Author: FSL News

* Established in 2014 © 2021 FSL MediaFootball Sierra Leone - all you need to know about the game in Sierra Leone and Sierra Leonean footballers at home and abroad.Founded by Alie Ahmed Bittar in 2014, Bittar is one of the leading journalists from Sierra Leone with over 25 years covering football.The award-winning website also covers football from across the continent.We aim to continue pursuing up-to-date reports for our readers in Sierra Leone and across the globe.FSL Media is always informative, accurate and consistent. Make Football Sierra Leone Your daily news feed.Follow our social media pages on Twitter @football_sierra, Instagram, Linkedin and Facebook. Permission to use our content is granted subject to crediting our website as the source.Contact: Managing Editor Alie Ahmed Bittar - Email: bittar@footballsierraleone.net - Tel: +44 (0) 7861141119
Bristol Rovers midfielder Kamil Conteh back in Sierra Leone squad
by FSL News

Kamil Conteh’s Bristol Rovers wrap up preseason with defeat

On Saturday, Bristol Rovers faced a 2-0 defeat against Cardiff City in their final pre-season match ahead of the new English League One campaign.

Sierra Leone’s Kamil Conteh entered the game in the 65th minute at the Memorial Stadium. The goals for Cardiff came from Aaron Ramsey in the 28th minute and Joe Ralls in the second half.

Despite some opportunities for Rovers, they could not find the back of the net, and Cardiff’s early goals secured their victory.

Kamil Conteh and Bristol Rovers will commence their 2024/25 Sky Bet League One campaign with a match against Northampton Town on Saturday, 10th August.

Bristol Rovers 0-2 Cardiff City

Pre-season fixture, The Memorial Stadium, Saturday, 3 August, 2024

Bristol Rovers: Griffiths, Senior (Hunt 64), Moore, Wilson, Mola, Bilongo, Conteh (Lindsay 64), Ward (Garrett 64), Hutchinson (McCormick 64), Sinclair (Shaw 74), Omochere (Thomas 64)

Subs not used: Hall, Taylor, Forbes.

Cardiff City: Horvath, Siopis, Goutas, Ralls, Ramsey, O’Dowda, Chambers, Willock, Meite, Tanner, Ng

Subs: Alnwick, Dennis, Gbadehan, Hanga, Bagan, King, Colwill, Conte, Davies, Giles, Ashford

Goals: Ramsey 28, Ralls 56,

Attendance: 3251 (1,446 away)

African champions Al Ahly have confirmed a contract extension for veteran Egyptian international midfielder Amr El Solia until summer 2025
by FSL News

Egyptian midfielder Amr El Solia pens new Al Ahly deal

African champions Al Ahly have confirmed a contract extension for veteran Egyptian international midfielder Amr El Solia until summer 2025.

His previous contract with Al Ahly was set to expire at the end of this month, and he had been linked with clubs in Saudi Arabia and Libya.

However, the Egyptian champions have announced that they have handed El Solia, 34, a contract extension for another season.

The club released a statement confirming the renewal: “Amir Tawfik, CEO of Al-Ahly Football Company and Contracting Manager, announced the renewal of Al-Ahly player Amr El-Sulaya’s contract for one season. He said that the player signed the contracts and completed all necessary procedures in this regard.”

El Solia is the first player to score in three CAF Champions League Finals, achieving this feat in the 2018, 2020, and 2021 finals.

He has 52 caps and one goal for Egypt, and he also featured in the 2021 AFCON final match against Senegal and the 2021 CAF Champions League Final against Kaizer Chiefs.

Augustus Kargbo nets in Cesena's Coppa Italia triumph
by FSL News

Augustus Kargbo nets in Cesena’s Coppa Italia triumph

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo scored for Cesena in their 3-1 victory over Padova in the preliminary round of the Coppa Italia.

Kargbo’s Cesena team has progressed to round 32 and will face Hellas Verona in the first round at the “Bentegodi” Stadium in Verona.

Cesena took the lead after 10 minutes with Kargbo’s goal. Cristian Shpendi scored five minutes before the end of regular time, and Francesconi completed the win.

In other matches, Carrarese defeated Catania 2-1 and then challenged Cagliari, while Mantova secured a 2-1 victory away against Torres. Additionally, Avellino won 3-1 against Juve Stabia.

The first round of matches will take place from Friday, August 9, to Monday, August 12. These are all one-off matches, which will be settled after 90 minutes or through a penalty shoot-out.

