Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly beat Mazembe to set a date with Esperance of Tunisia
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly beat Mazembe to set a date with Esperance of Tunisia

On Friday in Cairo, Egypt’s Al Ahly secured TotalEnergies CAF Champions League final spot with a 3-0 win over Mazembe.

As a result, they’ll face Esperance of Tunisia, who defeated Sundowns 2-0 on aggregate to set up this year’s final Al Ahly.

In the first leg of the match played in Lubumbashi, no team managed to score a goal. However, the return fixture in Cairo was full of drama.

In Cairo, Joel Beya’s goal for Mazembe was disallowed early in the second half before Abdelmonem’s powerful header off a corner broke the deadlock on 68 minutes.

Led by South African-born Percy Tau, the 11-time champions displayed tenacity, hunger, and quality to carry Egyptian football’s flag into next month’s final. 

Marcel Koller’s side responded to the threat of the visitors and showed the composure and quality that has made them African club football’s pre-eminent force over the past decade.

Mohamed Abdelmonem’s thumping header put them ahead in the 68th minute before late strikes from Wissam Abu Ali and Akram Tawfik completed the win as Al Ahly seeks to maintain its grip on African club football’s biggest prize.

Al Ahly secured a place in the final against Tunisian heavyweights Esperance after Akram Tawfik scored the third goal in the 12th minute of stoppage time. 

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1784105428286132226

Dreams coach Zito relishes chance against Zamalek for final spot
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Dreams coach Zito relishes chance against Zamalek

Dreams FC coach Abdul Karim Zito has stated that his team will not underestimate Zamalek in the second leg of their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final match.

Zito’s team held the former champions to a goalless draw at Cairo International Stadium, despite the home team’s dominance.

The Ghanaian team showed great resilience and managed to prevent Zamalek from winning. As a result, they returned home as the happier side and are now looking forward to the second-leg encounter. 

The match is scheduled to take place at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday, April 28, 2024, and Zito, the coach, is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead.

“We’ve put the first leg aside – we know it will be very difficult as it looks very frightening, but it is not impossible,” Karim Zito said, as quoted by Akoma Sports. 

The experienced coach is confident of securing victory, even if the game has to be decided after regulation time.

“We are ready should the game travel to penalties, but we aim to end the game within 90 minutes,” he stated. 

Zamalek arrived in Kumasi on Thursday, April 25 to continue their preparations for the anticipated encounter. 

The reigning defending champions and current league leaders, Bo Rangers, dominated Real Republicans in a spectacular game that saw them move five points clear at the top of the league table.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bo Rangers thrash Republicans to open a five-point gap

The reigning defending champions and current league leaders, Bo Rangers, dominated Real Republicans in a spectacular game that saw them move five points clear at the top of the league table. 

Bo Rangers have won 15 games this season after the 5-0 hammering of Real Republicans on Wednesday, causing Soccer Ambassadors to fall into the relegation zone. John Keister’s team dominated the struggling visitors, scoring three goals in the first half-hour of the game at Southern Arena.

Mohamadu Lamin and Suffian Kalokoh scored two goals each, while Mohamed Kabba added another goal to the Southern Arena’s tally, igniting a celebratory atmosphere. 

This win highlights their determination to clinch yet another Sierra Leone top-tier title. This season, Real Republicans have won only four matches, lost eleven, and drawn the other nine.

They now find themselves in the relegation zone, with just 21 points after 24 games. 

Elsewhere, Wusum Stars continue their strong form by defeating Freetonians SLIFA 2-0 in Makeni, while Wilberforce Strikers secured a 1-0 away victory over East End Lions.

Augustine Williams rescues a point for Indy Eleven
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustine Williams rescues a point for Indy Eleven

Indy Eleven played against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and drew 1-1 on Saturday at Weidner Field. Augustine Williams scored the equalizer in the 31st minute on Saturday.

Colorado Springs started strong in the match through Ronaldo Dumas scoring in the third minute.

Indy scored a goal in the 31st minute by Augi Williams, assisted by Aedan Stanley. It was the second in eight games for the Sierra Leone International. 

