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
Cheikna Doumbia nets as Relentless Mali salvage a point
by FSL News

Cheikna Doumbia nets as Relentless Mali salvage a point

Despite trailing, Mali’s unwavering determination and grit enabled them to clinch a 1-1 draw in their opening match of the Paris 2024 Men’s Football Competition against Israel.

Despite dominating possession, Mali struggled to capitalize and had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris.

Mali, making their second appearance in the Olympics, showed great determination, coming from behind to secure a point.

Cheikna Doumbia was a constant threat for Mali and scored the equalizer after an own goal from Diallo Hamidou had given Israel the lead.

Despite the setback, Mali kept pushing forward and eventually found the equalizer through Doumbia’s header.

This result puts Mali in third place in the group, with upcoming matches against group leaders Japan and Paraguay, who lost 5-0 to Japan in their earlier fixture.

Senegal's defender Mamadou Fall joins Barcelona
by FSL News

Senegal’s defender Mamadou Fall joins Barcelona

Senegal’s defender Mamadou Fall has officially joined Barcelona, as confirmed by Major League Soccer side Los Angeles.

Fall, 21, spent last season on loan at Barça and featured in 22 matches for their reserves. Previously, LAFC loaned the Senegalese centre back to Villarreal CF.

LAFC initially signed Fall in June 2021. His profile quickly grew, and now he has 11 goals and two assists in 101 professional appearances, including five goals and one assist in 36 regular-season games with the Black & Gold.

“Fall is a player with incredible potential and exceptional talent,” said LAFC co-president and general manager John Thorrington.

“He began his professional journey at LAFC, and we are excited to see him join not only one of the top clubs in the world but also a great environment for his continued development. We wish him nothing but the best in his career at Barcelona.”

The upcoming 2024-2025 women's interclub football season is eagerly anticipated, with the official kickoff scheduled for Wednesday, July 24th.
by FSL News

CAF set date for Women’s Champions League Qualifying draw

The upcoming 2024-2025 women’s interclub football season is eagerly anticipated, with the official kickoff scheduled for Wednesday, July 24th.

The draw for the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers is particularly exciting, as it will determine the teams competing in the 4 zones: UNAF, UNIFFAC, WAFU B, and CECAFA.

Mamelodi Sundowns, as the reigning champions, and the tournament hosts automatically qualified, resulting in eight teams competing in the final phase of the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League.

The draw is at 13:00 Cairo time (10:00 GMT) at CAF Headquarters in Egypt. It will be broadcast live on CAF TV and CAFOnline.com. Details about participating teams and qualifying tournament dates are below.

  • WAFU B (10 – 23 August): Ainonvi FC (Benin), Hasaacas Ladies (Ghana), Inter d’Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), AO Étincelles OU USFA (Burkina Faso), AS Garde Nationale (Niger), Edo Queens (Nigeria), ASKO de Kara (Togo).
  • UNAF (21 – 31 August): CF Akbou (Algeria), Tutankhamun (Egypt), AS Far (Morocco), ASF Sousse (Tunisia)
  • CECAFA (17 August – 4 September): PVP Buyenzi (Burundi), FAD

(Djibouti), CBE FC (Ethiopia), Kenya Police Bullets (Kenya), Kawempe

Muslim (Uganda), Rayon Sports (Rwanda), Yei Joint Stars (South Sudan), Simba Queens (Tanzania), Warriors Queens (Zanzibar)

  • UNIFFAC (16 – 24 August): Lekié FF (Cameroon), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Atlético de Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), CSM Diables Noirs (Congo)

CAF has said the COSAFA and WAFU A tournament draw dates will be announced in due course.

Nigeria's Victor Osimhen in talks to join French giant PSG
by FSL News

Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen in talks to join French giant PSG

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen is reportedly in negotiations to transfer from Italian club SSC Napoli to the French champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

This potential move is prompted by PSG’s search for a replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who recently joined Real Madrid.

Reports from esteemed Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano suggest that Osimhen has reached an agreement with PSG, with negotiations still ongoing over the transfer fee between the two clubs.

Napoli manager Antonio Conte has expressed confidence in the amicable resolution of Osimhen’s departure, stating, “It was already a clear pact about Osimhen’s exit. The timing is exactly as we expected, and there will be no issues.”

Osimhen, whose current contract with Napoli runs until June 2026, has a buyout clause of €130 million. Alongside PSG, English clubs Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC have also shown interest in the 25-year-old striker.

Widely acknowledged as one of the premier strikers in the global football arena, Osimhen has achieved a commendable record of 76 goals in 133 matches across all competitions for Napoli. Furthermore, he has contributed 21 goals in 35 international matches for Nigeria.

Freetown City's relegation confirmed after the Disciplinary Committee's decision
by FSL News

Freetown City relegated after Disciplinary Committee’s decision

On July 19th, 2024, Freetown City suffered relegation from the Sierra Leone Premier League. This decision came after the league’s Disciplinary Committee awarded three points and two goals to Wilberforce Strikers.

On the second-to-last day of the league, a controversial penalty was awarded to Wilberforce Strikers in the 52nd minute while FCFC was leading 1-0. As a result of this decision, the match was halted and subsequently abandoned by the referee.

FCFC has forfeited the match. As a result, 3 points and 2 goals have been awarded to Wilberforce Strikers FC by Rule 24.2 paragraphs b, c, and d, reports the Emergency Disciplinary and Protest Committee.

