Day: March 23, 2025

Bilili Sesay's debut delight after World Cup qualifying win with Sierra Leone
by Football Sierra Leone

Bilili Sesay’s debut delight after World Cup qualifying win with Sierra Leone

Seventeen-year-old John Bilili Sesay, a player for local Sierra Leone Premier League club Bhantal FC, made his international debut during a 3-1 win against Guinea-Bissau in World Cup qualifying on Thursday in Liberia’s capital.

Sesay made a strong impression after being substituted on for Salford City midfielder Tyrese Fornah in the 72nd minute during his debut for Sierra Leone.

This performance was the perfect boost for Sesay, who has been impressive for Bhantal this season. “I’m delighted to have finally made my Sierra Leone debut,” Sesay said. “I felt good, I felt comfortable, and it’s a really happy moment for me.”

“A debut and a victory in a World Cup qualifier is a huge bonus for the entire Bhantal management.”

Next up for Sesay and his team is a trip to Cairo, Egypt, where they will face Mohamed Salah’s Pharaohs on matchday six of the qualifiers for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Coach Mohamed Kallon’s team will be up against the Group A leaders on Tuesday, following their recent victory against Guinea-Bissau in Liberia’s capital.

Seventeen-year-old John Bilili Sesay has been pivotal for local Bhantal FC this campaign in the Sierra Leone top-flight
Seventeen-year-old John Bilili Sesay has been pivotal for local Bhantal FC this campaign in the Sierra Leone top-flight
Sesay's teammate, Mohamed Bangura was handed his Sierra Leone debut for matchday five of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, CAF Group A
Sesay's teammate, Mohamed Bangura was handed his Sierra Leone debut for matchday five of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, CAF Group A
Sesay made a strong impression after being substituted on for Salford City midfielder Tyrese Fornah in the 72nd minute during his debut for Sierra Leone
Sesay made a strong impression after being substituted on for Salford City midfielder Tyrese Fornah in the 72nd minute during his debut for Sierra Leone
Striker Amadou Bakayoko records first Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo goal of the season
by Football Sierra Leone

Striker Amadou Bakayoko records first Hokkaido Sapporo goal of the season

Sierra Leone International Amadou Bakayoko recorded his first goal of the season in Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo’s 2-1 win over Ehime FC at the Ningineer Stadium in week six of the JLeague 2.

It’s a back-to-back win for the first time for Bakoyok’s side in the Japanese second-tier league. As a result, they continue to move up the table to fifteen after a poor start to the season.

Japanese footballer Kimiya Moriyama had opened the scoring for the host team in the 9th minute, but the visitors held to level the scoring through Bakayoko in the 36th minute.

Bakoyoko was substituted in the 56th minute and replaced by Gun-Hee Kim as the team searched for the winning goal.

The South Korean player Kim Gun-Hee, who left Suwon to join Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in the J1 League, scored the decisive goal in the 82nd minute.

Morocco beat Sierra Leone in U20 friendly at the Mohammed VI Complex
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco beat Sierra Leone in U20 friendly at the Mohammed VI Complex

The Moroccan U20 national team won a friendly match against Sierra Leone 2-0 at the Mohammed VI Complex on Saturday night, with goals scored by Ismail Al-Aoud and Adnan Kharoubi.

Both nations used this match as part of their preparation for the upcoming African Cup Of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Sierra Leone has made significant changes by bringing in several foreign-based players to identify those who can make the final list for the upcoming tournament in Ivory Coast next month.

Notable players starting for Sierra Leone in a friendly match against Morocco include Samal Bangura from Tottenham Hotspur, Cayden Cole from Hull City, David Kalokoh from AFC Ajax, Kelvin Kargbo from AFC Wimbledon, and Hindolo Mustapha from Crystal Palace Football Club.

Sierra Leone’s next match is against Ghana on Saturday, March 25, where they aim to build on their performance before the continental tournament.

The stakes are high, as the four teams reaching the semi-finals of the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will earn spots in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will take place in Chile. Senegal’s Junior Teranga Lions enter the competition as the defending champions.

In a previous match, Morocco defeated Ghana 1-0 at the Mohammed VI Complex. This victory was particularly noteworthy because Morocco played with one less player for over 70 minutes after Faisal El Meziani was sent off in the first half.

Ilias Boumassaoudi, a winger from FC Den Bosch in the Dutch first division, scored the only goal of the match after excellent teamwork set him up.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s team demonstrated strong teamwork and discipline, successfully defending their lead against a Ghanaian team that was unable to score.

Even with one player down, the Moroccan team showed positive signs as they prepared for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to take place in Ivory Coast from April 26 to May 18, 2025.