Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone line-up friendlies for World Cup qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone nosedive five places in latest Fifa ranking

Sierra Leone has plummeted five places from 122 in October to 127 in November’s FIFA ranking after their two 2026 World Cup opening qualifying matches.

The Leone Stars of Sierra Leone played to a goalless draw against Ethiopia and suffered a 2-0 defeat to Egypt this month – they were ranked 122 before the 2026 World Cup qualification started.

November’s Fifa ranking also affected the West African nation’s place in the continent as they dropped to 36th place from 32nd in October with 1138.53 points scored globally.

In Africa, Morocco ranked as the best football team in the continent after its victory against Tanzania in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, seeing the Atlas Lions maintain the 13th spot globally.

Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali and Burkina Faso make the top ten. 

England impressively climbed to third in the Fifa world rankings after completing an unbeaten qualifying campaign for Euro 2024.

Argentina, France, England, Belgium and Brazil sit top of the World.  

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Sierra Leone nosedived five places from 122 in October to 127 November in the latest Fifa ranking
Sierra Leone nosedived five places from 122 in October to 127 November in the latest Fifa ranking
Alex Bangura bags first Boro goal in win over Preston
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Alex Bangura bags first Boro goal in win over Preston

Defender Alex Bangura scored his first goal for Middlesbrough as they thrashed  Preston North  4-0 on Tuesday

Isaiah Jones scored twice – summer signings Rav van den Berg and Alex Bangura were the other scorers as Middlesbrough thrashed their visitors at the Riverside.

Stuttering Preston’s defeat was their sixth in 10 matches, another blow for the Lancashire side after Cardiff scored twice in stoppage time to beat them on Saturday.

The defeat means they dropped out of the play-off places and just one point better off than Boro, whose win moved them up to ninth in the Championship table, three points off the play-off spots.

Bangura, 24, joined the club on the 1st of September, 2023, on a four-year contract for £1 million.

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Sierra Leone International pens Hartford Athletic deal
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone’s Emmanuel Samadia pens Hartford Athletic deal

USL Championship side have confirmed the signing of Sierra Leone international Emmanuel Samadia ahead of the 2024 season, pending league and federation approval.

He made 89 appearances from 2020-2023, recorded ten assists and scored two goals. In January 2023, he helped his side win the Liga Leumit Toto Cup.

The defender/winger has been an integral part of the Sierra Leone national team since his debut against Niger in 2020.

He has gone on to make thirteen total international caps. Most recently, the 22-year-old recorded assists in back-to-back matches against Ethiopia and Egypt in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

“Samadia comes to Hartford after a three year stint with Hapoel Umm al-Fahm and Hapoel Rishon leZion of Liga Leumit, the second division of the Israeli Football League,” the USL side confirmed. 

“Emmanuel is a young ambitious player that has great potential. He is an exceptional athlete who has shown well for his national team against some of Africa’s best teams,” Hartford Athletic CEO Nick Sakiewicz told club’s website. 

Samadia, a native of Freetown, Sierra Leone, began his professional career playing with FC Kallon of the Sierra Leone Premier League from 2019 to 2021. 

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David Sesay makes Eastbourne Borough debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

David Sesay makes Eastbourne Borough debut

Sierra Leone International David Sesay made his Eastbourne Borough debut as Tarrell Whittaker scored the decisive goal for Hemel Hempstead.

Sesay, 25, started the tie as the Conference South side substitute’s Whittaker strike after 67 minutes proved the difference in the game of two halves at Focus Community Arena.

The 1-0 defeat leaves the Sports 20th in the National League South standings, with 20 points from 21 games.

Born in Brent, Sesay joined Watford in 2007, turning professional in June 2016. Last season, he made 35 appearances for Weymouth and scored twice, having played an integral role in helping them escape relegation on the final day of last season.

Born in Brent, Sesay joined Watford in 2007, turning professional in June 2016. On 25 November, Eastbourne Borough confirmed the Sierra Leone defender signing.

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Plymouth Argyle attacker Mustapha Bundu made a return from a hamstring injury in the 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mustapha Bundu returns from injury in win against Sunderland

Plymouth Argyle attacker Mustapha Bundu made a return from a hamstring injury in the 2-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday.

Bundu has been out since he limped off in their 3-2 defeat at Ipswich Town on October 28. MRI scan confirmed that Sierra Leone International suffered a grade two hamstring strain.

Bundu replaced Ben Waine in the 73rd minute as Plymouth Argyle won for the first time in a month.

Goals from Morgan Whittaker and Finn Azaz were enough to see off their visitors. Morgan Whittaker’s excellent strike gave the hosts the lead before Finn Azaz finished well to double the lead.

On 25th October, Mustapha Bundu opened his Plymouth Argyle as they returned to winning ways at Home Park with a 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer Alie Bittar on Twitter @bittar32, Contact Bi****@*****************ne.net, Players Abroad News.

Benchikha appointed Simba coach after Oliveira exit
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Simba appoint Algerian Abdelhak Benchikha as head coach

Tanzanian giants Simba SC have confirmed the appointment of Algerian Abdelhak Benchikha as their new head coach.

The Reds of Msimbazi announced their new boss via Facebook with a welcoming message, “Welcome to our new coach, Abdelhak Benchikha.”

Benchikha will kick start his Simba reign after the dismissal of Brazilian Roberto Oliveira. Last season, Benchikha guided Algerian club USM Alger to TotalEnergies Confederation Cup glory. 

