Month: September 2025

Senegalese international Formose Mend joins Watford on loan
by Football Sierra Leone

Senegalese international Formose Mendy joins Watford on loan

Watford has officially completed the signing of Formose Mendy on loan from Lorient, bolstering their defence as they push for success in the EFL Championship.

The 24-year-old Senegalese international has joined the Hornets on a loan deal that runs until the season’s end, with the option for a permanent transfer.

The club expressed their excitement in a statement, saying, “We are thrilled to welcome Formose Mendy to Watford from Lorient!” Watford’s Assistant Sporting Director, Valon Behrami, shared insights on the club’s decision, emphasising, “Formose was our top target, so we’re over the moon to finalise this deal. We’ve had our eye on him for a while, especially given the interest from several clubs.”

Mendy, a right-sided defender standing at 6ft 3in, will don the number 27 shirt at Vicarage Road. His football journey began at the Darou Salam Academy in Dakar before he progressed through the youth ranks at FC Porto and Club Brugge.

He went on to make 68 appearances for Amiens SC in Ligue 2 before moving to Lorient in 2023, where he made 42 appearances in total and played a crucial role in the club’s Ligue 2 title win in 2024/25.

Having already earned 10 caps for Senegal, Mendy was part of the Lions of Teranga squad at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, further showcasing his growing credentials on the international stage.

Mo Salah, Omar Marmoush and Osama Faisal named to Egypt squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mo Salah, Omar Marmoush named for Egypt’s World Cup qualifiers

Egypt’s coach Hossam Hassan has announced his squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.

Leading the attacking lineup is Mohamed Salah, accompanied by Mostafa Mohamed, Osama Faisal and Omar Marmoush. The goalkeeping unit is comprised of Mohamed El Shenawy, Mostafa Shobeir, Mohamed Sobhy, and Abdelaziz El Balouti.

The team includes some fresh talent as well as the return of a few familiar faces. Notably, Amr El Gazzar, a defender from the National Bank of Egypt, receives his first call-up to the national team.

Additionally, Pyramids midfielder Mohannad Lasheen is back after a hiatus following the Africa Cup of Nations, and Al Ahly’s Marwan Attia rejoins the squad after his recovery from a hernia.

Currently, Egypt sits at the top of Group A with 16 points, holding a five-point advantage over Burkina Faso in second place. They remain strong favourites to advance to the final qualifying rounds.

Here’s the complete roster for Egypt:

Goalkeepers:
– Mohamed El Shenawy (Al Ahly)
– Mostafa Shobeir (Al Ahly)
– Mohamed Sobhy (Zamalek)
– Abdelaziz El Balouty (National Bank)

Defenders:

– Rami Rabia (Al Ain, UAE)
– Khaled Sobhi (Al Masry)
– Amr El Gazzar (National Bank)
– Hossam Abdelmaguid (Zamalek)
– Mohamed Rabia (ZED)
– Mohamed Hany (Al Ahly)
– Ahmed Eid (Al Masry)
– Mohamed Hamdy (Pyramids)
– Ahmed Nabil “Koka” (Al Ahly)

Midfielders:

– Hamdi Fathi (Al Wakrah, Qatar)
– Nabil Emad (Zamalek)
– Marwan Attia (Al Ahly)
– Mahmoud Sabrer (ZED)
– Mohannad Lasheen (Pyramids)
– Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” (Al Ahly)
– Mahmoud Hassan “Trezeguet” (Al Ahly)
– Omar Marmoush (Manchester City)
– Ibrahim Adel (Al Jazira, UAE)

Forwards:
– Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
– Mostafa Mohamed (Nantes)
– Osama Faisal (National Bank)


Fixtures:

September 5: Egypt vs Ethiopia (Cairo International Stadium)

September 10: Burkina Faso vs Egypt

Tyrese Fornah set for Sierra Leone World Cup qualifiers
by Football Sierra Leone

Tyrese Fornah set for Sierra Leone World Cup qualifiers

Midfielder Tyrese Fornah will join up with the Sierra Leone squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying fixtures with Guinea-Bissau on Thursday, followed by Ethiopia on September 9th.

Although his name was not on the official list announced by the SLFA, Tyrese Fornah’s League One club, Northampton, has confirmed his availability.

Meanwhile, Football Sierra Leone understands the home-based delegation will depart Freetown today, as foreign-based players are already travelling to join the Leone Stars Camp.

A full assembly squad is expected by Tuesday in Guinea-Bissau for this decisive match that could shape the team’s journey towards the World Cup.

Guinea-Bissua v Sierra Leone will be officiated by a team of referees from the Ivory Coast at the Estadio 24 de Setembro in Bissau.

The Djurtus are looking to avenge the 3-1 defeat suffered at Sierra Leone back in March in the Liberian Capital at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex.

Current Standings: Guinea-Bissau is two points adrift of Sierra Leone, currently in third place in their group with 8 points. 

Sierra Leone’s hopes for the USA, Canada, and Mexico 2026 World Cup are still alive, with just 15 days to go in the hunt to increase their point on the table.

Juma Bah's Nice suffer a second French Ligue 1 defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Juma Bah’s Nice suffer second French Ligue 1 defeat

With a respectable 3-1 triumph against Nice, Le Havre AC got its first points of the season, therefore highlighting its dedication at home.

The Ciel Marine showed efficiency and tenacity after a hard defeat to RC Lens, with Fodé Doucouré scoring the opening goal in the 13th minute after a fantastic assist from Issa Soumaré.

In the photograph, Sierra Leone’s Juma Bah was on show as he played the full throttle of the contest, but his side suffered their second defeat in their French Ligue 1 games.

Since coming on loan from Manchester City, Bah, 19, has made his debut for his side. Doucouré’s hard work after Nice levelled the score early in the second half resulted in Rassoul Ndiaye scoring to reinstate the home team’s lead in the 61st minute, presenting unrelenting will.

Strategic substitutions by Coach Didier Digard created more possibilities as HAC kept pressing. The victory was sealed in stoppage time when Issa Soumaré found the net, much to the delight of the home crowd.

HAC kept composure with great performances from their defence, especially captain Sangante, despite Nice’s efforts to equalise.

As HAC gets ready to meet Strasbourg in two weeks, the victory lifts morale and guarantees more thrilling contests to come.