Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alex Bangura scores as Middlesbrough humble Watford
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alex Bangura scores as Middlesbrough humble Watford

Emmanuel Lath scored his 16th league goal of the season, while Alex Bangura and Jones scored a goal each to help Boro beat the Hornets and end the season on a high note.

Bangura, who signed a four-year deal with Boro in September 2023, will be pleased to score his second Championship goal following a series of injuries throughout his debut season.

Boro quickly regained control of the game with two goals from Alex Bangura and Isiah Jones. 

Michael Carrick’s team lost only one game in their final 11 matches and finished in the eighth position, missing out on the playoffs by just four points. On the other hand, Watford finished their season in 15th place.

Watford had an opportunity to take the lead early on through Vakoun Bayo’s header, but Middlesbrough goalkeeper Seny Dieng denied him from close range. At the other end, Daniel Bachmann saved Isiah Jones’ ferocious strike at his near post.

Just before the half-hour mark, Latte Lath scored his sixth goal in a row and his 18th of the season by sweeping home Luke Ayling’s cross from the right byline.

In the final minute of the first half, Edo Kayembe missed a chance to equalise for Watford. In truth, it summed up a first half where the Hornets lacked a sting in the tail.

Nine minutes after the restart, Boro almost doubled their lead on a counter-attack through Luke Thomas. However, Alex Gilbert timed a sliding tackle brilliantly to deny Bayo.

Watford equalized with 20 minutes left when Hoedt headed in Asprilla’s corner. Boro quickly restored their lead through Bangura after great work by Greenwood. Jones secured the win for Boro six minutes from time with an emphatic finish from Ayling’s pass.

Abu Kamara set for Norwich Pre-season after a successful loan spell
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Kamara set for Norwich return after Portsmouth loan spell

Norwich boss David Wagner wants to evaluate Abu Kamara’s performance in the pre-season at Norwich City after his successful loan spell at Portsmouth. 

The Sierra Leone native had a remarkable loan period at the League One champions, consistently playing and producing 21 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions during his first year in senior football. 

Norwich hopes to benefit from Kamara’s time at Fratton Park as they focus on next season. 

The Canaries aim to secure promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs and want to evaluate Kamara when he returns to Norfolk this summer, regardless of the division. 

Despite Portsmouth supporters urging the club to sign Kamara permanently, Wagner is excited to work with the young forward again during the pre-season. 

“I haven’t seen him for a year, but I’ve watched clips and TV. However, a year can make a lot of difference for a young professional,” says Wagner.

“I think Abu is a great player and an excellent character. I gave him his first minutes in the Championship here last season”, said the City boss to the Pink Un. 

“What makes it special is that even though he faced difficulties at the beginning, he persevered and now everyone talks about his numbers and promotion. It wasn’t easy, but he managed to overcome it.”

Defender Trevoh Chalobah inspires Chelsea with first goal of the season
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defender Trevoh Chalobah inspires Chelsea with first goal

On Thursday, Sierra Leone-born Trevoh Chalobah was thrilled to contribute to Chelsea’s important victory over Tottenham, as he headed the Blues in front, leading them to a 2-0 win in the Premier League.

Chalobah scored a powerful header before the half-hour mark, giving Chelsea a well-deserved lead at halftime. He also played a crucial role in the team’s resilient defence that handled Tottenham’s offensive pressure in the second half.

In the end, Nicolas Jackson scored from close range, nodding home Cole Palmer’s free-kick which had deflected off the crossbar to secure all three points at the Bridge.

Chalobah acknowledged the significance of the win and his goal, which was his first for the season against local rivals. As a centre-back, he hoped it would add to the squad’s belief heading into the business end of the campaign.

‘It’s a good feeling and brilliant to get a clean sheet,’ Chalobah said. 

‘The clean sheet and the win, we did it together today. The boys knew how massive this game was, and the season has been up and down for us; the consistency hasn’t been there. But today was the perfect day to show it against our rivals, and the boys were ready for it.

‘We knew it would be a tough game, but I felt the boys were ready, and that’s the level we need to be showing every single game.’

Chalobah spoke about his goal and revealed that it was a focus of both the squad and coaching staff during training before the match. He explained that they had identified where the danger could be and had worked on it in the days leading up to the game.

