Month: January 2025

Six Days to the 35th edition AFCON 2025 draw in Morocco
by Football Sierra Leone

The schedule for Africa Cup of Nations 2025 confirmed

  • Morocco and Comoros will start the tournament on December 21, 2025. The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations will take place in six cities with nine stadiums. The final match will be held at the 69,500-seat Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on January 18, 2026.

The Confederation African Football (CAF) has released the match schedule for this major football event. Nine venues in six cities will host the tournament.

The opening game between Morocco and Comoros will take place at the new Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah in Rabat.

Rabat will feature four venues for the matches. The other host cities include Casablanca, Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Tangier, each with one venue.

Quarter-final matches will happen in Rabat, Tangier, Marrakech, and Agadir. The semi-finals will be in Rabat and Tangier, while the third-place play-off will take place at Stade Mohammed V in Casablanca.

A total of 52 matches will occur over 29 days, showcasing the talent and excitement of African football.

Click here to download the full match schedule 

Sierra Leone winger Augustus Kargbo pens Blackburn Rovers deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone winger Augustus Kargbo pens Blackburn Rovers deal

Blackburn Rovers have signed Sierra Leone international Augustus Kargbo on a permanent deal until 2027. The 25-year-old forward joins from Cesena on a two-and-a-half-year contract, with details of the transfer fee undisclosed.

Kargbo, who is Rovers’ third signing of the January transfer window, started his professional career at Campobasso and later moved to Crotone in Serie B. After a successful loan at Reggiana, where he scored 11 goals and helped the team gain promotion, he made his Serie A debut with Crotone.

Kargbo scored three goals in 18 appearances for the Serie B side this season – all coming in the opening nine games of the season.

In August 2023, Kargbo joined Cesena and had a standout season, scoring nine goals in 31 appearances, helping the club win the Serie C title. He has also found the net for the Sierra Leone national team, with five goals in 21 caps.

The transfer is pending approval from football authorities, and he will be available for selection once international clearance and visa requirements are met.

Moroccan Hakim Ziyech pens Al Duhail deal in qatar
by FSL News

Moroccan Hakim Ziyech pens Al Duhail deal in Qatar

Moroccan international football player Hakim Ziyech has officially joined Qatari club Al Duhail. The club announced the news today, stressing that its “management succeeded in obtaining the signature of the Moroccan international player Hakim Ziyech in order to join the first football team.” 

“Al Duhail Sports Club Management succeeded in obtaining the signature of the Moroccan international player Hakim Ziyech to join the first football team,” the club noted

Signing Ziyech is considered a strong addition to the team’s offensive line, given his long experience after a career full of participation with his country’s national team, which began in 2015, in addition to playing for Chelsea, Ajax, Twente, Heerenveen, and finally with Galatasaray before joining Al Duhail.

Ziyech had tough experiences with his former clubs, particularly Galatasaray and Chelsea. The Atlas Lion faced the challenges of being benched with Chelsea and also spoke of experiencing personal issues with the Turkish club’s coach.  

Sierra Leone native Amara Nallo sent off in defeat to PSV
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone native Amara Nallo sent off in Liverpool’s defeat to PSV

Liverpool teenager Amara Nallo was sent off just four minutes into his Champions League and Liverpool debut, as his team lost 3-2 to PSV on Wednesday. At 18 years and 72 days old, he became the youngest player to receive a red card for Liverpool, breaking Michael Owen’s record.

Since Liverpool had already qualified for the Champions League round 16, manager Arne Slot used a young squad. Nallo came on as a substitute in the 83rd minute. Shortly after, he fouled PSV’s Johan Bakayoko, and the referee ruled it denied a clear goalscoring chance, leading to the red card.

PSV took the lead with a penalty from Cody Gakpo in the 28th minute. Bakayoko equalized, but Harvey Elliott quickly scored for Liverpool. PSV then scored two more goals before halftime.

Despite the defeat, Liverpool finished top of their group with 21 points from eight matches. They will move directly to the round of 16 in March, facing either PSG, Benfica, AS Monaco, or Brest, but Nallo will miss the first leg due to suspension.

Centre-back Amara Nallo joined Liverpool from West Ham United in September 2023. An England U19 international, Nallo is now a regular for the Reds’ U21s after impressing with the U18s initially.