Both teams ended the first half with a 1-1 draw, with Indy holding 56% of possession. 

In the second half, Indy played well against the 10-man Colorado Springs squad following Wahab Ackwei’s red card in the 58th minute. However, Indy couldn’t find the match-winner. 

Indy has scored in seven consecutive matches to start the season, the longest stretch to open a USL Championship campaign since six games to open the 2019 season. 

They’ll host North Carolina FC at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, airing locally on WNDY and streaming nationally on ESPN+.

Scottish Premiership side Dundee Football Club is interested in securing Amadou Bakayoko's future at Dens Park by offering him a permanent contract.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Dundee eye permanent deal for striker Amadou Bakayoko 

Scottish Premiership side Dundee Football Club is interested in securing Amadou Bakayoko’s future at Dens Park by offering him a permanent contract.

The striker from Sierra Leone has been an influential player for the Dark Blues this season, playing a crucial role in achieving a top-six position. 

He joined the club on loan from Forest Green Rovers last summer and has secured the second spot in the club’s top scorers list.

Bakayoko scored the decisive goal in their victory against St Johnstone at the end of March, which helped them secure a place in the top half of the table. Now, the team is looking forward to their final five matches of the season, with Celtic being their next opponent this coming Sunday.

Beyond that, work is already underway to bolster the squad for next season.

Manager Tony Docherty has expressed his satisfaction with the striker’s performance this season. He has also revealed his intentions to reduce the number of loan deals next season and replace them with permanent deals, including Bakayoko.

“We’re recruiting for next season, evaluating current players and exploring external options. We brought in 11 loans this season, but some may become permanent based on performance. Bakayoko falls into this category. If a player is doing well and our relationship is strong, we want to continue working together, especially if it’s been successful.”

John Kamara made a great start to his season at Unity City in the Philippine Football League (PFL) by scoring his debut goal on Sunday.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Midfielder John Kamara opens League account with United City

John Kamara made a great start to his season at Unity City in the Philippine Football League (PFL) by scoring his debut goal on Sunday. 

Kamara’s goal, which came through a header, was scored just before the half-time break and gave his team the lead after the home team had equalised. 

Unity City went on to win the game 4-1 on Sunday. Kamara, who used to play for Egaleo, said he was thrilled to have started the season with a positive result. 

He was named Man of the Match and included in Week three’s Team of the Week.

He added that he was happy to have helped his team with a goal and that winning away from home was a great achievement.

As a result, United Coity moved up to fifth on the table. 

“John Bankolé Kamara is a significant signing for United City FC. His versatility, leadership, and technical ability make him a valuable addition to the squad,” Coach Marian said of the midfielder after they signed him

Last season, the former Keşla enforcer played for Egaleo in the Greek second-tier league before leaving to join United City.

City is Kamara’s tenth professional club since he started with Tadamon Sour SC in 2008.

He made his senior international debut for Sierra Leone in 2013 and has made over 20 caps for Sierra Leone. He played a pivotal role on the road to Cameroon in 2021. Kamara played in all Sierra Leone matches at the  2021 AFCON.

He was named Man of the Match and included in Week three's Team of the Week.
He was named Man of the Match and included in Week three's Team of the Week.
Trevoh Chalobah disappointed after Chelsea's FA Cup defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Trevoh Chalobah disappointed after Chelsea’s FA Cup defeat

Trevoh Chalobah has expressed disappointment after Chelsea’s defeat in the FA Cup semi-final to Manchester City. However, he believes the team must quickly regroup ahead of the Premier League’s “seven finals.”

Despite creating clear chances throughout the 90 minutes, Chelsea was narrowly beaten by Pep Guardiola’s side at Wembley. City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega twice denied Nicolas Jackson, and Chelsea also had a penalty appeal for handball turned down. 

Chalobah produced a strong display at Wembley, but he feels that the finer details in the attacking third cost the Blues the match. “We worked on the manager’s game plan for the last few days, and we stuck to it. However, we lacked the final details, which was finding the back of the net,” the 24-year-old explained.

