Month: January 2024

Alex Bangura suffers hamstring in Boro win over Chelsea
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alex Bangura suffers hamstring injury in Boro win

Sierra Leone’s right-back Alex Bangura lasted only 19 minutes in the Middlesbrough Carabao Cup first-leg semi-final 1-0 victory due to a hamstring injury.

The Teessiders were forced to another alteration when Alex Bangura pulled up with a hamstring issue.

Bangura, 24, was making his sixteen appearances since joining the club in September 2023 on a four-year deal on Teesside.

However, they will head into the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final with a goal advantage thanks to Hayden Hackney’s deft finish.

It was an outstanding, battling performance from the threadbare Teessiders, who emerged from the contest fully deserving of the lead – having also been forced into two first-half substitutions.

Bangura will have to undergo further checks to see how long he will be out ahead of the second leg on Tuesday, 23 January, at 19:45 GMT.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, FootballSierraLeone, and the writer Alie Bittar On X (Twitter)  @bittar32. 

Bittersweet Sierra Leone full debut for Rodney Michael
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bittersweet Sierra Leone full debut for Rodney Michael

Sierra Leone-born attacker Rodney Michael would have liked his full International debut to come in more positive circumstances but was  nonetheless proud to be on the scorecard against the Ivory Coast.

On Saturday, the 24-year-old midfielder recorded his first Sierra Leone goal against a difficult Ivorian side at the Laurent Pokou Stadium. He gives the Leone Stars a consolation in the 5-1 defeat against the Elephant of Côte d’Ivoire.

“I’m delighted to get the opportunity to make my full debut and score my first international goal for Sierra Leone. It was even more special, that I was able to do it against such a huge footballing nation like Ivory Coast,” the attacker told Football Sierra Leone. 

 “Unfortunately, the result was disappointing, but we will continue working to turn things around and hopefully make Sierra Leone in the near future.”

Rodney was introduced against Guinea-Bissua in match day six of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in the final minutes of the game. 

Sierra Leone’s next friendly is against Morocco behind closed doors.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar, On Twitter @bittar32, Players Abroad News. 

Sierra Leone International Daniel Kanu was on target in Charlton Athletics' 3-3 draw in their League contest at Vale Park.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Daniel Kanu scores in Charlton Athletic’s six-goal thriller 

Sierra Leone International Daniel Kanu was on target in Charlton Athletic’s 3-3 draw in their League contest at Vale Park.

Kanu, who recently returned to the Addicks from a loan spell, scored in the 59th minute to put his side ahead.

Charlton went ahead three times through Corey Blackett-Taylor, Daniel Kanu and Tyreece Campbell. However, Ethan Chislett’s successfully converted penalty and goals from Uche Ikpeazu and Gavin Massey earned Vale a point.

Kanu took to Instagram to express his bittersweet moment. He posted, Tough result to take, but we keep pushing. Happy to be back on the scoresheet.”

As a result, the draw leaves Port Vale and Charlton remain separated only by goal difference in the League One table. 

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1744058811793477972

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar, On Twitter @bittar32, Players Abroad News. 

Sullay Kaikai nets in Cambridge United's FA Cup defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sullay Kaikai nets in Cambridge United’s FA Cup defeat

Sierra Leone International Sullay Kaikai scored as Cambridge United’s run in the Emirates FA Cup ended at Ewood Park as Blackburn Rovers came away 5-2 winners of the third-round tie.

Kaikai, 28, goal came in the 26th minute, assisted by Okedina to put the visitors 2-1 ahead following Blackburn Rovers‘ Samuel Szmodics equaliser in the 23rd minute.

Lankester had opened the scoring for Cambridge United in the six-minute, but it was a Szmodics first-half hat-trick that grabbed the local headlines before a Harry Leonard fifth in the 81st-minute to confirm their progression into the next round.

Kaikai, who made his 22 appearances since joining the club, was subbed off in the 86th minute as they succumbed to a 5-2 defeat.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar, On Twitter @bittar32, Players Abroad News. 

Ivory Coast ease past Sierra Leone ahead of AFCON opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivory Coast ease past Sierra Leone ahead of AFCON opener

Jean-Louis Gasset‘s Elephant eased to a 5-1 victory over their visitors, Sierra Leone, at Laurent Pokou Stadium with three first-half goals on Saturday.

Diomand Othman opened the 2023 Cup of Nations host in the 18 minutes when headed home a Jeremie Boga cross before Franck Kessie doubled their lead just after the half-hour mark.

Three more goals were scored from Jonathan Bamba, Jeremie Boga and Amani Lazare in the 38, 48 and 84th minutes, respectively, which were enough for the home team.

Sierra Leone’s only goal came through Rodney Michael’s fine finish assisted by Abu Komeh in the 86th minute as consolation.

The tie was part of the Ivorian’s preparation for the 34th edition of the continent’s biggest footballing event to run from 13 January to 11 February 2024 in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Bouake, San Pedro, and Korhogo.

Sierra Leone’s next friendly is against Morocco next Thursday at the same venue. 

Jean-Louis Gasset's Elephant eased to a 5-1 victory over their visitors, Sierra Leone, at Laurent Pokou Stadium
Jean-Louis Gasset's Elephant eased to a 5-1 victory over their visitors, Sierra Leone, at Laurent Pokou Stadium
Sierra Leone wrap up training for Ivory Coast friendly.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone wrap up training for Ivory Coast friendly

The Sierra Leone side, predominantly local stars, concluded its training at San Pedro field as they ready to tackle Cup of Nations hosts Ivory Coast on Saturday.

