Month: January 2025

The draw for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 is scheduled for Monday night, 27 January 2025.
by Football Sierra Leone

AFCON 2025 draw is scheduled for today in Morocco

The draw for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 is scheduled for Monday night, 27 January 2025.

According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the highly anticipated event will be watched by millions across over 90 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and North and South America.

The ceremony will occur at the Mohammed V National Theatre in Rabat, Morocco, beginning at 6:00 PM local time.

Leading international broadcasters, including CAF’s key partners like beIN Sports (covering the MENA region, Europe, America, and the South Pacific), Canal+, SABC, Azam Media, AfroSport, Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation, SNRT, DAZN, and others, will also air the event live

Additionally, the draw will be accessible on Free-to-Air platforms in 46 African countries, ensuring all 24 participating teams and fans across the continent can tune in.

The 24 teams qualified for the tournament, including hosts Morocco, defending champions Côte d’Ivoire, and other strong contenders Algeria, Egypt, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Tunisia.

However, the draw is bittersweet for Ghana, a four-time AFCON champion. The Black Stars failed to qualify for the 2025 edition, missing the opportunity to vie for their fifth title.

This marks a major disappointment for a nation with such a rich legacy in African football. The TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 is set to kick off on 21 December 2025 and will conclude on 18 January 2026.

Key Details

  • Host Nation: Morocco
  • Host City: Rabat
  • Date: Monday, 27 January 2025
  • Time: 19:00 local time (18:00 GMT / 20:00 Cairo time)
  • Venue: Mohammed V National Theatre, a historic and cultural landmark in the heart of Rabat.
  • Edition: 35th
  • Competition Dates: 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026
Egyptian Omar Marmoush was pleased with his Premier League debut
by FSL News

Egyptian Omar Marmoush was pleased with his Premier League debut

Egyptian international Omar Marmoush made an “amazing” debut for Manchester City after they won 3-1 against Chelsea in the Premier League. (Photo Credit Man City)

Marmoush joined the team just two days ago and started the game at the Etihad Stadium. Chelsea took the lead early with a goal from Noni Madueke in the third minute.

Josko Gvardiol equalized for City before halftime. In the second half, Erling Haaland and Phil Foden scored to give City the win.

Marmoush played 74 minutes before Kevin De Bruyne replaced him. He showed good skills during the game, having a goal disallowed for offside and demonstrating confidence with the ball.

“Yeah, it was an amazing debut,” Marmoush said after the match. “I’m really happy to be here. The debut was really nice. We won the game, and the atmosphere was crazy. I’m so happy to be part of this.”

He added, “I hope to keep playing well. This is just the beginning, and I look forward to more wins.” Marmoush also thanked the City fans for their great support and mentioned fellow new signing Abdukodir Khusanov’s debut.

Read Related – Omar Marmoush proud as first Egyptian player to join Manchester City
Dango Ouattara becomes first from Burkina Faso to score Premier League hat-trick
by FSL News

Dango Ouattara becomes first Burkina Faso player to score Premier League hat-trick

Burkina Faso International Dango Ouattara’s impressive performance made him the first player from the West African nation to score a hat-trick in the Premier League. On Saturday, he led Bournemouth to a 5-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the Vitality Stadium.

This win boosts Bournemouth’s hopes for a top-four finish and a spot in the Champions League. It marks Forest’s first loss since December.

Bournemouth has extended their unbeaten streak in the Premier League to 11 games and is just one point off the top four. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest is now nine points behind leaders Liverpool.

The Burkinabe scored three of his four shots on target and has significantly stepped up for Bournemouth, especially with strikers Evanilson and Enes Ünal injured.

This season, Ouattara has 10 goal involvements (six goals, four assists) for Bournemouth, surpassing his total from his first two seasons combined (two goals, five assists).

Ouattara is in his third season at AFC Bournemouth, where he was the first signing under Bill Foley in January 2023. He plays mostly as a left-back and scored a memorable late winning goal against Tottenham in a 3-2 match.

Ouattara, born in February 2002 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, started with Majestic FC and joined FC Lorient in 2020, initially playing for their reserve team.