Coppa Italia First Round fixtures

Friday, Aug 9

Sassuolo-Cittadella

Udinese-Avellino

Genoa-Reggiana

Monza-Sud Tirol

Saturday, Aug 10

Cremonese-Bari

Verona-Cesena

Empoli-Catania

Napoli-Modena

Sunday, Aug 11

Brescia-Venezia

Parma-Palermo

Sampdoria-Como

Torino-Cosenza

Monday, Aug 12

Frosinone-Pisa

Lecce-Mantova

Salernitana–Spezia

Cagliari-Carrarese

New Villarreal's acquisition Nicolas Pepe joins training
by FSL News

New Villarreal’s acquisition Nicolas Pepe joins training

Ivorian International Nicolas Pepe, a former Arsenal player, has joined Villarreal training after signing a two-year deal with the La Liga club.

The Spanish side posted Pepe’s first training session on Monday as they prepared for the new Spanish campaign.

Despite high expectations when he first joined Arsenal, Pepe struggled to meet the hype. After a year with Trabzonspor in Turkey, he joined Villarreal on a two-year contract as a free agent.

Before leaving Arsenal, the 29-year-old scored 27 goals in 112 appearances over four years.

Villarreal, which finished eighth in the league last season, hopes Pepe can regain the form that made him one of Europe’s best-attacking players at Lille.

The versatile winger’s goal-scoring ability and knack for creating chances could be valuable for the Spanish club.

The transfer has been officially confirmed, and fans are eager to see Pepe shine in La Liga.

Malian midfielder Issouf Sissokho departs Bordeaux
by FSL News

Malian midfielder Issouf Sissokho departs Bordeaux

Issouf Sissokho has confirmed his departure from Girondins de Bordeaux, signalling the conclusion of his stint with the club.

The Malian midfielder, who joined the club in 2020 and turned professional in 2021, shared a heartfelt message on Saturday, August 3, 2024.

He is set to embark on a new chapter in Israel, where he is expected to join Maccabi Tel Aviv. Sissokho expressed his deep appreciation and affection for the club, its staff, former players, and supporters, likening them to family. He reflected on his time at Bordeaux and the circumstances that led to his departure in his farewell message.

Sissokho, 22, hoped that he would not have to part ways with the club when he left for the Olympic Games, but unfortunately, that became the reality. He conveyed his best wishes to the club and left the possibility of a return open.

The midfielder’s departure from Bordeaux follows the team’s relegation to National 2, prompting many players, including Sissokho, to seek new opportunities.

During his time at Bordeaux, he made 65 appearances and scored 2 goals. Despite the challenges, Sissokho is grateful for his time at Bordeaux and looks ahead to the future with optimism.

Destiny Efosa Egharevba joins AC Renate from Fiorentina
by FSL News

Destiny Efosa Egharevba joins AC Renate from Fiorentina

Italian-born Nigerian forward Destiny Efosa Egharevba, 21, has left Serie A club Fiorentina to join Serie C team AC Renate.

AC Renate announced the move on Friday, August 2. Egharevba signed a two-year contract that runs until June 30, 2026, with a club option for the 2026-2027 season.

Egharevba started his career at Chievo and then joined Fiorentina, where he won the Italian Cup and Italian Super Cup. However, he did not play for the senior team despite receiving four call-ups during the 2021-2022 season.

Egharevba spent the last two seasons in Serie C, playing 37 matches with Vis Pesaro, Fiorenzuola, and Recanatese.

Egharevba can play in multiple positions, including right winger, centre forward, right midfielder, left winger, or second striker. AC Renate will start their season against Pro Patria on August 25, 2024.

Norwich City’s Abu Kamara in Southampton radar
by FSL News

Norwich City’s Abu Kamara in Southampton radar

Southampton wants to sign Norwich City’s Abu Kamara as a winger this summer. According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, officially, the club is getting ready to show their interest in the 20-year-old player.

Both Saints’ manager Russell Martin and assistant Matt Gill are familiar with Kamara from their previous work at Carrow Road. However, Norwich is hesitant to let go of Kamara and plans to include him in Johannes Hoff Thorup’s first-team squad for the Championship this season.

Kamara, an England U20 international, has been consistently present in City’s pre-season matches and is highly regarded by Thorup. He aims to incorporate more young talent into the squad.

Kamara, the child of Sierra Leonean parents, is under contract with Norwich until 2025, with an option to extend for another year. In addition to Southampton, Jupiler sides and Belgian side Anderlecht have also shown interest in him.

