champions now stand one win away from completing a fairytale story in Friday’s Club World Cup finale.

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Abu Kamara brace helps Inform Portsmouth defeat Shrewsbury Town
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Kamara’s brace helps Portsmouth defeat Shrewsbury

A brace from Sierra Leone native Abu Kamara on either side of the game was enough for John Mousinho’s side to take all three points as they move seven points clear at the top of League One.

Shrewsbury Town suffered a 3-0 home defeat to in-form Portsmouth on a disappointing afternoon at the Croud Meadow on Saturday.

Despite a solid opening 45 minutes from the home team, it was Portsmouth, who took the lead at the end of the first half through their loan striker Abu Kamara.

His goal came when Pack launched a long throw to the back post and Kamara bundled the ball into the net.

Pompey doubled their lead in the 62nd minute when Lane cut in from the left to reach the near post and lay the ball off to Pack, who poked it in from close range.

Shrewsbury came close to pulling a goal back with under 20 minutes remaining. Mal Benning fed a ball into fellow substitute Max Mata in the box. The striker held off a defender before shooting, but his effort went over.

Kamara completed his brace to record his sixth of the season with six minutes remaining through Christian Saydee’s assists as he rifled the ball into the net.

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Sierra Leone coach Karim positive ahead of Ethiopia opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Amidu Karim signs Sierra Leone two-year deal

Ex-Sierra Leone International Amidu Karim has signed a two-year deal as Leone Stars head coach until October 2025.

The Sierra Leone Football Association announced that the former international & two assistants, Francis Zappa Koroma and Alhaji Foray’s contract, will run until October 2025.

Coach Karim will continue in charge for the remainder of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2025 Africa Cup Nations Qualifiers.

Under Karim’s supervision, Mahmoud Trezeguet Hassan scored twice as Egypt maintained their perfect start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 away win against Sierra Leone in the Liberian Capital on Sunday, November 19 2023.

The West African state football boss started his 2026 World Cup Group A qualifying reign with a goalless draw against Ethiopia on November 15, 2023, in Morocco.

Sierra Leone will look to better their opening two World Cup qualifiers when they host Djibouti and Burkina Faso in June Year.

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Jaydan Kamarson pens first pro contrcat with Manchester Unityed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Jaydan Kamason pens first Manchester United pro-deal

Sierra Leone and Manchester United prospect Jaydan Kamason, 16, signed his first professional contract.

Emerging Talent Programme (ETP) graduate Jaydan Kamason became the first player from the scheme to sign a professional contract with top English football club Manchester United. 

“I am proud to have signed my first pro contract with this massive club. I am truly blessed. Thanful, towards my family for the continued support and those who have helped me throughout the journey,” The youngster posted on his Instagram account.

The versatile defender started his playing career in the United’s youth ranks. At age 10, Kamason joined ETP while playing for a local grassroots team, Stockport Vikings.

Because he has been impressive, according to the coaches, he made the jump to the main Academy group, which he has been a part of for the last six years.

United pointed out in their statement, “While the Academy does not normally announce a player’s first professional contract, an exception has been made in this case to celebrate the success of the ETP in creating opportunities for children across Greater Manchester to develop their talent.”

The club confirmed that, alongside Kamason, a total of 46 players have gone on to register as a player. An additional 350 have registered at other professional clubs.

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Portsmouth Abu Kamara's injury update
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Portsmouth Abu Kamara’s injury update 

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has confirmed striker Abu Kamara, who is on loan from Norwich, was injured on Monday. 

The Sierra Leone native damaged his ankle following a challenge in their 2-0 over Bolton Wanderers. He attempted to play on but had to be replaced by Gavin Whyte moments later.

The on-loan Norwich winger had to be substituted just after the hour mark during Pompey’s top-of-the-table clash with Bolton, which they won 2-0.

The Blues will assess the forward’s injury in greater detail on Tuesday. In the meantime, Blues boss John Mousinho was remaining positive.

John Mousinho told Sky Sports: “He just rolled his ankle. There was a bit of contact there, and he’s rolled his ankle.

‘He can put his wait through it, he’s got an ice bag on it and it’s one of those we’re going to look at tomorrow and see how it settles down but hoepfully he’s fine.’

The win means they maintained their position at the League One summit after scoring late in each half to beat in-form Bolton at Fratton Park.

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