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
Egypt wrap-up preparations for U20 AFCON opener against South Africa
by FSL News

Egypt wrap-up preparations for U20 AFCON opener against South Africa

AFCON U20 hosts Egypt finished their preparations for their match against South Africa. The game will take place at 9 PM tomorrow, Sunday, at Cairo Stadium.

This match is the opening of the African Cup of Nations, which Egypt will host from April 27 to May 18. The tournament also serves as a World Cup qualifying event.

The final training session happened at Medina Stadium in Khalifa. During this time, the coach, Captain Osama Nabih, focused on specific strategies for the upcoming match. He urged his players to pay attention to the instructions and avoid distractions.

The players showed seriousness and dedication as they worked to earn a spot in the match lineup. Wadi Al-Harer’s special training was led by goalkeeping coach Captain Ayman Tahir. Captain Nabih also discussed the strengths and weaknesses of the South African team during a lecture before the last training session.

Performance analyst Ahmed Issam prepared a video report that highlighted South Africa’s strong organization and quick transitions from defense to attack.

Egypt’s national team is in the first group along with South Africa, Sierra Leone, Zambia, and Tanzania. The top two teams from each of the three groups will move on to the quarter-finals. The best third-place team will also qualify, giving teams finishing in the top four the chance to reach the World Cup.

Ghana share AFCON U20 firendly spoils with Kenya in Cairo
by FSL News

Ghana share AFCON U20 friendly spoils with Kenya in Cairo

Ghana’s Black Satellites played a friendly match against Kenya on Wednesday evening in Cairo, which ended in a 2-2 draw. This match was an important step in their preparation for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The game tested both team’s as they get ready for the tournament. Dreams FC striker Abdul Aziz Musibau stood out in the first half by scoring two great goals, demonstrating his sharp instincts and good movements off the ball.

Kenya responded well, with goals from Hassan Beja and Lawrence Ouma leveling the score before halftime. Ghana’s starting lineup featured key players like Emmanuel Mensah, Aziz Issah, Appiah MacCarthy, and Gidios Aseako, who displayed a strong mix of creativity, strength, and tactical skill.

Kenya’s U-20 Men’s National Team, known as the Rising Stars, is entering the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations with great optimism following a strong qualifying campaign.

Their path to the continental tournament has been characterized by resilience and a desire for success, and the team is eager to showcase their potential on this prominent stage.

With four AFCON titles and a U-20 World Cup win, the Black Satellites are eager to reclaim their top position and qualify for the 2025 U-20 World Cup in Chile. Their campaign will begin on May 2 against DR Congo.

Kenya in Group B, where they face continental heavyweights Nigeria, Tunisia, and Morocco while Ghana in Group C, gearing to face defending champions Senegal, DR Congo, and the Central African Republic.

Malian Mamadou Doumbia goal was not enough in Watford's defeat
by FSL News

Malian Mamadou Doumbia goal was not enough in Watford’s defeat

Watford, reduced to nine men, faced a narrow defeat against league leaders Burnley despite a strong performance, taking an early lead through Mamadou Doumbia’s header.

Malian Mamadou Doumbia scored an early second goal for the Hornets, but Burnley equalized before half-time with a header from Zian Flemming. After the break, Josh Brownhill scored Burnley’s winner.

Watford’s situation worsened when Moussa Sissoko and Edo Kayembe were both sent off for receiving two yellow cards, leaving them with just nine players.

Despite being a man down, Watford pushed for an equalizer and nearly succeeded in stoppage time with a shot from Ryan Andrews, which was narrowly deflected wide. Manager Tom Cleverley made two changes to the starting lineup, with Pierre Dwomoh and Rocco Vata coming in.

Watford struck first after just seven minutes, breaking Burnley’s strong defense. However, after 60 minutes, they lost more players to red cards. Although Burnley had the numerical advantage, they struggled to create further chances. The match ended with Watford’s last efforts falling short, concluding a dramatic afternoon at Vicarage Road.