He stressed the importance of not only doing their job in clearing their box but also contributing to the other box. The three points won yesterday evening keep the Blues within reach of earning continental qualification. Chalobah, who was named Player of the Match, is confident that with the right mentality, they can have a productive end to the season.

‘It’s a good feeling and brilliant to get a clean sheet,’ Chalobah said.
‘It’s a good feeling and brilliant to get a clean sheet,’ Chalobah said.
Steven Caulker set to pursue UEFA A badge in England
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Steven Caulker set to pursue UEFA A badge in England

Sierra Leone and former England international is set to start his UEFA A badge this month. Five months after completing his UEFA B badge, Caulker is now embarking on achieving the UEFA A with the English FA.

He confirmed that he will begin his UEFA A course this month and is excited to further develop his coaching skills under the guidance of some of the best teachers in the game.

Caulker, who was a pivotal player for Sierra Leone during the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, is presently transforming his playing career to coaching. 

He has admitted that coaching is the way forward and aspires to be a manager someday. He would love to be a Sierra Leone manager and bring in young Sierra Leoneans to play an attractive style of football.

The UEFA A Licence is the most advanced practical coaching certification available and it builds upon the technical and tactical knowledge covered in the UEFA B Licence.

 This certification focuses on developing individual players within units and improving understanding of modern trends in the game, strategies and tactics, systems of play in today’s game, and the principles of the England DNA.

Augustus Kargbo's Cesena make Serie C history
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo’s Cesena make Serie C history

Sierra Leone International Augustus Kargbo Italian side Cesena made history in Serie C with a total of 96 points, equalling the record set by Catanzaro just a year ago, thanks to their 2-0 victory over Perugia in the final league game of the season.

Kargbo, who started the tie before he was subbed off in the 56th minute, had nine goal contributions that played a pivotal role in their success after joining the team on a three-year contract with Cesena after departing Crotone last summer.

Cesena has secured automatic promotion to the Italian Serie B after finishing first in Serie C Group B. The 2022-23 Serie B season (known as Serie BKT due to sponsorship reasons) marks the 91st season of the league since its establishment in 1929. 

During the match against Perugia, Prestia scored his first goal of the season, and Corazza converted a penalty to secure the win.

“The work with the young players started last season; we believed in them, and they have paid us back extraordinarily. There was the right mix with the more experienced players who took energy from the young ones and vice versa,” head coach Toscano told the club’s website.

Cesena has secured automatic promotion to the Italian Serie B after finishing first in Serie C Group B.
Cesena has secured automatic promotion to the Italian Serie B after finishing first in Serie C Group B.
NFF appointed Finidi George as the new Head Coach of the Super Eagles
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Finidi George appointed as new Head Coach of Nigeria

The Nigeria Football Federation Board has given the green light to Finidi George as the new Head Coach of the Senior Men National Football Team, Super Eagles. 

George had previously worked as an assistant to José Santos Peseiro for 20 months before taking over as interim coach for two friendly matches in Morocco last month. 

During his time as interim coach, the team managed to beat Ghana 2-1 but lost 0-2 to Mali. George is a former player who has represented Nigeria in 62 matches and was part of the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations tournament-winning squad.

As the new head coach, George’s immediate task will be to guide the Super Eagles to victory in two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and the Benin Republic. 

The matches are must-win encounters, with the Super Eagles currently in third place in Group C of the African campaign behind Rwanda and South Africa.

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Sierra Leone International Daniel Kanu has been named the Charlton Athletic Valley Gold Young Player of the Year for the second time.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Daniel Kanu named Valley Gold Young Player of the Year

Sierra Leone International Daniel Kanu has been named the Charlton Athletic Valley Gold Young Player of the Year for the second time. 

Kanu, a graduate of the Addicks Academy, played a key role for the team after returning from a loan spell. 

His impressive performance earned him a contract extension with Charlton Athletic until 2027.

The 19-year-old player previously won the award in the 2021/22 season. He joins the ranks of Scott Minto, Scott Wagstaff, and Callum Harriott as a two-time winner of the accolade.

Kanu started his journey with Charlton Athletic at the U11 level. During the season, he scored seven goals and provided one assist for the Addicks. 

