Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

New NSA boss Dr Saffa Abdulai aim to transform sports in Sierra Leone
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

New NSA boss Dr Abdulai aim to transform sports in Sierra Leone

Dr Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Esq, the CEO of Luawa FC, expressed his delight at the prospect of revamping the National Sports Authority (NSA) as he looks forward to his new challenge.

After confirming his appointment as the new Executive Director of the National Sports Authority (NSA), succeeding Dr. Kenneth Brima, who served for over five years, Saffa has stated that he is excited about this opportunity. 

He aims to focus on the entire project of the NSA, making it more effective and ensuring that sports benefit young people.

The former Premier League Board Chairman plans to create job opportunities for the youth and put Sierra Leone back on the map in terms of winning Internationally. These were his first words to FootballSierraLeone.Net.

In 2019, supported by the government of Sierra Leone, H.E Julius Maada Bio invested Le 2 billion to jumpstart football development in the country.

The move was highly celebrated as it aimed to revive football, which had been absent for over five years. 

Football is not just a sport in Sierra Leone – but also a source of entertainment and inspiration for people of all ages. The large turnouts in football matches under Saffa’s leadership created a significant financial boost across the country, bringing joy to families.

Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai is a versatile individual who is a lawyer, a media CEO, a civil rights activist, and a club owner. 

He is highly respected for his role in reviving Sierra Leone football in 2019, as the country’s top-flight football league had been inactive for over six years. He also served as the chairman of the Premier League club Old Edwardians in a capacity of over ten years.

Nigeria pick Paris Olympics ticket after eliminating South Africa
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Nigeria pick up Paris ticket after eliminating South Africa

Nigeria’s Women’s Football Team has qualified for their fifth Olympics, securing their place at the Paris 2024 event after drawing 0-0 in Pretoria, South Africa on Tuesday, 9th April. 

The Super Falcons required only a draw to qualify for the Olympics, having won the first leg in Abuja by 1-0. Nigeria’s strong defense prevented South Africa’s current African champions from scoring, despite Thembi Kgatlana coming close to scoring in the 48th minute.

Amogelang Motau missed a chance to equalize in the 85th minute, but Nigeria’s defence held on to secure the win. 

After the match, South Africa’s Lebohang Ramalepe was awarded her 100-cap milestone jersey by the South African Football Association, having been part of the winning squad in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and the team that reached the Round of 16 in the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup™.

The Super Falcons have been grouped with world champions Spain, former world champions Japan and Brazil in Group C at the Olympics. Their first match is against Brazil, scheduled for July 25th in Bordeaux.

Zambia, the other African nation in the tournament, will play in Group B alongside former champions the United States and Germany and World Cup semi-finalists Australia. They are set to play their first match against the USWNT in Nice, also on July 25th.

Future Eagles of Nigeria denied visas to play in Spain
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Future Eagles of Nigeria denied visas to play in Spain

Players and officials of the Nigeria U-15 team also known as the Future Eagles, have been denied visas by the Spanish Embassy to take part in the UEFA U-16 Development Tournament starting on Friday.

The Nigerian Football Federation confirmed the news via Twitter that members of Nigeria’s junior football team have been denied visas to attend a UEFA U16 Development Tournament in Spain.
The reason for the visa denials for the under-15 football team is currently unknown, and the Spanish authorities have not yet commented on the matter. Both players and officials were affected.

The Future Eagles were set to play against Belgium, Italy, and England in the Uefa Under-16 Youth Development Tournament. Nigerian athletes often face visa denials even when they fulfil all the requirements. 

This is not the first time Nigerian footballers faced visa issues; previously, Nigeria’s national football team withdrew from a friendly match against Argentina in the US.

Dreams FC to face tricky Zamalek's CAF Confederation Semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Dreams to face Zamalek in tricky Confederation Semis

Dreams FC will represent Ghana in the CAF Confederation Cup Semi-Finals after defeating Stade Malien of Mali on Sunday, April 7.

The Ghanaian side will face a tough challenge against the Egyptian team, Zamalek. 

