Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone coach Karim positive ahead of Ethiopia opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Amidu Karim signs Sierra Leone two-year deal

Ex-Sierra Leone International Amidu Karim has signed a two-year deal as Leone Stars head coach until October 2025.

The Sierra Leone Football Association announced that the former international & two assistants, Francis Zappa Koroma and Alhaji Foray’s contract, will run until October 2025.

Coach Karim will continue in charge for the remainder of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2025 Africa Cup Nations Qualifiers.

Under Karim’s supervision, Mahmoud Trezeguet Hassan scored twice as Egypt maintained their perfect start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a 2-0 away win against Sierra Leone in the Liberian Capital on Sunday, November 19 2023.

The West African state football boss started his 2026 World Cup Group A qualifying reign with a goalless draw against Ethiopia on November 15, 2023, in Morocco.

Sierra Leone will look to better their opening two World Cup qualifiers when they host Djibouti and Burkina Faso in June Year.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar, On Twitter @bittar32, National News 

Jaydan Kamarson pens first pro contrcat with Manchester Unityed
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Jaydan Kamason pens first Manchester United pro-deal

Sierra Leone and Manchester United prospect Jaydan Kamason, 16, signed his first professional contract.

Emerging Talent Programme (ETP) graduate Jaydan Kamason became the first player from the scheme to sign a professional contract with top English football club Manchester United. 

“I am proud to have signed my first pro contract with this massive club. I am truly blessed. Thanful, towards my family for the continued support and those who have helped me throughout the journey,” The youngster posted on his Instagram account.

The versatile defender started his playing career in the United’s youth ranks. At age 10, Kamason joined ETP while playing for a local grassroots team, Stockport Vikings.

Because he has been impressive, according to the coaches, he made the jump to the main Academy group, which he has been a part of for the last six years.

United pointed out in their statement, “While the Academy does not normally announce a player’s first professional contract, an exception has been made in this case to celebrate the success of the ETP in creating opportunities for children across Greater Manchester to develop their talent.”

The club confirmed that, alongside Kamason, a total of 46 players have gone on to register as a player. An additional 350 have registered at other professional clubs.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar, On Twitter @bittar32, Players Abroad News, Jaydan Kamason. 

Portsmouth Abu Kamara's injury update
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Portsmouth Abu Kamara’s injury update 

Portsmouth boss John Mousinho has confirmed striker Abu Kamara, who is on loan from Norwich, was injured on Monday. 

The Sierra Leone native damaged his ankle following a challenge in their 2-0 over Bolton Wanderers. He attempted to play on but had to be replaced by Gavin Whyte moments later.

The on-loan Norwich winger had to be substituted just after the hour mark during Pompey’s top-of-the-table clash with Bolton, which they won 2-0.

The Blues will assess the forward’s injury in greater detail on Tuesday. In the meantime, Blues boss John Mousinho was remaining positive.

John Mousinho told Sky Sports: “He just rolled his ankle. There was a bit of contact there, and he’s rolled his ankle.

‘He can put his wait through it, he’s got an ice bag on it and it’s one of those we’re going to look at tomorrow and see how it settles down but hoepfully he’s fine.’

The win means they maintained their position at the League One summit after scoring late in each half to beat in-form Bolton at Fratton Park.

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Steven Caulker eyes Sierra Leone job after obtaining Uefa license
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Steven Caulker eyes Sierra Leone job after obtaining Uefa license

Sierra Leone defender and ex-England International Steven Caulker has secured his Uefa B coaching Badge with the English FA.

The former Liverpool and Tottenham defender, who was a pivotal player for Sierra Leone during the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon, says he will pursue Uefa A next year.

The one-time England defender, who is presently transforming his playing career to coaching, has admitted coaching is the way forward.

“In terms of my aspiration, my ambition is to be a manager. Maybe, one day, to be a Sierra Leone manager. I would love that. I would love the oppurtunity too bring in young Sierra Leaoneans in to play attractive style of football,” Caulker told Football Sierra Leone.

“Next year, I will start my Uefa A – this is something I am working towards. Right now, I kind of going into the transition from playing into management role.”

On his present playing career

“The option in January is a player-manager role. I want to solicit playing football, maybe, for another year or two. I feel my passion is in coaching – player-manager. I’m finding the right path, the right setup and the right ambition.”

The UEFA B Licence is to help coaches understand the demands of the game and how to meet the needs of players as they build a deeper understanding of their various roles and responsibilities within the team.

This course has replaced The FA Level 3 in Coaching Football.

