Month: July 2024

Nigeria's Victor Osimhen in talks to join French giant PSG
by FSL News

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen in talks to join French giant PSG

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is reportedly in negotiations to transfer from Italian club SSC Napoli to the French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

This potential move is prompted by PSG’s search for a replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who recently joined Real Madrid.

Reports from esteemed Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano suggest that Osimhen has reached an agreement with PSG, with negotiations still ongoing over the transfer fee between the two clubs.

Napoli manager Antonio Conte has expressed confidence in the amicable resolution of Osimhen’s departure, stating, “It was already a clear pact about Osimhen’s exit. The timing is exactly as we expected, and there will be no issues.”

Osimhen, whose current contract with Napoli runs until June 2026, has a buyout clause of €130 million. Alongside PSG, English clubs Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC have also shown interest in the 25-year-old striker.

Widely acknowledged as one of the premier strikers in the global football arena, Osimhen has achieved a commendable record of 76 goals in 133 matches across all competitions for Napoli. Furthermore, he has contributed 21 goals in 35 international matches for Nigeria.

Sullay Kaikai's Cambridge United end pre-season in Portugal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sullay Kaikai’s Cambridge United end pre-season in Portugal

Cambridge United played against League Two newcomers Bromley in the second of their two pre-season friendly matches in Portugal.

Stevens, Digby, Rossi, Andrew, Brophy, Gibbons, Hoddle, Kachunga, Kaikai, Lavery, and Munday played the first hour.

In the first game – George Munday and Shayne Lavery scored, resulting in a 2-2 draw. In the second game, featuring a younger U’s side, Cambridge United lost 2-0.

The U’s fell behind after just a minute but quickly equalized and then missed some good chances. Just before the first break, Bromley almost scored.

The 28-year-old Sierra Leonean attacker joined the U’s last summer on an initial one-year deal and was a consistent performer in his first year with the Club, making 47 appearances across all competitions.

Kaikai signed a new one-year contract ahead of the new campaign. Their next in the pre-season schedule is a trip to Braintree on Friday and Ebbsfleet on Saturday.

Freetown City's relegation confirmed after the Disciplinary Committee's decision
by FSL News

Freetown City relegated after Disciplinary Committee’s decision

On July 19th, 2024, Freetown City suffered relegation from the Sierra Leone Premier League. This decision came after the league’s Disciplinary Committee awarded three points and two goals to Wilberforce Strikers.

On the second-to-last day of the league, a controversial penalty was awarded to Wilberforce Strikers in the 52nd minute while FCFC was leading 1-0. As a result of this decision, the match was halted and subsequently abandoned by the referee.

FCFC has forfeited the match. As a result, 3 points and 2 goals have been awarded to Wilberforce Strikers FC by Rule 24.2 paragraphs b, c, and d, reports the Emergency Disciplinary and Protest Committee.

Several fines and suspensions were imposed on FCFC players, coaches, and management due to the incident. Additionally, FCFC has been fined 10 million Leones for the collective misconduct of its players, officials, and supporters.

The Secretary General of FCFC expressed disappointment with the decision and stated that the club will challenge it through established mechanisms to ensure justice.

https://twitter.com/football_sierra/status/1814606173993144383

Ex-International Nibombe Dare is the new Togo head coach
by FSL News

Ex-International Nibombe Dare is the new Togo head coach

The Togolese Football Federation (FTF) has officially announced that Nibombe Dare is the new head coach of the national team, known as the Sparrowhawks.

During a press briefing at the FTF headquarters in Kégué, it was announced that Daré, a former Togolese international player with a UEFA Pro license, will be leading the team in the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers.

“Nibombé Daré, a former international defender for the Hawks, was chosen from a group of Togolese candidates. After a rigorous evaluation, it was finally Daré who was selected to lead the Hawks.

The new coach inherits a team in search of stability and performance. With important deadlines in perspective, including the qualifications for the African Cup of Nations, CAN 2025 and the World Cup 2026, Daré will have the arduous task of forming a solid and coherent group,” FTF noted.

This announcement ends weeks of speculation about who would succeed Paulo Duarte. His first match in charge will be a home game against Liberia in early September.

FTF Secretary General Herve Agbodan told reporters, “This is the official announcement of his appointment. Nibombé Daré will soon be in Lomé to discuss the terms of his contract before his official presentation.”

Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and DRC make progress in Fifa ranking
by FSL News

Equatorial Guinea, Angola and DRC make progress in Fifa ranking

In July’s Fifa ranking, Sierra Leone stayed at 122nd place and 34th in the continent but the focus is on Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The impact on the rankings of certain African teams was due to their limited participation during the concurrent UEFA EURO and Copa América events.

Equatorial Guinea moved up by two places, while Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo each moved up by one place.

Morocco, a top team in African football, didn’t do as well but still did well against tough teams. They dropped from 12th to 14th place in the world, but they are still a strong force in international football.

Senegal’s national team, the Lions of Teranga, also dropped to 19th place in the rankings.

Overall, these changes show the bright and competitive spirit of African football. They also show that African football is getting better and becoming more important globally.

Click the link to see the FIFA ranking of African teams.

