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
SPAIN U17 WOMEN'S WINNERS OF 2022 EDITION
by FSL News

Morocco to Host The Next Five U-17 Women’s World Cup

Morocco has been selected to host the next five editions of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The FIFA Council made this decision on Thursday, March 14, 2024, after expanding the tournament to 24 teams and making it an annual event. 

Previously held every two years, the tournament will now provide a more frequent platform for young female footballers to display their talents on a global level.

Morocco emerged as the preferred candidate after a worldwide bidding process, thanks to its existing football infrastructure. 

FIFA highlighted the importance of infrastructure and sustainability in the selection process. 

“These two countries were chosen following a worldwide call for bids, one of the key criteria being the use of existing soccer infrastructures for logistical efficiency and sustainability,” the statement read.

The men’s U-17 World Cup will also change, with an expansion to 48 teams and an annual schedule.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Players Abroad News and Africa football News. 

Morocco emerged as the preferred candidate after a worldwide bidding process, thanks to its existing football infrastructure.
Morocco emerged as the preferred candidate after a worldwide bidding process, thanks to its existing football infrastructure.
CAF Confederation Cup's last eight fixtures revealed
by FSL News

CAF Confederation Cup’s last eight fixtures revealed

The quarter-final line-up for the CAF Confederation Cup has been confirmed, with matches set to be played in March and April this year.

Egyptian teams Zamalek and Modern Future have made it to the quarter-finals of the 2023 CAF Confederation Cup. 

Zamalek finished top of group B unbeaten, while Modern Future came second in group A. Unfortunately, the draw pitted the two teams against each other. 

The winner will face either Stade Malien or Ghana’s Dreams FC in the semi-finals. In contrast, Libya’s Abu Salim will face RS Berkane and Nigerian side Rivers United will face USM Alger in the other quarter-final ties.

Stade Malien, champions in the 2009 edition, have made it to the competition’s knockout stages once again.

They hope to win their second title and will face Dreams FC from Ghana. Dreams FC will be looking to cause an upset against their more fancied opponent.

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-Final Draw Outcome: 

   29 – 31 March 2024:

  QF 1 | Modern Future (EGY) vs Zamalek (EGY)

  QF 2 | Abu Salem (LBY) vs RS Berkane (MAR) 

  QF 3 | Rivers United (NGR) vs USM Alger (ALG)

  QF 4 | Stade Malien (MLI) vs Dreams FC (GHA)

   05 – 07 April 2024:

  QF 1 | Zamalek (EGY) vs Modern Future (EGY)

  QF 2 | RS Berkane (MAR) vs Abu Salem (LBY)

  QF 3 | USM Alger (ALG) vs Rivers United (NGR)

  QF 4 | Dreams FC (GHA) vs Stade Malien (MLI)

 Semi-Final Draw Outcome: 

  QF 3 Winner vs QF 2 Winner 

  QF 1 Winner vs QF 4 Winner 

  Semi-Finals Dates to be communicated in due course. 

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 African News.

Quarter-finals for CAF Champions League 2024 Confirmed
by FSL News

Quarter-finals for CAF Champions League 2024 Confirmed

The journey for this year’s CAF Champions League quarter-finals has been mapped out as the official draw was held in Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday.

Simba, the Tanzanian giants, are set to meet Al Ahly in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League after the latest draw.

The Red Devils advanced to the knockout stages by finishing first in Group D with 12 points from six games.

The defending champions are set to face a challenging journey to the final, beginning with a quarter-final match against Simba.

The first leg is scheduled to take place on March 29th in Tanzania, just eight days before the second leg in Cairo.

If the champions emerge victorious against Simba, they will face the winner between Petro Atletico and TP Mazembe in the next round.

In the meantime, Mamelodi Sundowns will be up against Young Africans, who finished second behind Al Ahly in the group stage.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals Draw Outcome:

First Leg: 29 – 30 March 2024

QF 1 | Simba FC (TAN) vs Al Ahly SC (EGY)

QF 2 | TP Mazembe (DRC) vs Atletico de Petroleos (ANG)

QF 3 | Esperance Sportive de Tunis (TUN) vs Asec Mimosas (CIV)

QF 4 | Young Africans (TAN) vs Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA)

Second Leg: 05 – 06 April 2024

QF 1 | Al Ahly SC (EGY) vs Simba FC (TAN)

QF 2 | Atletico de Petroleos (ANG) vs TP Mazembe (DRC)

QF 3 | vs Asec Mimosas (CIV) vs Esperance Sportive de Tunis (TUN)

QF 4 | Mamelodi Sundowns (RSA) vs Young Africans (TAN) 

 Semi-Final Draw Outcome:

SF 1: QF 3 Winner vs QF 4 Winner

SF 2: QF 2 Winner vs QF 1 Winner

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 African News.

