Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo was delighted after scoring a hattrick for Cesena
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo pleased with his first pro-hat-trick in Cesena’s win

Augustus Kargbo achieved a significant milestone in his football career by scoring three goals in a single match for his team, Cesena, in week 29 of the Serie C.

Despite receiving a booking in the first half, Kargbo remained focused and determined to help his team to a decisive 4-0 victory over Virtus Entella.

This win marks Cesena’s fifth consecutive league victory, which puts them in a strong position to achieve promotion to Serie B.

“What a night! I am proud to be part of this team and I am excited to see us grow together. This is my first career hat trick and I am buzzing! Allah is the Greatest,” the Sierra Leone International posted on Twitter. 

“I am happy with my performance, but at the same time, I am saddened that I won’t be able to help my teammates in the next game as I will be suspended. It’s a great feeling to score a hat-trick in a professional match, and I am very pleased, especially with the victory. It’s always nice for a striker to score a goal,” during his post-match, Kargbo noted.

“I would like to thank my teammates for supporting me and helping me grow as a player. Before coming to the game, I called my mom, and she told me I would score a hat trick, so I dedicated it to her. Although I feel that I had other more significant performances than today, the numbers speak for themselves, and today is the most important.”

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – Players Abroad News.

Sierra Leone edge past Liberia in U17 Women's Cup in Kenema
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone edge past Liberia in U17 Women’s Cup in Kenema

Sierra Leone’s U17 girls demonstrated their potential as they defeated their Liberian counterpart 2-1 in the 2024 Women’s Cup in Kenema. 

The Sierra Leone Football Association and Ram Kay Football Club’s collaborative efforts to advance women’s football were on display in a captivating performance that enthralled the spectators.

Adama Mansaray opened the scoring for Sierra Leone in the 12th minute, followed by Adama Kamara who doubled their lead in the 25th minute, asserting their dominance in the game.

Despite Liberia’s U-17 team’s efforts to level the playing field, they were only able to score one goal, which came from Lewis Brown in the 66th minute, bringing the score to 2-1.

The competition continues today as the Sierra Leone senior women’s team – the Sierra Queens takes on Liberia U20 at the Kenema playing field in Eastern Province.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – National News.

Sierra Leone's U17 girls demonstrated their potential as they defeated their Liberian counterpart 2-1 in the 2024 Women's Cup in Kenema.
Sierra Leone's U17 girls demonstrated their potential as they defeated their Liberian counterpart 2-1 in the 2024 Women's Cup in Kenema.
Liberia U17 side rallied a goal back but was too late for a comeback.
Liberia U17 side rallied a goal back but was too late for a comeback.
Ex-Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic set for Algeria job
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ex-Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic set for Algeria job

Algeria has hired Vladimir Petkovic as their new coach to lead the team through qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Petkovic replaces Djamel Belmadi, who resigned earlier this year. Algeria is currently leading its qualifying group for the 2026 World Cup. The immediate task of Petkovic, the team’s coach, will be to continue building on this momentum.

Friendly matches against Bolivia and South Africa are on the horizon, and they will be the first test of his ability to motivate the team and establish his tactical philosophy.

He will arrive in Algiers this weekend, and a news conference is scheduled on Monday, according to a statement by the Algeria Football Federation.

Petkovic coached Switzerland in the 2018 World Cup, where they drew with Brazil and beat Serbia in the group stage before losing to Sweden in the round of 16.

After leaving Switzerland, he coached the French club Bordeaux but was fired in February 2022.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – African News.

SLFA reveals Fifa listed 2024 Sierra Leonean Referees
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

SLFA reveals Fifa listed 2024 Sierra Leonean Referees

Ten Sierra Leonean referees, including four women and six men, have been selected for the 2024 list of FIFA international referees. The announcement was made at the federation’s secretariat on Tuesday.

The FIFA selected referees are Precious A.E. Amara, Ibrahim Bah, Michael Conteh, Fatmata Mansaray, and Musa Allieu Sandy as assistant referees, and Mohamed K. Koroma, Alhaji Musa Kabia, Umu Marrah, Rashid M. Conteh, and Aminata Fullah as central referees.