Although the defeat ended Chelsea’s chances of claiming silverware this season, Chalobah believes that the team must learn from these types of experiences.

“We’ve been here twice this season, and a new group of boys have now had a feel for what being at Wembley is like. Hopefully, we have that again next season, and we have to up our levels to get into the final.”

Brazilian Sasse scores Esperance's winner against Mamelodi Sundowns
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Brazilian Sasse scores Esperance’s winner against Sundowns

Esperance of Tunisia claimed a 1-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa in the first leg of their CAF Champions League semi-final match on Saturday. 

In the 41st minute, Yan Sasse, 26, from Brazil scored the only goal of the game. He converted a rebound after Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams parried his first attempt. Sasse’s compatriot, Rodrigo Rodrigues, played a significant role in the goal by providing an excellent through ball to Sasse.

The goal came soon after Sundowns had a goal ruled offside, Rodrigues had hit the woodwork, and teammate Houssem Tka had another shot cleared off the goalline. 

Sasse could have scored again in the second half, but a last-ditch tackle by Grant Kekana prevented him from doing so. 

Visiting Sundowns failed to equalize despite Mothobi Mvala’s shot, which was saved by Esperance’s goalkeeper. 

Esperance, bidding for their fifth Champions League title, held on to a narrow lead until the return leg.

Elsewhere, title-holders Al Ahly moved closer to their seventh final appearance in eight seasons by holding TP Mazembe to a goalless draw.

Ahly and Mazembe drew 0-0 in their match. Despite injuries to key players, Ahly achieved a satisfactory result. 

Mazembe drew their home quarter-final match but won the return match 2-1. Ahly will host Mazembe in Cairo, and Sundowns will face Esperance on Friday.

Striker Idris Kanu helps Barnet thrash Kidderminster at the Hive
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Idris Kanu helps Barnet thrash Kidderminster

On Saturday, Barnet secured a comfortable 4-1 win over Kidderminster, during which Sierra Leone International Idris Kanu accounted for one of the goals at the Hive.

It was his seventh of the season as the victory also confirmed the team’s 2nd place finish in the National League, which means they will have the advantage of playing at home in the upcoming play-off semi-final next weekend.

Barnet ended their regular season fixtures with a convincing win against the already-relegated Kidderminster as they prepared for the playoffs. 

In the 33rd minute, Danny Collinge scored the match’s first goal with a header, which was assisted by a corner. This was Collinge’s ninth goal of the season. 

Barnet continued to create chances and in the 44th minute, Nicke Kabamba scored the second goal of the match, his 29th of the season. 

Luke Freeman added to the scoreline in the 47th minute, making it 3-0 for Barnet. 

Kidderminster managed to pull one back in the 60th minute through Charlie Weston. Idris Kanu sealed the three points at The Hive with a beautiful goal, marking the end of the regular season.

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1781778929868562698

Emmanuel Samadia's Harford Athletic suffer US Open Cup defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Emmanuel Samadia’s Harford Athletic suffer US Open Cup defeat

Hartford Athletic lost 3-2 to New York City II in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup after coming back from a 1-0 deficit and losing a one-goal lead in stoppage time. 

Sierra Leone International Emmanuel Samadia made his first start for the club playing 120 minutes in their defeat in the US Open Cup on Tuesday.

Hartford controlled possession and attacking play throughout the first half, but New York broke through to score in the 63rd minute. 

Hartford equalized in the 79th minute, but the score remained tied at the end of regulation, sending the match into extra time. 

The Green and Blue took the first punch in the additional period, but NYCFCII found the back of the net twice to win the game.

Hartford Athletic signed Sierra Leonean international Emmanuel Samadia for the 2024 season, pending league approval in November 2023. 

Previously, Samadia played for Hapoel Umm al-Fahm and Hapoel Rishon leZion in Liga Leumit, scoring two goals and making ten assists in 89 appearances from 2020-2023. He also helped his team win the Liga Leumit Toto Cup in January 2023.

On Saturday, they’ll return to their USL Championship schedule against San Antonio FC.