Guinean striker Serhou Guirassy nets hattrick despite Dortmund elimination
by FSL News

Guinean striker Serhou Guirassy nets hattrick despite Dortmund elimination

Guinean striker Serhou Guirassy made history in the Champions League on Tuesday night by scoring a hat-trick for Borussia Dortmund against Barcelona.

His team lost 5-3 on aggregate after a 4-0 defeat in the first leg, so they were eliminated from the competition. In the quarter-final second leg at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund won 3-1, but it wasn’t enough to progress.

Guirassy, one of Europe’s top scorers this season, scored all three goals for Dortmund. He converted a penalty in the 11th minute and scored again in the 49th and 76th minutes. Although his goals did not change the outcome, he set four records in one night:

He was the first Guinean player to score a hat trick in the Champions League. He is the fastest African to reach 13 goals in a single Champions League campaign. He holds the record for the most goals by a Borussia Dortmund player in one Champions League season. Additionally, he is the highest-scoring African in the 2024/25 Champions League, with a total of 13 goals.

Serhou Guirassy leads the Champions League scoring charts this season, outpacing stars like Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. The 28-year-old has gained attention from top European clubs, especially in the Premier League, despite Dortmund’s elimination from the tournament. His achievements have been a proud moment for Guinean football fans, and he may still make headlines and set records this season.

Mali through to U17 AFCON after defeating Burkina Faso
by FSL News

Mali through to U17 AFCON final after defeating Burkina Faso

Mali secured their place in the final of the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations with a decisive 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso in Tuesday’s semi-final held in Casablanca. (CAF Photo)

The young Eagles scored one goal in each half to advance to Saturday’s championship match, where they will face the winner of the second semi-final between hosts Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire, scheduled for later on Tuesday.

Mali took the lead in the 42nd minute when Soumaila Fané unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, finding the top corner and leaving the Burkina Faso goalkeeper with no chance.

Despite a spirited response from the Stallions, Mali extended their lead midway through the second half. Mahamadou Traoré soared to meet Fané’s precise cross in the 74th minute, heading it home to secure the victory.

The match at Stade Larbi Zaouli was intense and physical, with Burkina Faso fighting hard but ultimately failing to penetrate Mali’s well-organized defense.

The Baby Stallions created several opportunities, including a close-range header from Halidou Diakité that went over the bar, but they lacked the finishing touch.

Burkina Faso finished the match with nine players after both Ali Koné and Alassana Bagayogo received second yellow cards in the second half, adding to their frustration.

Meanwhile, Mali exhibited maturity and tactical discipline throughout the contest, controlling key moments and managing the game with composure in the closing stages.

With this victory, Mali returns to the final of the U-17 AFCON for the first time since 2017, when they claimed the title. The West Africans are now just one match away from regaining continental glory.

Burkina Faso will compete against the loser of the second semi-final in the third-place playoff, which is also scheduled for Saturday.

Rampant Burkina Faso thrash Zambia to U17 Cup of Nations Semis
by FSL News

Rampant Burkina Faso thrash Zambia to reach U17 Cup of Nations Semis

Burkina Faso performed impressively on Thursday night, defeating Zambia 6-1 in the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

This victory secured their spot in the semi-finals for the second year in a row. The match took place at the El Arbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, and Burkina Faso clearly showed their strength, repeating their success from the 2023 tournament in Algeria.

The Young Stallions took control early in the game. Mohamed Fofana scored the first goal in the 11th minute after Zambia made a defensive mistake. Ten minutes later, Burkina Faso doubled their lead when Nkotami Chimwemwe fouled Issouf Diakité in the penalty box. Souleymane Tapsoba confidently scored the penalty, marking his fifth goal of the tournament.

Zambia managed to score once in the 35th minute, thanks to Abel Salim Nyirongo, who found the net after getting to a loose ball. However, they struggled to gain momentum. Nyirongo almost scored again just before halftime but was stopped by Burkinabè keeper Prince Hamed Ouédraogo in a key one-on-one play.

