Month: March 2025

England to face Senegal in a friendly at the Forest Ground
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

England to face Senegal in June friendly at the Forest Ground

The England men’s senior team will play two matches later this year to finish their 2025 schedule, which mainly focuses on qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

England will take on one of Africa’s giants, Senegal, at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground on Tuesday, June 10. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:45 PM BST.

This game is part of England’s preparations for Euro 2024 and provides Senegal with a valuable opportunity to challenge themselves against top-tier competition.

Thomas Tuchel, who wants to lead the team to the World Cup next summer in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, said, “The matches against Senegal and Wales will be good tests for us against two very different teams. Playing a strong African team in a city with a great football tradition and then facing Wales in a derby match at Wembley will help us prepare for the World Cup.”

He added, “Wembley is our home, but it’s also important to bring the team to different places. Playing at a historic stadium like the City Ground is an opportunity we all look forward to.”

Bukayo Saka scored a goal against Senegal during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. England’s only previous match against Senegal was in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup, where they won 3-0 thanks to goals from Jordan Henderson, Harry Kane, and Bukayo Saka.

The City Ground last hosted the England men’s senior team for a competitive match in March 1909, when they won 2-0 against Wales in the Home Championship.

Ex-Senegal head coach Aliou Cissé set for Libya national coaching job
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ex-Senegal boss Aliou Cissé set for Libya national coaching job

Ex-Senegal head coach Aliou Cissé is set to return to coaching since leaving the Lions of Teranga. He has agreed to take over the Libyan national team, known as the Mediterranean Knights.

A formal declaration is anticipated in the next few days, affirming Cissé’s selection as head coach in readiness for Libya’s efforts in the African qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Cissé will sign a two-year contract with the Libyan Football Federation, with an option for one more year if the team qualifies for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). He is expected to arrive in Libya on March 5 to finalize the agreement.

His main goal will be to help Libya qualify for the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 AFCON. Currently, Libya is in second place in Group D with 7 points, tied with Cape Verde and just one point behind the group leader, Cameroon.

Sierra Leone's Mohamed Kabia set to join Serbian side Borac Čačak
by Football Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone’s Mohamed Kabia set to join Serbian side Borac Čačak

Sierra Leone midfielder Mohamed Kabia is set to join FC Borac Čačak in Serbia’s First League for the remainder of the season. The Serbian First League, sponsored by Mozzart Bet, is the second tier of professional football in Serbia.

As excitement builds around his arrival, Borac Čačak is expected to conduct an official unveiling ceremony soon, where they will confirm the specifics of his contract, outline expectations, and discuss his potential role within the squad moving forward.

The 21-year-old player, known for his robust style of play and versatility, is also capable of operating effectively as a centre-back. A close source has disclosed that the midfielder finalized his transfer yesterday, and an official announcement from the club is anticipated shortly, detailing the terms of his contract.

This transfer marks an important milestone in Kabia’s career. He has previously gained recognition for his impressive performances in both domestic leagues and international competitions, showcasing his defensive prowess and ability to adapt to different playing styles.

By joining FC Borac Čačak, Kabia seeks to advance his career in European football. The club, known for its competitiveness in the Serbian first division, will benefit from his physical presence and tactical insight.

Alhassan Koroma's Al-Shahaniya suffer defeat to Al-Duhail
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alhassan Koroma’s Al-Shahaniya suffer defeat to Al-Duhail

In an intense match at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, Al Shahaniya faced a tough defeat against Al-Duhail, finishing with a score of 1-2 after Week 17 of the Ooredoo Stars League.

On Friday, the Sierra Leone International, who scored in their 3-2 win over Umm Salal last Sunday, played the full throttle of the tie in the Qatari Stars Super League.  

Despite a spirited effort, Al-Shahaniya’s performance saw them unable to secure the win, which left their total points stagnant at 23, causing them to slip to seventh place in the league standings.

They now find themselves tied on points with Al-Rayyan and Al-Shamal, who occupy fifth and sixth places, respectively. Meanwhile, Al-Duhail’s victory allowed them to regain the top position in the league, boosting their points to 38.

The first half of the match was particularly noteworthy, as Al-Shahaniya successfully held Al-Duhail—currently leading the standings—scoreless through 45 minutes. However, the tide turned just after the break when Michael Olunga netted Al-Duhail’s first goal in the 46th minute, placing pressure on Al-Shahaniya to respond.

The home team equalized in the 65th minute with a penalty conversion from Petrus Amersfoort, showcasing their resilience and determination.

Unfortunately for Al-Shahaniya, just five minutes later, Karim Boudiaf scored again for Al-Duhail, reclaiming the lead with a well-timed goal in the 70th minute. The match turned contentious as tensions rose, culminating in the ejection of substitute referee Francesco Antonucci in the 90+9 minute.

Al-Shahaniya’s starting formation for the match featured Shahab Al-Laithi in goal, supported by a defensive line consisting of Mohamed Ibrahim, Mohamed Badr Sayyar, Mark Martinez, and Lotfi Madjer.

In the midfield, they lined up Petrus Amersfoort alongside Youssef Hani and Andreas van Beek, while their attacking front comprised Moaz Al-Wadiya, Ali Al-Omari, and Al-Hassan Koroma. Despite their efforts, the team’s inability to convert opportunities into goals ultimately led to their defeat on this occasion.