Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

John Sama backs new strategy for Leone Stars' success
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

John Sama backs new strategy for Leone Stars’ success

Former Sierra Leone midfield conductor John Sama feels the present coaching staff for the Leone Star will produce positive outcomes. Sama, who represented Sierra Leone in the 1994 and 1996 Africa Cup of Nations, noted in a short interview that Mohamed Kallon and his management staff have a clear coaching philosophy.

Kallon will take on his first international coaching challenge against Guinea-Bissau in Monrovia, Liberia, on Thursday. Kallon aims to guide a squad primarily composed of home-based talent as they strive for qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“We are all fans now and in modern-day football, players must believe in the technical strategy, and that is precisely what Kallon and his team can offer,” Sama stated.

“We must understand that they started about three weeks ago. They will need time to develop the technical aspects of their plan and implement the style of football they want to play. All of this will take time, but in the end, I am very confident that they will start producing results.”

When asked about the predominance of home-based players in Kallon’s squad, Sama reaffirmed that this is the way to build a strong national setup.

“In our days, we performed better and achieved results because the majority and core of the squad were home-based. This is a young team that will need time to develop, and our target should be the upcoming AFCON qualifiers.”

Guinea-Bissau enters the match unbeaten, aided by former Arsenal star Luis Boa Morte as a technical head. While Sierra Leone holds a favourable head-to-head record with six wins in twelve encounters, Guinea-Bissau has won two of the last three matchups.

Sierra Leone has only one loss in their last four World Cup qualifying matches (one win, two draws and a defeat against Egypt), while Guinea-Bissau has one win and three draws in their last four Group A fixtures.

Guinea-Bissau is coached by former Fulham and West Ham United forward Luis Boa Morte. They have gained six points from four matches in the qualifying rounds, undefeated, and their strong defensive record may not be enough to harm them at the top of Group A.

This upcoming match features two seemingly evenly matched sides with strong defensive records, suggesting that a low-scoring encounter is likely.

Group A

1. Egypt | 10 pts 2. Guinea-Bissau | 6 pts 3. Burkina Faso | 5 pts 4. Sierra Leone | 5 pts 5. Ethiopia | 3 pts 6. Djibouti | 1 pt

Matchday 5 fixtures

Sierra Leone v Guinea-Bissau  Burkina Faso v Djibouti – Ethiopia v Egypt

Matchday 6 fixtures

Guinea-Bissau v Burkina Faso Egypt -v Sierra Leone Ethiopia v Djibouti

Confirmed - Sierra Leone U20 to play Ghana and Morocco friendlies
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone U20 confirm friendlies with Ghana and Morocco

Sierra Leone’s U20 team administrator, Benjamin Gordon Esq, has confirmed test matches against Ghana on the 22nd and Morocco on the 25th as part of their U20 AFCON preparation in Ivory Coast.

Hull City defender Cayden Cole, along with Hindolo Mustapha, David Kalokoh, and nine other foreign-based players, has been selected for two matches during the March international break. Sierra Leone faces a tough challenge in the CAF Under-20 AFCON, as they are placed in Group C with Senegal, Zambia, and Kenya.

  • The Road to the FIFA U20 World Cup

The 2025 U20 AFCON is set to be held from April 26 to May 18 in Côte d’Ivoire, with the four semi-finalists earning a spot in the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. Sierra Leone will be making their first ever TotalEnergies CAF U-20 AFCON finals appearance.

Midfielder Hindolo Mustapha, attacker Isaac Babadi, Ajax youth attacker David Kalokoh and nine others has been selected for this training camp. In addition, Seventeen home-based stars will travel to Morocco as they gear up for their maiden U20 African Cup of Nations.

“The purpose of this training camp is to refine the squad before the final selection is made. Playing against strong teams like Ghana and Morocco allows the head coach to assess both foreign-based and home-based players before finalizing the roster,” Ben Gordon states.