Several fines and suspensions were imposed on FCFC players, coaches, and management due to the incident. Additionally, FCFC has been fined 10 million Leones for the collective misconduct of its players, officials, and supporters.

The Secretary General of FCFC expressed disappointment with the decision and stated that the club will challenge it through established mechanisms to ensure justice.

https://twitter.com/football_sierra/status/1814606173993144383

Ex-International Nibombe Dare is the new Togo head coach
by FSL News

Ex-International Nibombe Dare is the new Togo head coach

The Togolese Football Federation (FTF) has officially announced that Nibombe Dare is the new head coach of the national team, known as the Sparrowhawks.

During a press briefing at the FTF headquarters in Kégué, it was announced that Daré, a former Togolese international player with a UEFA Pro license, will be leading the team in the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 qualifiers.

“Nibombé Daré, a former international defender for the Hawks, was chosen from a group of Togolese candidates. After a rigorous evaluation, it was finally Daré who was selected to lead the Hawks.

The new coach inherits a team in search of stability and performance. With important deadlines in perspective, including the qualifications for the African Cup of Nations, CAN 2025 and the World Cup 2026, Daré will have the arduous task of forming a solid and coherent group,” FTF noted.

This announcement ends weeks of speculation about who would succeed Paulo Duarte. His first match in charge will be a home game against Liberia in early September.

FTF Secretary General Herve Agbodan told reporters, “This is the official announcement of his appointment. Nibombé Daré will soon be in Lomé to discuss the terms of his contract before his official presentation.”

Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and DRC make progress in Fifa ranking
by FSL News

Equatorial Guinea, Angola and DRC make progress in Fifa ranking

In July’s Fifa ranking, Sierra Leone stayed at 122nd place and 34th in the continent but the focus is on Equatorial Guinea, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The impact on the rankings of certain African teams was due to their limited participation during the concurrent UEFA EURO and Copa América events.

Equatorial Guinea moved up by two places, while Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo each moved up by one place.

Morocco, a top team in African football, didn’t do as well but still did well against tough teams. They dropped from 12th to 14th place in the world, but they are still a strong force in international football.

Senegal’s national team, the Lions of Teranga, also dropped to 19th place in the rankings.

Overall, these changes show the bright and competitive spirit of African football. They also show that African football is getting better and becoming more important globally.

Click the link to see the FIFA ranking of African teams.

Abdul Fatawu has signed a five-year deal to permanently stay at Leicester City for £14m. His impressive performance during a loan from Sporting Lisbon made him a fan favourite.
by FSL News

Ghana’s Abdul Fatawu makes Leicester City’s permanent switch

Abdul Fatawu has signed a five-year deal to permanently stay at Leicester City for £14m. His impressive performance during a loan from Sporting Lisbon made him a fan favourite.

Fatawu made 43 appearances and scored seven goals for the Foxes last season, including a hat-trick against Southampton.

The 20-year-old Ghanaian international impressed during his loan spell at King Power Stadium, helping Leicester City to win the Sky Bet Championship title and secure promotion to the Premier League.

After receiving league and international clearance, Abdul Fatawu is all set for the upcoming season.

Abdul Fatawu expressed his excitement about returning, stating, “I feel amazing. It’s so good to be back and I’m just ready to focus again for next season.”

He will rejoin his Leicester City teammates as they prepare for the Premier League opener against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday, August 19th.

Burkina Faso International Bertrand Traoré joins Ajax
by FSL News

Burkina Faso International Bertrand Traoré joins Ajax

Ajax have signed Bertrand Traoré from Burkina Faso on a two-year contract. Traoré joined as a free agent after his contract with Villarreal CF ended.

Born on September 6, 1995, in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, Traoré played for Ajax on loan in the 2016/17 season and reached the UEFA Europa League final.

He played 39 matches and scored thirteen goals that season. After leaving Ajax, Traoré played for Olympique Lyon, Aston Villa, and Istanbul Başakşehir before joining Spanish club Villarreal CF last winter.

Ajax’s Technical Director, Alex Kroes, expressed his excitement about Traoré’s arrival and highlighted the player’s eagerness to succeed and versatility in forward positions.

Kroes also emphasized Traoré’s goal-oriented approach, speed, and valuable experience, making him a significant addition to the squad.

Traoré played for Ajax on loan in the 2016/17 season and reached the UEFA Europa League final.
Traoré played for Ajax on loan in the 2016/17 season and reached the UEFA Europa League final.
Brighton move delights for Malian midfielder Malick Yalcouye
by FSL News

Brighton move delights Malian midfielder Malick Yalcouye

Malian midfielder Malick Yalcouye is happy to have joined Brighton from IFK Goteborg on a contract until June 2029.

The 18-year-old player, hailing from Mali and Ivory Coast, joined Goteborg after honing his skills at the Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas. He showcased his talent by making his professional debut in the African Champions League.

Malick’s debut game for Goteborg was in February during the Swedish Cup, and he started his first league match against Djurgardens IF in April.

Demonstrating his prowess, he scored his first league goal for the club later that month against IF Brommapojkarna.

Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler said, “We are happy to have Malick at the club. He is a talented midfielder with great potential to become a top player.

He is excited about this next career stage, and we look forward to helping him progress.”