Mogbwemo Queens share CAF Champions League opening qualifier spoils with AS Mande
by FSL News

Mogbwemo Queens share opening qualifier spoils with AS Mande

Sierra Leone’s women’s champions, Mogbwemo Queens, opened their 2024 CAF Champions League Zone A qualifiers with a goalless draw against Malian side AS Mande at the Southern Arena in Bo City.

The Queens adopted a cautious approach at the onset of the match, meticulously observing their adversaries.

AS Mande took charge in the first quarter, fashioning three clear-cut chances but failing to capitalize on them. However, Mogbwemo Queens promptly escalated their efforts, disrupting AS Mande’s rhythm.

In the latter stages of the first half, the Queens had a remarkable opportunity in the final third but were unable to convert it.

Mogbwemo Queens’ forthcoming fixture is slated for August 5, 2024, against Aigles De La Médina from Senegal.

Meanwhile, Senegal’s Aigles de la Médina started with a 2-0 win over Red Scorpions of the Gambia in the competition’s second match at the same venue.

Mogbwemo Queens share CAF Champions League opening qualifier spoils with AS Mande
Mogbwemo Queens share CAF Champions League opening qualifier spoils with AS Mande
Senegal's Aigles de la Médina started with a 2-0 win over Red Scorpions of the Gambia
Senegal's Aigles de la Médina started with a 2-0 win over Red Scorpions of the Gambia
Nigeria and Zambia end Women's Olympic Football adventure
by FSL News

Nigeria and Zambia end Women’s Olympic Football adventure

The Super Falcons and Zambia Queens suffered defeats on the final day of the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, as they were beaten by Japan and Germany, respectively.

Nigeria lost 3-1 to Japan in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, Paris 2024. This was their third loss in a row. Despite the support of the fans, the Super Falcons couldn’t find their rhythm, and Japan took advantage of their weaknesses.

Riko Ueki passed the ball to Maika Hamano for an easy goal to break the tie. Mina Tanaka scored the second goal after Ueki’s powerful header hit the crossbar.

Nigeria got a glimmer of hope when Jennifer Echegini cleverly passed with Christy Ucheibe and scored from outside the box. However, Japan sealed a morale-boosting 3-1 victory with a fantastic free-kick from Kitagawa.

Japan 3-1 Nigeria – Goals Japan scorers: Hamano (22), Tanaka (32), Kitagawa (45+5) Nigeria scorers: Echegini (42)

In Group B, Zambia’s team captained by Barbara Banda, scored six goals and conceded thirteen in the three games, resulting in their elimination from the tournament.

Germany and the US both qualified for the next stage after Germany’s win over Zambia. Lea Schuller scored a great solo goal in the first half, followed by Klara Buhl’s goal in the second half.

Barbra Banda scored for Zambia, but Germany secured the win with another goal from Schuller and a late goal from Elissa Sens.

Zambia 1-4 Germany – Goals Zambia scorer: Banda (49) Germany scorers: Schuller (10, 61), Buhl (47), Sens (90+7)

Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho joins Spanish side Sevilla
by FSL News

Nigerian striker Kelechi Iheanacho joins Spanish side Sevilla

Spanish side Sevilla FC has officially confirmed the signing of Nigerian international and former Leicester City forward, Kelechi Iheanacho.

Iheanacho’s contract with Leicester City ended in June after seven years with the club. “Kelechi Iheanacho (Imo, Nigeria, 03/10/1996) is now a new Sevilla FC player, the fifth signing for this 24/25 season after Ejuke, Peque, Saúl and Sambi.

He has signed for two seasons, with the option for one more, arriving on a free transfer after his time at Leicester City,” the Spanish side noted about the Nigerian International.

Iheanacho played in just half of Leicester’s 46 Championship matches last term, starting 10, with Jamie Vardy as the first-choice starting striker.

The move to Sevilla aims to replace Youssef En-Nesyri after the Moroccan striker joined Fenerbahce earlier this month. Iheanacho is Sevilla’s second striker signing of the summer transfer window after Peque, a former Spain youth international, joined from Racing Santander.

Iheanacho joined Leicester City in 2017 after spending time on loan in their youth academy. For the Premier League champions in 2015/16, he played 232 matches, scoring 61 goals and providing 34 assists until the last campaign 23/24.

The new Sevilla striker has also played 19 European competition matches, with 7 games in the Champions League, 11 in the UEFA Europa League, and one in the Conference League. To date, Iheanacho has played 55 matches and scored 19 goals with the senior team. His greatest achievement came in 2017 with the U-17 World Championship win.