Reigning champions of the TotalEnergies CAF U20 Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal and Sierra Leone as the two representatives of the WAFU A Zone for the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Senegal was crowned champions of WAFU A Qualifiers after overcoming Sierra Leonne 2-0 in the finals held in Liberia during WAFU A counterparts qualifiers.

  • Sierra Leone U20 invited 11 foreign-based:

Isaac Babadi PSV Eindhoven, David Kalokoh Ajax, Hindolo Mustapha – Crystal Palace, Kevin Kargbo RWD Molenbeek Belgium, Mamadou Wurie Jalloh – Brondby IF, Cayden Peter Maxwell Cole Hull City, Abraham Philip Kanu Reading, Sean Umar San Kanu RWD Molenbeek and Samal Bangura Tottenham – from the USA – Kelechi David Walker, Isaac Marah and Ahzam Mansaray

  • 17 Home-based players:

Saidu M Bangura – East End Lions, Alusine Dumbuya – East End Lions, Santigue Fornah SLIFA, Amara Keita SLIFA, Samba Juma Bah Diamond Stars, Sallieu Bah Wilberforce Strikers, Musa Bangura East End Lions

Mohamed Fofanah East End Lions, Idrissa Sesay Bo Rangers, Samuel Kandi Old Edwardians, Mohamed Kargbo Old Edwardians, Mohamed A Koroma Wusum Stars, Ibrahim Sorie Sesay Luawa FC, Alusine Fornah Bhantal FC, Sheku Kallon Wilberforce Strikers, Michael jr Kargbo Old Edwardians, Alhaji Abubakar Jalloh Kamboi Eagles

Ex-Sierra Leone International Al Bangura's son Samuel to join U20 training camp
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Samal Bangura follows father’s footsteps with Sierra Leone U20 invite

The son of ex-Sierra Leone International Al Bangura, Samal Bangura will join Sierra Leone Under20 side for a training camp and friendly matches in Morocco this month as they prepare for AFCON U20 AFCON in Ivory Coast.

He is getting his first chance to represent his country at the youth level after doing well in our Academy. Samal mainly plays as a central midfielder but can also play as a right-back.

According to Tottenham news, the Sierra Leone Under-20s will play friendly matches against Ghana, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Morocco. These games are preparation for the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations next month, where Samal hopes to play.

The 17-year-old has started five of our last six Under-18 Premier League games under coach Stuart Lewis. He scored a goal and provided an assist in Saturday’s 4-0 win against Norwich City.

Samal is one of several Academy players representing their countries this week.

Emilio Nsu returns to Equatorial Guinea squad after Fifa suspension
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Emilio Nsue returns to Equatorial Guinea squad after Fifa suspension

Equatorial Guinea captain Emilio Nsue López has been recalled for his nation’s day five and six World Cup qualifiers against São Tomé and Príncipe and Namibia match after ineligibility Fifa suspension.

Nsue, the top scorer in the recent Total Energies CAF Africa Cup of Nations final, was last May suspended for six months by FIFA. He was suspended for failing to properly complete the change of nationality procedure when he switched to Equatorial Guinea, after playing for Spain at junior level previously.

FIFA then approved Nsue’s switch of football nationality, and the player was among coach Juan Micha’s 25 for the forthcoming qualifiers.

Friday hosts Malabo as it takes on São Tomé and Príncipe while Nzalang Nacional is back with an away match against Namibia on March 24 at Polokwane, South Africa.

Equatorial Guinea has three points in Group H as their initial victories over Namibia and Liberia were overturned, and they lost 0-3 due to Nsue’s dilemma.