Zamalek will host the first leg of their match in Cairo on April 21, while the second leg will be played on April 28 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

In their previous game, Dreams FC won an impressive 2-1 victory in Mali. They came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw in their most recent match, which secured their place in the next stage of the CAF Inter-Club competition. 

This is the first time that Dreams FC has participated in the CAF Interclub semi-finals, making them the first Ghanaian club in 20 years to reach the knockout stages of a CAF Interclub competition.

Despite their 2-1 away win in their previous match, Dreams FC approached the game cautiously, allowing the 2009 champions to have more possession in the hopes of catching them on the break. This is a historic moment for Dreams FC, as they are now near continental glory.

Dreams FC became the first Ghanaian club to reach the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals since 2004 when Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak achieved the feat in the tournament’s inaugural edition.


Cairo’s Zamalek drew 1-1 with Modern Future FC to reach Confederation Cup semi-finals.

 

https://twitter.com/bittar32/status/1777404092563767412

Abu Komeh's brace helps Bo Rangers maintain top spot
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Abu Komeh’s brace helps Rangers maintain league lead

Bo Rangers, the reigning champions of Sierra Leone, won their 13th match of the Leone Rock Premier League against Kholifa Stars with a 3-0 victory, maintaining their position at the top of the league table.

In their pursuit of another championship title, Coach John Keister’s team knows that only a win will secure their spot – two points ahead of their closest rivals, FC Kallon with a game at hand.

Striker Abu Komeh scored two goals and Mohamadu Lamin scored one during the first half, which proved crucial in securing their victory at the Southern Arena on Sunday.

The hosts dominated the game from the start, and their efforts paid off in the 8th minute when Abu Komeh scored the first goal. Four minutes later, Mohamadu Lamin doubled their lead.

Komeh’s second goal came in the 20th minute, which helped Bo Rangers preserve their position two points ahead of FC Kallon and seven points ahead of Bhantal FC.

In other matches, East End Lions won 4-1 against Lamboi FC at the Sierra Leone Football Association playing turf – while FC Kallon secured a 2-0 victory against Kahunla Rangers as they keep tabs with league leaders.

FC Kallon secured a 2-0 victory against Kahunla Rangers as they keep tabs with league leaders.
FC Kallon secured a 2-0 victory against Kahunla Rangers as they keep tabs with league leaders.
Blackpool beat Sullay Kaikai's Cambridge at Bloomfield Road
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Blackpool beat Sullay Kaikai’s Cambridge at Bloomfield Road

Blackpool kept their slim hopes of reaching the League One play-offs alive with a 1-0 victory over Cambridge at Bloomfield Road. 

Sonny Carey’s goal in the first half proved decisive, leaving Neil Critchley’s men six points away from the sixth-place position. 

Blackpool started the game very aggressively, taking the game to their opponents and almost scoring early on as Cambridge defender Mamadou Jobe almost put the ball into his net, and Ryan Bennett blocked a shot from Carey. 

the home side took the lead when Carey scored with a curling shot into the bottom corner, assisted by Karamoko Dembele. Cambridge almost equalized in the second half, but Dan Grimshaw made a great save to deny Gassan Ahadme’s header from a free-kick.

Sierra Leone’s Sullay Kaikai played for 67 minutes before he was substituted.

Elias Kachunga had a great chance to equalize late on after Macauley Bonne slipped him through, but he hit the inside of the post.

Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns reach CAF Champions League semis
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Al Ahly, Mamelodi Sundowns reach CAF Champions League semis

The Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Mamelodi Sundowns have secured a place in this year’s CAF Champions League semi-finals following their victories on Friday.

Title holders Al Ahly claimed their spot in the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League with a commanding 2-0 win over Tanzanian side Simba on Friday night. Omar El-Sulaya and Mahmoud Kahraba scored the goals at Cairo International Stadium.

Al Ahly will now face the winner of the TP Mazembe and Petro de Luanda match in the semi-finals as they aim to retain their title.