Vice President 1 Harold Nat-Johnson expressed great delight at the rapid growth of female referees in Sierra Leone, noting that the country previously did not have a quartet of female referees but now boasts four, including two centre referees and two assistant referees.

“We are proud of the progress our referees have made,” said Nat-Johnson. “Their selection for the FIFA list is a testament to their dedication and skill.” He assured the referees of the federation’s unwavering support for their welfare and growth, promising more courses to be conducted across the country at all levels.

The unveiling ceremony was attended by acting General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh, Executive Committee member Brima Jalloh, Chairman of the Referees Committee Alhaji M.A Sesay, Head of the Referees department Franklyn Angel Foray Marah, and the Technical Director Ibrahim Bah.

Their presence underscored the SLFA’s commitment to developing referees in Sierra Leone and ensuring they receive the necessary support and training to excel at the international level.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – National News. 

Striker Augustine Williams eagerly looking forward to new USL season.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Augustine Williams eagerly looking forward to new season

Indy Eleven’s new acquisition, Augustine Williams, is eagerly awaiting the start of the new USL Championship season. 

This Sierra Leone International has been among the top scorers in the division for two seasons. He has contributed to 66 USLC regular season goals, making him one of two 2024 Boys in Blue to hold this record. 

In 2022, Williams scored 16 goals, which accounted for 40% of Charleston’s goals. This total is the most that any player has scored in a regular season during the squad’s USL Championship era. 

He was awarded second-team All-USL honours, marking the second time he has received this accolade for his achievements.

Augustine Williams joins the Boys in Blue following a USL Championship Final run with the Charleston Battery in 2023. 

“We have had an amazing preparation since joining the team. We have one more friendly match against Detroit before we start focusing on our opening USL Championship tier game against Oakland Roots on March 9th in California,” says Augustine Williams to FSL News.

Preparation has always been the same. The coach wants us to have a very aggressive team – to be comfortable on the ball and dominant. 

That’s what we have been showing in the last few friendly games. We’re hoping to take that same momentum against Oakland Roots – in search of our first three points of the new campaign.

So, I am excited, the team is excited – we can’t wait for the season to get started. We can show what we’re about to make a statement in our first game.”

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – Players Abroad.

Swedish side AIK Sign FC Kallon striker Emmanuel Gono
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Swedish side AIK Sign FC Kallon striker Emmanuel Gono

AIK Football has signed Liberian Emmanuel Gono from FC Kallon until December 31, 2027, a player with great potential. The club’s sporting director, Thomas Berntsen, welcomes him and asks for patience and trust. 

Gono is excited to join AIK and is confident that he will have good development at the club. He looks forward to helping the team move forward.

He has been testing for AIK since the beginning of the year and was present in both training and practice matches played during the 2024 pre-season.

The Liberian-born Gono, 18, previously played for FC Kallon in Sierra Leone and Muscat FC in Liberia. 

Under FC Kallon, he played a trial game for the Italian club Udinese Calcio in the spring of 2023.

On January 9, 2024, AIK Football announced that Gono would try out for the club during the pre-season, and he took part in the training camps held in Portugal and Spain. 

Gono made his first appearance for AIK on January 27, 2024, replacing Jonah Kusi-Asare in a training match against IF Brommapojkarna. 

He scored his first goal on February 25, 2024, during a training match against Karlbergs BK, with an assist from Abdihakim Ali. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – African News.

Sundowns, Mazembe seal quarter-final places after wins
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sundowns, Mazembe seal quarter-final spots after wins 

Mamelodi Sundowns and TP Mazembe secured their places in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League with victories in Group A on Saturday.

Sundowns won 2-0 away at Nouadhibou, thanks to first-half goals from Grant Kekana and Themba Zwane. 

The South African side started strongly and deservedly took the lead midway through the first half when Kekana headed home a free-kick from Marcelo Allende. 

Zwane added a second goal in the 70th minute, courtesy of a fine assist from substitute Lebohang Mokoena. Sundowns peppered the Nouadhibou goal with shots throughout the game, but goalkeeper Babacar Diop kept the scoreline respectable for the visitors. 

