Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Baba Yara Stadium to host Dreams, Club Africain cracker
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Baba Yara Stadium to host Dreams, Club Africain cracker

Dreams FC will leave no stone unturned as they gear up for their upcoming CAF Confederation Cup match against Club Africain of Tunisia on Sunday.  

Ghana’s Baba Yara Stadium is set to host the contest as Dreams plan to upset their North African counterparts. In the first meeting, Club Africain won 2-0 in November 2023.

A win for Dreams FC would not only avenge the first-leg defeat to Club Africain but can virtually guarantee their progression to the next round. 

Coach Karim Zito is confident that Dreams FC can overcome the Tunisians and move closer to the competition’s knockout stages. 

Both sides are in excellent form – Club Africain won their last two league matches and Dreams is unbeaten in their last four games in the Ghana Premier League.

Dreams FC is determined to make the most of their home advantage and seal their spot in the knockout stages.

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Fixtures – Sunday, 25 February

  • 13h00 GMT | SuperSport United – Modern Future FC
  • 16h00 GMT | Abu Salem – Zamalek 
  • 16h00 GMT | Stade Malien – Diables Noirs
  • 16h00 GMT | Dreams FC – Club Africain
  • 16h00 GMT | Al Hilal Benghazi – USM Alger
  • 16h00 GMT | Academica do Lobito – Rivers United FC
  • 19h00 GMT | CO Coyah – Sagrada Esperanca
  • 19h00 GMT | Sekhukhune United – RS Berkane 

 

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

Sierra Leone Shooting Stars to adopt new tactic against Liberia U20
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone U20 to adopt new tactic against Liberia

The head coach of Sierra Leone U-20 (Shooting Stars), Mohamed Lamin Kamara, will set his team to use different tactics and approaches in their match day three against the Liberia U-20 in the ongoing Zonal Tournament in Monrovia, Liberia. 

After their two opening draws against Liberia, Kamara is confident his team has demonstrated their potential to achieve better results in the remaining encounters. He is optimistic that their performances will lead to more goals and better outcomes.

In today’s tie, he wants his team to focus on attacking and effectively converting chances into goals, as they have been practising during their training sessions.

Despite acknowledging the strength and coordination of the Liberia U-20 side, Kamara is confident that his team will get a good result in the upcoming matches on Saturday and Sunday.

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

Kallum Cesay pens Wealdstone's permanent deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kallum Cesay pens Wealdstone’s permanent deal

Wealdstone has confirmed the signing of Sierra Leone international Kallum Cesay, 21, on a permanent deal.

“Kallum will be wearing squad number 21 but won’t be eligible for our FA Trophy 5th-round tie against Hendon, but he will be available for selection in our National League fixture at Woking this Saturday,” the club said in the statement. 

Cesay has been out of football since he departed Tottenham’s prestigious academy after making 45 appearances across three seasons, consistently in Premier League 2. 

He also played five games in the EFL Trophy, which saw Tottenham’s most talented young players compete against League One and League Two sides.

In 2022, Cesay made his senior international debut for Sierra Leone, where he quickly became an important player for his national team. Since his debut, he has had four caps with two goals to his name, demonstrating his prowess on the international stage.

It’s worth noting that the club currently plays in the National League, which is the fifth tier of the English football league system.

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

SWASAL North, Makeni Council gear up to revive Mayor Trophy
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

SWASAL North, Makeni Council to revive Mayor Trophy

Representatives from the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL) – Northern Region Branch and the Mayor of the Makeni City Council, Abubakar Lamtales Kamara, recently held a meeting to discuss the revival of the Sports Writers Makeni Mayoral Trophy. –  By: Alusine Rehme Wilson 

In the photo, Mayor Abubakarr Lamtales of Makeni and his IEC Edward Gbukumu are pictured with SWASAL North representatives during a meeting at the Mayor’s Palace in Makeni City, Northern Province, Sierra Leone on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Abubakarr Lamtales Kamara expressed his excitement about SWASAL’s work and promised to fully cooperate in the revamp and sustainability of the Sports Writers Makeni Mayoral Trophy, which has been on hiatus for the past five years. 