On the other hand, Mamelodi Sundowns, the South African giants, clinched their spot in the semi-finals after a tense penalty shootout victory against Young Africans on Friday. 

Young Africans proved to be formidable adversaries, fiercely contesting every ball and frustrating their South African counterparts.

The South African team had to dig deep to overcome their resilient Tanzanian opponents, and the match ended in a goalless draw after extra time. The dramatic shootout ultimately ended 3-2 in favour of Sundowns.

Sundowns are through to the final and will face the winner of ASEC Mimosas vs Esperance.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

In Africa: Nigeria third as Morocco retain top spot in Fifa ranking 

On April 4th 2024, FIFA released its latest rankings, showing progress from African nations. Nigeria, a finalist at the recent CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, jumped to the 30th in the world rankings and third in Africa ahead of Egypt, Ivory Coast and Tunisia. 

They also secured the third position in Africa, following closely behind Senegal and Morocco. 

The Atlas Lions are currently in the 13th spot globally and have retained the top position in Africa. Senegal, ranking 17th in the world – holds the second position in Africa. 

Cote d’Ivoire is now ranked 38th globally and 5th in Africa. Egypt follows, securing the 4th position in Africa, while Tunisia and Algeria remain at the 41st and 43rd spots globally. 

Sierra Leone, who were not in action during the Fifa International window in March, remained static in the 126 position and 35th in Africa. 

Mali moved up three places to occupy the 44th spot. The world champions, Argentina, lead the rankings, followed by France and Belgium.

Mohamed Sankoh scores brace as Heracles Almelo thrash AZ Alkmaar
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sankoh scores brace as Heracles Almelo thrash AZ Alkmaar

On Wednesday evening in week 28 of the Eredivisie, Heracles Almelo shocked AZ Alkmaar with a 5-0 win, thanks to a brace from Mohamed Sankoh.

The Sierra Leone native, on loan from Vitesse, scored his sixth goal of the season for Heracles Almelo. With this win, Heracles has moved to 13th and is now seven points above the bottom three.

AZ arrived in Almelo with a good record, but 20 minutes into the game, the home team took the lead thanks to a long-range goal by Brian De Keersmaecker. 

The visitor’s defence crumbled before halftime as Riechedly Bazoer and Kristijan Belic conceded two penalties. Jizz Hornkamp converted both penalties, extending the lead to 3-0 at halftime.

After the recess, Pascal Jansen, the coach of AZ, made a double change by replacing Belic and Wouter Goes with Ruben van Bommel and Jayden Addai. Unfortunately, it did not help AZ to mount a comeback as Heracles managed to keep them out.

In the 88th minute of the game, Mohammed Sankoh replaced Hornkamp, and he quickly scored a double, which led to AZ’s 5-0 loss.

AZ is four points behind Twente, who can take control of the Champions League spot when they face Heerenveen.

Fecafoot frowns at new head coach Marc Brys' appointment 
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Fecafoot frowns at new head coach Marc Brys’ appointment 

Cameroon’s national football team has a new coach Marc Brys, a Belgian with vast experience managing 15 clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia, has been appointed as the new coach. 

The Ministry of Sports in Cameroon announced the appointment on Tuesday. However, the country’s football association, Fecafoot – Officiel, claims they were not informed.

“The Cameroonian Football Federation learned, at the same time as all Cameroonians, of the appointment to positions of responsibility within the national senior men’s football selection,” a statement on social media said.

“Fecafoot intends to shed light on this regrettable situation” and “communicate without delay” on “the reaction it intends to have,” they wrote.

Brys’ last job was with Leuven, where he spent three years. His assistant coach is former Cameroon forward Francois Omam-Biyik, who scored 26 international goals between 1985 and 1998.

The team will be looking to improve their performance after being eliminated by Nigeria in the last 16 of the recent Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroon is leading Group D of the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, having secured a victory over Mauritius and a draw with Libya in their away match.

However, following their exit from the AFCON, Song’s contract was not renewed by the president of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o.