Samadia, Turay & Williams could make debuts for new USL clubs
by FSL News

Samadia, Turay & Williams could make debuts for new clubs

Sierra Leone internationals Emmanuel Samadia, Mohamed Buya Turay, and Augustine Williams are set to kick off their season this weekend in the USL Championship with their respective clubs.

Emmanuel Samadia, a left-back, joined the American USL Championship Hartford Athletic in November 2023 and has been active in the preseason with his new team ahead of their opener against El Paso Locomotive FC at Southwest University Park on Saturday.

Mohamed Buya Turay, who signed for Birmingham Legion FC after leaving Danish Superliga club Danish Superliga, is in line for his USL debut. 

Turay’s Birmingham Legion is set to take on Phoenix Rising at Rising FC Soccer Complex on Saturday. 

Recognized USL striker Augustine Williams, who contributed to 66 total USLC regular-season goals last season (10th), is without a doubt ready for his debut if selected. 

Indy Eleven will travel to battle Oakland Roots on Sunday, as Williams can’t wait to kick start his season this weekend.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – Players Abroad News. 

Mohamed Buya Turay, who signed for Birmingham Legion FC after leaving Danish Superliga club Danish Superliga, is in line for his USL debut.
Mohamed Buya Turay, who signed for Birmingham Legion FC after leaving Danish Superliga club Danish Superliga, is in line for his USL debut.
Recognized USL striker Augustine Williams, who contributed to 66 total USLC regular-season goals last season (10th), is without a doubt ready for his debut if selected.
Recognized USL striker Augustine Williams, who contributed to 66 total USLC regular-season goals last season (10th), is without a doubt ready for his debut if selected.
Dates Confirmed for Champions League, Confederation Cup draw
by FSL News

Dates Confirmed for CAF Interclub quarter-final draw

The Quarter-Final draw for the 2023/24 CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup will take place on Tuesday, March 12, 2024. 

The draw will be held in Cairo, Egypt, starting with the CAF Confederation Cup at 2:00 PM Cairo time (noon GMT), followed by the CAF Champions League at 3:00 PM Cairo time (1:00 PM GMT).

The CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-Finals teams have been determined after the group stage ended this weekend.

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Quarter-Finals Qualified teams:

Al Ahly (Egypt), ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Atletico Petroleos (Angola), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Simba SC (Tanzania), Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia), Young Africans (Tanzania).

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Quarter-Finals Qualified teams:

USM Alger (Algeria), Zamalek (Egypt), Dreams FC (Ghana), RS Berkane (Morocco), Modern Future (Egypt), Abu Salem (Libya), Rivers United (Nigeria), Stade Malien (Mali).

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – African News.

CAF Confederation Cup's last eight set for quarter-final draw
by FSL News

Confederation Cup last eight set for quarter-final draw

The final eight teams to compete in the 2023/24 TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup were confirmed on Sunday, March 3, after the conclusion of Match Day 6 in the group stages.

Four previous winners will be in the draw – the final list of quarter-finalists includes Rivers United from Nigeria, Dreams FC of Ghana, Abu Salem of Libya, and the Egyptian side Modern Future.

The four former champions are Rivers United, Dreams FC, Abu Salem, and Modern Future, who have all been exceptional in the competition and will be looking to make a name for themselves on the continent.

Last season’s winner of the competition – USM Alger, went on to lift the TotalEnergies CAF Super Cup in a thrilling encounter against record CAF Champions League holders Al Ahly.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone – CAF Confederation Cup

Outgoing Sierra Leone coach John Keister bids emotional farewell
by FSL News

John Keister bids emotional farewell as Leone Stars coach

John Keister has bid an emotional farewell to Sierra Leone’s national coaching job, “calling his three years as head coach of the national football team a “beautiful experience which I will never forget.”

Appointed in August 2020, succeeding Ghanaian-born Sellas Tetteh, he guided the national team to the Cameroon African Cup of Nations after almost three decades of absence – his highest achievement as a football coach thus far.

“This journey has been immensely wonderful – an extraordinary journey filled with unforgettable moments, remarkable achievements, and invaluable lessons, each of which has left an indelible mark on my coaching career.

I am proud to say that we have built a culture of unity, discipline, and sportsmanship, setting a solid foundation for future achievements.

The Manchester-born highlight of his Leone Stars career was when he defeated Benin at the Stade du 28 Septembre, Conakry in June 2021.

Striker Kei Kamara scored a first-half penalty for Keister’s side to secure a place at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time since 1996, following a 1-0 victory over Benin in Conakry.