He made 25 appearances and scored his first goal in April 2022. His strong performance earned him a spot on the Burkina Faso national team, where he scored a key goal in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals.

In the 2022/23 season, he was vital for Lorient, scoring six goals in 18 matches before joining Bournemouth in January 2023, despite interest from other teams.

Guinea's defender Saïdou Sow joins Nantes on a loan deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea’s defender Saïdou Sow joins Nantes on a loan deal

Ligue 1 side Nantes has signed Saïdou Sow, a Guinean international player, from Strasbourg on loan for six months. There is no option to buy him at the end of the loan.

Saïdou Sow was born on July 4, 2002, in Conakry, Guinea. He joined AS Saint-Étienne as a youth player in 2016 at the age of 14, where he played 57 matches.

In the summer of 2023, he signed a five-year contract with RC Strasbourg and has played 25 matches there. He has made a total of 50 appearances in Ligue 1.

On October 10, 2020, he played his first match for the Guinean national team under coach Didier Six. He has since earned 25 caps and scored one goal.

Saïdou Sow will wear number 24 for FC Nantes. He is 1.87 meters tall and is known for his strength in duels, especially in the air. He will be a valuable addition to the team.

Jay tee Kamara joins Portland Hearts of Pine in the US
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Jay tee Kamara joins Portland Hearts of Pine in the US

Sierra Leone’s Jay Tee Kamara has returned to the USA, joining the Portland Hearts of Pine after leaving the Swedish club Sandvikens IF. He spent one of his two seasons playing in the Swedish Second Division.

“I’m excited to be a part of the first-ever team in Portland, Maine, and I’m looking forward to bringing joy and excitement to all our supporters,” Kamara said.

Jay Tee’s soccer journey began in the vibrant streets of Sierra Leone, where he was born. He first honed his skills with Alaska FC in Sierra Leone before taking a significant step by moving to the United States to attend Montverde Academy in Florida.

In 2021, Jay Tee signed with Louisville City FC in the USL Championship. That same year, he was loaned to North Carolina FC in USL League One, where he made an immediate impact, recording 21 appearances and scoring 4 goals. In 2022, Jay Tee moved to Columbus Crew 2, where he played a pivotal role in the team’s inaugural season in MLS Next Pro.

In 2023, Jay Tee embarked on a European journey, joining Swedish side Ljungskile SK. Over two seasons, he appeared in 42 matches, scoring 8 goals and solidifying his reputation as a versatile midfielder.

Internationally, Jay Tee represented Sierra Leone at both the U-23 and U-20 levels, showcasing his skills as a left-footed midfielder on the global stage. He now continues his career in Maine with the Hearts of Pine.

 

Ivorian star Wilfried Zaha set for Charlotte FC MLS debut
by FSL News

Ivorian star Wilfried Zaha set for Charlotte debut in friendly

Wilfried Zaha could make his appearance with new outfit Charlotte FC after joining on loan from Turkish champions Galatasaray.

Charlotte will face Nashville SC today in a friendly match as they prepare for the upcoming MLS season. Zaha may join the squad for his first appearance in new colours at the Oxbridge Academy.

Zaha will play for Charlotte until January 2026, with an option to extend the loan until June 2026. The firmer Crystal Palace attacker will occupy a Designated Player spot and international roster slot on the Club’s 2025 roster.

The Ivory Coast international played 10 seasons in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Cardiff City, where the forward scored a total of 68 goals in 305 appearances.

For the past six months, Zaha was on loan at Olympique Lyonnais in France, where he made six appearances but did not score or assist.

“Wilfried is a world-class player who has shown his skills as a top goal scorer and creator of chances. His performances in the Premier League and on the international stage speak for themselves, and we believe he can make an immediate impact in MLS,” said Zoran Krneta, the general manager of Charlotte.

“He adds versatility to our attack and brings that extra magic that can help us win more games. We are excited to welcome a player of Wilfried’s talent and experience to our team.”

Zaha changed his national team to Ivory Coast before the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon. He debuted in a friendly against Sweden in January 2017, where he provided an assist. Since then, he has earned 33 caps, scoring four goals and providing six assists.

