Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Curtis Davies first Leone Stars training session in Casablanca, Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Work underway for Amidu Karim with International friendlies

Images of Sierra Leone as they continue groundwork ahead of friendlies against Benin and Somalia as part of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Sierra Leone to face Benin on Saturday before tackling Somalia on Tuesday in Casablanca, Morocco.

Head Coach Amidu Karim has described his first training as “vibrant, exciting, reassuring and most importantly full-blown”. It gives the team a clear and positive vision of what lies ahead.

Israeli-based defender Abdulai Jajue Kabia is the only absentee from the squad named by coach Karim due to the availability of flights from his location.

The Leone Stars journey to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023.

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone – Players Abroad News  & National News on Leone Stars. 

Head Coach Amidu Karim focus on duty in Casablanca
Head Coach Amidu Karim focus on duty in Casablanca
Curtis Davies's first Leone Stars training session in Casablanca, Morocco along side Queens Park Rangers Osman Kakay
Curtis Davies's first Leone Stars training session in Casablanca, Morocco along side Queens Park Rangers Osman Kakay
First-time call-up for former Dutch U20 defender now playing for HSV Hoek in the Netherlands Derde Divisie, the fourth tier of Dutch football
First-time call-up for former Dutch U20 defender now playing for HSV Hoek in the Netherlands Derde Divisie, the fourth tier of Dutch football
Sullay Kaikai from English League One side Cambridge United working hard in this session
Sullay Kaikai from English League One side Cambridge United working hard in this session
Alpha Bedor Conteh from Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the Bulgarian efbet Liga works on his pace
Alpha Bedor Conteh from Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the Bulgarian efbet Liga works on his pace
Attackers: Amadou Bakayoko and Mohamed Buya Turay go up against each other in training
Attackers: Amadou Bakayoko and Mohamed Buya Turay go up against each other in training
Curtis Davies and eight other foreign-based players have arrived at Leone Stars camp in Morocco for friendly matches against Benin and Somalia on the 14 and 17, respectively.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Curtis Davies banks on experience to boost Sierra Leone dream

Former West Bromwich and Derby centre-back Curtis Davies is optimistic his twenty-years professional football will help the Sierra Leone national team as he joins new International teammates.

Davies, 38, presently playing for League One side Cheltenham Town, has arrived at Leone Stars camp in Morocco for friendly matches against Benin and Somalia on the 14 and 17, respectively.

Acknowledging he is in the twilight of his career, however, his professional know-how can help nurture his new International teammates.

With over 500 professional matches for clubs like Birmingham, Aston Villa, West Brom, Hull and Derby, Davies told Football Sierra Leone that he banks on his professional ability to guide others.

“I hope my experience can help this time – I think being an older player, having played at the level I have played at, I would like to think the professionalism I bring and the standards I have adhered to in my whole career – will hopefully assist the group, But first, I need to know my teammates, as players, as people and from there – you can help people individually.

“For now, is all about me coming into this camp, getting to know people, the technical team, getting to know the way things are goning to be done so that hopfully, in the next camp for the World Cup qualifiers, I am better prepare Individually and people know me a bit more.”

  • On Receiving The Call-Up

 “When I got the call, it was an initial shock, if I am being honest. Because obviously, at my age, I thought the opportunity to play for Sierra Leone had gone. 

It was something that had always been at the back of my head. But, what it is, I never want to be the one to reach out. 

It could have been easy to try during the AFCON in Cameroon when there was success. Again, at the time, I did not want to jump at the success of others.

  •  Davies On His Sierra Leone Root 

“When I spoke to my dad after receiving the call – in his voice, I knew I had to do it, to come and play for the team – he was so proud.

My dad is the motivational factor in this. Obviously, when I was younger, I represented England at the U21 level. I then was in some four squads as I got older. 

I could have played for Ireland – it was never a question of playing for Ireland or Sierra Leone. That is why I never play for Ireland, either. 