His reign finally came to an end after his term of contract expired this August and was not renewed by the football authorities. 

His final Leone Stars game ended in a 2-1 defeat to Guinea-Bissua at the Estádio 24 de Setembro on Monday, 11th September 2023.

Keister had previously served as head coach of the Leone Stars home-based team as well as the Sierra Leone under-17 and under-23 national teams.

The former Leone Stars midfielder was born in Manchester and played for several lower-league clubs in England, including Walsall, Chester City, Shrewsbury Town and Stevenage Borough.

He was capped 16 times by Sierra Leone between 1997 and 2003.

Read Coach John Keister’s Emotional Goodbye in Full .pdf

Delights for on-loan striker Abu Kamara after Portsmouth win
by FSL News

Delights for on-loan striker Abu Kamara after Portsmouth win

Attacker Abu Kamara expressed his delight after Portmount’s 2-1 victory over Lincoln City at Fratton Park at the weekend.

Regan Poole recorded the winner against his former club, Lincoln City, to give Portsmouth a deserving 2-1 victory to keep John Mousinho’s side top of League One.

Kamara, who was making his ninth League One appearance since joining the club, took to Instagram to express his delight. “Plus three points,” the 19-year-old posted with images of his actions.

Hakeeb Adelakun scored his first of the season to give Lincoln City, The Imps, their lead in the opening 5th-minutes.

But Portsmouth equalised three minutes later as Abu Kamara collected a poor defensive header from Lasse Sorensen and passed to Alex Robertson, who laid the ball onto Paddy Lane to finish.

Centre-back Poole only scored four goals during his two and a half years at the LNER Stadium, but he completed Pompey’s comeback with a fine header.

Kamara scored his first goal in senior football and saw Pompey complete a first-half turnaround in their 3-1 over Peterborough United at Fratton Park early this month. 

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, Contact fo*****************@******co.uk – Abu Kamara Portsmouth League One. 

Abu Kamar was named in the Portsmouth starting eleven in the win over Lincoln City
Abu Kamara was named in the Portsmouth starting eleven in the win over Lincoln City
CAF unveil seedings for Cote d’Ivoire 2023 draw
by FSL News

CAF unveil seedings for Cote d’Ivoire 2023 draw

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has unveiled seedings for the Africa Cup of Nations, Cote d’Ivoire 2023 official Draw set for Abidjan on 12 October 2023.

The seedings were based on the latest FIFA Rankings – as all 24 qualified teams were allocated to four pots. CAF noted that four points will be used for the draw.

Pot 1 – as expected, hosts Cote d’Ivoire together with the continent’s highest ranked nations: Morocco, who were semi-finalists at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022; current African Champions Senegal, 2004 champions Tunisia – 2019 champions Algeria – and record-time champions Egypt.

Second best-ranked teams are in Pot 2 – Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso.

Pot 3 includes South Africa, Cape Verde, Guinea, Zambia, Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania.

Pot 4 has Guinea Bissau, Namibia, Mozambique, Angola, Gambia and Tanzania.

Cote d’Ivoire to host the 34th edition of the biennial competition from January 13 to February 11.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, Contact fo*****************@******co.uk.

African News CAF 

CAF unveil seedings for Ivory Coast 2023 draw next month
CAF unveil seedings for Ivory Coast 2023 draw next month
Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu was an unused substitute in Plymouth Argyle's 4-1 defeat to Bristol City on Saturday but could make his official debut this weekend.
by FSL News

Mustapha Bundu could make debut against Norwich

Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu was an unused substitute in Plymouth Argyle’s 4-1 defeat to  Bristol City on Tuesday but could make his official debut this weekend.

Plymouth Argyle hosts Norwich for their first meeting since the 2008-09 campaign, with the Canaries winning both matches that season.

The winger seems pleased to have finally started working with his new teammates and told the club’s website about his delight.

“My first day’s been really good,” said Mustapha after their first session with his new teammates.

 “The players, everyone around the club has welcomed me pretty well. It is been easy to join the guys.

“It’s been a bit stressful, but both parties knew we had to be a bit patient because of all the visa stuff.

“I know it’s a very good club, a very loving club. The people are close, and a massive fan base travels all around the country to support the team which has been through a lot over the last few years.

“I said yes to the offer, to the opportunity to take another step in my career.”

Norwich have only won five of their 32 league visits to Plymouth Argyle but did win their last game there in September 2008 under Glenn Roeder.

Plymouth Argyle have won 22 of their 26 home league matches since the start of last season (D1 L3), which is the most of any side within the top four tiers of English league football in that time.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer on Twitter @bittar32, Contact bi****@*****************ne.net and Players Abroad News.