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
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.

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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.

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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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