Issa Kallon confirms move to Chinese Super League side Chengdu Rongcheng
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Issa Kallon confirms move to Chinese Super League side Chengdu Rongcheng

Chinese Super League last season’s third-place side, Chengdu Rongcheng, set to announce the signing of Sierra Leone winger Issa Kallon.

The player has confirmed that they have reached an agreement for a two-year contract with Chengdu Rongcheng.

Issa Kallon, 29, who joined Shanghai Port from Dutch side Cambuur in 2022, has been handed a new chapter in his career after leaving Nantong Zhiyun.

The Sierra Leone International recorded seven goals and eight assists in 45 appearances for Shanghai Port when they won the title before moving to join Nantong Zhiyun in 2024, scoring five goals & two assists in 22 matches

He scored on his debut for Nantong Zhiyun in the Chinese Super League opening game of the 2024/2025 season. Nantong Zhiyun played away from Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw in March last year.

He equalizer for Nantong Zhiyun in the 67th minute. He received a pass and slotted the ball at the bottom right of the net.

Kallon had joined Nantong Zhiyun after winning the title of last season with Shanghai Port. 

He started his football career as a youth exponent from FC Utrecht and made his Eredivisie debut on 24th August 2014 in a 1-2 away win against Feyenoord on 24 August 2014 in a 1–2 away win against Feyenoord.

Cesena's asking price €1.2m for Augustus Kargbo to Blackburn
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Cesena’s asking price €1.2m for Augustus Kargbo to Blackburn

Blackburn Rovers must increase their offer to get more chance of signing Sierra Leone striker Augustus Kargbo from Italian Serie B side Cesena. Il Resto del Carlino reported that Blackburn is a strong option for Kargbo, with talks happening between the clubs.

However, Blackburn is under pressure to improve their initial offer. Cesena wants €1.2 million for Kargbo, but Blackburn’s first offer is lower. There is concern that Kargbo might stay with Cesena until the end of the season.

It seems that Cesena will not accept a lower fee, so Blackburn needs to raise their offer. At the same time, Cesena has backed off from looking for a replacement player, Flavio Russo from Sassuolo.

A deal for Udinese’s Damian Pizarro is also considered unlikely, which suggests Kargbo may remain with the club.

Blackburn must act quickly if they still wish to sign Kargbo. On August 26, 2023, Kargbo signed a three-year contract with Cesena.

Nigeria's Akor Adams joins Sevilla from Montpellier
by FSL News

Nigeria’s Akor Adams joins Sevilla from Montpellier

On Monday, Akor Adams, aged 24, officially signed with Sevilla in a transfer deal valued at approximately €7 million, as reported by L’Équipe.

The Nigerian striker has departed from Montpellier HSC and has entered into a contract with the La Liga club that extends until 2029.

Adams’ transfer occurs during a challenging time for Montpellier, which is currently positioned second-from-bottom in Ligue 1 with 15 points, putting the club at risk of relegation to Ligue 2.

They trail behind Stade Rennais, who occupy the relegation playoff position by two points, and are three points adrift of AS Saint-Étienne, which holds a guaranteed place in the top flight for the upcoming season.

Furthermore, this exit comes amidst speculation regarding Téji Savanier’s potential departure. Savanier, who was the club’s leading goalscorer last season with 11 goals, has attracted interest from the Saudi Arabian club Al-Taawoun.

Montpellier has recently achieved victories in their last two league matches, equalling the number of wins they secured in the first 17 matches of the current domestic campaign.

In these recent encounters, Adams did not participate, as Jordanian forward Musa Al-Taamari excelled, scoring a brace in the 2-1 victory over AS Monaco.

Adams joined Montpellier in August 2023 from Lillestrøm, where he had an outstanding season, netting 15 goals in 15 appearances in the 2023 Norwegian top-flight season.

Intriguing group stage matches as AFCON 2025 draw confirmed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Intriguing group stage matches as AFCON 2025 draw confirmed

Holders Ivory Coast will face Cameroon in Group F of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco. They will also compete against Gabon, led by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Mozambique.

The tournament will take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, with the opening match featuring hosts Morocco against Comoros.

The teams are divided into six groups of four. The tournament will run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, across six host cities and nine stadiums in Morocco.

As the host nation, Morocco will lead Group A, facing strong contenders Mali, Zambia, and Comoros. In Group B, record seven-time champions Egypt will meet South Africa, Angola, and last year’s bronze medallists Zimbabwe.