Full Squad:

  • Goalkeepers: Miguel Oscar (Deportivo Mongomo), Jesus Owono (Deportivo Alaves, Spain), Manuel Sapunga (Polokwane City, South Africa)
  • Defenders: Carlos Akapo (Amazonas, Brazil), Marvin Anieboh (UD San Sebastián de los Reyes, Spain), Marcelo Asumu Nguema (DVO Unidad), Santi Boriko (Castellon B, Spain), Saul Coco (Torino, Italy), Basilio Ndong (Universitatea Craiova, Romania), Luis Enrique Nsue (COD Meknes, Morocco), Esteban Orozco (Arges, Romania)
  • Midfielders: Gael Akogo (Recreativo Granada, Spain), Federico Bikoro (Raja Casablanca, Morocco), Enrique Biribe (Cano Sport Academy), Jannick Buyla (Tarazona, Spain), Santiago Eneme (MFK Vyskov, Czech Republic), Pablo Ganet (Merida, Spain), Jose Machin (Cartagena, Spain), Oscar Mascarelli (Mallorca, Spain)
  • Forwards: Luis Asue (Moreirense, Portugal), Dorian Junior (Marbella, Spain), Cristian Makate (Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium), Josete Miranda (Iraklis 1908, Greece), Emilio Nsue (Inter City, Spain), Iban Salvador (Wisla Plock, Poland)
Bertrand Traore recall as Burkina Faso host Djibouti in Morocco
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bertrand Traore recall as Burkina Faso set for Djibouti and Guinea-Bissau

Burkina Faso captain Bertrand Traore has returned to the national team for the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Djibouti at the Stade El Abdi on Friday before they travel to face the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau.

They are currently in third place, sharing the same number of points with Sierra Leone, who leads on goal difference. Traoré will aim to build momentum as Burkina Faso seeks qualification for their first FIFA World Cup.

Key returning players include goalkeeper Hervé Koffi (Lens), defender Mohamed Ali Yabré (PSV Eindhoven), and midfielder Ismahila Ouédraogo (Atromitos), all of whom missed recent matches. 

Other notable returnees are defender Adamo Nagalo (PSV Eindhoven), midfielder Ibrahim Blati Touré (Pyramids FC), and winger Dango Ouattara (Bournemouth).

  • New Faces in the Squad

Three players are making their debut: Mohamed Zougrana (MC Alger), Arsène Kouassi (Ajaccio), and Cyriaque Irié (Troyes). Josué Tiendrébéogo (Annecy) maintains his spot, alongside established players like Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen) and Cédric Badolo (Spartak Trnava).

  • Squad Strength

The squad features a mix of experience and young talent. Koffi is backed by Sofiane Ouédraogo (AS Vita Club) and Kilian Nikiema (ADO Den Haag). Tapsoba anchors the defense along with Yacouba Djiga (Wolverhampton) and Issa Kaboré (Werder Bremen). In midfield, Blati Touré, Cédric Badolo, and Mohamed Zougrana are expected to play key roles.

Burkina Faso hopes to impress in these qualifiers as they aim for a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Burkina Faso Squad

Goalkeepers: Hervé Koffi (Lens, France), Sofiane Ouédraogo (AS Vita Club, DRC), Kilian Nikiema (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands)

Defenders: Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), Yacouba Djiga (Wolverhampton, England), Steeve Yago (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Adamo Nagalo (PSV Eindhoven, Netherlands), Issa Kaboré (Werder Bremen, Germany), Mohamed Yabré (ASEC Mimosas, Ivory Coast),

Arsène Kouassi (Ajaccio, France), Issoufou Dayo (RS Berkane, Morocco)

Midfielders: Mohamed Zougrana (MC Alger, Algeria), Ismahila Ouédraogo (Pansekairos, Greece), Saïdou Simporé (Al Masry, Egypt), Ibrahim Blati Touré (Pyramids FC, Egypt), Cédric Badolo (Spartak Trnava, Slovakia), Raouf Memel Dao (Sonabel, Burkina Faso), Josué Tiendrébéogo (Annecy, France), Salou Dramane (Hapoel Haifa, Israel)

Forwards: Dango Ouattara (AFC Bournemouth, England), Hassane Bandé (HJK Helsinki, Finland), Cyriaque Irié (Troyes, France), Lassina Traoré (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukraine), Mohamed Konaté (Al-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), Bertrand Traoré (Ajax, Netherlands)

Everton's Beto and four new faces in Guinea-Bissau squad
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Everton’s Beto and four new faces in Guinea-Bissau squad

Commonly known as Beto, Everton forward Norberto Bercique Gomes Betuncal set to lead Guinea Bissau squad for Group A World Cup qualifiers against Sierra Leone and Burkina Faso this month.

