Month: September 2024

Bakr Issa helps Sudan open AFCON qualifying campaign with a win
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bakr Issa helps Sudan win AFCON qualifying opener

Sudan started their CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 qualifiers with a 1-0 win over Niger. Abu Bakr Issa scored the only goal on Wednesday afternoon.

His second-half goal at the Juba Stadium gave the hosts three vital points in the opening match. Sudan is in Group F, which includes strong teams like Ghana and Angola. Angola will play against Ghana on Thursday at the Baba Yara Stadium.

The match was evenly contested, with both teams creating an equal number of opportunities. Sudan broke the deadlock in the 51st minute after a defensive mistake from Niger allowed Abu Bakr to put the hosts in the lead.

Following this victory, Sudan is temporarily at the top of Group F. Ghana will take on Angola on Thursday, September 5, in a home match.

Niger faces a tough challenge in their next match as they travel to Ghana on Monday, September 9, while Sudan will travel to Luanda to play against Angola.

Under the leadership of Ghanaian head coach Kwesi Appiah, the Sudan team has been in good form, winning five out of their six games in 2024. They have conceded only one goal in their last six games and are at the top of their 2026 World Cup qualifying group as well as the 2025 AFCON qualifying group.

AFCON Qualifiers Heat Up: Zambia Takes on Sierra Leone
by @football_sierra

AFCON Qualifiers Heat Up: Zambia ready for Sierra Leone

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The qualifications for the 35th AFCON have started. The tournament’s final stage will be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. This will be the second time Morocco hosts AFCON, with the first being in 1988.

The Moroccan national team is participating in the qualifiers, striving to replicate Côte d’Ivoire’s achievement of winning the championship on home soil in February 2024. The Ivorians stunned the world by finishing the group stage with only 3 points and a poor goal difference of 2-5.

They changed their coach, braced themselves for the worst, but miraculously advanced to the playoffs and delivered an incredible performance.

Each AFCON promises new, amazing stories, so stay tuned! The desire to prove themselves and please the fans unites all the qualification participants. We want to announce the hot struggle between Zambia and Sierra Leone that will bring us intrigue and an unforgettable spectacle.

Zambia did not hire Avram Grant as head coach to lose five out of five games this summer. The renowned Israeli manager has a chance to start from scratch in the Afcon qualification.

Chipolopolo is only interested in winning. However, Sierra Leone’s team earned a respectable draw in an away match against Burkina Faso and a win over Djibouti in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June, showing that they are not as simple as they might seem and will not easily give up.

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 Lecce winger Banda completes Zambia squad for doubleheader
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Lecce winger Banda completes Zambia squad for doubleheader

Lecce winger Lameck Banda has joined the Zambia squad in Abidjan for their upcoming matches. The team is preparing to face Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Banda’s arrival completed the 23-member squad, with other players as head coach Coach Avram Grant focus on finalizing preparations for their two vital matches.

Earlier, Switzerland-based Joseph Sabobo Banda and Obino Chisala of Mozambique outfit Costa do Sol joined the squad.

With all the players in camp, Grant will be eager to step up preparations ahead of vital qualifiers.

Zambia will face the African champions at the Stade de la Paix on Friday evening before heading to Ndola for Tuesday’s match against the Leone Stars.

The journey to the AFCON 2025 in Morocco begins today
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

The journey to AFCON 2025 in Morocco begins today

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will begin on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, with several nations starting their quest to qualify for the tournament.

In Group F, Sudan and Niger are scheduled to play at the Juba Stadium in South Sudan on Wednesday afternoon.

Sudan, the 1970 competition winners, missed the most recent edition in the Ivory Coast.

Niger aims to qualify for the third time in their history, with their last appearance in the 2013 showpiece.

Another highly anticipated qualifier will feature Libya and Rwanda at the 11 June Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Under the guidance of former Orlando Pirates coach Milutin Sredojevic, known as ‘Micho’, Libya has suffered only one defeat in 11 matches since October last year.

The qualifiers will determine the 24 teams for the 35th edition of Africa’s biggest sports event, which will be held in a North African nation from December 21 to January 18.

Today's Matches in the Race to Morocco
Today's Matches in the Race to Morocco
Tyrese Fornah features in Salford's first win of the season
by @football_sierra

Tyrese Fornah features in Salford’s first win of the season

Salford City got their first win of the season thanks to a debut goal from Frankie Okoronkwo against MK Dons.

Sierra Leone International Tyrese Fornah played the full throttle of the games at the Peninsula Stadium and later expressed his satisfaction.

Okoronkwo, who joined on loan from Everton on deadline day, scored in the 42nd minute with a well-placed shot past Tom McGill.

During the first half, Salford had to withstand sustained pressure from the Dons, with Alex Gilbey’s shot saved by Jamie Jones in the first minute.

MK Dons’ Aaron Nemane caused plenty of problems for the hosts during the first 45 minutes, providing a pass to team-mate Joe Tomlinson, who was denied by hosts keeper Jones.

Jones made crucial saves, including deflecting a shot from Dons substitute Tommy Leigh onto a post, securing Salford’s victory.

