Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Meet HSV Hoek defender Augustine Loof, named to Sierra Leone squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Loof: the Ex-Dutch U20 defender called up by Sierra Leone

Augustine Loof, 27, who is a former Dutch U20 defender, has been named in Coach Amidu Karim’s first 25-man squad for friendlies in Morocco against Benin and Somalia.

The Dutch/Sierra Leonean who grew up in Koewacht and has been playing for Hoek since August. HSV Hoek competes in the  Derde Divisie, the fourth tier of Dutch football.

The former defender from Koewacht signed a contract with the Zeeland-Flemish third-division player until the end of the season.

Loof is a former youth player of JVOZ and professional football club PSV, who has been without a club since last season after an adventure in Malta. 

Professional debut

Loof made his professional debut as Jong PSV player in the Jupiler League on 3 October 2014 against Roda JC Kerkrade in a 1-1 draw. He played the full throttle of the game. He appeared in 115 matches in the Kitchen Champion Division at first Jong PSV and later FC Eindhoven. 

He then moved to Maltese Balzan FC, where he played between 2019 and 2022.

International 

Loof has featured for the Netherlands U17, 19 and 20 sides, making a total of fifteen appearances. 

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Augustine Loof has been playing for Hoek since September © Sjaak van der Salm
Augustine Loof has been playing for Hoek since September © Sjaak van der Salm
Sierra Leone call-up delights veteran defender Curtis Davies
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone call-up delights veteran defender Curtis Davies

Cheltenham defender Curtis Davies has expressed his delight at being called up to Sierra Leone for International friendlies matches in Morocco.

The veteran defender Davis, 38, was named in coach Amidu Karim’s 25-man squad for Benin and Somalia in readiness fir the World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

The former West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa defender took to Twitter to express his delight. “I’m delighted to formally announce that I will be joining the Sierra Leone national team for their upcoming friendlies.”

“I thought the opportunity to represent the country of my father’s birth had passed but I feel very proud and humbled to have received the call.”

It will be a proud moment for me to pull on the shirt of The Leone Stars and make my family in Sierra Leone proud, but most of all, my dad. He did everything in his power to give me the best chance to become a footballer, so I dedicate this all to him.”

Davies made his England under-21 debut on 28 February 2006 against Norway U21s before he was capped three times by the England under-21s from 2006 to 2007.

Davies was named in Fabio Capello’s first provisional England squad in January 2008 and initially expressed shock at the news of his call-up.

The former Derby man was also named in England’s squad to face Germany in November of that year but did not take the field.

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Head coach Amidu Karim names first 25-man squad for Friendlies against Benin and Somalia in Morocco
Head coach Amidu Karim names first 25-man squad for Friendlies against Benin and Somalia in Morocco
Sierra Leone line-up friendlies for World Cup qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone line-up friendlies for World Cup qualifiers

Veteran English defender Curtis Davies has been drafted to provisional head coach Amidu Karim’s 25-man sqaud for friendlies in Morocco.

The Cheltenham Town defender is set to join eleven (11) other foreign-based players for friendlies against Benin and Somalia in Casablanca, Morocco.

Sierra Leone to kick start the groundwork for World Cup 2026 qualifiers with matches against Benin and Somalia. The Leone Stars will take on the Cheetahs of Benin on the 14th before hosting the Ocean Stars of Somalia on the 17 October.

All engagements are for preparatory assessments for November’s World Cup qualification. 

Somalia are in Group G alongside Algeria, Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique and Botswana. Benin is in Group C against Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho in the race to the 2026 World Cup. 

The Leone Stars defeated Benin 1-0 in their last meeting through a Kei Kamara spot kick during the AFCON race to Cameroon in Guinea in June 2021 as Sierra Leone secured a place at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1996.

Ranked 124 in the global standings, Leone Stars’ journey to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023. 

Coach Karim and the technical team will use these games in the North African region to assess the squad ahead of his first major task against Group A opponents Ethiopia and powerhouse Egypt in November.

The others in Group A are Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau and Djibouti in the race to the 2026 World Cup.

Leone Stars last outing in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying, Group Stage A final match ended in 2-1 defeat to Guinea-Bissua at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in September.

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Semifinal defeat for Daroma's Tacoma Defiance
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Semi-final defeat for Daroma’s Tacoma Defiance

Frank Daroma’s Tacoma Defiance suffered Western Conference semifinal 1-0 defeat to Austin FC II on Sunday night at Starfire Stadium.