He also made his senior international debut for Sierra Leone against Egypt in the FIFA World Cup African Qualifying First Round, which took place on Sunday, November 19th, 2023, in Liberia.

Kanu, a graduate of the Addicks Academy, played a key role for the team after returning from a loan spell.
Kanu, a graduate of the Addicks Academy, played a key role for the team after returning from a loan spell.
Striker Alie Conteh nets hattrick for Norwegian side Mjøndalen IF
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Alie Conteh nets hattrick for Norwegian side Mjøndalen

Striker Alie Conteh scored his first hat-trick for Mjøndalen IF on Sunday in their Obos Ligaen match against Valerenga IF at Consto Arena. 

With a final score of 5-3, Conteh’s impressive performance contributed greatly to the team’s win, which moved them to eighth in the league standings.

Conteh has scored four goals in his last four matches for the Norwegian side. He entered Sunday’s match ten minutes before halftime, replacing an injured Brinder Singh, and scored twice before the break. 

Throughout the match, the Sierra Leonean proved to be a constant source of trouble for Valerenga’s poorly organized defence. Conteh completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute, and Keerat Singh Mann scored their fifth goal of the game.

Although Valerenga rallied and scored three goals, it wasn’t enough to secure a win. Next, Mjøndalen IF will play at home on Saturday against Aalesunds FK at Consto Arena.

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Sierra Leone International Tyrese Fornah's Derby County has secured promotion to the Sky Bet Championship for the 2024/25 campaign.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Tyrese Fornah pleased with Derby’s promotion

Sierra Leone International Tyrese Fornah’s Derby County has secured promotion to the Sky Bet Championship for the 2024/25 campaign. 

On Saturday, the team beat Carlisle United 2-0 at Pride Park Stadium, securing automatic promotion from League One.

Fornah, a former Nottingham Forest midfielder who joined the club in August 2023, made nineteen first-team appearances for the Rams. 

He signed a two-year contract that will run until the summer of 2025 and posted a message on social media saying “Glory to God! Grateful to experience this with a great bunch of boys and staff, Promotion & Championship Football secured.”

Derby needed only a draw against the division’s bottom side to end their two-year stay in League One. Max Bird’s fierce swerving shot from outside the box had Rams fans singing and bouncing to the joyous tune of ‘We Are Going Up’ after just five minutes. James Collins got Paul Warne’s Rams over the promotion line with a composed close-range finish on the hour mark to complete the victory.

It’s the fourth time 50-year-old Warne has guided a side to promotion from League One, his three previous successes coming with Rotherham as they yo-yoed between the second and third tiers.

Fornah started at Brighton & Hove Albion before moving to Forest’s Academy in 2018. He debuted for Forest in 2020 and went on to have loan spells at Casa Pia, Plymouth Argyle, and Shrewsbury Town. 

In the 2022/23 season, he played for Reading, making 37 appearances and scoring two goals while also – providing two assists.

Sierra Leone International Tyrese Fornah’s Derby County sealed promotion back to the Sky Bet Championship for the 2024/25 campaign.
Sierra Leone International Tyrese Fornah’s Derby County sealed promotion back to the Sky Bet Championship for the 2024/25 campaign.
The inaugural edition of FIFA's new prime club competition is scheduled to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Esperance, Sundowns join Al Ahly & Wydad in Club World Cup

The inaugural edition of FIFA’s new prime club competition is scheduled to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025. 

Esperance, a Tunisian team, and Mamelodi Sundowns, a South African club, have secured their spots in the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup (Mundial de Clubes FIFA 25™) for next year. 

They have become the third and fourth teams from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to qualify for the competition – following the just-concluded semi-final matches of the CAF Champions League, which took place on Friday.

Esperance defeated Sundowns 2-0 on aggregate and will now play against Al Ahly in the final. 

The winner will qualify as African champions for the new 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. Al Ahly and Wydad Casablanca have already secured their places in the competition.

Even if Esperance fails to win the final, they will still take up one of the two remaining CAF berths. Sundowns will also participate in the competition. 

The new FIFA Club World Cup format aims to feature elite teams from each confederation, with four African sides participating: Wydad (Morocco), Al Ahly (Egypt), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), and ES Tunis (Tunisia).

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