Benin International Andreas Hountondji is delighted to join Burnley
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Benin International Andreas Hountondji is delighted to join Burnley

Benin international Andreas Hountondji has expressed his delight at finalizing his transfer to English Championship side Burnley from French Ligue 2 team Caen, signing a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The forward joins Burnley after an impressive loan spell with Rodez in Ligue 2 last season, during which he scored 16 goals in all competitions.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the move to Turf Moor, Hountondji stated, “I am excited to be here and decided due to the strong interest shown by the club.” During his loan spell with Rodez, Hountondji scored 16 times in all competitions. “I am drawn to the club’s commitment to providing opportunities for young players, which influenced my decision to join.

Additionally, I have a deep appreciation for English football,” Hountondji conveyed in a statement on the club’s website. Furthermore, he highlighted the fruitful discussion with the management, stating, “We discussed values, principles, and our playing style, and it strongly resonated with me.”

Born in France to a Beninese father and a French mother, Hountondji holds dual nationalities. He commenced his international career with Benin in June 2023 and has secured eight caps for the Cheetahs, although he has yet to register a goal for the West African side.

Serhou Guirassy completes transfer to Borussia Dortmund from Stuttgart
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea’s striker Serhou Guirassy joins Borussia Dortmund

Stuttgart forward Serhou Guirassy has successfully finalized his transfer to Borussia Dortmund. The Guinea international demonstrated his prowess by scoring 28 goals in the Bundesliga last season.

Guirassy is eager to contribute to Borussia Dortmund and help them win titles. Dortmund’s sporting director praised Guirassy as a strong and versatile addition to the team.

He expressed satisfaction that Guirassy will soon be playing for BVB and scoring goals for the team. The Guinean national striker, born in Arles, France, is joining BVB from VfB Stuttgart until June 2028.

The German side noted, “A few days ago, Guirassy underwent another medical examination by a specialist. This showed that the injury he sustained in an international match at the end of the season would not require surgery. Guirassy will now complete an individual rehabilitation program for a few weeks and, according to the doctors’ assessments, will be fit to play in the summer.”

Serhou Guirassy leaves VfB - The 28-year-old striker has completed a transfer to Borussia Dortmund.
Serhou Guirassy leaves VfB -The 28-year-old striker has completed a transfer to Borussia Dortmund.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang pens Al Qadsiah deal in Saudi's Pro League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Emerick Aubameyang pens Al Qadsiah deal in Saudi’s Pro League

Gabonese International Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has officially signed with the Saudi Pro League (SPL) club Al Qadsiah until summer 2026.

The 35-year-old has cut ties with Marseille after just one season with the Ligue 1 side.

Aubameyang, a prominent figure in the English Premier League since joining Arsenal in January 2018, has played for several prestigious clubs across Europe – Including Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, and Arsenal before joining Marseille last summer.

Despite his successful stint in France, Aubameyang’s time with Marseille has come to an end as Al-Qadsiah successfully secured the talisman.

Aubameyang will be linking up with former Real Madrid defender Nacho, who also recently inked a two-year deal with Al Qadsiah.

Reports from Foot Mercato state that Marseille and their new manager, Roberto De Zerbi were unable to convince Aubameyang to fulfil the remainder of his contract.

Gambia's Ebou Adams re-joins Derby from Cardiff City
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Gambia’s Ebou Adams re-joins Derby from Cardiff City

Derby County has re-signed Ebou Adams from Cardiff City. The midfielder assisted the Rams in achieving promotion from League One last season following his loan move on 31 January 2024 until the end of the 2023–24 season.

Adams, who was born in England to Gambian parents, made his debut for the Gambia in November 2017. He also played in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, where Gambia reached the quarter-finals.

The 28-year-old has signed a three-year deal with Derby County. He featured 17 times on loan for Paul Warne’s side last season, helping them secure promotion to the Championship as runners-up in the third tier.

Adams played a crucial role in Derby’s promotion push, contributing to 11 wins and just three losses in the matches he played. He is the fifth player Derby has signed this summer, following the arrivals of Ben Osborn, Kayden Jackson, Jerry Yates, and Kenzo Goudmijn in recent weeks. He has joined the Rams’ squad at their training camp in Spain.

The former Forest Green Rovers player has struggled with injuries, making only 11 appearances in the second tier despite his previous experience at non-league and League Two levels.

He was previously at Norwich but mostly played on loan. Paul Warne has shown interest in Adams following Derby’s return to the Championship, and Adams has already joined the team for their pre-season camp in Spain.

The Egyptian Anti-Doping Organization (EGY-NADO) has cleared Pyramids winger Ramadan Sobhi of doping charges
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Pyramids’ Ramadan Sobhi has been cleared of doping charges

The Egyptian Anti-Doping Organization (EGY-NADO) has cleared Pyramids winger Ramadan Sobhi of doping charges.

Sobhi, 27, was suspended on 26th May after a Barcelona laboratory reported “atypical findings” in a doping test. EGY-NADO investigated and held a hearing where Sobhi denied any wrongdoing.

The committee determined that there was insufficient evidence to support a violation of the Egyptian Anti-Doping Rules. Consequently, Sobhi’s suspension has been lifted.

This decision means Sobhi can rejoin his club after missing seven matches and Egypt’s national team camp for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Sobhi’s return is good news for Pyramids as they compete with Ahly on 22nd July for the Egyptian Premier League title. This is a relief for Sobhi, who has maintained his innocence throughout the process.

Background!

Ramadan Sobhi Ahmed, born on January 23, 1997, is a winger for Pyramids FC and the Egypt national team. He started his career with Al Ahly and later played for English clubs Stoke City and Huddersfield Town.

He also represented Egypt in the 2018 World Cup and participated in the Tokyo Olympics.