Head coach Boa Morte has also called up four new players: defenders Babacar Fati and Mario Junior, attacker Vando Felix, and midfielder Tamble Monteiro. Sene Camara is the only player from the local Bissau-Guinean league in the squad.

On a four-year deal, Beto transferred from Udinese to Everton in the last week of the 2023/24 summer transfer window. Since October 2024, he has scored once for the Guinea Bissau national team and made four appearances.

From early 2025, he has six goals for Everton and will be the forward for Djurtus, especially since top forward Baldé is hurt and midfielder Moreto Cassama has no club since August 2024.

Guinea-Bissau is currently second in Group A with six points, four points behind leaders Egypt.

The winner of the group secures a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Four out of the nine runners-up from the group will compete in a playoff to decide Africa’s participant in the intercontinental qualifying playoff.

Bundu nets, Juma Bah, 7.2 rating, Osimhen hattrick ahead of World Cup qualifiers
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Bundu nets, Bah 7.2 rating, Osimhen hattrick ahead of World Cup qualifiers

African footballers across Europe made the headlines ahead of this month’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the race to the United States Canada and Mexico.

  • Mustapha Bundu (Plymouth Argyle, England)

Sierra Leone’s Mustapha Bundu scored, but his team lost 3-2 to Derby County in the English Championship. Marcus Harness netted two goals for Derby, aiding their survival hopes against bottom-placed Plymouth Argyle. He is expected to join the Sierra Leone squad for crucial matches against Guinea-Bissau and Egypt.

  • Juma Bah on loan to Lens in France

The Sierra Leone-born player has made vital contributions since starting in the Lens first team. This past weekend, he was a standout performer as they defeated Stade Rennais. In his first start for Lens the previous weekend, he helped the French side overcome Marseille with a 7.2 rating overall.

  • Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray, Nigeria)

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen scored a hat-trick for Galatasaray in their latest league match. On loan from Napoli, he has 26 goals and five assists this season, leading the league with 20 goals, two ahead of Krzysztof Piątek.

  • Amine Gouiri (Marseille, Algeria)

Despite Olympique de Marseille’s 3-1 defeat to league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, Amine Gouiri continued his impressive run of form. The Algerian forward has been a key addition to Marseille’s squad, boasting four goals and three assists in just seven appearances for the club.

  • Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis, DR Congo)

Cédric Bakambu played a key role in Real Betis’ comeback against Leganés. After coming on in the 62nd minute with the team down 2-0, he won a penalty converted by Isco and scored the equalizer. Betis won 3-2, highlighting Bakambu’s decisive impact.

  • Hamza Igamane (Rangers, Morocco)

Hamza Igamane made a significant impact off the bench for Rangers in the Scottish derby against Celtic. Coming on in the 83rd minute, he scored a dramatic winner in the 89th minute, clinching a vital victory for his team as he gears up for his first call-up to the Atlas Lions.

Sierra Leone's Mustapha Bundu scored, but his team lost 3-2 to Derby County in the English Championship.
Sierra Leone's Mustapha Bundu scored, but his team lost 3-2 to Derby County in the English Championship.
Six arrive as Nigeria start World Cup qualifying prep for Rwanda tie
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Six arrive as Nigeria start World Cup qualifying prep for Rwanda tie

The Nigeria Super Eagles have started preparing for an important World Cup qualifying match against Rwanda.