In the second half, Burkina Faso came back with more energy. Diakité made the score 3-1 in the 58th minute with a calm finish from a precise pass by Coulibaly, which was confirmed by VAR. A few minutes later, Diakité scored his second by weaving through the Zambian defense and finishing from a clever assist by Tapsoba.

Zambia ran into more trouble when Mwape fouled Bagayoko in the penalty area during the 78th minute. Tapsoba scored another penalty, extending the lead. He capped off a great game with a third goal in the 90th minute by taking advantage of a defensive mistake.

This strong win not only puts Burkina Faso in the semi-finals but also sends a strong message to the other teams. Diakité and Tapsoba have formed an important partnership, with Tapsoba leading the tournament with seven goals.

Burkina Faso had already qualified for the FIFA U-17 World Cup before this match. Now, they aim to reach their second U-17 AFCON final and win a second continental title, having won in 2011.

Egypt's Pyramids with huge first-leg CAF Champions Leguea advantage
by FSL News

Egypt’s Pyramids with huge first-leg CAF Champions League advantage

Pyramids FC has made a significant advancement toward the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League following a decisive 4-1 victory over FAR Rabat in the first leg of their quarter-final match. This encounter took place on Tuesday evening at the 30 June Air Defence Stadium in Cairo.

The Egyptian team demonstrated a dominant performance, establishing a 3-0 lead within the first 40 minutes, largely due to the exceptional contributions of Congolese striker Fiston Mayele and winger Ibrahim Adel.

Mayele opened the scoring in the 2nd minute, capitalizing on an assist from Mostafa Fathi. He further enhanced the team’s advantage with a close-range finish in the 12th minute, following a cutback from Adel.

Ibrahim Adel then added to the scoreline in the 38th minute by efficiently converting a chance from the left side of the penalty area, having been set up by Ramadan Sobhi.

The Moroccan team narrowed the gap just before halftime with a goal from Abdelfattah Hadraf, assisted by Youssef El Fahli. However, hopes for a comeback faded in the second half when Adel scored his second goal, bringing Pyramids FC’s tally to four after an assist from Blati Touré in the 67th minute.

Despite late pressure from FAR Rabat and several substitutions made in an attempt to regain control, the home team navigated the remainder of the match with composure, even striking the crossbar in stoppage time through Mostafa Fathi.

This commanding victory provides Pyramids FC with a three-goal advantage as they prepare for the return leg in Morocco, placing FAR Rabat in a challenging position as they seek to overcome this deficit in order to reach the semi-finals.

Mali thrash Comoros in Group I CAF World Cup Qualifiers
by FSL News

Mali thrash Comoros in Group I CAF World Cup Qualifying tie

Newly appointed Tom Saintfiet guided Mali to a vital 3-0 victory over Comoros on Thursday night during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. This victory gives Mali a better chance to qualify and changes the standings in Group I.

Nene Dorgeles and Kamory Doumbia scored goals in the Moroccan city of Berkane, helping Mali move up to fourth place with eight points, just two points behind the leaders, Madagascar. Comoros, who was at the top of the group before this game, is now in third place with nine points.

Mali started the match strong, scoring the first goal in the 20th minute. Dorgeles received a good pass from captain Yves Bissouma and shot past goalkeeper Yannick Pandor.

Comoros tried to fight back. Faïz Selemani took a long-range free kick that tested Malian goalkeeper Djigui Diarra, but Mali kept their defence strong.

In the second half, Mali played with more energy. In the 55th minute, El Bilal Touré crossed the ball into the box, and Kamory Doumbia found the empty net.

Just eight minutes later, Doumbia scored again with another assist from Bissouma, making it clear that the game was in Mali’s control. Comoros struggled to find clear opportunities as Mali finished the game confidently.

This loss is a big setback for Comoros, who may fall further behind in the group.

In contrast, Mali’s win puts them back in the race for a World Cup spot, with three games left in the qualifiers. Madagascar stays on top with 10 points, but Ghana could take the lead if they win their next match against Chad.