Group C features Nigeria against Tunisia, Uganda, and Tanzania—who will co-host the AFCON in 2027. Defending champions Senegal are in Group D, competing against the Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin, and Botswana.

Group E includes Algeria, the 2019 champions, who will take on Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, and Sudan. In Group F, Côte d’Ivoire will face rivals Cameroon, along with Gabon and Mozambique, as they aim for back-to-back titles.

The top two teams from each group and four of the best third-placed teams will advance to the Round of 16.

The draw captivated viewers in over 90 countries and featured African football legends Serge Aurier, Aliou Cissé, Joseph Yobo, and Mustapha Hadji. This marks Morocco’s first time hosting the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON since 1988.

TOTAL ENERGIES CAF AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS, MOROCCO 2025 

  • GROUP A: Morocco, Mali, Zambia, Comoros
  • GROUP B: Egypt, South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe
  • GROUP C: Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, Tanzania
  • GROUP D: Senegal, DR Congo, Benin, Botswana
  • GROUP E: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan
  • GROUP F: Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Gabon, Mozambique
Sierra Leone International Augustine Williams pens Pittsburgh Riverhounds deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone International Augustine Williams pens Pittsburgh Riverhounds deal

Pittsburgh Riverhounds have confirmed the signing of Sierra Leone International Augustine Williams, a former USL Championship All-League forward, for the 2025 season.

Williams, 27, comes with MLS experience and 76 regular-season goals, ranking fifth in the league’s history since 2010 and second among active players. His contract needs approval from USL and U.S. Soccer and includes a team option for 2026.

“I’m excited to join the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and meet my new teammates,” Williams told the club website. “I can’t wait to help the team win the USL Championship and bring a trophy to Pittsburgh.”

“Signing Augi is significant for our club. It shows owner Tuffy Shallenberger’s commitment to our growth and soccer in Western Pennsylvania,” said Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley. “Augie is a skilled striker who fits our system well and will improve his teammates.”

Williams began his career with Portland Timbers 2 in 2016 and scored his first goal for the MLS team in 2017. After three years in Portland, he joined Los Angeles Galaxy II, scoring 13 goals during the 2020 season. He later played for the Charleston Battery, where he scored a career-high 16 goals and reached the 2023 USL Championship Final. In 2024, he had a third consecutive season with double-digit goals while playing for Indy Eleven.

From Freetown, Sierra Leone, Williams has made seven appearances for his national team, with his first match in an African Cup of Nations qualifying win over Benin on June 15, 2021. He was part of the AFCON squad in 2022 after Sierra Leone qualified for the first time in almost three decades in Cameroon 2021 Cup of Nations. 

Sierra Leone's Juma Bah officially sealed RC Lens loan move from Manchester City
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Juma Bah officially sealed RC Lens loan move from Manchester City

Sierra Leone’s defensive prospect Juma Bah has officially Joined RC Lens from English giants Manchester City until June 2025.

City confirmed the news via their website that Bah has joined French Ligue 1 side on loan until the end of the season, having completed his registration with the club.

Lens Pierre Dréossi – General Manager: “We are delighted to welcome Juma Bah to Racing. At just 18 years old, Juma has recently established himself as one of the most promising players in La Liga. His move to Manchester City so early in his career confirms his immense potential.

With significant athletic abilities and a strong understanding of the game, Juma already exhibits a well-developed skill set. Our recruitment unit has been monitoring him for several months, and his loan to Artois reflects the sporting management’s desire to strengthen the team with a fast and physically strong defender. These qualities align perfectly with the playing style of Will Still’s team. Welcome to Sang et Or, Juma!”

A symbol of his progress and potential, Juma Bah has been scrutinized by several European giants in recent weeks. He then signed with the English club Manchester City before being loaned to RC Lens.

Juma Bah joined Real Valladolid in 2024, and the coaching staff promptly promoted him from the youth academy to the reserve team. After just one game with the reserves, he made his first-team debut in a 0-0 draw against Real Sociedad.

Since then, he has played 14 matches for the team, starting in 11 of them. This new opportunity will undoubtedly aid the young defender in his development and hopefully help him make his way into Manchester City’s first team. Bah’s new height is considered one of the most significant breakthroughs in the history of Spanish football.