The Sierra Leone-born, who has been a pivotal player for Tacoma Defiance, played the full throttle of the match.

Valentin Noël’s game-winning goal was the decider in an intense affair at Starfire Stadium. Austin FC II advanced to meet Rapids 2 in the Western Conference Final.

Noël found the end of a David Rodriguez cross in the 82nd minute, directing his shot powerfully into the back of the net. Austin FC II took control after a Defiance red card in the 69th minute. Austin FC II goalkeeper Damian Las made three saves to preserve a clean sheet.

The result concludes the 2023 MLS NEXT Pro campaign for Defiance, who won the Pacific Division and finished second in the Western Conference during the regular season.

Signed on January 27, 2023, Daroma, 22, started 57 of 64 appearances for Las Vegas Lights FC over the 2021-2022 USL Championship campaigns before joining Tacoma Defiance.

“It’s been quite a journey,” said Defiance Assistant Coach Michael Morris In a pre-match interview. 

“We haven’t been beaten in the last seven games,” said Morris. “We’ve been really consistent with the chances we’re trying to create and finishing in those specific moments.”

Last season, they were beaten in the same stage of the MLS NEXTPro conference semifinals of launched. The team closed out last season in a 2-1 Western Conference Final loss against St. Louis CITY 2, preventing them from advancing to the Final.

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Augustine Williams name Man of the Match after defeat to Miami
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Augustine Williams named MOTM in defeat to Miami

A goal and Heineken Man of the Match honours for Sierra Leone striker Augustine Williams in their 2-1 defeat to Miami on Saturday.

The goal was Williams’ 14th of the year across all competitions as Charleston Battery were defeated in front of a sold-out crowd at Patriots Point. 

Augi Williams recorded the opener in the 7th minute, but a pair of goals in the second half for Miami proved to be the difference. 

The Battery get off to a flying start to the night to get the packed house on their feet. Augi Williams scored the opening tally in the 7th minute to put the Battery ahead 1-0. 

Tristan Trager forced the issue by driving down the left flank with a cross to Williams. Goalkeeper Jake McGuire saved Williams’ first effort, but the save went back to the striker, who sent it to the back of the net in his second attempt. 

Charleston will not turn focus to the regular season finale next Saturday against Birmingham Legion FC before kicking off their playoff run. 

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A goal and Heineken Man of the Match honors for Augi Williams
A goal and Heineken Man of the Match honors for Augi Williams
Sierra Leone to start World Cup prep with Niger, Benin friendlies
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Benin confirm World Cup qualifying prep Sierra Leone friendly

Beninese Football Association (BFA) have confirmed a friendly with Sierra Leone in Casablanca as part of their World Cup preparation this month.

Provisional boss Amidu Karim to start his groundwork against Benin in Casablanca, Morocco.

A second friendly is expected to be announced by the Sierra Leone Football Association. Niger was supposed to face Leone Stars, but they have rescheduled to play Somalia and Libya instead.

The Leone Stars defeated Benin 1-0 in their last meeting through a Kei Kamara spot kick during the AFCON race to Cameroon in Guinea in June 2021 as Sierra Leone secured a place at the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 1996.

Ranked 124 in the global standings, Leone Stars’ journey to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023. 

Coach Karim and the technical team will use these friendlies in the North African region to assess his squad ahead of his first major task against Ethiopia and powerhouse Egypt in November.

The others in Group A are Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau and Djibouti in the race to the 2026 World Cup.

Benin is in Group C against Nigeria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho in the race to the 2026 World Cup. 

Leone Stars last outing in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying, Group Stage A final match ended in 2-1 defeat to Guinea-Bissua at the Estádio 24 de Setembro in September.

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Striker Daniel Kanu makes Southern United debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Striker Daniel Kanu makes Southern United debut   

Charlton Athletic on loan striker Daniel Kanu made his Vanarama National League SOUTHEND United debut in their 2-0 win over Woking on Saturday.

Southend eased themselves up the National League table with a 2-0 win at Woking as Kanu substituted in the 57-minute for Jack Wood. As a result, they registered back-to-back wins in the process.

The prolific striker enjoyed a hugely successful 2021/22 season as a first-year scholar, scoring 31 goals before the end of January in all competitions for the U17s, U18s and U23s.