Simba ended Oliveira’s 18-month tenure after a disappointing African Super League elimination by Al Ahly last month.

The Algerian first task ended in a 1-1 draw against ASEC Mimosa

in the TotalEnergies Champions League encounter on Saturday. 

Benchikha had a success story with USM Alger after he delivered a continental trophy. 

Hopefully, their new technician can replicate USM Alger’s success after recent setbacks.

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Mohamed Sankoh helps Heracles Almelo with hat-trick
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mohamed Sankoh nets first Heracles Almelo hat-trick

Sierra Leone native Mohamed Sankoh helped Heracles thrash Almere City 5-0 in the Eredivisie week thirteen as they moved up to tenth position on Sunday.

Mohamed Sankoh scored a hattrick and his fourth of the season as Abed Nankishi enhanced their victory with a brace.

Sankoh, 20, was in the right place at the right time to open the scoring in the 4th minute before his double in the second half.

The home side was caught off guard as they tried to increase the pressure. Sankoh doubled the visitors lead in the 64th minute. Anas Ouahim won the ball and played Sankoh through. The striker moved in control to finish the move.

Almere City barely recovered from the blow when Heracles Almelo scored their third through A. Nankishi.

A. Nanki’s double came in the 71st minute as Sankoh put the icing on the cake with his first hattrick for the club since joining on loan from Stuggart.

The striker was sent into the depth again and neatly pushed the ball past Nordin Bakker, who had run out.

Sankoh On 1 September 2023, join the Netherlands side Heracles Almelo on loan.

Heracles’ next outing is against Sparta Rotterdam in round fourteen of the Eredivisie season next Saturday at their Erve Asito stadium.

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David Sesay was in action for Weymouth last season.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defender David Sesay pens Eastbourne deal

Defender David Sesay, who was named in Sierra Leone’s squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, is ready for a new adventure with National League South club Eastbourne Borough.

The club announced that they are delighted to announce the signing of David Sesay, 25, from Weymouth.

Sesay, who came through the academy at Watford, where he spent eleven years before being released in 2018, is excited to join the Sports.

“I’m excited for the move as they club set an ambitious goal,” Sesay to Football Sierra Leone.

“I delighted to be part of their exciting plans, hopefully, we can push for promotion togther.”

The Sierra Leone international joined Weymouth on loan for the second half of the 2022/23 season before making that move permanent over the summer.

Sesay played an integral role in what the Terras dubbed ‘Tashe Great Escape’ in beating the drop to Step 3 on the final day of the season.

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Daniel Kanu in action for Sierra Leone in the 2-0 defeat to Egypt
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Charlton Athletic striker Daniel Kanu on his Sierra Leone debut 

On Sunday, Cheltenham striker Daniel Kanu came off the bench with 30 minutes remaining against Mo Salah’s Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification as Sierra Leone suffered a 2-0 defeat – an admirable result considering they finished with nine men and played with ten men for 60 minutes.

Kanu, who joined Southern United on a short-term loan from Charlton Athletic on 6 October 2023, was pleased with the International experience.

“It was an honour to make my debut for my country – something I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I really enjoyed the opportunity to play at such a big stage being the World Cup qualifiers,” Kanu to Football Sierra Leone.

“My debut means a lot to me as a player as it created a memory to cherish for a long time. I wish to create more memories as I continue representing the country. 

On His development 

“The aim right now is to continue to develop as a player – to be able to give more and more for my team and the country.

It was my first time away representing my nation, so I was very excited and optimistic about what was to come. I was welcomed very well by all the players and staff – they all made me feel at home.”

He added, “I enjoyed being around the team as there was such a great vibe about them. Overall, it was a great experience as I’m very proud and grateful to have been blessed with the opportunity.”

The 5ft 11in attacker joined Charlton Athletic at U11 level and penned his first professional contract in February 2022.

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Queens Park Rangers right-back Osman Kakay underlined that Sierra Leone must build on the two performances against Ethiopia and Egypt in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

We can build on our performance – Osman Kakay

Queens Park Rangers right-back Osman Kakay underlined that Sierra Leone must build on the two performances against Ethiopia and Egypt in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. 

He outlined that in 2024, the emphasis is to win matches in the race to  Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

On Wednesday, Sierra Leone secured a point from the draw with Ethiopia at El Jadida, Morocco, before they suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Pharaohs of Egypt in the Liberian Capital, Monrovia, on Sunday. 

Speaking to Football Sierra Leone while recapping the Leone Stars’ performances in both games, Kakay, who skippered against Egypt, noted, “The two games were two important games for us, I think what we can take is the positives despite the defeat to Egypt.”

“One positive result and a good account of oursleves amces against Egypt from the way we played you can see the team now have a good indentity to go and win games against tough African oppositions,” the QPR defender said.

“Now, the emphasis is to get results in 2024 to help our push in the qualifiers. Overall, I am pleased with every player’s commitment – everyone is hungry and determined. You can tell every player proud of playing for their country it means a lot us.”

“The backroom staff helping set the standards on the way we wanted to play. Everything looking positive and I am happy to be part of it.”

Egypt on six points, Burkina Faso and Guinea Bissau are second and third with four points – Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, and Djibouti are fourth, fifth and sixth on the table, respectively, following matchday two.

The 2026 World Cup qualifiers continue next June as Sierra Leone hosts Djibouti before travelling to tackle second place, Burkina Faso.

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World Cup Group A, B & C standings after Matchday two in the campaign
World Cup Group A, B & C standings after Matchday two in the campaign