Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

El Jadida Stadium to host Sierra Leone v Djibouti WC qualifier
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

El Jadida Stadium to host Sierra Leone v Djibouti WC qualifier

Sierra Leone national football team will play their next World Cup Group A match against Djibouti at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium in El Jadida, Morocco, football Sierra Leone understands. 

The match is scheduled for next month as Sierra Leone will be looking to secure their first win in the race to the 2026 World Cup in the USA after earning a point from their previous matches against Ethiopia and Egypt.

Sierra Leone is ranked 126th, which is 66 places ahead of Djibouti. This puts the West African team in a favourable position to win. 

Djibouti previously suffered a 2-0 aggregate defeat to Liberia in the CAF qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. However, it was a positive goalless draw for Djibouti in Liberia during the second leg of the qualifier. 

The Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium is a 15,000-seater multi-use stadium in El Jadida, Morocco. 

It is mainly used for football matches and is home to Difaa El Jadida. Central and East African teams will face a tough contest against Sierra Leone at this stadium.

Egypt topped Group A with six points, followed by Burkina Faso and Guinea-Bissau with four points each. Sierra Leone and Ethiopia are tied on one point each, while Djibouti has no points after losing their opening two games.

Djibouti previously suffered a 2-0 aggregate defeat to Liberia in the CAF qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
SDjibouti previously suffered a 2-0 aggregate defeat to Liberia in the CAF qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
Ademola Lookman nets as Atalanta reach the Europa League final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ademola Lookman nets as Atalanta reach Europa League final

Ademola Lookman was on target as Atalanta secured their spot in the Europa League final with a 4-1 aggregate victory over Marseille at the Gewiss Stadium.

Atalanta, managed by Gian Piero Gasperini, is set to face Bayer Leverkusen, led by Xabi Alonso, in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on May 22nd.

This will be Atalanta’s first final in European competition.

Nigeria International Ademola Lookman scored the first goal for Atalanta in the 30th minute with a deflected strike that went past Marseille’s goalkeeper Pau Lopez and landed in the bottom corner.

Matteo Ruggeri extended Atalanta’s lead at the start of the second half with a right-footed drive into the top corner. El Bilal Toure scored the final goal of the match in injury time with the last kick of the game.

Atalanta had several missed chances to score in the first half, even though they eliminated Liverpool in the previous round.

Ilaix Moriba scored the winning goal from a penalty in the first half. 
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Guinea beat Indonesia to seal Paris 2024 Olympics spot

On Thursday, Guinea secured their place in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament with a 1-0 win against Indonesia in a play-off match. 

Sixteen teams will compete in the men’s tournament from July 24 to 9 August 2024.

Moriba Kourouma scored the winning goal from a penalty in the first half.

Although Indonesia fought back, Guinea’s defence held firm, and they secured their historic place in the Olympic Age.

During the game, Algassime Bah was fouled by Indonesia’s Witan Sulaeman, leading to a penalty. 

The African team will be making their second appearance in the Men’s Olympic Football Tournament, having previously competed in 1968.

Guinea is in Group A of the 16-team summer event, along with hosts France, USA, and New Zealand. 

Reaction

“We’re qualified, so we’re rewriting history with these young ones. They’ve earned it. This will be the second time that Guinea has taken part in the Olympic Games. We’re going there to try and go as far as possible.” Kaba Diawara, Guinea coach.

Striker Kei Kamara helps Los Angeles secure US Cup last 16 spot
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Kei Kamara helps Los Angeles secure US Cup last 16 spot

Los Angeles secured their place in the Round of 16 in the US Open Cup by defeating Las Vegas Lights 3-1 at Cashman Field on Wednesday night. 

Sierra Leone’s Kei Kamara recorded his first goal for the Black & Gold with a header – just two minutes into the second half. Timothy Tillman crossed the ball from the left wing, and Kamara’s finish found the back of the net.

In the 56th minute, Shawn Smart scored a goal for Las Vegas to level the score. However, LAFC continued to create chances, and in the 70th minute, Cristian Olivera broke the tie by tapping Omar Campos’ deflected cross into the goal.

Olivera then secured LAFC’s win with his second goal in the 91st minute, making it 3-1.

Despite head coach Steve Cherundolo receiving a straight red card in the second minute of first-half stoppage time, LAFC maintained their composure throughout the match.

LAFC will host Loudoun United, a Division II team in the USL Championship, in two weeks at BMO Stadium. 

 

https://twitter.com/LAFC/status/1788430121189384336

Sebastian Bowles departs Luawa FC by mutual consent
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sebastian Bowles departs Luawa FC by mutual consent

Luawa Football Club have announced that they have parted ways with their head coach, British-born Sebastian Bowles, who had been in charge since the start of the Sierra Leone Premier League 2023/24 season.

Luawa has lost three of their last four games, resulting in a drop of 11 points out of a possible 12. They are currently in 9th place with 31 points after winning eight games, drawing nine, and losing nine in the ongoing season.

Coach Sillah, previously the Assistant Coach, will now be the head coach of the club.

They confirmed that Coach Bowles has departed from the club by mutual agreement. “Coach Seb, as he is affectionately known, has been with us for eight months and has made significant contributions to the transformation of the club during his tenure,” the clubs stated.

“Unfortunately, due to safety concerns following an assault he experienced and despite all efforts to reassure his family of his security, Coach Seb and his family feel it is no longer safe for him to remain with the club.”