Kanu, 18, scored three goals for the Addicks this campaign. And he is excited to be teaming up with the Shrimpers.

Upon signing, he said: “I’m excited to join such a massive club with massive history.

“I was here on Tuesday night to watch the 2-0 win against Oxford City, and it was so good to see the atmosphere that the fans created and how well the team played.

“When I saw how hard the lads were working, it pulled me in. I had a couple of conversations with some coaches beforehand, and they told me Southend was the place to come to.

“I think I’ve made the right decision and I’m really excited to join a good project here.”

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East End Lions appoint Charlie Wright as head coach
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

East End Lions appoint Charlie Wright as head coach

One of Sierra Leone’s most decorated clubs, East End Lions, has appointed the former FC Kallon coach as their new head coach ahead of the new premier league campign.

The former national U20, U23 and homebased coach comes with a lot of Sierra Leone Premier League experience following his twelve-year spell with FC Kallon in the country’s highest tier of club football.

East End Lions finished last top-tier campaign third, but they’ll be looking to better that this campaign. The Sierra Leone Premier is set to kick off on the 3rd of November, the League Board have confirmed.

PLB say the winner of this year’s league will receive 500 million old leones and runners-up 250 million old leones 

“We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Class A Coach Charlie Wright as our new Head Coach. Coach Wright is set to lead our charge & develop the youth team. He will work with Coach Raymond Hunter and other coaches. Welcome, Coach Wright!,” The Eastern Giant Club confirmed this on Twitter.

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Sierra Leone's opponent Egypt eyes 2026 World Cup spot.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Egypt’s coach Rui Vitoria eyes 2026 World Cup spot

The Pharaohs of Egypt’s head coach, Rui Vitoria, has hinted at his ambition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup spot.

The draw for the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup finals placed Egypt in Group A with five teams: Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, and Djibouti.

The Pharaohs’ boss, Vitoria, 53, who was named head coach of the national team in July 2022, has been speaking ahead of friendly matches this month.

After he named his final squad for the training camp in the UAE friendlies against Zambia and Algeria, he said, “My goal, with my current contract expiring in 2026, is to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.” 

Egypt will participate in two friendly matches, the first against Zambia on 12 October and the second against Algeria on 16 October.

“Playing against Algeria and Zambia provides strong tests for the players, with two significant games scheduled within a 72-hour period,” Vitoria added.

“We always seek challenging matches during preparations for the African Cup of Nations finals and the World Cup qualifiers,” the Portuguese coach emphasized.

Under Vitoria’s guidance, the Pharaohs secured their place in the 2023 African Cup of Nations and will commence their 2026 World Cup qualifiers campaign in November.

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TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup Group Stage Draw to be conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CAF to conduct Inter-club draw in South Africa on Friday

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), have confirmed that the official draw for the Group Stages of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup is set to be held on Friday, 06 October 2023, in Johannesburg, South Africa.  

CAF say the draw will start at 12h00 GMT (14h00 Johannesburg), with the CAF Confederation Cup draw before the elite inter-club Champions League at 13h00 GMT (15h00 Johannesburg).  

It will be live on the CAF Official website, CAFONLINE.com and CAF YouTube (CAFTV).  

Thirty-two (32) teams await their fate, and sixteen (16) from each competition have now secured their respective places in the group stages.  

The draw procedure is expected to be communicated soon by CAF. 

TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Qualified Clubs 

Al Ahly SC (Egypt) Al Hilal (Sudan), Asec Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire) CR Belouizdad (Algeria), ES Sahel (Tunisia), Esperance (Tunisia), FC Nouadhibou (Mauritania), Jwaneng Galaxy (Botswana), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Medeama SC (Ghana), Petro de Luanda (Angola), Pyramids (Egypt), Simba SC (Tanzania), TP Mazembe (DR Congo), Wydad AC (Morocco), Young Africans (Tanzania). 

TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup Qualified Clubs 

Abo Selim (Libya), Al Hilal Benghazi (Libya), APC Lobito (Angola), Club Africain (Tunisia), Diables Noirs (Congo), Dreams FC (Ghana), Future FC (Egypt), RS Berkane (Morocco), Sagrada Esperanca (Angola), Sekhukhune United (South Africa), Stade Malien (Mali), SuperSport United (South Africa), SOAR (Guinea), Rivers United (Nigeria) USM Alger (Algeria), Zamalek (Egypt). 

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