Caulker joined EFL Championship side Wigan Athletic in January on a contract until the end of the season.

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SLFA successfully concludes two two-day CAF Club License
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

SLFA successfully concludes CAF Club License training

Top club administrators in the country took part as the Sierra Leone Football Association, SLFA, in collaboration with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), successfully concluded a two-day (11 & 12) training workshop for Club Licensing Officers.

On Tuesday, the SLFA said the Training-of-Trainers workshop benefited over 50 male and female Premier League club administrators at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel in Freetown.

The club licensing idea was introduced to navigate the recently launched Club Licensing Online Platform to ease the system of club licensing and stadium inspection across the continent. 

Addressing the trainees, Emmanuel Newton Dasoberi, on behalf of his colleague CAF instructors Hamza Sorouri and Francis Essah Adu, commended the participants for their commitment and passion shown towards the training.

Adu furthered that he and his colleagues were impressed with how fast the participants grasped the concept, “You made the job easy for us,” he noted. 

In his closing remarks, Vice President Harold Nat-Johnson thanked the CAF instructors for their diligent work in successfully introducing the online platform to local men and women Club Licensing Officers. 

He encouraged all participants to stage workshops at their club levels to ensure the knowledge gained filtered down to other football administrators. 

Mr Nat-Johnson seized the opportunity to update the gathering about the rapid progress in the ongoing construction of five artificial turf pitches across the country, including Port Loko Town Field, Bo Coronation Field, Sierra Leone Football Association Academy, and Approved School Playing Field in Freetown. He noted confidently that “By June 2024 all SLFA sanctioned competitions will play on standard pitches across the country.”

Acting General Secretary Mohamed Benson Bawoh, in a brief statement, noted that the training is timely as global football is fast going digital and Sierra Leone has to stay up to speed. He further urged the participants to embrace the platform and always visit it as ‘practice makes perfect.’

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Alpha Conteh happy with Lokomotiv Plovdiv's run of form
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alpha Conteh happy with Lokomotiv Plovdiv’s run of form

Sierra Leone International Alpha Conteh has admitted he is pleased with his present playing time and run of form in the Bulgarian efbet League.

The attacking midfielder scored his fourth goal of the season in Lokomotiv Plovdiv’s 3-0 hammering of Pirin Blagoevgrad on Monday.

After a goalless first 45 minutes, Conteh’s goal came in the 51st minute when he received a cross from the right to score with an acrobatic beautiful opener.

Lokomotiv Plovdiv went on to score two more goals from D. Babacar and G. Minchev in the 53rd and 63rd, respectively, as they registered their eleventh win of the campaign.

“I am happy – I am grateful for my performances so far. I want to keep the focus on helping the team as much as possible,” Conteh to Football Sierra Leone.  He added, “I was happy to be named Man of the Match in a tough game against Pirin Blagoevgrad.”

Monday’s victory is their fiRst after they suffered a three-straight defeat in all competitions.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar, On Twitter @bittar32, Players Abroad News and Bulgarian League News. 

Lokomotiv Plovdiv hammered Pirin Blagoevgrad 3-0 in the Bulgarian League on Monday.
Lokomotiv Plovdiv hammered Pirin Blagoevgrad 3-0 in the Bulgarian League on Monday.
Victor Osimhen named Africa Player of the Year Award
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Victor Osimhen named Africa’s Player of the Year

Napoli and Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has been named as the CAF Men’s Player of the Year for 2023.

Osimhen scored 26 Serie A goals and was crowned the Italian Footballers’ Association Player of the Year for his Napoli performances last season.

The Nigerian International fought off competition from Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi to the title on Monday night. 

He becomes the first Nigerian player to win the award since Arsenal’s Nwankwo Kanu in 1999 and is also the first active Serie A player to be crowned Africa’s Player of the Year since Samuel Eto’o when he was at Inter in 2010. 

Meanwhile, Nigerian Asisat Oshoala extended her record sixth CAF African Women’s Player of the Year Award.

