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
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.

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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.

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SLFA 'B' Licence Coaching Course commences
by FSL News

SLFA ‘B’ Licence coach training commences 

On Thursday, September 21, the Sierra Leone Football Association commenced a two-week License ‘B’ coaching training at their SLFA Secretariat at Kingdom, Freetown.  

SLFA affirmed that the training is mainly to enhance the capacity of grassroots coaches selected from across the country as part of the strategic plan of the SLFA Technical Department for the development of football in Sierra Leone.

Acting General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh, Technical Director Ibrahim Bah, Schools Program and Facility Officer Samuel Davies and other officials were part of the opening ceremony.

In his keynote address, AGS-Benson Bawoh urged the over 60 participants to take the training with the utmost seriousness to take home the most coaching knowledge possible.

He disclosed that “as part of SLFA plans to develop coaches, CAF Technical Experts will soon visit Sierra Leone to asses and certify local Coaching Instructors ahead of the commencement of the CAF D, C, B, A and A Pro License courses”.

He further mentioned that the key aspect of developing football is coaching education, which he said will bring about sound technical decisions in Sierra Leone football.

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Sierra Leone hit new low in latest Fifa ranking
by FSL News

Sierra Leone hit new low in latest Fifa ranking

Sierra Leone’s Leone Stars have plummeted four places from 120 in July to 124 in the latest Fifa men’s ranking for September released on Thursday.

John Keister’s side suffered a 2-1 defeat to Guinea-Bissau as they wrapped up the African Cup Nations qualifiers.

Despite Sierra Leone’s early goal, the Djurtus Wild Dogs of Bissau defeated Sierra Leone 2-1 at the Estádio 24 de Setembro to defeat their visitors as they wrap up the AFCON 2023 qualifiers.

Sierra Leone’s best rank was when they moved to 50th place in the FIFA World Rankings and 7th in Africa – their highest ever placing on 14 Aug 2014 under the supervision of Irish coach Jonny Mckinstry.

In Africa, The Carthage Eagles of Morocco are the best-ranked team. Senegal’s Terangha Lions of Senegal, Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, D

The foxes of Algeria and the Pharaohs of Egypt make the top five.

World champions Argentina retained their number one position on the ranking. France, Brazil, England and Belgium complete the top five teams in the world.

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Sierra Leone hit new low in latest Fifa ranking after Guinea-Bissau defeat
Sierra Leone hit new low in latest Fifa ranking after Guinea-Bissau defeat
Middlesbrough confirm Alex Bangura's hamstring injury
by FSL News

Middlesbrough confirm Alex Bangura’s hamstring injury

Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick has revealed new acquisition Alex Bangura suffered a hamstring injury on his debut. (Alex Bangura of Middlesbrough (Image: Gareth Evans/News Images)

On Saturday, Sierra Leone International Alex Bangura made his Middlesbrough debut in their 2-1 defeat against Blackburn Rovers at Edwood Park.

The left-back was forced in the 68th minute in Saturday’s defeat as he missed the Middlesbrough Championship 1-1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday.

Carrick said after Tuesday’s draw, “It is a hamstring injury that Alex has picked up. We’re still assessing that one in terms of how bad it is, but obviously he wasn’t right for tonight.”

After his Boro debut, his manager Carrick had said that he hoped it would just be a cramp as they were waiting for test results when he last spoke to the media ahead of Tuesday evening’s trip to Hillsborough.

Alex Bangura Middlesbrough FC English Championship

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Alex Bangura suffers debut injury
Alex Bangura suffers debut injury
No Werder Bremen deal for Kallum Cesay after trials
by FSL News

No Werder Bremen’s deal for Kallum Cesay after trial

Werder Bremen chief Clemens Fritz has revealed to Kallum Cesay‘s agent that the club will not sign the player after trials last week. (Photo: nordphoto GmbH / Kokenge)

The German club want to strengthen their right-back position as the former Tottenham youth defender Kallum Cesay was on test.

Cesay, 21, was released by the London club at the end of the season, still in search of a new destination in club football. 

On Tuesday, Bremen informed the player and his agent that they were not planning to work with him.

Professional boss Clemens Fritz told BILD: “After long considerations, we decided against a commitment. Kallum made a good contribution to the days, both physically and personally, and gave his all. But he is still a long way from the Bundesliga. 

He added, “Using him primarily in the U23 would have made no sense. We didn’t want to harm any of our boys who we want to develop.”

The Sierra Leone national player with four caps has now left Bremen.

