Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

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.

USM Alger set for RS Berkane CAF Confed first-leg cracker
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

USM Alger set for RS Berkane CAF Confed first-leg cracker

On Sunday, April 21, 2024, USM Alger and RS Berkane will compete against each other in the semi-final of the CAF Confederation Cup. The first-leg match will be held at the Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers, which is the capital and largest city of Algeria.

Referee Abdel Aziz Mohamed Bouh from Mauritania will officiate the first leg match between Alger and Berkane.

Alger made it to this tournament stage by defeating Rivers United, the Nigerian club, 2-1 on aggregate in the quarterfinals. Having won the Confederation Cup last season, the Algerian team will be looking to defend their title successfully by winning it again this season.

On their part, Berkane qualified for the semi-finals by defeating Abu Salim of Libya 3-2 on aggregate in the quarterfinals. 

Having won the trophy in 2020 and 2022, the Moroccan side hopes to win it again this season and claim a joint record of three titles.

Alger needs goals from Abdoulaye Kanou. Berkane’s captain, Issoufou Dayo, could be key.

Rangers, Ports, Lions & Kallon battle for a CAF Confed Cup spot
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Rangers, Ports, Lions & Kallon battle for Confed Cup spot

This will be intriguing as the winner of this year’s Sierra Leone FA Cup will represent the West African nation in the next CAF Confederation Cup. (Photo Credit Kemokai Sportgraphy)

On Friday, Sierra Leone’s League Leaders, Bo Rangers, will play against the Water Front Boys Ports Authority in the first FA Cup semi-final at the SLFA’s academy turf. 

The semi-finals are expected to be fascinating as all four teams compete for a spot in the next CAF Confederation, making a place in the final crucial.

Coach John Keister will be desperate to overcome Ports in the showpiece encounter for a place in the final.

The WaterFront boys have not won any of their last three matches, including a goalless draw in the league on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Rangers have scored eight goals in their previous three league matches and have nine maximum points.

On Saturday, one of Sierra Leone’s most decorated football clubs, East End Lions, will face off against FC Kallon.

The last Sierra Leone’s representative in the CAF Confederation Cup, FC Kallon, will surely face a stiff test against East End Lions in the second semis at the same venue.

This game promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams seek to secure a spot in this year’s final. 

In the first round of the league, both teams played to a goalless draw. However, FC Kallon has been in good form lately, winning their last three games and accumulating nine points.  They have scored six goals and conceded only one against Real Republicans.

East End Lions, on the other hand, have shown improvement under their Ghanaian coach and are unbeaten in their last three league games.

The semi-finals are expected to be a fascinating contest as all four teams compete for a spot in the next CAF Confederation, making a place in the final crucial.
The semi-finals are expected to be a fascinating contest as all four teams compete for a spot in the next CAF Confederation, making a place in the final crucial.
Midfielder Yayah Kallon returns to full SSC Bari training
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Midfielder Yayah Kallon returns to full SSC Bari training

Sierra Leonean footballer Yayah Kallon has returned to full training with the Italian Serie B team SSC Bari after recovering from his latest injury.

Kallon, 22, played his last competitive match for Bari on March 16th in a 1-0 defeat to Sampdoria. 

Unfortunately, he could only feature for two minutes before being replaced due to an injury. 

However, he has since recovered from his knee problem and has returned to training with his teammates this week.

The club confirmed that Kallon had joined first-team training for the second day of the week as they prepare to face Pisa led by Mr Aquilani at San Nicola. 

During their training session, the players were divided into two groups, with one group focusing on gym exercises such as joint mobility, core stability and muscle strengthening. In contrast, the other group worked on tactical exercises specific to their departments. 

The final 30 minutes of the session were dedicated to a mixed ranks challenge on half of the field.

On 10 January 2024, Kallon moved on loan to Bari from  Hellas Verona.

The first leg semi-finals of the 2023/24 CAF Champions League campaign will take place on Saturday, April 20th.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fascinating first-leg CAF Champions League Semis this weekend

The first leg semi-finals of the 2023/24 CAF Champions League campaign will take place on Saturday, April 20th.

The remaining four African football clubs, Al Ahly (Egypt), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Espérance Sportive Tunis (Tunisia) and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) are all vying for the highly-coveted African club football title.

The first leg semi-finals are scheduled for 20th April, while the return leg will be played on 25th and 26th April 2024.

TP Mazembe, a former FIFA Club World Cup finalist from the Democratic Republic of Congo, hasn’t made it to the finals of the CAF Champions League in the last decade. 

This weekend, they will face a challenging match against the current champions, Al Ahly from Egypt, in Lubumbashi.

Four clubs have won 21 TotalEnergies CAF Champions League titles. Al Ahly leads with 11 titles, followed by Mazembe with 5, ES Tunis with 4, and Mamelodi Sundowns with 1. 

ES Tunis seeks their 5th title in Tunis after winning in 2019. They’ll play Mamelodi Sundowns, who won in 2016 and recently triumphed in the African Football League. 

All four clubs have proven their championship mettle and have an equal chance of winning this season.

 

All four football clubs will be competing for a spot in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Final.

The first leg of the final is scheduled for Saturday, May 18th, 2024, with the second leg taking place on Saturday, May 25th, 2024.