Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Everton's move delights Moroccan International Adam Aznou
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Everton’s move delights Moroccan International Adam Aznou

New Everton arrival Adam Aznou has said that a chat with boss David Moyes convinced him to join the team. (Photo Everton)

The Morocco international signed with Everton on Tuesday for a cost of about €9 million, therefore ending his three-year tenure at Bayern Munich.

A graduate of Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy, Aznou relocated to Germany in 2022 and made his first-team debut for Bayern against Union Berlin on November 2, 2024.

Spending the second half of the 202425 season on loan at La Liga team Real Valladolid, the 19-year-old left-back made 13 appearances and gathered priceless experience.

Aznou expressed his anticipation about playing in what he thought to be the finest league in the world and described Everton’s new stadium as “perfect”.

“I’m so happy to be here. I am honoured to be a member of this team. The project they provided me is truly excellent,” the adolescent told evertontv. “I am very eager to get started as the Premier League is the top league in the world.” The stadium is lovely. For our supporters, it generates the perfect ambience. For us, it is ideal.

“Moyes discussed the team with me and how he expects me to help. I decided immediately following our chat. Encouraged by his words, I chose to sign.

Moyes remarked, “We are delighted to bring Adam to Everton. He is a young, gifted player with a great future. Finding left-backs is difficult, and we’re happy to have a young player who we hope will grow while at Everton.

Kumba Brima nets four goals on her UEFA Champions League debut
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kumba Brima nets four goals on her UEFA Champions League debut

Sierra Leone’s Kumba Zainab Brima had an outstanding UEFA Women’s Champions League debut, scoring four goals for Riga FC Women in the first qualifying round semi-finals held at the Stade Achille Hammerel stadium in Luxembourg.

Her goals came in the 11th, 18th, 24th, and 55th minutes during their 4-1 victory over FC Flora, an Estonian professional football club based in Tallinn. Kristina Teern scored in the 27th minute for Flora.

Brima, a key player for Riga’s women’s team, has a valuable opportunity to showcase her skills on a prominent stage. Recently, she scored a hat-trick in their 10-0 win against FC Metta.

The second semi-final of the tournament features Racing FC Union Luxembourg going up against AEK Athens at 20:00.

The winners will advance to the final, while the losers will compete for third place. Only the tournament champion will qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Kumba Brima set for UEFA Champions League tie against FC Flora
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Kumba Brima set for UEFA Champions League tie against FC Flora

Sierra Leone international Kumba Zainab Brima is set to compete in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with FC Riga’s women’s team. They will face FC Flora in the semi-finals of Group I today in Luxembourg at 14:00 Estonian time.

Brima, who has been a key player since joining Riga’s ladies, has a valuable opportunity to showcase her skills on the big stage. The second semi-final of the tournament features Racing FC Union Luxembourg against AEK Athens at 20:00.

The winners will advance to the final, while the losers will compete for third place, with only the tournament champion qualifying for the UEFA Women’s Champions League proper.

FC Flora midfielder Karola Purgats expressed confidence despite prior travel issues, emphasizing the team’s strong desire to win. She noted a previous loss to Riga FC but remains focused on the semi-final.

Coach Ljubov Maksimova highlighted the effective collaboration with head coach Aleksandra Ševoldajeva, who brings international experience and strategic insights.

The team is focusing on game situations and improving confidence. FC Flora has 18 players available, but Kristina Tullus and Eva-Maria Niidu are unlikely to participate due to injuries.

Getafe CF sign Moroccan defender Abdelkabir Abqar until 2028
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Getafe CF sign Moroccan defender Abdelkabir Abqar until 2028

Moroccan central defender Abdelkabir Abqar has agreed a three-year deal, ending June 30, 2028 with Getafe CF.

Having left Deportivo Alavés, where he made 29 La Liga appearances last season, the 25-year-old was a free agent. Trained at the Mohammed VI Academy, Abqar signed with Alavés in 2017 and was elevated to the first team in 2022.