Mali will be feeling more confident as they prepare for their next important game against the Central African Republic on Monday to move up the standings.

Morocco's head coach Walid Regragui names squad, no Ziyech
by FSL News

Morocco’s head coach Walid Regragui names squad, no Ziyech

Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, has selected a 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Niger and Tanzania on March 21 and 25. However, Hakim Ziyech is not included.

The squad includes four new players: Bilal Nadir, Chemsedine Taibi, Hamza Igamane, and Omar El Hilali. This shows that the Atlas Lions are bringing in young talent to the team.

Two key players are missing from the squad due to injuries: Hakim Ziyech, a top playmaker, and Ayoub El Kaabi, a strong goal-scorer. Their absence will create challenges for Regragui as he adjusts his attack.

Returning to the squad are Jawad El Yamiq and goalkeeper El Mehdi Benabid, who missed previous international matches. Their return adds strength to the defense and goalkeeping.

Morocco leads Group E in the qualifiers and wants to build on that success. They will play both matches in Oujda, where home support could help them earn six points.

With Ziyech and El Kaabi out, Youssef En-Nesyri, Soufiane Rahimi, Brahim Diaz, and Abdessamad Ezzalzouli will take on more attacking responsibilities. After Morocco’s impressive run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, there are high expectations for the team.

Key players like Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, and Nayef Aguerd remain important to the team’s goals. With a strong squad and home advantage, Morocco aims to win both matches and strengthen their reputation as one of Africa’s top football teams.

Morocco’s 26-Man Squad for World Cup Qualifiers

Goalkeepers: Yassine Bounou (Al Hilal), Munir El Kajoui (Al Wehda), El Mehdi Benabid (FUS Rabat).

Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain), Noussair Mazraoui (Bayern Munich), Nayef Aguerd (West Ham United), Jawad El Yamiq (Al-Wahda), Abdel Abqar (Deportivo Alavés), Jamal Harkass (AS FAR), Omar El Hilali (Espanyol), Adam Aznou (Bayern Munich U19).

Midfielders: Sofyan Amrabat (Manchester United), Azzedine Ounahi (Marseille), Ismael Saibari (PSV Eindhoven), Bilal El Khannouss (Genk), Oussama Targhalline (Le Havre), Bilal Nadir (Nice).

Forwards: Youssef En-Nesyri (Sevilla), Brahim Diaz (Real Madrid), Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Real Betis), Amine Adli (Bayer Leverkusen), Soufiane Rahimi (Al Ain), Eliesse Ben Seghir (AS Monaco), Osame Sahraoui (Heerenveen), Hamza Igamane (Wydad AC), Chemsedine Taibi (FUS Rabat).

Sierra Leone U17 gear up for Guinea Women’s World Cup African Qualifiers
by FSL News

Sierra Leone U17 gear up for Guinea Women’s World Cup African Qualifiers

The Sierra Leone National U-17 Women’s Team has conducted its initial training session at the Southern Arena in Bo City as they ramp up preparations for their forthcoming match against Guinea in the Second Preliminary Round of the U-17 Women’s World Cup African Qualifiers.

Following a strong victory over the Central African Republic in the first preliminary round, our players are now concentrating on achieving another win.

The opening leg is scheduled for March 8, 2025, at the Southern Arena in Bo City, while the return leg will occur on March 15 at Stade Mamadou Konaté in Bamako, Mali.

With dedication, effort, and a strong sense of teamwork, both the players and coaching staff are entirely focused on earning a place in the final tournament.

The winner of this matchup will proceed to compete against the team that comes out on top between Ivory Coast and Burundi in the concluding round of the qualifiers.

The Sierra Leone Women’s U-17 team will play against Guinea in the second round of the African Qualifiers for the U-17 Women’s World Cup
The Sierra Leone Women’s U-17 team will play against Guinea in the second round of the African Qualifiers for the U-17 Women’s World Cup