Month: May 2024

Finidi George names Nigeria squad with attacking intent
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Finidi George names Nigeria squad with attacking intent

Nigeria’s new head coach, Finidi George, has chosen an attacking group as the Super Eagles seek to dominate Group C, departing from the defensive tactics used at last year’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The former International has named a strong 25-man squad for their upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin. 

Key attackers are Europa League winner Ademola Lookman and CAF African Player of the Year Victor Osimhen, Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England), Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy) and Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany) all included for the doubleheader.

“We cannot play defensive football with the caliber of players that we have,” said George. “We have to find the right balance between attack and defense.”

Lookman and Osimhen will lead the offensive threat, supported by midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi, and Raphael Onyedika.

George has selected Remo Stars wing-back Sadiq Ismail for the first time, acknowledging his impressive performance in the Nigerian league. 

In goal, Maduka Okoye returns, while Chippa United’s Stanley Nwabali is expected to keep his place as Nigeria’s number-one goalkeeper. 

Currently third in their qualifying group, Nigeria aims to secure maximum points from the upcoming double-header to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Sadiq Ismael (Remo Stars FC); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Benjamin Tanimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey)

Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France)

Bertrand Traore out of Burkina Faso squad for Egypt & S/Leone 
by FSL News

Bertrand Traore left out of Burkina Faso squad for Egypt & Sierra Leone 

Burkina Faso’s head coach, Brama Traore, has announced the squad for the upcoming 2026 Africa World Cup qualifying matches. Skipper Bertrand Traore, who scored in the draw 1-1 against Guinea-Bissau and their 3-0 win over Ethiopia, is not included.

The absence of team’s star, Bertrand Traore, who plays for La Liga side Villarreal, is a notable absentee as they prepared to face Egypt at Cairo Stadium on Thursday, June 6th, and host Sierra Leone at the Mar du 26 stadium in Bamako, Mali, on June 10th.

Traore scored in the draw against Guinea-Bissau and their 3-0 win over Ethiopia. Group A’s second-placed team, Les Étalons, secured their first win in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers by defeating Ethiopia’s Walias on November 21, 2023, in Morocco after their opening draw with Guinea-Bissau.

In the current standings, Egypt leads Group A with six points, followed by Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau with four points each. Sierra Leone and Ethiopia are tied on one point each, while Djibouti has no points after losing their first two games.

The winners of the nine qualifying groups will secure automatic qualification for the World Cup, while the best four runners-up will participate in the FIFA playoff tournament.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Hervé Koffi (R Charleroi SC), Farid Ouedraogo(AS Vita Club Kinshasa), Kilian Nikiema (ADO Den Haag)

Defenders: Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), Nasser Djiga (Red Star Belgrade), Adama Nagalo (FC Nordsjaelland), Mohamed Ouedraogo (SCR Altach), Steeve Yago (Aris Limassol), Saidou Simporé (NBE Club), Valentin Nouma (FC Saint Eloi Lupopo)

Midfielders: Sacha Bancé (Valenciennes FC), Blati Toure (Pyramids FC), Gustavo Sangari (Quevilly – Rouen Métropole), Cedric Badolo (FC Sheriff Tiraspol), Stephane Aziz Ki (Young Africans FC), Ismahila Ouedraogo (Panserraikos), Regis N’Do (CF Estrela)

Forwards: Hassim Traore (Joué-lès-Tours), Lassina Traore (Shakhtar Donetsk), Mohamed Konate (Akhmat Grozny), Ousseni Bouda (San Jose Earthquakes), Dango Ouattara (AFC Bournemouth), Hassane Bande (HJK Helsinki)

Amara Nallo features for England's U18 in the Tri-Nation win over Morocco.
by FSL News

Amara Nallo helps England’s U18 win the Tri-Nation trophy 

Amara Nallo, a native of Sierra Leone, played for the England Young Lions as they rallied to beat Morocco 2-1 at St. George’s Park. 

This victory secured them the first-ever U18 Tri-Nations Trophy on Sunday, making them the inaugural winners of the U18 Tri-Nations Trophy.

 The young defender has been crucial for the English U18 side since moving to Liverpool from West Ham.

In a historic match, Tom Curtis’s U18 side hosted Morocco for the first time on home soil. The game began with Morocco taking the lead as Mohammed Hamony scored in the 14th minute. 

In the 33rd minute, Matthew Warhurst’s header was saved by the Moroccan goalkeeper. In the second half, England’s Ethan Wheatley scored twice, securing a win. The match also included a tribute to former England staff member Craig Simmons.

In March 2024, Nallo was called up to the England U-18 squad for the Pinatar Super Cup matches against Czechia, Germany, and the Netherlands. He made his debut in a 2-1 win over Czechia at the Pinatar Arena on 20 March 2024.