He also affirmed the Council’s commitment to the initiative and promised to inform other staff about the meeting over the trophy’s second edition.

According to Alfred Zico Kabia, the Acting Organizing Secretary of SWASL North, the Sports Writers Makeni Mayoral Trophy is an annual championship that is free from political influences. 

This tournament has the potential to unite communities and has previously produced players who now compete in top leagues,  national and international.

The inaugural edition of the tournament took place in 2018. However, due to challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the former mayor’s extensive medical and work-related travels – there were no subsequent editions. 

For the second edition and beyond, SWASAL North hopes to promote soccer, showcase talent, empower sports enthusiasts, enhance community compliance, and boost revenue generation for Makeni City Council through the Sports Writers Makeni Mayoral Trophy.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, and the Writer Alusine Rehme Wilson – National News SWASAL North News.

Mali's Mamadou Doumbia pens Watford long-term deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali’s Mamadou Doumbia pens Watford’s long-term deal 

Watford FC has signed Mali youth international striker Mamadou Doumbia on a five-year contract. 

The 18-year-old left-footed player will join the Hornets from the Malian side, Black Stars FC, on July 1, 2024.

Doumbia stands at 6ft 3in and has a combination of impressive ball control, flair, and natural finishing instincts.

The Striker made his international debut was marked by his performances at the 2023 Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, where he scored four goals in five games, helping Mali to finish fourth. 

He continued his excellent form at the Under-17 World Cup, scoring four more goals, including a hat-trick against Uzbekistan in the team’s opening fixture. 

Mali went on to win the third-place play-off against Argentina, with Doumbia scoring the third goal.

The Hornets are in their second season back in the second tier, having last been relegated from the Premier League in 2022.

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

Medeama SC face gigantic Al Ahly test in CAF Champion League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Medeama SC face gigantic Al Ahly test in CAF Champion League

Moses Parker, the President of Medeama SC, has stated that the club is determined to secure victory against Al Ahly in the upcoming CAF Champions League encounter. 

Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to host the highly anticipated between Medeama SC and Al Ahly on Friday and is of significant importance to Medeama SC.

Speaking to Akoma FM, Moses Parker expressed his confidence in Medeama’s ability to emerge victorious, citing their previous triumph over TP Mazembe in 2015. 

“Medeama is going all out – this game means a lot to us. We did it in 2015 against TP Mazembe at Essipong, so repeating it won’t be difficult. This Friday, we will shock Ghanaians by defeating Al Ahly and secure qualification in Algeria,” Parker said.

Al Ahly of Egypt, record 11-time title-holders, leads the Group standings with six points, followed by Young Africans and CR Belouizdad with five points each, while Medeama remains at the bottom with four points.

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

ASEC Mimosas eye win over Simba in CAF Champions League
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

ASEC Mimosas, Simba set for Champions League showdown

This weekend, the CAF Champions League resumes with Ivorian side Asec Mimosas, who are top of Group B, set to play against Tanzanian side Simba SC in Abidjan. 

Asec Mimosas presently standing fourth in the Ivorian top tier – knows that they must avoid defeat to keep their momentum going after three wins in their last four Champions League matches.

Simba SC will be tough competition as they aim to maintain their composure in the group stages, having won their last two league matches. 

The first meeting between the two teams at Mkapa Stadium, Dar es Salaam, they played to a 1-1 draw. 

In the first leg, Saidi Ntibazonkiza put Simba SC ahead with a penalty in the 44th minute, but after the break, ASEC Mimosas secured a point with a goal from Serge N’guessan Archange Pokou in the 77th minute in Group B action.