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Head coach Peter Bosz named Isaac Babadi in his 22-man PSV squad for Group B match in the UEFA Champions League.
by FSL News

Isaac Babadi in PSV squad for Arsenal Champions League opener

Head coach Peter Bosz named Isaac Babadi in his 22-man PSV squad for the Group B match in the UEFA Champions League.

Babadi, 18, could feature against Arsenal as PSV Eindhoven takes on the London Club in their Champions League Group B at the Emirates Stadium this evening. 

The youngster trained with the PSV 22-man squad at the Emirates ahead of their first group-stage game of the campaign. On the 8th of August, he scored his first PSV Champions League goal in their 4-1 win over Sturm Graz.

For the first time in five years, PSV will play in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League. Last year, both clubs also played against each other, when the English came out on top. 

Today’s tie will be the fifth meeting between Arsenal FC and PSV in a European competition. It has been a while since the last time PSV won an away match against an English club in the UEFA Champions League. 

Visiting Newcastle United in the 1997-1998 season, PSV took the three points back to Eindhoven after a 2-0 win. Luc Nilis and Gilles de Bilde were responsible for the goals. 

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Isaac Babadi trains with PSV squad at the Emirates in London on Tuesday
Isaac Babadi trains with PSV squad at the Emirates in London on Tuesday
Amadu Bakayoko's Dundee beaten by Celtic in Scottish League
by FSL News

Amadou Bakayoko’s Dundee beaten by Celtic in Scottish League

Dundee United suffered a 3-0 defeat to Celtic 3-0 in Glasgow despite the Dark Blues keeping Celtic at bay in the first half on Saturday. 

Amadou Bakayoko, who scored in the Leone Stars final African Cup of Nations qualifiers in a 2-1 defeat to Guinea-Bissau, played the full-throttle in Dundee United’s defeat to Celtic.

Celtic climbed two points at the top of the Scottish Premiership after eventually overwhelming stubborn visitors Dundee.

The Sierra Leone International was making his sixth appearance since joining on a season-long loan from Forest Green Rovers.

David Turnbull opened the scoring from the penalty spot after the Scotland midfielder went down on the edge of the penalty box. Kyogo Furuhashi headed the second before he set up Matthew O’Riley for their third in the 67-minute.

As a result, the visitors were left to rue a golden opportunity to open the scoring during a goalless first half.

The defeat means Dundee sitting in ninth after winless in their last two 

.From the section Scottish Premiership matches. They will host Kilmarnock on Saturday as they look to bounce back from recent defeats.

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Dundee went down to a 3-0 defeat against Celtic in Glasgow on Saturday.
Dundee went down to a 3-0 defeat against Celtic in Glasgow on Saturday.
Attacker Augustus Kargbo was delighted to open his Cesena account
by FSL News

Augustus Kargbo was delighted to open his Cesena account

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo was delighted to get off the mark after opening his account for Serie C side Cesena FC.

The attacker, who signed for The White and Blacks a few days ago on a three-year deal, scored the third goal in their 3-1 win on Friday.

Kargbo scored his first as Cesena registered a 3-1 win over Pontedera on Friday in the Lepro League round three.

“I’m happy to have been able to lend a hand to the team. I don’t know how many times I’ve thanked Cristian Shpendi for the assist, he’s a golden boy and he made himself available to the group,” Kargbo said in his post-match Interview.

“I’m happy with our perfomance.” Kargbo underlines the importance of the group: “We are a family – I found wonderful guys and I get along well with everyone.”

He added, “Roberto and I have established a good relationship. We were in the room together, and we talked about the match. I get along well with everyone.”

He was part of the Sierra Leone side that suffered a 2-1 defeat against Guinea-Bissau in the African Cup of Nations final Group A qualifier on Monday in Bissau.

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Forest Green suffer Fankaty Dabo's injury blow
by FSL News

Forest Green suffer Fankaty Dabo’s injury blow

Forest Green suffered Fankaty Dabo’s injury blow on Saturday during their League Two match. 

Rovers suffered a double blow after they fell to an unfortunate 2-1 defeat at home to Doncaster Rovers at The New Lawn. 

In addition, new acquisition Dabo’s afternoon was cut short, with the defender forced off with an injury after just eight minutes – and replaced by Dom Bernard.

The former Coventry defender joined Forest Green Rovers and has signed former Coventry City full-back Fankaty Dabo.

The 27-year-old made 131 appearances for the Sky Blues in four years before leaving the Championship club earlier this summer.

He came through Chelsea’s youth ranks and had stints on loan at Swindon Town, Vitesse Arnhem and Sparta Rotterdam during his time with the Blues.

The club will wait to know the extent of his injury as they prepare for Notts Country away trip this weekend.

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