We would like to express our gratitude to Coach Seb for his time with us and wish him the very best in his future endeavours. Coach Seb will always be a part of our history as we build a unique football development program in Sierra Leone.

Related News… New Boss Excited by Luawa Challenge

Brighton's Carlos Baleba set to boost Cameroon squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brighton’s Carlos Baleba set to boost Cameroon squad

Cameroon’s national football team, the “Indomitable Lions,” is set to add Carlos Baleba to its squad after his recent agreement to represent the team.

Football Sierra Leone understands that the announcement of the squad will provide insight into Brys’s vision for Cameroon’s footballing future.

Baleba is one of Africa’s most promising talents and has emerged as an exceptional midfielder since his transfer to Brighton from Lille last summer.

Baleba, 20, joined Albion in August 2023 from Lille, signing a five-year contract.

Baleba’s absence from Cameroon’s squad during the last Africa Cup of Nations caused controversy, but he has now agreed to play for the team.

Head coach Marc Brys is expected to be named Brighton’s player for the World Cup 2026 upcoming matches against Cape Verde and Angola.Africa’s 

Sébastien Haller eyes in UEFA Champions League final
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ivorian Sébastien Haller could join Uefa Champions League elite

 
The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League final will take place at London’s historic Wembley Stadium. This is the 69th season of Europe’s elite club competition and the 32nd since it was renamed the UEFA Champions League.
 
 
 
 
 
Emmanuel Samadia's Hartford suffer defeat to Charleston
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Emmanuel Samadia’s Hartford suffer defeat to Charleston

On Saturday, Emmanuel Samadia, a Sierra Leone International, made his first start in the USL Championship as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Charleston Battery.

It was his eighth appearance in all competition for the Sierra Leonean defender, who is working hard to capture regular first-team football under boss Brendan Burke. 

They failed to equalize with the first-place team in the Eastern Conference after conceding a goal early in the first half.

Charleston took control of the game, scoring the first goal in the 11th minute through Nick Markanich who delivered a left-footed bicycle kick off a corner kick.

Hartford kept the score at 1-0 by blocking three of Charleston’s next five shots and holding the back line.

In the final minutes of the first half, Hartford almost scored an equalizer when Romario Williams hit the post after a pass from Michee Ngalina.

Charleston threatened throughout the game, but Hartford improved their attacking play after the 55th minute.

Marcus Epps had three attempts, but only two were on target. In stoppage time, Hartford nearly equalized, but Anderson Asiedu’s pass to Michee Ngalina was saved.

Hartford lost, dropping to 3-4-0. Renan Ribeiro made his Athletic debut, allowing only one goal and making five saves. The next game will be held on May 11th at 7:00 PM against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Trinity Health Stadium.

Emmanuel Samadia Insights of personal Match statistics
Emmanuel Samadia Insights of personal Match statistics
Sierra Leone defender Osman Kakay confirms exit from QPR
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone defender Osman Kakay confirms exit from QPR

The QPR full-back, Osman Kakay, has confirmed leaving his boyhood club after 19 years of service to the London club Queens Park Rangers.

The Sierra Leone defender established himself in the R’s squad during the extended 2019/20 season, making seven appearances. 

In 2021, he helped Sierra Leone qualify for the African Cup of Nations. In the 2022/23 season, he made 24 appearances for QPR.

Kakay, who played 26 games this season, announced that he is leaving QPR, his childhood club. He wrote, “It is time for me to say goodbye to QPR. I have been part of the club since I was 7 years old, and I am thankful for everything the club has done for me and my family.”

Having come through the academy and eventually making over 100 appearances for the club, it means the world to me, especially, as a local boy growing up in South Kilburn. 

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all the coaches and staff who have supported me throughout my journey. It has been a pleasure to share the pitch with so many of my teammates. 

Lastly, I would like to thank the fans from the bottom of my heart who have stood by me through the highs and lows. It has been an honour to play for QPR, and I wish the club all the best for the future.”

PSV and Babadi announced the extension of their partnership until 2028 in March 2024.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Youngster Isaac Babadi wins first title with PSV Eindhoven

Isaac Babadi’s PSV Eindhoven clinched their 25th Dutch championship title on Sunday, their first win since 2018. This season’s championship marked Ajax’s demise.

PSV and Babadi announced the extension of their partnership until 2028 in March 2024. 

Since his professional debut for Jong PSV on January 10, 2022, he has contributed in 28 matches across all competitions. He replaced Johan Bakayoko in a 5-1 home win against Almere City in the Eerste Divisie, which was their biggest win of the season at that point.

PSV is the national champion for the 25th time after defeating Sparta Rotterdam 4-2 at the Philips Stadium. Thereby, with two rounds of play to go, PSV is unbeatable.

PSV was inimitable from the beginning of this season. The first seventeen league games were won and only on March 30 did the main squad suffer its first defeat. 

PSV has so far scored 87 points, scored 107 goals and only conceded 19. There remain games against RKC Waalwijk (home) and Fortuna Sittard (away).

Isaac Babadi's PSV Eindhoven clinched their 25th Dutch championship title on Sunday, their first win since 2018. This season's championship marked Ajax's demise.
Isaac Babadi's PSV Eindhoven clinched their 25th Dutch championship title on Sunday, their first win since 2018. This season's championship marked Ajax's demise.