Kamil Conteh is hopeful about the Chad African Cup of Nations opening game against his home country, Sierra Leone, scheduled for Friday.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

The aim is to qualify for AFCON 2025 – Kamil Conteh

Kamil Conteh is hopeful about the Chad African Cup of Nations opening game against his home country, Sierra Leone, scheduled for Friday.

Sierra Leone will host the Central African nation in the Liberian capital, and Conteh is already aiming for a place in the next continental tournament in Morocco.

“It’s always an honour to play for them. My family, both here and back home, are proud. If I get to play, I will show what I can do. We have qualifiers, so the aim is to qualify for the AFCON.” Kamil told Bristol Rovers website.

Conteh, a midfielder with nine caps for his nation since debuting in March 2022 against Togo, emphasized the importance of the upcoming matches for Sierra Leone, with games against Chad and Zambia being the first two qualifiers for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Conteh is looking forward to demonstrating his skills on the field and highlighted that the main aim for his nation is to qualify. Sierra Leone did not qualify for the 2023 edition of the competition in Côte d’Ivoire.

Only the top two teams from each group in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers will secure a spot in the final tournament. However, in Group B, which includes hosts Morocco, only one additional team will be eligible.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is set to take place in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026.

Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray from Napoli imminent
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Victor Osimhen to Galatasaray from Napoli Imminent

Victor Osimhen is currently in Turkey to join Galatasaray on loan until June 2025, with a salary of €9-10m. There is no buy option or obligation, as per reports.

The talented Nigerian international forward netted an impressive total of 76 goals in 133 games for Napoli.

His exceptional performance played a pivotal role in Napoli’s triumphant 2022-23 Serie A title win, where he contributed an outstanding 26 goals to secure the championship.

The loan does not include an option to buy – Osimhen had difficulty securing a move away from Naples before the transfer window closed. Gala has agreed to pay Osimhen’s full salary for the 2024-25 season.

Deals with Al Ahli and Chelsea fell through due to financial reasons, and he was subsequently left out of the first team by Napoli’s head coach Antonio Conte.

A message from Galatasaray on social media reads, “Official negotiations have commenced with the football player and his club SSCN Napoli SPA regarding the temporary transfer of professional footballer Victor James Osimhen.”

Striker Sebastien Haller set to miss Zambia and Chad qualifier
by @football_sierra

Striker Sebastien Haller set to miss Zambia and Chad qualifiers

The Ivory Coast national football team will be without their key striker, Sebastien Haller, during the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The Elephants kick start their AFCON 2025 campaign against Zambia at home on Friday, September 6, and Chad away on Tuesday, September 10.

Sebastien Haller will not be available for these matches due to his recent loan transfer to Spanish La Liga side CD Leganes from German Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund.

Haller, who notably scored the winning goal in the 2023 AFCON final against Nigeria, has been replaced by France-based striker Jean-Philippe Krasso in the squad.

An official statement from the Ivorian Football Federation informed, “The federation Ivorian Football informs the press and the public that the player Sébastien Haller, summoned by Selector Emerse Faé for the 1st and 2nd Days of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, will be unavailable due to his transfer to another club.”

It further stated, “Indeed, the Ivorian international, who transferred to Leganés (Spain) in the final moments of the Mercato, will be with his new club, especially for the medical examination.”

As a result, Sébastien Haller is replaced by Jean-Philippe Krasso of Paris FC for this FIFA window from September 2 to 10, 2024.

Norwich City’s Abu Kamara in Southampton radar
by @football_sierra

Striker Abu Kamara is ready for Hull City chapter

Hull City, an English Championship team, has signed 21-year-old Sierra Leonean native Abu Kamara on a four-year deal.

Kamara signed an undisclosed deal at the MKM Stadium, with a club option of a further year from Norwich City.

The fast winger played an important part in helping Portsmouth win the League One championship last season. He played in every league game and appeared in 52 matches in total.

He demonstrated his prowess by scoring 10 goals and providing 11 assists, with standout performances including a brace in a 3-0 triumph at Shrewsbury Town and a hat-trick of assists in a 4-1 victory against Reading.

Kamara made six impactful appearances for Norwich, scoring a memorable goal in a 4-3 EFL Cup triumph over Stevenage.

His journey with Norwich began at the early age of 10, culminating in signing his first professional deal in 2021. Notably, he achieved an impressive record for their youth teams, scoring 13 goals in just 15 Premier League 2 matches in the 2022/23 season.

CD Mafra sign striker Alhaji Kamara on loan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CD Mafra sign striker Alhaji Kamara on loan

Sierra Leonean striker Alhaji Kamara has signed a loan deal with Portuguese club CD Mafra, which will last until the summer of 2025.

Kamara, who signed with FC Midtjylland last winter, has played four games in their black and red shirt.

“The striker is the latest addition to the CD Mafra attack. Born on April 16, 1994, Kamara is from Sierra Leone and has an international career marked by spells in Sweden, Malaysia, the USA, Saudi Arabia and Moldova.

Over the last six years, the striker has played in the Danish leagues – and over the last two seasons, he has played for FC Midtjylland, where he’s coming from on loan,” Mafra noted.

The former Randers striker could make his debut on September 15 at home against Tondela.