The other teams in the group are Wydad AC, who are struggling for form in the competition this season. 

They will travel down south to face Botswana’s Jwaneng Galaxy, who stunned them in their backyard in the opening group match. 

The former champions are at the bottom of the Group with a single win from four outings and know that anything less than a victory could spell the end of their campaign.

  • TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Match Day 5 Fixtures:

 

  • Friday, 23 February
  • 16h00 GMT | Al-Hilal – Petro de Luanda
  • 16h00 GMT | Medeama – Al Ahly SC
  • 19h00 GMT | Asec Mimosas – Simba SC

 

  • Saturday, 24 February

 

  • 13h00 GMT | Jwaneng Galaxy – Wydad AC
  • 13h00 GMT | TP Mazembe – Pyramids FC
  • 16h00 GMT | Nouadhibou – Mamelodi Sundowns FC
  • 16h00 GMT | Young Africans – CR Belouizdad
  • 19h00 GMT | ES Sahel – ES Tunis

 

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

The Road to AFCON 2025 in Morocco Begins in March
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

The Road to AFCON 2025 in Morocco to start in March

Between March 20-26, eight teams will play home and away ties to determine the final four teams to advance to the qualifier proper joining 44 other nations.

The four preliminary round winners will join the 44 exempted teams in the group stage following the draw on Tuesday at the CAF Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt.

The qualifiers will be played on home and away fixtures during the next FIFA International Break between 20 – 26 March 2024.

CAF say the dates, venues, and kick-off times for the matches will be announced at a later date.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has tentatively agreed to hold the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco during July and August of next year, according to a CAF official who spoke to AFP.

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

Here are the results of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Preliminary Draw:
Here are the results of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 Preliminary Draw:
Augustus Kargbo takes Serie C tally to six with Cesena
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustus Kargbo takes Serie C tally to six with Cesena

On Monday, Sierra Leone international Augustus Kargbo recorded his sixth of the season as Cesena defeated Sestri Levante 3-1 in week 27 of their Italian Serie C.

Kargbo, who was making his twenty-first appearance – goal came in the 68th minute and helped his team to take a 2-1 lead. 

Donnarumma scored another goal in the 89th minute to secure a 3-1 victory for Cesena FC. 

With 68 points from 27 games, Cesena FC currently sits at the top of the Serie C standings with a 12-point lead over the second-placed team, Torres – with eleven games left to play before the season ends.

Liberia unveils former Malawi coach Mario Marinica
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Liberia unveils former Malawi coach Mario Marinică

The Liberia Football Association has unveiled Mario Marinica, a Romanian, as the new head coach of Liberia’s senior men’s national football team, the Lone Star.

Marinica’s first match as head coach will be in the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 preliminary round. 

Liberia will learn her opponent on Tuesday, 20 February, from the draw that will take place in Cairo, Egypt. 

Marinica, a UEFA Pro Licence coach with over 28 years of experience in coaching at both club and national team levels, signed a two-year contract with the task of qualifying the Lone Star for the 2025 AFCON final tournament. 

He will also work with the technical department to identify and develop young potential talents domestically and internationally.

Marinica, along with his two foreign assistant coaches, Clwyd Jones and Ronald D. Moroka, as well as a physical therapist, Chikondi Mandalasi, were unveiled at the association’s headquarters on Monday, 19 February. He will later choose two local coaches, including a goalkeeper trainer, to work with.

Marinica declared that his philosophy is centred on winning, and he will consistently work with flexible plans and strategies to achieve the desired outcome. He acknowledged that Liberians and supporters are dissatisfied with the team’s lack of victories in recent years, and it’s crucial to secure a win and qualify for the 2025 Nations Cup.

In November 2021, Marinica was appointed as the Technical Director of the Football Association of Malawi on a three-year contract. He led the Malawi team to the last sixteen of the Cameroon 2021 AFCON, but unfortunately, they were eliminated by Morocco at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé.

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