Neighbours Guinea knock Sierra Leone out of WAFU U20 in Senegal
by FSL News

Guinea knock Sierra Leone out of WAFU U20 in Senegal

Sierra Leone has been eliminated from the 2024 WAFU U20 Tournament after losing to Guinea at the Stade Maniang Soumare on Saturday. They conceded nine goals in total after three Group B games.

They started strong with a 2-0 win against Mauritania at the Stade Lat Dior. However, their subsequent 7-0 loss to Liberia and 2-0 defeat to Guinea led to their exit from the tournament. 

The match against Guinea was crucial for Sierra Leone’s hopes of advancing. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to secure the needed victory.

The team demonstrated skill and determination throughout the tournament but ultimately failed to advance to the next stage.

Meanwhile, After an exciting first round, the tournament is ready for the semi-final match-up as Senegal will face Guinea, while Liberia will take on Guinea Bissau.

Senegal’s team, the Lioncelles, finished at the top of Group A with 9 points. They are eager to win in the semi-finals and defend their title, which they won in 2023 in Sierra Leone.

The Group B standings after Saturday's final round of matches
After an exciting first round, the tournament is ready for the semi-final match-up as Senegal will face Guinea, while Liberia will take on Guinea Bissau.
After an exciting first round, the tournament is ready for the semi-final match-up as Senegal will face Guinea, while Liberia will take on Guinea Bissau.
Esperance's head coach Miguel Cardoso on defeat to Al Ahly
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Esperance’s head coach Miguel Cardoso on defeat to Al Ahly 

Esperance’s head coach, Miguel Cardoso, expressed pride in his players despite their 1-0 defeat to Al Ahly in the second leg of Saturday’s CAF Champions League final. He insisted that they gave their all in a losing cause.

An early own goal by Roger Aholo at the Cairo International Stadium was enough to hand the Egyptian giants a record-extending 12th CAF Champions League crown after the first leg in Tunisia had finished 0-0.

 For Cardoso and his Esperance side, it marked the end of their bid to be crowned African club champions for the first time since 2019.

However, the Portuguese coach was defiant when reflecting on their narrow aggregate loss to the continent’s most decorated side.

“I am certainly not happy about losing the title, but I am proud of what my team presented and of reaching the final,” Cardoso told reporters.

“We fought until the end and showed great character, even though conceding an early goal against a big team like Al Ahly is not easy.”

The Blood and Gold had given themselves a mountain to climb when going behind with just four minutes on the clock, as Aholo inadvertently turned the ball into his net under pressure.

But Cardoso felt there was no shame in coming up short against the competition’s most successful-ever club, particularly given Esperance’s exploits in reaching successive TotalEnergies CAF Champions League finals.

“We have a young team, and we succeeded in qualifying for the Club World Cup, and we must support this team during the coming period,” the 47-year-old added.

“I have only been with Esperance for four months, and we managed to build many things that were missing. During the last period, we gave our all, but luck was not on our side.”

Cardoso mentioned finding comfort in the progress made under his guidance as he aims to develop a team capable of achieving better results next season. 

In front of over 70,000 passionate home supporters on Saturday, the Tunisian team displayed resilience and organization that got them to the final, despite ultimately being defeated.

Al Ahly win a record 12th African Champions League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly win a record 12th African Champions League 

Egyptian team Al Ahly won their 12th African Champions League title by defeating Esperance 1-0 in the second leg of the final in Cairo. 

The first leg ended in a goalless draw in Tunisia. Al Ahly took the lead early in the second leg when Rami Rabia’s header from Hussein El Shahat’s corner deflected off Esperance midfielder Roger Aholou and into the bottom right-hand corner.

Al Ahly had several chances to extend their lead before halftime, with Wessam Abou Ali striking the side-netting and Percy Tau firing narrowly wide. However, Esperance’s goalkeeper Amanallah Memmiche denied El Shahat. Esperance struggled to create chances against Al Ahly’s solid defence, with Yan Sasse curling off target just after the hour mark.

In the final moments, substitute Afsha nearly doubled Al Ahly’s lead with a free-kick that hit the crossbar. Al Ahly won 1-0 overall, securing their fourth Champions League title in five years. Al Ahly’s unbeaten streak in continental competition now stands at 22 games. 

They have also secured qualification for FIFA’s Club World Cup, alongside Esperance, Wydad Casablanca, and Mamelodi Sundowns, which will take place in the United States next year.

Mohamed Conteh shines for Al Ain in the International U16 Cup
by FSL News

Mohamed Conteh shines for Al Ain in International Cup

In April of this year, 15-year-old Mohamed Jay Jay Conteh, a former FC Kallon and Duada Bangs FC midfielder, won his first silverware with the Al Ain U16 team in the United Arab Emirates. 