Is a case of my dad has done everything in my life to give me the best opportunity to be a player, so I think at this stage of my career, to be able to do this is a blessing. 

I would like to dedicate my dad – he made this happen for all those years of running around to various football pitches. From County football, District football and them even for Premier League, my dad will go everywhere.”

Between 2006 and 2007, Davies earned three caps for England under-21s before he was drafted in Fabio Capello’s first England squad in January 2008. 

On Saturday, Sierra Leone kicks off their 2026 World Cup preparations with a friendly against Benin in Morocco at the Stade Bechir, Casablanca, before taking on Somalia on Tuesday at the Stade Berrechid.

The Leone Stars journey for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023 against Ethiopia and African powerhouse Egypt. 

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

Connect with us @football_sierra on Facebook/ Instagram, Football Sierra Leone, the writer on Twitter @bittar32, Contact bi****@*****************ne.net and Players Abroad News  & National News.

Curtis Davies first Leone Stars training session in Casablanca, Morocco
Curtis Davies first Leone Stars training session in Casablanca, Morocco
Caf 'A' licensed coach Victoria Conteh set for SFEF sport education program
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Caf A licenced coach Victoria embraces empowerment role  

CAF A Licence female trainer Victoria Conteh, the first woman to coach a top-tier men’s football club in Sierra Leone, is set to hit the road running – on a quest to educate the next generation of coaches across Sierra Leone.

Coach Conteh to join hands in the Sport For Empowerment Foundation Grassroots coaches and management training to be rolled out from the 14th of October 2023 across Sierra Leone for up to three weeks.

Over the years, she has been working with the SFEF foundation across Sierra Leone to promote grassroots education programs for young coaches in rural areas.

In May of 2022, she led their first-ever grassroots coaches management and education training program in Kono. In August of the same year, a follow-up training program was organized in Kono, with coaches from various areas across the country participating in the training.

This month, she will lead a group of expert coaches who will be travelling from Lungi, Bo, Kenema, Mattru Jong, Kono, Kamakwie, and Makeni to continue educating grassroots coaches with the theme Building Better Communities Through Education and Sport.

Conteh is the only female CAF Instructor in Sierra Leone and holds a CAF ‘A’ License. She has served as under 20 women’s team coach. 

She now serves as coordinator for the Sierra Leone national female team. Victoria Conteh was a member of the first Sierra Leone Women’s International in 1994.

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Kallum Cesay features for Huddersfield in Central League Cup opener.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kallum Cesay features in Huddersfield’s win in Cup opener

Huddersfield Town’s B Team featured Sierra Leone international Kallum Cesay on trial in their 5-1 win over Rotherham United in the Central League Cup opener.

Cesay, who is having a trial with Huddersfield Town after leaving Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, will hope he has impressed enough for a deal.

The former Tottenham youth defender did well in a 5-1 win for the Terriers, impressing in the first half in a midfield role before departing in the second half.

Young Terriers forward Hazeem Bakre recorded a hat-trick, a goal for Mustapha Olagunju and one for another trialist in Padrao. Tom Lees scored an own goal for Rotherham.

Town’s team (3-4-3)

Giosue Bellagambi; Tom Lees, Mustapha Olagunju (c), David Adewoju; Neo Eccleston, Kallum Cesay (Myles Bright, 69’), Tom Iorpenda, Luke Daley (Dylan Helliwell, 46’); Cian Philpott, Hazeem Bakre, Stephan Padrao (Omari Mrisho, 69’)

Unused substitute

Francis Hurl

Town goals

Stephan Padrao (33’), Hazeem Bakre (38’, 49’, 62’), Mustapha Olagunju (74’

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

Cesay, a few weeks ago, tried with the SV Werder Bremen first team but was unsuccessful. 
Cesay, a few weeks ago, tried with the SV Werder Bremen first team but was unsuccessful. 
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. 

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

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.

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

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.

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