Hoping to draw on Abqar’s knowledge and abilities, Getafe wants to improve its defense for the 2025-2026 season.

Abqar’s signing marks a fresh start in his career as he also aims to establish himself on the Moroccan national team.

“Getafe CF has reached an agreement with Moroccan centre-back Abdel Abqar to join the club for the next three seasons , until June 30, 2028. 

At 26, Abqar is a full international for his country and arrives at Getafe on a free transfer after spending the last five seasons with Deportivo Alavés, with whom he rose to the top flight of Spanish football and where he has played 56 matches over the last two seasons,” the Spanish announced.

Gambian international Alieu Fadera joins Sassuolo on loan
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Gambian international Alieu Fadera joins Sassuolo on loan

Looking for more regular playing time in the 2025-26 season, Gambian international Alieu Fadera has completed his  loan transfer to US Sassuolo.

23-year-old Fadera is leaving Como for Sassuolo looking for a new beginning in Serie A. Starting his career at Real de Banjul, the Gambian international had a strong season at Como, playing 28 games, but lost his starting position in February after receiving a red card.

Starting in Slovakia with Pohronie, where he scored 5 goals and added 4 assists in the 2020/21 campaign, his path in European football began there. He next played in Belgium for Zulte Waregem and KRC Genk.

Ten appearances in qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and 2026 FIFA World Cup make Feder ten times valuable player for the Gambia national team. Preparing for the Coppa Italia game against Catanzaro on August 15, he is now with Sassuolo for preseason training.

Morocco first to touch down in Kenya ahead of CHAN 2024
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Morocco first to touch down in Kenya ahead of CHAN 2024

Ahead of the 2024 TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, Morocco has arrived.

Landing in Nairobi, the team is eager to get ready for the competition hoping to be the first to lift the CHAN championship three times.

At 4:00 am local time on Monday morning, the Atlas Lions arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi to be greeted by a vibrant East African welcome highlighting energetic traditional dancers and music. 

Hoping to create history as the first team to secure the CHAN trophy for the third time, the North African giants are quickly getting set as they prepare for their first match.

“We are excited to be here and ready for CHAN,” stated AS FAR defender Marouane Louadni, who added that Nairobi is already great and that the weather is amazing. We cannot wait for a successful competition.

On Saturday, August 2 marks the start of the competition for national league players only, highlighting regional ability. Other Groups Soon after Morocco are scheduled to arrive.

On Sunday they start their Angola campaign. Two-time winners Morocco is in Group A with Kenya, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia, and is widely regarded as a clear frontrunner.

Mustapha Bundu's Hannover beat Cagliari in a test Friendly
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mustapha Bundu’s Hannover beat Cagliari in a friendly

In their last test before the new season, Mustpah Bundu’s Hannover 96 defeated Italian Serie A club Cagliari Calcio 2-0 at the Heinz von Heiden Arena. The Sierra Leone International played for 760 minutes of the contest.

Hannover 96 will kick-start their Bundesliga 2 campaign against Kaiserslautern on August 3rd at their Heinz von Heiden-Arena at 12:30 pm.

Bundu was Hannover 96’s tenth summer signing: Attacker Mustapha Bundu joins the Maschsee on a free transfer from English second division club Plymouth Argyle.

He arrived with a 16-goal assist in the Championship last season. The Sierra Leone international signs a three-year contract until June 30, 2028.

Osman Kakay makes Niké Liga debut in Kosice defeat
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Osman Kakay makes Niké Liga debut in Kosice defeat

Sierra Leone international Osman Kakay played his first FK Košice Slovakia Niké Liga match on Sunday against Podbrezová at the ZELPO Aréna, but the team suffered a 3-1 defeat.

Four adjustments to the starting lineup made by Coach Roman Skuhravý were in contrast to the cup game versus Grodno. Three changes were made in the midfield: Kakay, Jakúbek and Dimun replaced the trio of Madleňák, Zsigmond and Čerepkai. Jones changed Mijanić in attack.