Conteh left Sierra Leone in September 2022 and played a crucial role in the third edition of the Al Ain tournament held from March to April 2024.

Despite facing setbacks due to injuries, he made significant contributions as his team competed against renowned clubs such as Chelsea FC, RS Kerkane, Kashiwa Reysol Club, SK Slavia Prague from the Czech Republic, and Sporting SC from Portugal in the International Youth Cup.

“I was happy to help the team win the third edition of the Al Ain International Cup. It was a great experience for me as a young player,” Conteh told this medium.

Despite joining the team in the second half of the league after recovering from a hand injury, I was pleased with my contribution.”

The former Sierra Leone U15 attacking midfielder hopes the new season will further propel him to greater heights.

“I’m looking forward to the upcoming season and hopefully playing with the Al Ain U17 side. Since joining the team after the injury, I have played 19 games, scored six goals, and provided seven assists.”

I was happy to help the team win the third edition of the Al Ain International Cup.
I was happy to help the team win the third edition of the Al Ain International Cup.
Fifa bans 2023 AFCON top scorer Emilio Nsue over ineligibility
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fifa bans 2023 AFCON top scorer Emilio Nsue over ineligibility

African Cup of Nations golden boot winner Emilio Nsue has been banned by the world governing body, FIFA, for six months. 

This decision comes after FIFA ruled that the Equatorial Guinea striker was ineligible to play in his country’s first two qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. 

Last November, the 34-year-old scored the winning goal in both games in question, against Namibia and Liberia.

The Equatorial Guinea Football Association has also been sanctioned by FIFA, resulting in the country forfeiting its first two qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, in which Nsue participated.

A Fifa disciplinary committee was “comfortably satisfied” that Nsue was ineligible for “several” international matches and has ruled that both World Cup preliminaries will be forfeited 3-0 by the Central Africans. 

It has also fined the Equatoguinean federation (Feguifut) 150,000 Swiss francs ($164,000, £129,000) and banned Nsue – a former youth international for Spain – from playing for any national side for six months. 

FIFA has not provided further details on the ruling for a player who won the Golden Boot at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. An official from Feguifut said they are investigating the case and have not received official notification from FIFA. 

Nsue was previously ruled ineligible by FIFA in 2013. Equatorial Guinea faces a potential six-point deduction, which would impact their chances of reaching the 2026 World Cup finals. 

They currently hold the second position in their group, but if the deduction is upheld, they will drop to fifth. The team is scheduled to face Tunisia and Malawi in qualifiers next month.

Liberia brush aside Sierra Leone in U20 WAFU tourney in Senegal
by FSL News

Liberia brush aside Sierra Leone in U20 WAFU tourney in Senegal 

Liberia’s U20 team proved too strong for their Sierra Leonean counterparts, securing a spot in the semifinals of the WAFU A U-20 Women’s Tournament with a decisive 7-0 victory. 

It was the Liberian’s second win from Group B following their opening 2-0 w=victory over Guinea in the tournament opener. 

Edwardline Jackson’s hat trick – along with goals from Louise Brown, Jessica Quachie, and Anita Tarpeh, contributed to the win.

Edwardline Jackson was awarded Woman of the Match for outstanding performance in the 7-0 victory over Sierra Leone’s U-20 team. 

Sierra Leone suffered a setback when Fatmata Turay was sent off with a red card in the 41st minute, leaving them with one player down for the rest of the match.

Despite their best efforts, playing with a player down proved a significant disadvantage as they couldn’t cope with Liberia’s attacking prowess.

Following their 2-0 victory against Mauritania in their opening match, Liberia’s U20 team will face Guinea in their final group B match and must win to avoid elimination.

Results for matches played yesterday at the Stade Lat Dior
Results for matches played yesterday at the Stade Lat Dior
Ports Authority's top striker, Musa Noah Kamara, led the team to a 3-0 victory over Kahunla Rangers on Thursday.
by FSL News

Musa Noah Kamara nets hat-trick in win over Kahunla Rangers 

Ports Authority’s top striker, Musa Noah Kamara, led the team to a 3-0 victory over Kahunla Rangers on Thursday. (Photo Credit Ronald Sesay)

The Sierra Leone International scored his eighth season goal, helping his side move to 13th place. 

Kamara is a household name in the Sierra Leone topflight, having previously won the top scorer awards with East End Lions and Bo Rangers. 

In January of this year, Ports Authority officially unveiled their new talisman, Musa Noah Kamara, after his International Transfer Certificate (ITC) was confirmed by the Sierra Leone Football Association, making him eligible to play for the club. 

His arrival was expected to strengthen the Ports’ attack, and he has already demonstrated his capabilities on the pitch.