The newly built 20,000-seater Laurent Pokou Stadium will host the Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone encounter on January 6 ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Skipper of Leone Stars, Kwame Quee, acknowledged that it is going to be difficult but added, “They are determined to make a difference in their friendly with Ivory Coast tomorrow.

“Even though football has three aspects; win, lose or draw but we are ready to win the match.”

Head coach Alhaji Foray said he has good players who are well-focused and ready to showcase their talents. He expressed optimism going into tomorrow’s fixture.

Foray added that the match is very important for them as a team, noting that it gives opportunities to the players to prepare for the CHAN competition and the upcoming matches in the AFCON qualifiers in March.

The host will test against Sierra Leone as they prepare for the 34th edition of AFCON to run from 13 January to 11 February 2024 in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, Bouake, San Pedro, and Korhogo.

Both sides played to a 2-2 draw in the last Cup of Nations in Cameroon at the Stade de Japoma, Douala 16, January 2022, but they thrashed Sierra Leone 5-1 during the Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying Group D at the Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan in 2014.

In Group A, the Ivorians are to start their Afcon campaign against  Guinea-Bissau at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Abidjan, on January 13 before facing the Super Eagles of Nigeria in their second match.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, African News, Ivory Coast.

Leicester City's Wilfred Ndidi ruled out of AFCON
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi ruled out of AFCON

Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has been ruled out of Nigeria’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations campaign due to injury.

Ndidi, 27, suffered the setback during Leicester City’s 2-0 win at Cardiff City on December 29.

The three-time African champions begin their Group A campaign against Equatorial Guinea on 14 January before taking on their West African counterpart hosts Ivory Coast and Guinea-Bissau in the group stage.

The midfielder was named in the Super Eagles’ 25-man squad on 29 December but was absent from his club side’s win over Huddersfield Town on Monday.

The Nigeria Football Federation has announced Royal Antwerp midfielder Alhassan Yusuf as Ndidi’d replacement.

Nigeria are still hopeful Ndidi’s Leicester team-mate Kelechi Iheanacho will be able to join the squad.

Forward Iheanacho, 27, has missed the Foxes’ past two games in the Championship with a muscle problem.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, AFCON News and African News Nigeria. 

East End Lions strengthen squad with Ghana-born Samuel Armah
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

East End Lions strengthen squad with Ghana-born Samuel Armah

East End Lions have confirmed the signing of Ghanaian-born striker Samuel Armah days after they acquired another Ghanaian, Isaac Kofi Sarfo, as head coach.

The Eastern giant club has said their new talented striker, formerly showcasing his prowess with Legon Cities FC, the 2016 Ghana Premier League Champions.

Samuel is only 23 and has a wealth of top striker experience.

After a difficult start to their campaign, Lions will be hoping their former Inter Allies, Accra Great Olympics man, is set to revamp their attacking force.

Meanwhile, last month, they sacked coach Charlie Wright following a defeat to Ports Authority, their first defeat in seven Sierra Leone Premier League games.

The Lions stand 15th on eight points after nine league games thus far, a statistic that doesn’t go down well with the club’s management.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone Premier League and East End Lions. 

New Africa Cup of Nations Winner Price Money is $7m
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

New Africa Cup of Nations Winner Price Money is $7m

The Confederation of African Football has today announced a 40% increase in the Prize Money for the Winner of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.

Afcon’s winning price is now $7m as the continent’s biggest football event set to kick off on Saturday, January 13, with host Ivory Coast taking on Equatorial Guinea at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan.

CAF also stated that the runner-up of AFCON Côte d’Ivoire 2023 will now get $4 million. Each semi-finalist will receive $2.5 million, and each of the four quarter-finalists will receive $1.3 million.

CAF President Patrice Motzepe said he’s confident that the increase will help the development of football on the continent.

“CAF has made significant progress over the past two years in increasing the Prize Money of the AFCON and all its other major competitions. We have increased the Prize Money of the AFCON Winner to USD 7 000 000 which is a 40% increase from the previous AFCON Prize Money.”

“I am confident that a portion of the Prize Money will contribute to developing football and also benefit all the football stakeholders, as well as assist our Member Associations with their administrations.”

Senegal's Pape Matar Sarr extends Tottenham contract
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Senegal’s Pape Matar Sarr extends Tottenham contract

Tottenham Hotspur and Senegal midfielder Pape Matar Sarr has signed a new six-and-a-half-year contract until the summer of 2030.

The Senegal international, 21, has established himself as a pivotal first-team player under new manager Ange Postecoglou.

Sarr, who made his debut for the Senegal national team on 26 March 2021 in an AFCON 2021 qualifier against Congo, has been to the Senegal AFCON 2023 squad.

However, his participation may be in doubt after he went off injured in Sunday’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth.

On 6 February 2022, he won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal. He made one appearance at the tournament, appearing as a substitute in the 3–1 semi-final win over Burkina Faso.

Sarr joined Tottenham from Metz in 2021 but spent the 2021-22 season back on loan with the French side.

Since making his Spurs debut in January 2023, Sarr has made 33 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, African News, Senegal.