Sundowns’ win secured their place in the quarter-finals with one match remaining in the group stage, while Nouadhibou was eliminated.

TP Mazembe also secured their quarter-final place with a 3-0 win over Pyramids of Egypt. The DR Congo club started the match slowly but took the lead through Joel Beya’s goal. 

They extended their lead just before halftime with a skilful exchange inside the penalty area that led to Glody Likonza scoring. 

Mazembe netted a third early in the second half, but it was disallowed for offside.

Pyramids pushed for a comeback, but Mazembe’s defence stood firm and thwarted their attempts. Substitute Patient Mwamba sealed the victory for Mazembe in the dying moments of the game after capitalizing on a mistake by Pyramids’ Blati Toure. 

Mazembe’s win moved them to second place in the group with 10 points, while Pyramids are out of the competition with only four points.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – African News.

Sierra Leone beat Liberia in U20 Zonal Tournament
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone beat Liberia in U20 Zonal Tournament

Sierra Leone National U20 team, the Shooting Stars, won their first match in the Zonal U20 Tournament against Liberia in Monrovia, thanks to a sensational finish by Alieu Adjust Kamara. 

Kamara was substituted in the second half to impact the team’s approach, and he scored the only goal of the game as he helped his team to a 1-0 victory.

The youngster has improved since joining the U-20 team. He scored a perfect finish in the 90+3 minute, thanks to a brilliant assist by Samba Juma Bah.

His development as a player is evident in his ability to make meaningful contributions to the team’s success, and his performance earned him recognition as the man of the match.

Coach Mohamed Lamin Kamara praised his team’s disciplined approach and hard work that led to the desired result. 

He added that the final match on Sunday, 25th February 2024, at the Samuel K. Doe Stadium – will be another tough battle, but he remains optimistic about winning.

Shooting Stars currently have five points out of three matches played with two goals and one conceded.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – National News. 

Angola's Petro Atletico into quarter-finals after Al Hilal draw
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Angola’s Petro Atletico reach quarter-finals after Al Hilal draw

Angolan team Petro Atletico secured their place in the quarter-finals of the CAF Champions League despite being held to a 0-0 draw by Sudanese side Al Hilal in their penultimate Group C match on Friday. 

The game was played in Benghazi, where Hilal are hosting their home matches.

The result means that the Angolan champions advance to the last eight of the competition, having established an insurmountable lead at the top of their group. 

Petro knew they only needed one point to qualify, and they produced a disciplined defensive performance to earn the points they required. Al Hilal possessed the ball for most of the game and had more opportunities, but Petro goalkeeper Hugo Marques made several crucial saves to keep a clean sheet. 

They extended their unbeaten run to four games and secured their spot in the top two of Group C with nine points. 

Al Hilal and Esperance will compete for the other qualifying spot behind Petro.

IN GROUP B – Simba secured a goalless draw against ASEC Mimosa, elevating their position to the second spot with six points.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – African News.

Al Ahly's win sinks Medeama's knockout hopes
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly’s win sinks Medeama’s knockout hopes

Al Ahly demonstrated their superiority in a tense 1-0 victory over Ghana’s Medeama in Kumasi, bringing them one step closer to the CAF Champions League quarter-finals.

The win keeps Al Ahly at the top of Group D with nine points, four ahead of CR Belouizdad and Young Africans, who will face each other on Saturday.

Despite their opposition’s request for a postponement due to an aeroplane accident, the game was played at its original time at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Al Ahly had the added advantage of Percy Tau’s return from international duty, as well as the return of Amr El-Sulya and Karim Nedved, who had been out due to injury.

While the hosts put up a strong fight in the first half, Al Ahly’s goalkeeper, Mostafa Shobier, was up to the task, making some spectacular saves.

The second half saw Al Ahly dominate the game, with Hussein El-Shahat scoring the only goal of the match just four minutes in. Despite Medeama’s desperate attempts to equalize, Al Ahly maintained their composure, securing their place at the top of Group D with nine points.

With a strong performance like this, it’s clear that Al Ahly is not just a contender for the CAF Champions League title but a force to be reckoned with.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32 – CAF Champions League.