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
Abu Kamara's Portsmouth ready for trip to Wycombe Wanderers
by FSL News

Kamara’s Portsmouth ready for trip to Wycombe Wanderers 

Abu Kamara, a native of Sierra Leone, is set to help his team Portsmouth against Wycombe Wanderers in week forty-one of the English League on Friday. 

John Mousinho’s squad will visit Wycombe on Good Friday for a 3 pm kick-off. If they can secure 13 points from the seven remaining fixtures, Portsmouth will guarantee themselves a place in the Championship. 

Abu Kamara, on loan from Norwich, has done exceptionally well in his first full season in senior football with the league leaders. 

He has scored eight goals and played in every League One match for Pompey this season. 

Wycombe Wanderers have only won 1 of their last six games against Portsmouth, failing to score in 3 matches. Portsmouth has lost 3 of their last five games at Wycombe, failing to score in those defeats. 

The home side have lost just 1 of their last ten home games, keeping four clean sheets in their last five matches at Adams Park. 

Portsmouth has not lost any of their last eight games on Good Friday, scoring 16 goals overall.

Chad, Eswatini, Liberia, and South Sudan progress to AFCON 2025 group stage
by FSL News

Chad, Eswatini, Liberia & South Sudan progress to group stage 

Chad, Eswatini, Liberia, and South Sudan progressed to the group stage of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after achieving successful results in the second legs on Tuesday.

Chad, Eswatini, Liberia, and South Sudan will now join the 44 exempted countries for the group stage of the qualifiers. The quartet will be eager to continue their journey towards securing a spot in the prestigious tournament in Morocco.

Eswatini drew 2-2 with Somalia in a crucial match but still advanced with a 5-2 aggregate score thanks to their 3-0 victory in the first leg.

Mauritius 1-2 Chad

In a tense football match at the National Sports Complex Pitch 1 in Saint Pierre, Mauritius faced Chad. Jeremy Villeneuve scored a goal in the 45th minute, giving Mauritius hope, but Chad responded fiercely. Charles Tchouplaou levelled the score in the 74th minute, and Ousmane Hassan sealed Chad’s victory with a goal deep into stoppage time, securing their advancement with a 3-1 aggregate score.

In Monrovia’s Samuel Kanyon Doe Stadium, Liberia and Djibouti played a goalless draw. Despite failing to score in the second leg, Liberia advanced to the next round with a 2-0 aggregate score, thanks to their victory in the first leg.

In Berkane, Morocco, South Sudan and their opponent battled to a goalless draw at the Stade Municipal de Berkane. 

As the aggregate score was tied at 1-1, South Sudan advanced to the next round based on the away goals rule. They had secured a crucial away goal in the first leg, which ultimately made the difference.

Bhantal strengthen grip in League race after Samura's brace
by FSL News

Bhantal strengthen grip in League race after Samura’s brace

On Sunday, Abubakarr Samura played a key role in Bhantal FC’s impressive 2-1 victory over Diamond Stars at the SLFA Academy Field in Kingtom. 

Their win has cemented their position as title contenders in the Leone Rock Premier League.

The player who stood out during the match was Abubakarr Samura, whose exceptional skills and determination resulted in a brace that helped Bhantal FC win. 

Samura’s exceptional display of talent also earned him the well-deserved Man of the Match award, highlighting his importance to the team’s success.

The victory has boosted the morale of the league newcomers. With consistent performances like this, Bhantal FC is proving to be a formidable team in their fruits campaign in the top-tier of Sierra Leone football.

The result moves Bhantal temporarily into second spot, a point behind leaders and reigning defending champions Bo Rangers.

Rangers, with a game on hand, will battle it out on Wednesday against Kholifa Stars as they bid to extend their lead to four points with a win at the Southern Arena.

Meanwhile, FC Kallon will be in the hunt for maximum points over Wilberforce Strikers to regain the second spot on Monday.

𝗕𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 stun Lions as Kallon thrash Ports Authority
by FSL News

Bhantal stun Lions as Kallon thrash Ports Authority

Bhantal FC and FC Kallon secured wins in the eighteenth week of the Sierra Leone Premier League at the newly renovated Sierra Leone Football Association playing field in Kingtom, Freetown.

Kallon moved to the second spot a point ahead of Bhantal, whose last-gasp winner stunned East End Lions. 

On Friday, Bhantal FC made an impressive comeback to secure a crucial 2-1 victory against East End Lions FC. Mohamed Bangura and Mohamed A. Kamara were the standout performers for the visiting team.

East End Lions FC took the lead in the 59th minute, putting Bhantal FC on the back foot. However, Bhantal FC rallied strongly in the second half, showing resilience and determination.

Mohamed Bangura scored for Bhantal in the 80th minute, leading to an intense finish. In the 94th minute, Mohamed A. Kamara secured three vital points for Bhantal FC with a winning goal.

On Saturday, FC Kallon proved too strong for the Ports Authority, scoring five goals against their opponent. Goals from Momoh Lapo Dumbuya, Abu Bakarr Aziz Jalloh, Mamoud Fofanah, Julius Goba, and Yakuba Koroma were more than enough for the Cavaliers as they recorded a 5-0 win. 

Both wins underlined Bhantal and Kallon’s determination in the chase for the Leone Rock Premier League title.

Luawa played to a 1-1 draw with Real Republicans as Bai Bureh Warriors share a goalless draw with Kholifa Stars at the Magburaka playing venue. 

Saturday's Sierra Leone Premier League results
Saturday's Sierra Leone Premier League results
Ghana's Mohammed Kudus nets brace as West Ham reach quarter-finals
by FSL News

Ghana’s Kudus nets brace as West Ham reach quarter-finals

West Ham had a fantastic evening as they advanced to the Europa League quarter-finals with a 5-1 aggregate win over Freiburg, thanks in part to a stunning double from Ghanaian International, Mohammed Kudus.

After losing the first leg in Germany 1-0, West Ham wasted no time in overturning the deficit, with Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen both scoring in the first 32 minutes. Aaron Cresswell extended West Ham’s lead further just after half-time.

Then Kudus delivered two exquisite strikes. First, he picked up the ball in his half and beat three defenders before scoring. He then rifled the ball home from the edge of the box after a lay-off from Bowen, making it five for West Ham.

The draws for the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, semi-finals and final take place at 13:00 CET on Friday 15 March.

David Kalokoh features in Jong Ajax's win over De Graafschap
by FSL News

David Kalokoh features in Jong Ajax’s win over De Graafschap

David Kalokoh, a football player from Sierra Leone, played a crucial role in Jong Ajax’s 2-0 victory against De Graafschap in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie on Monday, 11 March 2024. 

Jaydon Banel and Nassef Chourak scored in the 62nd and 98th minutes, respectively, securing their eighth win in 30 games for the season.

This win followed a string of defeats to NAC Breda, ADO Den Haag, SC Telstar, and TOP Oss, making it their first win in five matches. 

Kalokoh, an 18-year-old left-winger, was subbed off in the 86th minute. 

He has signed a new deal with Ajax, extending his stay until June 30, 2027.

Kalokoh was born in Sierra Leone and moved to Venlo, where he played with VV Vos for six years before joining VVV Venlo. At 13 years old, he came to Amsterdam to train with AFC Ajax. 

He signed his first professional contract with Ajax at the age of 15 in March 2021 and played in the UEFA Youth League in 2022.

Kalokoh made his Eerste Divisie debut on 28 April 2023, playing against his former club, VVV Venlo.

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

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.