Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

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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Young defender Amara Nallo impressive for Liverpool U21
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Young defender Amara Nallo impressive for Liverpool U21

West Ham academy graduate Amara Nallo, who joined Liverpool last month, has been a pivotal player for the Red’s U21. 

The youngster signed a five-year deal and was integrated straight into Liveropool’s Premier League 2 side.

Since his move to Liverpool, he has already featured in all the U21 matches this campaign.

Football Sierra Leone understands that Liverpool has paid a significant transfer fee to complete the move of the 16-year-old centre-back. 

Liverpool wrote on their website, “Amara Nallo is a centre-half who signed for Liverpool FC from West Ham United in September 2023. He is a strong left-sided defender who is comfortable bringing the ball out from the back. Nallo started Academy life with the U18s.”

He is expected to sign a professional contract upon turning 17 in November this year, a move that Liverpool could capitalize on, adding another gem to their youth ranks.

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Defender Alex Bangura makes Boro return in win over Cardiff
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Defender Alex Bangura makes Boro return in win over Cardiff

Defender Alex Bangura started on the bench for Middlesbrough in their 2-0 win over Cardiff City on Tuesday.

He’s been out of action since suffering a hamstring injury on his debut at Blackburn but was subbed on in the 90th minute for Lukas Ahlefeld Engel.

At the Riverside, Boro made it four wins in a row from second-half goals from Isaiah Jones and Emmanuel Latte Lath secured Michael Carrick’s side another impressive win. 

Bangura, who was forced in the 68th minute in a defeat to Blackburn Rovers due to hamstring injury, was subbed on late in their win. 

Alex Bangura Middlesbrough FC English Championship

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Ex-International Amidu Karim lands a Sierra Leone coaching job
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Ex-International Amidu Karim lands Sierra Leone coaching job

Former Sierra Leone attacking midfielder Amidu Karim, who was part of the Leone Stars 1994 and 1996 African Cup of Nations squad, has been appointed provisional head coach of the national team.

The former U23 technician will be assisted By former homebased coach Francis Zappa Koroma and Bo Rangers Alhaji Foray as they start their groundwork ahead of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

The SLFA say Karim and his team will take charge of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers starting in November. Karim, 49, who has been assistant under John Keister during the AFCON in Cameroon and the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, will start a new journey in his coaching career.

His Leone Stars’ journey to qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Mexico and Canada will begin in November 2023. His first task will be a doubleheader against  Walia Ibex of Ethiopia before hosting the African powerhouse Egypt.

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

About the World Cup qualifiers Nine (9) Groups Fifty-four (54) Teams 

The Africa Zone (CAF) qualifiers for the 26 FIFA World Cup will begin on 13 November 2023 and end in November 2025.

Qualification process – The African teams will play across two rounds – the first contest of the group stage, with nine groups of six teams each. 

Each team will play ten home and away matches -the top finisher in each group will qualify for World Cup 26.

The second round will pit the four best runners-up in two one-off semi-finals, followed by a final. The winner of this second round will participate in the FIFA Play-off Tournament.

https://twitter.com/football_sierra/status/1709297482469949711

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The draw for the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup finals placed Sierra Leone in Group A with five teams: Egypt, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, and Djibouti.
The draw for the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup finals placed Sierra Leone in Group A with five teams: Egypt, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, and Djibouti.
Continental giants Wydad Casablanca down Hafia to reach group stage
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Wydad Casablanca beat Hafia to progress

Continental giants Wydad Casablanca walloped Guinean side Hafia 3-0 in their second round second leg CAF Champions League tie to progress at the Mohamed V Stadium in Casablanca on Saturday. 

Following their 1-1 draw in the Guinean capital, Wydad knew they had to do the needful if they are to join other continental giants in the group stage draw.

Wydad Casablanca thrased Hafia’s 3-0 second leg win to progress on a 4-1 aggregate success.

Yahia Attiyat Allah and Hamdou Elhouni struck in the first half before Abdellah Haimoud completed the job after the break.

Wydad extends their remarkable run of reaching the group stage to nine consecutive seasons as they chase a third Champions League title.

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CR Belouizdad puts Sierra Leone side Rangers to the sword
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

CR Belouizdad puts Sierra Leone side Rangers to the sword

CR Belouizdad Cameroonian striker Leonel Wanda scored a hattrick as the Algerian side defeated Sierra Leone Champions Bo Rangers 3-1 in Algeria on Monday.

The visitors came out of the blocks early with a 9-minute goal from Ibrahim Turay’s superb strike from the edge of the box at the Stade Olympique d’Oran.

Rangers took their lead to the 78th minute before the home side was awarded a spot kick converted by Leonel Wanda after Azzi was fouled in the area.

Two minutes later, Wanda doubled their lead through a one-to-one pass before slotting past the Rangers keeper. Wand’s hattrick was completed in the 89th minute after he collected a pass from the right.

As a result, the Algerian side qualified for the Champions League Group stage with a 6-2 aggregate scoreline from both legs. 

Sierra Leone Champions Bo Rangers suffered a 3-1 home defeat to  Algerian side CR Belouizdad in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League at the Southern Arena.

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The Algerian side qualified for the Champions League Group stage with a 6-2 aggregate scoreline in both legs.
The Algerian side qualified for the Champions League Group stage with a 6-2 aggregate scoreline in both legs.
Cyprus League leaders defeated AEL Limassol 3-1 in round six of the Cypriot First Division league on Sunday.
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Jonathan Morsay nets in AEL Limassol’s defeat to Anorthosis

On Sunday, Cyprus League leaders Anorthosis defeated AEL Limassol 3-1 in the sixth round of the Cypriot First Division league at the Alfamega Stadium.

Sierra Leone winger Jonathan Morsay scored the only goal for the home side, his second of the campaign, but was not enough as the visitors took home maximum points.

The visitors took the lead in the 24th minute through Miguel Ángel Guerrero Martín from the penalty spot before Sergio Castel Martínez doubled their lead two minutes later.

Morsay, 25, reduced the deficit in the 52nd minute to lift his side. However, Anorthosis showed more composure to score their third in the 92nd minute via Ousseynou Thioune as they wrapped up the victory.

As a result, the home team succumbed to back-to-back defeats and sat eighth on the league standings.

APOEL vs. Ethnikos Achnas and AEZ hosting Paphos FC. will end matchday six of the Cyprus first league on October 2nd.

AEL Limassol’s next outing is away to Ethnikos Achnas on Sunday, 13 October, 2023.

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Jonathan Morsay nets in AEL Limassol defeat to Anorthosis