Sierra Leone defender Demba Kamara joins SP Tre Penne in San Marino
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone defender Demba Kamara joins SP Tre Penne in San Marino

Sierra Leone defender Damba Kamara has joined the San Marino club S.P. Tre Penne on a short-term deal, with an option for an additional year.

In August 2021, Kamara, 21, who previously joined Serie D side Rimini, made his international debut for Sierra Leone in a 1–0 win over Liberia in March 2022.

Tre Penne’s winter transfer activity continues flourishing, with sporting director Maurizio Di Giuli making another move to strengthen coach Nicola Berardi’s squad.

“The 2003 midfielder Demba Kamara is finalizing his transfer to the white and blue team, representing Città. Kamara has previously played for Rimini and Victor San Marino, and he is eager to compete in the top San Marino league,” the club noted on the website.

For Tre Penne, this signing adds a player with impressive physical qualities, enhancing the team’s competitiveness as they approach the second half of the season.

S.P. Tre Penne is a football club in San Marino, founded in 1956 and known as “Three Feathers.” The team competes in the Campionato Sammarinese di Calcio, wearing blue and white at home and red away.

On July 9, 2013, Tre Penne became the first Sammarinese team to win a match in a European competition, beating Shirak 1–0 in the 2013–14 UEFA Champions League qualifiers.


Kamara last played for Victor San Marino, a Sammarinese professional football club based in Acquaviva. The club competes in Serie D, the fourth tier of Italian football, since its promotion in 2023.

Sierra Leone's Moses Sesay pens first Pro contract at Southampton
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Moses Sesay pens first Southampton Pro contract

Sierra Leone native Moses Sesay has penned his first professional deal with Southampton, keeping him with the club until 2028.

The 18-year-old Sierra Leone native joined the Saints in 2023 after a stint at Chelsea. After exclusively playing for the Under-18s in his first season, he has moved up to the Under-21s, making his debut and scoring his first goal against West Brom in the Premier League Cup.

Upon signing his contract, Sesay expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m happy to take this next step, and I’m thankful to everyone who has helped me on this journey.”

Academy Director Andy Goldie praised Sesay’s progress, noting, “He initially joined as a winger but has shown versatility by performing well at left-back and various midfield positions, reflecting his character and development.”

Omar Marmoush proud as first Egyptian player to join Manchester City
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Omar Marmoush proud as first Egyptian player to join Manchester City

The 25-year-old striker has transferred from Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany and has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract. He is the third new player to join the team this week, after Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.

The Egyptian International will wear the No.7 shirt for Manchester City after completing his move from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Marmoush has been a standout player in the Bundesliga for the past two years and has also been important for the Egyptian national team. He helped Egypt reach the final of the 2021 African Cup of Nations.

“It’s a great honor to be the first Egyptian to play for Manchester City and to show what my country can achieve,” Marmoush told City’s Channel.

“Playing for a big club like this has always been a dream of mine. Now that I am the first Egyptian at Manchester City, I am very happy, and I hope to keep playing at this level.

“The Premier League is the biggest and most followed league in Egypt because of players like Mo Salah and others from Egypt. Most young players dream of being in this league, so I am excited to be here.”

Ivorian Maxwell Cornet trains with Genoa after loan move
by Football Sierra Leone

Ivorian Maxwell Cornet trains with Genoa after loan move

Ivorian international Maxwel Cornet has joined Italian club Genoa on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season from West Ham United. He has completed his first training session with the team at the Centro Sportivo Gianluca Signorini.

Cornet’s loan spell at Premier League side Southampton was terminated by mutual consent, allowing him to move to Serie A.

The 28-year-old player had only made four appearances for the Saints and will now look for more regular playing time under Genoa manager and former Arsenal and France midfielder Patrick Vieira.

Cornet signed with West Ham from Burnley in August 2022, where he scored one goal in 37 appearances over two seasons. He was also part of the squad that won the UEFA Europa Conference League in Prague in June 2023.

The Ivorian has completed his first training session with the team at the Centro Sportivo Gianluca Signorini.
The Ivorian has completed his first training session with the team at the Centro Sportivo Gianluca Signorini.