  • Full List of Award Winners:

Player of the Year (Men): Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, Napoli)

Player of the Year (Women): Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria, Barcelona)

Interclub Player of the Year (Men): Percy Tau (South Africa, Al Ahly)

Interclub Player of the Year (Women): Fatima Tagnaout (Morocco, AS FAR)

Coach of the Year (Men): Walid Regragui (Morocco)

Coach of the Year (Women): Desiree Ellis (South Africa)

Goalkeeper of the Year (Men): Yassine Bounou (Morocco, Al Hilal)

Goalkeeper of the Year (Women): Chiamaka Nnadozie (Nigeria, Paris FC)

Young Player of the Year (Men): Lamine Camara (Senegal, Metz)

Young Player of the Year (Women): Nesryne El Chad (Morocco, Lille)

National Team of the Year (Men): Morocco

National Team of the Year (Women): Nigeria

Club of the Year (Men): Al Ahly (Egypt)

Club of the Year (Women): Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

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Nigeria’s Oshoala and Osimhen win African footballer of the year awards
Nigeria’s Oshoala and Osimhen win African footballer of the year awards
Amadou Bakayoko nets fifth of the season in Dundee's defeat at Ibrox
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Amadou Bakayoko nets fifth of the season in Dundee’s defeat at Ibrox

Amadou Bakayoko scored Dundee’s opening goal to record his fifth of the season as they suffered a 3-1 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox on Saturday.

The Sierra Leone International was at the right place to tap in a leaking ball, but Rangers came from behind to beat Dundee 3-1 and move five points behind Celtic, despite Jose Cifuentes’ first-half red card after a VAR check.

In sixteen appearances, Bakayoko scored his fifth of the season since joining the Scottish side on loan from Forest Green, but the home side fought back to score three goals before halftime. 

Cyriel Dessers equalised, and a few minutes later, Tavernier put Rangers ahead from the penalty spot following a VAR review. 

Abdallah Sima made it three before Jose Cifuentes was red-carded after another VAR review on the stroke of halftime. 

After the recess, Dundee improved as they enjoyed the large majority of possession, but Rangers held onto their lead.

The defeats meant Dundee sat seventh after round fifteen of the Scottish Premier League. 

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Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu started his second match for Plymouth Argyle as they suffered a 4-0 thrashing to Championship leaders Leicester City.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Leicester City thrash Mustapha Bundu’s Plymouth Argyle

Sierra Leone International Mustapha Bundu started his second match for Plymouth Argyle as they suffered a 4-0 thrashing to Championship leaders Leicester City. 

Bundu, 26, who bookmarked his eleventh appearance since joining the club, was substituted in the 57th minute. 

The host started brightly after a spot-kick scored by Stephy Mavididi set the Foxes on their way to maintaining their lead in the standings.

Patson Daka, who marked his first start of the season for Leicester City, scored the second goal as the Championship leaders thrashed Plymouth Argyle.

Stephy Mavididi scored his brace from another penalty call in the 52nd minute before Wilfred Ndidi completed their win three minutes later. 

Three goals were scored in six second-half minutes, Daka, Mavididi and Wilfred Ndidi 49, 52 and 55 minutes, respectively, as the Foxes ensured they remained one point clear at the summit in style.

Miller and Bundu were replaced by Ryan Hardie and Brendan Galloway.  Argyle mustered some attacking impetus but was too late for any consolation.

However, Azaz stretched the Leicester defence as Jan Vestergaard snuffed out the danger with a well-timed challenge.

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A great eye-opener to football: Kei Kamara after his USA B License
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

A great eye-opener to football: Kei Kamara after his US B License

The former Sierra Leone International striker Kei Kamara could not hide his joy after earning his first coaching B-Licence from the United States Soccer Federation.

The 39-year-old striker, who’s third all-time in the MLS scoring chart (144 goals), speaking to Football Sierra Leone, discussed his six months of coaching learning experience. He confirmed the news when he posted his certificate on social media on Friday. 

Kamara, who joined Chicago in a trade from CF Montréal as he secured his 10th MLS club, acknowledged the ‘eye-opening side of football offfield’.

 “The whole experience was a great eye-opening about football,” Kei Kamara lamented. When you play, you see the game differently. When you start to coach, obviously, perspective changes.”

“I loved the prpocess of building trainings, knowing the reason why we going into trainings day by day is challenging yourself as a coach.”

Being a coach, you never want to be comfortable. So, there is some part of being a player that also comes toward that. It depends on how you have worked as a player and as an athlete – you challenge yourself, which drives you when you become a coach. 

“It feels like school all over again. After completing this badge, I now know I have more experience coaching than I thought I did because of my experience playing professional football. Because I thought i knew a lot more because of the years I played. But, no, after six months of course work, I have learned a lot more than I played for all those years.”

This license is designed for coaches looking to lead U13 or higher level teams in a competitive environment with a more intermediate to advanced skill set. Any coach with their B license will be able to apply and evaluate player development within the game and optimize the learning environment for their team. Among other requirements, coaches will be required to run three training sessions per week and perform thorough video analysis throughout the process.

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