Six players, including Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray, defender Bruno Onyemaechi, and goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, arrived in Kigali on Sunday. They checked into the Radisson Blu Hotel, where the team is based.

They were later joined by Papa Daniel Mustapha, Amas Obasogie, and Tolu Arokodare. On Sunday evening, head coach Eric Chelle and his staff also arrived in Rwanda to help the team get ready for the match.

The Super Eagles will play against the Amavubi at Amahoro Stadium on Friday. After this match, they will return to Nigeria to host Zimbabwe four days later at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo.

More players are expected to join the camp soon. The team is intensifying its preparations to secure crucial points in this double-header and improve their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Isaac Babadi will not join Sierra Leone for U20 Tourney - Peter Bosz
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Isaac Babadi will not join Sierra Leone for U20 AFCON – Peter Bosz

PSV will not release their young midfielder to the Sierra Leone Under-20 team for the Africa Cup of Nations, as confirmed by head coach Peter Bosz ahead of the match against RKC.

Isaac, 19, played the full throttle of the match as PSV defeated RKC Waalwijk 3-0 in week 26 of the Eredisie.

Last week, according to brother Samuel Babadi, the nineteen-year-old PSV player was invited to Sierra Leone. “They have been after Isaac for a long time. From the time he was sixteen, they wanted him for the first team of Sierra Leone,” he explained in the ESPN program Tekengeld –However, that tournament will take place in Cote d’Ivoire between 26 April and 18 May 2025., which means that Babadi would have to miss the season finale with PSV. Peter Bosz has now decided to put a stop to that. “He will not go there, no.”

Isaac Babadi’s transition from the academy to the main squad is not surprising to many experts. He joined the PSV Academy at the age of 12 and made his professional debut in 2022 with Young PSV. Before he played thirty matches in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie, scoring five goals.

Isaac Babadi made his professional debut for Jong PSV on January 10, 2022. He replaced Johan Bakayoko during a 5–1 home win against Almere City, which was the team’s biggest win of the season at that time.

For the 2023–24 season, Babadi joined the senior team at PSV. He debuted on August 4, 2023, as a starter in the 2023 Johan Cruyff Shield, which PSV won 1–0, giving Babadi his first trophy in his first game.

Four days later, he played his first European match in a Champions League qualifier against Sturm Graz. Babadi scored the first goal in the 4th minute, contributing to a 4–1 victory for PSV. In March 2024, PSV and Babadi announced that they signed a new contract, which will last until 2028.

Regarding his international career, Babadi played for the Netherlands at the 2022 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. He captained the team, leading them to the final, where they lost to France. He scored the decisive penalty in the semifinal shootout against Serbia.

Attacker Abu Kamara helps Hull City earn a point at the Hawthorns
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Attacker Abu Kamara helps Hull City earn a point at the Hawthorns

Sierra Leone native Abu Kamara scored the equaliser as West Bromwich Albion was held to a 1-1 draw against Hull City, marking their 18th draw of the season.

Isaac Price gave Albion a deserved lead with a left-footed volley that went in off the post. The hosts nearly opened the scoring earlier when John Swift hit the crossbar.

However, Hull equalized through substitute Abu Kamara, who scored from Kasey Palmer’s knockdown of Lewie Coyle’s cross. Hull almost took the win late on, but Joe Wildsmith made a brilliant save from Brazilian playmaker Lincoln.

Albion, which has drawn more than any other team in the top four tiers, sits sixth, just above Bristol City on goal difference. With their unbeaten streak now at four games, Hull has seen their buffer over the relegation zone shrink to three points.

West Brom manager Tony Mowbray expressed frustration over not converting enough chances: “We had 16 shots but only three on target, which is not good enough. We need to improve our final product.”

Hull City’s Ruben Selles acknowledged West Brom’s quality: “They were more in control in the first half, but we responded well and created chances in the second half. It was a fair point for both teams.”