Following a 3-2 loss in the first leg of the UEFA Conference League versus Neman Grodno from Belarus on Thursday, this marked their second straight defeat. In this game, Kakay, 27, made his first start for the club.

In the rematch of the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League, set for 8:00 p.m. on neutral ground in Szeged, Hungary, Thursday, July 31, 2025, they will face the Belarusian Neman Grodno next.

Game on as Cas kick-off Aminata's SLFA appeal case
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Game on as CAS kick-off Aminata’s SLFA appeal case

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has informed the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) that it has received an appeal filed by candidate Aminata Bangura in respect of the upcoming elections on 2 August.

In their detailed three-page submission, the Lausanne-based CAS has given the SLFA three days to respond to Ms Bangura’s proposal for the matter to be expedited and addressed before the election date, among other requests.

The court has also set suggested timelines based on the twists and turns of the proceedings, which could drag on for weeks.

On Friday, 18th July, the SLFA announced that it had disqualified Aminata Bangura and the incumbent FA president, Thomas Brima, from contesting the election after they failed integrity checks conducted by the association’s ethics committee.

Bangura is contesting the decision and filed an appeal to CAS. It is unclear whether Brima is going to take the same route and appeal to Cas. However, Brima has vowed that he will take action.

The SLFA election is eight days away, with Babadi Kamara and Umaru Bah emerging as the two approved contenders for the presidency.

Football’s world governing body, FIFA, had put the SLFA under pressure, stating that the elections should go ahead on 2 August to preserve leadership legitimacy in the Sierra Leone FA.

Coach Diallo picks his Senegal troops for CHAN tourney
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Coach Diallo’s Senegal suffer friendly defeat ahead of CHAN tourney

After naming his 25-man squad for the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), in which Serigne Moctar Koité is the only player remaining from the 2022 title-winning team, Coach Souleymane Diallo’s Senegal suffered a 2-1 defeat to Uganda on Thursday.

This match was part of their preparation for the CHAN tournament. The local Lions will play their second and final match ahead of Sunday’s clash against Tanzania.

Notably absent is top domestic scorer Papa Doudou Diallo, whose exclusion surprised many. Coach Souleymane Diallo defended his selection, stating that he feels he has chosen the best players for the tournament.

The squad will undergo a pre-tournament training camp in Tanzania and participate in a mini-tournament with Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

Senegal is placed in Group D and will face Nigeria, Congo, and Sudan, starting with an opening match against Nigeria on August 5. The team aims for a balanced mix of experience and talent to defend their title successfully.

Senegal Squad for CHAN 2024:

Goalkeepers:

  • Idrissa Ndiaye (Football Generation)
  • Samba Mballo (US Gorée)
  • Marc P.A. Diouf (Teungueth FC)

Defenders:

  • Seyni Mbaye Ndiaye (US Gorée)
  • Mbaye Ndiaye (Jaraaf)
  • Amadou Bene Coly (Ajel)
  • Layousse Samb (Teungueth FC)
  • Malick Sembène (Dakar Sacré-Cœur)
  • Baye Assane Ciss (Teungueth FC)
  • Daouda Ba (Dakar Sacré-Cœur)

Midfielders:

  • Ousseynou Fall Seck (Ajel)
  • Moussa Cissé (Génération Foot)
  • Bonaventure Fonseca (US Ouakam)
  • Serigne Moctar Koité (Jaraaf)
  • Mbaye Yaya Ly (AS Pikine)
  • Insa Boye (Diambars FC)
  • Issa Kane (Casa Sports)
  • Pape Abasse Badji (Football Generation)

Forwards:

  • Mapathé Mbodji (AS Kaffrine)
  • Libasse Gueye (Teungueth FC)
  • Christian Gomis (Essamaye FC)
  • Oumar Ba (US Gorée)
  • Vieux Cissé (US Gorée)
  • Ababacar Sarr (Jaraaf)
  • Ameth Niang (Jaraaf)